Market Day

Shoppers everywhere are increasingly frequenting local outdoor markets drawn by the freshness and quality of seasonal produce and the opportunity to support local farmers and small businesses. These markets offer more than just fresh fodder—they provide a sustainabl way to shop, with minimal packaging and reduced environmental impact. There’s something intensely satisfying about walking into a colourful marketplace with your own cotton bags, strolling down the aisles, pausing at various stalls, and filling the bags with the bounty of nature.

Residents and holidaymakers alike appreciate the unique offerings, from homemade goods t rare varieties of fruits and vegetables, as well as the chance to connect directly with the producers. The combination of redolent smells, vivid colours, and vibrant atmosphere fille with community interaction and lively energy, makes visiting these markets a truly enjoyable experience.

With its abundance of citrus fruits, olives, almonds, figs, carob, and sea salt, the Algarve is perfect place for indoor and outdoor market enthusiasts. The area is also known for livestock farming and wine production, encompassing around 15,000 farms and small holdings ranging from large agricultural enterprises to small family-run businesses. And this agricultural sector is vital for both the local economy and food supply, with many of these smaller holdings contributing produce both to local markets and local restaurants.

Alvor Market

Linda Brough, a Lagos-based silversmith, frequents the Mercado Municipal de Alvor (open Tuesday-Saturday 7am-1pm): “My husband and I enjoy a wander around the market in Alvor. I like the location down at the waterfront and it feels like we are having a day out.” The couple occasionally visit other venues, such as the small market at Ferragudo. Local specialities like honey and fresh dill are key motivators, as well as the opportunity to browse handmade craft items. “I generally buy smaller items for myself to support artists, or spend a little more if I am looking for a gift for someone,” says Linda who appreciates the lower carbon footprint of small business production. In her own intricate silver work, she only uses recycled silver (https:// www.facebook.com/littlelightsjewellery). Another benefit is the opportunity to communicat and network with vendors, practicing her Portuguese in the process: “Generally, there is a slower pace and a nice atmosphere as people take time to talk about their products. Often you get so much information about what is on offer as you are talking to the person who made it o grew it. It’s different altogether from a supermarket or retail experience.

And occasionally Linda becomes the vendor herself, setting up her stall and displaying her collection of jewelry made from silver and semi-precious stones. “Within the artisan community, there is a collective helping of others that takes place at the markets and craft fairs,” she notes. “I have found them to be extremely supportive. I have gotten to know so many lovely people through selling at markets.” And the vibe varies depending on the organisation: “I have attended some that were very laid back and chilled –with dogs running around, lots of activities for kids, music and beer tents. I have attended some more formal events which are lovely for meeting new people and displaying my items. I have attended some which are more touristy - these tend to be good for my business as people want to take home nice gifts for themselves or their loved ones to remind them of their lovely holidays or time away.” Larger events such as Fatacil held in August in Lagoa, are busier and less personal, she adds, but a good way to appreciate the wider range of Algarvian products.

Lagos Markets

Lagos has several really popular options including the central Mercado Municipal de Lagos, a striking black-and-white building on Av. Dos Descobrimentos. Here, there’s an indoor fis market on the ground floor which is open daily from 8am-2pm except Sundays. The next fl is home to a varied produce market and, up on the panoramic rooftop is the restaurant and bar Marè, where you can quaff coffee or cocktails while drinking in the unbeatable views o Lagos Bay, the Marina, Meia Praia and the Alvor reservoir.

Further along the Av. dos Descobrimentos, next to the bus station, is the Levante Lagos Saturday Market, open from 7am - 1pm weekly. This quintessential farmers’ market attracts local Algarvian smallholders specializing in homegrown herbs, olives, flowers, spices, honey jams, chicken, produce from the Orange Route, nuts, goats’ cheeses and all the seasonal goodies of the Algarve. Every Wednesday this building hosts the Vivo Mercado Organic Farmers’ Market from 5-9pm. As well as certified-organic shopping opportunities, it’s community hub with food trucks, beer stand and, often, music and dancing. Expect added extras such as handmade cosmetics, local craft beer, and fermented goods.

Piotr Cholewa, a local vintner and farmer at Quinta da Pedragosa in Barão de São João, is a regular at the Mercado de Santo Amaro in Lagos. “I am in the Mercado once a week for bulk products such as potatoes, onions, fruit, seasonal vegetables, etc,” he says. “And I can also buy fresh fish there in a large selection.” At his vineyard, he has his own spices and has plante lettuce, rocket, basil, chives, parsley, peppers in huge pots.

The first Saturday of each month sees the Mercado Mensal, known as the ‘Gypsy Market which is set up in a field near the Estádio Municipal. And there are counterparts in Loulé Silves, Albufeira, and São Brás de Alportel. There’s also a monthly Lagos Feira de Velharias (Flea Market) which is held at the municipal sports centre, Lagos em Forma, the first Sunday o every month from 9am -1pm. This is the place for vintage, secondhand, antiques, collectibles and general bric-a-brac.

Mercado Municipal de Loulé

Even during non-market hours, the grand Mercado Municipal de Loulé is worth seeing for its 19th century Art Nouveau architecture. Conceived by the architect Mota Gomes, it is constructed in the neo-Arab style with four impressive pavilions and gates, intended to demonstrate the area’s prosperity. Its main functions are as a marketplace for traditional products and as a social, entertainment and cultural venue. The Chocolate Fair (Feiro do Chocolate) is a popular annual attraction held in and around the Mercado Municipal, spanning 9 days every March, a magnet for chocoholics from all over the world.

With around 26 shops and 78 stalls, there are regular markets in Loulé Monday-Saturday 7am-3pm, offering a wide range of local meats, fish, seafood, dairy, vegetables, fruit, cak gelato, and other gourmet products. There’s also a Food Court Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm and a Saturday Producer’s Market each Saturday from 7am-1pm. Check out https:// www.lcglobal.pt/mercado/mercado-municipal/mercado-municipal-3 for more information.

Vila do Bispo Wednesday Market

The Mercado Municipal de Vila do Bispo is in the R. do Norte - in the market square behind the Snack Bar Zig-Zag. It’s open daily except Sundays from 8am-1pm with an extra half hour on Saturdays. The first Thursday of each month, it hosts a special market with local vendor selling hand-crafted items made of wicker, wood and ceramics, as well as household and dry goods.

Sagres

The Mercado 25 de Abril is held Monday-Saturday 8am-1pm in the R. do Merdado in Sagres. With the sounds of West Coast surf battering the shoreline, the market specialises in fresh fis and seafood straight from the Atlantic. Famous for its fishing traditions, locals and visitors fl here for tuna, squid, moray eel, sardines and all the ingredients of fish cataplana. Stalls sell frui and veggies as well as breads, honey, dairy, meats, and aromatic herbs - a recipe for the perfect ‘Cheese & Charcuterie Platter’ (https://www.mercadosdoalgarve.pt/mercados/ mercado-municipal-25-abril/). And on the first Friday of every month from 9am-2pm, there’s popular produce, clothing and textiles market at Sagres.

Mercado Municipal do Barão de São João

The Barão de São João Farmers’ Market runs on Tuesdays, 8:30am-1pm, in the quaint town’s sports area. The Flea Market, held in the same spot the fourth Sunday of each month, attracts surfers and other caravan-dwellers to tout their homemade and homegrown wares often alongside their vans. Expect an array of handcrafted jewelry, quirky second-hand clothing, local arts and crafts, old books and records, vegan and vegetarian delicacies and other unique goods - all in a vibrant hippie atmosphere of live music and enticing smells. For dates, check out http://www.algarve-portal.com/event.php?p=23&id=40 for the latest information.

Dotted around the Algarve are smaller markets such as those at Espiche and Almádena which sell mostly fresh fish and produce - more information at https://www.mercadosdoalgarve.pt/mercados/espiche-municipal-market/.

Market Planner

Of course small businesses can sometimes come and go, so it’s advisable to get a business card or contact for your favourite vendors. Just because they don’t show up at the market one week doesn’t necessarily mean they have moved on. Joining Facebook groups for the various towns - for example, Living in Lagos (and surroundings) Algarve or the Barão São João/Barão São Miguel Community Page - is a good way to keep up to date with events. Other sources for local happenings include the Good Times Newsletter ‘Freshly Squeezed’ for the Lagos area. Subscribe at: https://goodtimeslagos.beehiiv.com/ to receive weekly info on Pop Up markets and events.

For a comprehensive list of all the markets in the Algarve, check out the schedule at: https:// www.portugalist.com/markets-in-algarve/. Here you will find a ‘By Day’ calendar that enable you to indulge in some Market Tourism, travelling around the Algarve visiting a different marke each day of the week.

And remember to take your own bags! Happy shopping!