4 markets in Portugal to discover

October 28, 2022

I talk about it regularly on this blog: food is at the heart of Portuguese culture. There are lots of markets in Portugal, and I strongly advise you to visit them if you’re traveling or living there. Markets in Portugal are the perfect place to immerse yourself in Portuguese culture.

Why should you? The Portuguese are great food lovers, and although some shopping is done in supermarkets, traditional markets are still very popular today. The Portuguese like to cook simple, no-fuss dishes made with local produce, and it’s this secret that explains the quality of Portuguese cuisine. Portugal is a country rich in fish, meat and vegetables, so it’s a pleasure to sample these market products.

Throughout Portugal, there are many places where traditional markets exist, and for several years now some traditional markets have been modernizing by proposing a “hybrid” market concept, with a traditional market on one side and food stands/corners on the other, following the example of the famous San Miguel market in Madrid for those who know it. This “Hall Gastronomique” concept is now starting to emerge in several French cities, while it has already been well established for several years in major Portuguese cities such as Lisbon and Porto.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of 5 markets in Portugal, in the cities of Lisbon and Porto. Not to be missed if you live or travel in Portugal.

Lisbon markets

1: Market in Portugal, Mercado da Ribeira

This is probably THE most famous market in Lisbon. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, that’s because many tourists call it something else. The Mercado da Ribeira is also known as the Time Out Market (name since 2001).

The Mercado da Ribeira is Lisbon’s oldest market. It was inaugurated on January 1, 1882. The historic iron building is located just opposite the Cais do Sodré station on the riverbank, so you can’t miss it! There are numerous entrances on all sides of the building. The main entrance is on the station side, and recognizable by its pretty azulejos (if you don’t know azulejos yet, check out my article 14 souvenirs from Portugal or follow me on Instagram, I often talk about them).

Once inside the market, it’s divided into 3 parts:

bottom right: the traditional market with its stalls of fish, meat, fruit, vegetables, florists… I love going there! There are few tourists, the produce is fresh and the authenticity is there, just like the little granny who sells nothing but lemons and who is adorable.
bottom left : a huge food court with over 40 food corners: food, bars, patisseries, wine shops… Some of the corners belong to great Portuguese chefs such as Miguel Castro Da Silva, Henrique Sa Pessoa, Marlene Vieira… A word of advice: don’t forget to pay a visit to La Manteigaria, where the pasteis de nata are, for me, among the best in Lisboa (and you know how demanding I am when it comes to pasteis de nata). Last but not least, from Thursday to Saturday evenings there are regular live bands.
upstairs : this floor is less well known, and includes a magnificent coworking space, which I mentioned in my article“Telecommuting in Lisbon“, a restaurant: Pap’açorda, whose bay windows overlook the pretty Praça Dom Luis I square, and a nightclub: Rive Rouge, created by the founder of the famous Lisbon nightclub Lux Fragil.

The mercado da Ribeira is such a success that it attracts around 10,000 visitors a day, most of them tourists. The space can quickly become a huge hubbub. I strongly advise you to avoid it at weekends and during school vacations.

Practical info :

Address: Avenida 24 de Julho Street
Subway: Cais do Sodré
Market hours: Monday to Saturday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m
Restaurant opening hours : 10am to midnight, until 2am Thursday to Saturday.
Siteici

marchés au Portugal

Mercado da Ribeira

2: Market in Portugal, Mercado Campo Ourique

The Mercado Campo Ourique is located in the district of the same name. It’s less well-known and smaller than the Mercado da Ribeira, yet it’s one of my favorite markets in Portugal, more intimate than some of the others. It’s alsoone of Lisbon’s oldest markets, having opened in 1934.

Although less well-known than its big brother, the Mercado da Ribeira, it is nevertheless frequented by over 4,500 people a day, but relatively few tourists, since around 80% of the market’s visitors are Lisboners. The market comprises :

a “traditional market” section with several stalls selling fish, meat, vegetables, etc.
a “food corners” section with more than 15 corners for eating and drinking. As in other “gastronomic halls”, tables are centrally located, and you are free to choose your own restaurant, meeting in the center for lunch or dinner. Most of the time, a sort of “beeper” is given to alert you when your dish is ready. On certain evenings, especially weekends, there are cultural events, and to find out about them in advance, visit the Campo de Ourique market Facebook page.

Practical info :

Address: Rua Coelho da Rocha, Campo de Ourique
Subway: Rato
Market hours: 7am to 1pm
Catering hours : 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays
Siteici

marchés au Portugal

Mercado Campo de Ourique

Porto Markets

3: Market in Portugal, Mercado Bolhão

One of Porto’s oldest and most emblematic markets. One of the city’s most popular tourist sites, it’s a must-see if you want to sample quality Portuguese produce.

The building that houses this market is imposing, covering over 5000m2 and corresponding to an entire city block. It is bounded by Sá da Bandeira, Formosa, Alexandre Braga and Fernandes Tomás streets. At the entrance to the market, visitors are greeted by the image of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, the market’s patron saint.

Mercado Bolhão in a few key dates :

1839, the site was a field on which the Town Hall set up a market.
in1914, the current building was erected in neo-classical style. The building is constructed in reinforced concrete on a steel structure with granite foundations. A building ahead of its time at the time.
1940, addition of a second floor.
2006, the Bolhão market is listed as a historic monument.
2018, the market is closed andmajor renovation and modernization work is undertaken.
September 2022, after 4 years and 4 months of work, it reopens.

A stroll through the Bolhão market is a must for any visit to Porto. The atmosphere, the liveliness, the aromas, the traditions… will seduce you. An authentic atmosphere amidst fresh Portuguese produce.

This market is made up of :

70 fresh produce stalls. The fresh produce market has always been and remains the main protagonist of this emblematic building, with stalls selling fish, meat, vegetables, fruit and more. These stalls are located on the first floor. Most have been run by the same producers and craftsmen for generations.
38 boutiques on the outside of the building, which have been gradually opening since the reopening.
10 restaurants on the second floor.

<p “=”” style=”text-align: justify;” tve-droppable”=””>Practical information

Address

Subway

Market hours

Restaurant opening times

Siteici

marchés au Portugal

Mercado Bolhão

4 – Market in Portugal, Mercado Beira Rio

Located in Vila Nova de Gaia, across the river from Porto and the famous Dom Luis Bridge, this covered market occupies a former warehouse on the banks of the famous Douro.

The history of this market began in 1868. Initially, it was a “classic” open-air market. In 1896, the market was enclosed, but still without a roof. It became known as the “Mercado de Praia” (beach market).

The big change came in 1904, when the current market building was constructed and the famous fish market opened.

In 1937, the market underwent some renovations and became the Beira Rio market, with its typical fruit and vegetable stalls.

On September 13, 2017, the market was modernized, readjusting its concept with a more innovative and contemporary market, while retaining the essence of its history. The aim being, as with the other markets in Portugal we’ve talked about today, to combine the traditional market (fresh produce such as fruit, vegetables and meat), with the more contemporary and modern (restaurants, wine stalls…)

The food stalls at Mercado Beira Rio will delight the taste buds of all gourmets. You’ll find everything you need to eat and drink. It’sa popular spot for tourists and, like the other halls, large communal tables are set out in the warehouse, so you’re sure to have a convivial time!

Practical info :

Address: Av. de Ramos Pinto 148, Vila Nova de Gaia
Market hours: 8am to 6pm daily
Restaurant opening hours : 11am to 10pm daily
Siteici

marchés au Portugal

Mercado Beira Rio

In conclusion

As you can see, markets in Portugal are part of the country’s identity. This list is far from exhaustive, and only covers markets with a “hybrid concept”: traditional gourmet hall markets, of which there are many in the country.

I strongly recommend that you also discover the traditional markets, but if you’re short on time and you’re with family or friends, the markets that also offer gourmet halls can be a great option for spending a convivial moment.

Are you a gourmet who would like to know even more about Portuguese gastronomy? Check out my other articles:

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