The Plaza de la Corredera is the only arcaded square of Castilian style in Andalusia — the closest the south of Spain comes to the Plaza Mayor of Madrid, though with a character that is entirely its own. The arcades shelter bars and restaurants whose terraces fill the square from morning to late at night.
A Square with Many Lives
Built in 1683 over the site of an ancient Roman forum, the plaza has served as a bullfighting ring, execution ground, livestock market, and fairground over the centuries. Its ochre facades and plain arcade columns stand apart from the more ornate squares typical of Andalusia — the architecture is practical rather than decorative, which is part of why it reads as more genuinely local than most historic squares in the region.
The Sunday Flea Market
Every Sunday morning, a flea market fills the square from 9am to 2pm. Booksellers, antique dealers, and collectors spread out beneath the arcades. The terraces alongside make a good vantage point for watching local life: residents of the Centro neighbourhood stop for coffee, kids run around the fountain, and regulars browse the same stalls week after week.
Living the Local Atmosphere
Sit down on a terrace for at least 30 minutes — the tapas under the arcades are good and the people-watching is better. The Sunday market runs from 9am to 2pm, the best time if you want books or antiques. The square is quieter on weekday mornings and liveliest on summer evenings. It is a 5-minute walk from the Roman Temple and 10 minutes from the Mezquita.
