CityBuddy
Market Square
Best time to visit
Visit late morning on weekdays to browse stalls before the lunch rush, or early evening for live music and cooler temperatures.
Budget tips
No admission fee; browsing is free and pay only for food and purchases, with many snacks under $10; bring cash for quick buys and to negotiate small crafts prices.
Recommended for
Food lovers, Families, Culture seekers, Photography enthusiasts
Plan your visit
1-2 hours
About
Quick facts: Colorful papel picado ripples overhead while the smell of grilled carne asada and warm churros weaves through crowded lanes. More than 100 family-run stalls sell handmade pottery, leather goods, and vibrant textiles, and nightly mariachi bands add a lively soundtrack.
Highlights: Enter a three-block maze of stalls and the blast of mariachi trumpets mixes with the scent of roasted corn, while hand-painted serapes hang like rainbow flags from every booth. Small hands crowd piñata-making workshops of 10 to 15 people, glue-slick fingers shaping the bright papier-mâché cones used in the traditional seven-point design.
Insider tips
- Wear comfortable shoes, Market Square has uneven cobblestones and long aisles.
- Bring cash and small bills; many vendors prefer or only accept cash for small purchases.
- For photos, stand beneath the papel picado in the central plaza or by the Market Square arch at golden hour.
- Visit weekday late mornings to avoid weekend crowds, or come at night for lively music and festive lighting.
Book a FREE walking tour in San Antonio, United States
The best way to experience a city with a local tour guide.
Tip: We strongly recommend a free walking tour on your first day to get to know the city with a local guide. They usually cover all main attractions and you can ask for personal recommendations based on your interests for the next days. Book early as spaces fill up fast!
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