Bazaar Sábado (Saturday Market)

The Basics

Surrounded by tree-lined cobblestoned streets and the former mansions of wealthy aristocratic residents, the Bazaar Sábado is considered the go-to shopping spot for arts and handicrafts in Mexico. You’ll be able to find a range of souvenirs, from inexpensive hammered-tin milagros to pricy original paintings and sculptures, paper flowers, and embroidered wares.

Plus, the usual assortment of fresh produce and local fare is sold. Walking food tours of the market are available and offer an introduction to Mexican cuisine, including tacos, quesadillas, and pozole.

Things to Know Before You Go

• As the name implies, the Bazaar Sábado is only open on Saturdays, 10am–5pm; some vendors may open later.

• Wear comfortable walking shoes for exploring the market and bring a tote for collecting any souvenir buys.

• The restaurant inside the market specializes in quesadillas and features live music, but there are other food stalls nearby that offer cheaper eats.

How to Get There

The San Angel neighborhood is about 6 miles (10 kilometers) south of central Mexico City. There is no direct metro stop at the market, but Metro Line 3's Miguel Ángel de Quevedo station is a little more than 1 mile (2 kilometers) away and the Line 7’s Metro Barranca de Muerto station, along Avenida Revolución, is also close. Buses connect both stops to Plaza San Jacinto. Some tours also provide round-trip transportation from Mexico City.

When to Get There

Of course, the best time to visit the Bazaar Sábado is on Saturdays, but the surrounding historic neighborhood also features popular sights, such as the historic Plaza San Jacinto, cafes, and shops. Several small museums, including the Museo Casa Estudio (the former art studio and home of Mexican artist Diego Rivera and his wife Frida Kahlo) and the Parroquia de San Jacinto, a 16th-century church, are also there.

Museo Casa Estudio

Built in 1931, this complex consists of three buildings: two studio-houses (one for Rivera and another for his wife Frida Kahlo) and a photo lab. A must-visit for art lovers, the Museo Casa Estudio now features many works by the two artists, including a collection of Rivera’s papier-mâché or cartoneria figures of humans, skeletons, and animals. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10am–5:30pm.