Mercado Santa Úrsula Coapa

The Mercado Santa Úrsula Coapa is a big beautiful market in the colonia Pedregal de Santa Úrsula Coapa. It’s just west of the original settlement of Santa Úrsula. The market bears a couple of different names. Mercado San Benjamin and the Mercado Pescaditos get mentioned most frequently.

The town to the east grew from an ancient settlement called Coapatl. In the early colonial period, the Spanish then re-dedicated it to the legendary Romano-British Christian saint of Cologne, today in Germany.  At some point in the fifth century, the Huns beheaded her along with somewhere between 11 and 11,000 other virgins. The “little bear” only received her name in the tenth century, some 500 years later.

Today, the market bearing that same name is home to some 260 merchants. That’s according to a 2017 UAM study. Of course that number will fluctuate and the streets outside will often host lots more. The market is something of the center to the neighborhood. The neighborhood name also recalls that the lava flows of the Xitle Volcano reached this far north and east.

Inside the market, you’ll encounter a tremendous range of cultural artifacts and lots to eat too. The markets of Mexico City are a tremendous boon for hungry travelers. Prepared foods in sit-down restaurants are more common than many travelers know.

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Closed Sundays.