In Alicante Markets, You Can Also Find Love: Here Are the Timings

A glance in the fruit section, a wink in the meat queue, or an upside-down pineapple while choosing between tuna and hake are some of the hints for those on the lookout for a partner. The municipal markets of Alicante have seized the opportunity to join the Instagram trend encouraging people to flirt in Mercadona.

Thus, traditional city markets such as Central, Carolinas, and Benalúa have released a video with timings and locations where people can search for love. Not only that, but they also include success stories of using these spaces to find romance, like Susana who, along with her husband, poses at their fish stall with the result of their market flirtation—their now-grown son.

The initiative, a collaboration between content creator Elena Vidal (@alicantestreetstyle) and the Association of Market Traders of Alicante, aims to encourage younger generations to shop at these traditional venues. "Markets have always been seen as places for an older audience, but we also want to reach future shoppers who are active on social media," explains Paco Alemany, president of the Association of Municipal Market Traders of Alicante. To appeal to younger audiences, they decided to create a video, and Vidal reached out to them at just the right time.

"This market flirting has been going on forever; I met my partner at Central myself," Alemany adds. The market trader emphasizes that the campaign seeks to promote local consumption, which is more sustainable, reduces carbon footprints, and helps bring life to the city and its neighborhoods.

"Not only can you flirt at a stall, but you can also grab a beer at one of the dining spots, see who pays for it, and cook something delicious at home for your date," this trader explains.

For now, aside from the mandatory upside-down pineapple signal, customers should note that in Alicante's markets, early birds can flirt from 9 to 10 AM in the fish section. For those who prefer a slightly later start, from 10 to 11 AM is the time to head to the butcher's. Approaching midday, it's time for the bakery from 11 AM to 12 PM. From then on, it's the fruit section's turn from 12 to 1 PM. Finally, for those who are 'latecomers,' love awaits at the bars from 1 to 2 PM. The rest is up to each individual's charm.