Tours and Activities:

Shopping in the Market

Traditional commercial center, the Municipal Market is one of the unavoidable urban attractions in Temuco.

Walking around a city market lets visitors see the most representative traits in the community. Its colors, aromas and flavors express the singularity of its people. Therefore, there is nothing like going around the market to approach the lifestyle and the taste of the inhabitants of Temuco.
This commercial center located in the urban core welcomes residents and tourists everyday. Its construction works started in 1928 and it was finally inaugurated in May 1930. Mercado de Abasto, as it used to be called at first, replaced the ancient poultry market situated opposite Recabarren Square, which had been the shopping point for the dwellers of Temuco so far.

In 1987, important structural reforms were made to enlarge and refurbish the facilities. At present, they occupy an area of 5,000 square meters that includes 142 indoor and outdoor stores accessed through 5 entrances.

El Abasto
A tour around the market may turn into a real festival for the senses. The noise and the flashy decoration of the shop-windows are mingled with the smells from the restaurants that offer a varied and attractive regional cuisine. Typical dishes made with fish and seafood, such as pailas marinas, cold or hot mariscales, casseroles, corn pie and humitas, tempt visitors to the market. As well, butcher’s, fishmonger’s and seafood shops display their fresh products obtained from local resources.

The handicrafts shops complete the 110 indoor stores. Works made by regional craftsmen who master basketry, wood, clay, wool, leather and metals, as well as some productions from Peru and Ecuador may be purchased at these shops. Likewise, good pieces of Mapuche silverware, mainly jewelry typical of this culture, such as trapelakuchas, kilkais and sikil, to name a few, may be acquired.
Open all year round, not only is the Temuco Municipal Market an important commercial center for the locals but also an unavoidable tour for visitors to Temuco.

See also: Hotels in Temuco and other accommodation venues