Organic markets flourish on Costa del Sol.
The Costa del Sol is one of the best places to live in Europe when it comes to a healthy lifestyle. The wonderful climate allows residents to spend more time outdoors than indoors all year round, which in turn means more time spent in sports activities and walking, whether it is a hike through the countryside or a daily stroll on the paseos (beachside esplanades) that stretch along the coastline. For many years the Mediterranean diet has been universally regarded as one of the world’s healthiest and with access to local fish, it is easy to follow. Similarly, organic vegetables are more available here and the number of organic markets in the Málaga region grows annually. We’ve selected some of the best, including those where you can buy aromatherapy oils, handmade soaps and other ecological products. Guadalhorce Ecológico Guadalhorce Ecologico is a non-profit organisation that organises a network of organic food markets throughout the province of Málaga. Visitors to Málaga city can visit the market on the second and fourth Fridays of the month, but you don’t need to go all the way there, as the markets visit Marbella, Mijas and La Cala de Mijas too. The products on sale are sourced directly from local farmers and the producers often have hard-to-find products, such as purple carrots and white grapefruit. The market timetable is as follows: Marbella: First Saturday and third Friday of the month in Elviria Mijas: Second Sunday of the month in Las Lagunas La Cala de Mijas: Last Sunday of the month on the boulevard There are also markets in Coín, Benalmádena and Cártama. Eco-Marbella Most larger Spanish towns and cities have a ‘mercado’ where shoppers can buy a variety of fresh products and Marbella is no exception. Within the city’s Mercado Central on Avenida de Mercado in central Marbella, you’ll find Eco-Marbella, which specialises in selling organic fruit and vegetables. Health food shops where you can get fresh organic products include Bionatura and Casa Salud. Andalucia Ecologica Residents who would like organic vegetables delivered to the door are also in luck on the Costa del Sol. Andalucia Ecologica, the business behind Eco-Marbella above, offers a home delivery service from Torremolinos to the frontier with Gibraltar. In addition to fruit and vegetables, they can also provide organic meat and bread. Rastro Benahavís If you’re a fan of general markets where organic produce is available then you will enjoy Sunday mornings at the Rastro Benahavís, which you’ll find on the road to the charming pueblo of Benahavís. Electrical goods rub shoulders with vintage clothing and many locals use it when they need to have a house clearance. Festival Arte Sano This twice-yearly festival held in San Pedro Alcántara is not so much a market as an entertainment event where attendees can watch yoga demonstrations, sample a variety of alternative healing practices and buy aromatherapy oils and a variety of handcrafted organic products. The Festival Arte Sano is typically held in July and December. When you live on the Costa del Sol you may also find that you can buy organic products directly from a local farmer, and anyone living near a farm typically finds themselves the beneficiaries of Spanish generosity, with baskets of tomatoes or other crops in season arriving at the front door. Marbella is undoubtedly a great place to live if you want to stay healthy. If you’re feeling tempted to move here, please contact us and let us show you our portfolio of exceptional properties.
