La Ciudadela Mercado de Artesanías (La Ciudadela Handicrafts Market) – Market

This compact, filled-to-bursting market of handicrafts could be your one-stop shopping for all of Mexico (if you want to pay a little more than what you might haggle for in each locale represented here). Seemingly every handicraft from everywhere in Mexico is sold here in booth after booth, including glassware, jewelry, silver, ceramics, guitars, dolls, embroidery, baskets, wooden toys, leather goods, shopping bags (not just featuring Frida Kahlo but Sancho Panzo, too).

Curious, brightly painted wooden creatures called “alebrijes” from Oaxaca are in abundance, as are “lucha libre” wrestling masks, flags, T-shirts, and everything else. The market is about four blocks south of Alameda Central. You’ll have the place nearly to yourself if you come early on a weekday, but some of the stands don’t open until noon. Basic bargaining English is spoken here. You can easily spend an hour here, just browsing.

Location:

Av. Balderas y Plaza la Ciudadela, Col. Centro Histórico

Mexico City, Mexico

Market Types:

Craft market

Getting There

The nearest metro is Balderas. Leaving the metro, walk a minute or two north through the street stalls along Avenida Balderas until you reach the entrance of the market.

Travel Tips: Shopkeeps don’t like you taking photos unless you buy something. Use of the bathroom costs $0.22 (3 pesos).

Price Description: Prices vary depending on what you buy and what you can bargain for. Tiny wooden toys start at $0.45 (6 pesos). Prices ae slightly more expensive than what you might bargain for in the regions where the goods are made.

Relative price: Mid-Range

Open Hours from:9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday.

Travel Skills: None

You Need to Bring: Bring small change for easier bargaining on small items.

Other places to go/do around here: Biblioteca de México, Plaza José María Morelos y Pavon, Arena de México (for “lucha libre”)

Currencies accepted

Mexican peso

Contact Information:

Zip: 06040

Phone: (52) (55) 5510-1828

E-mail: info(at)laciudadela.com.mx

URL: www.laciudadela.com.mx

Here are other activities in and around Mexico City that may be of interest: Bazar Sábado/ Plaza San Jacinto and Mercado la Merced.