The Best Markets in the Algarve

Markets are a big part of Algarve life, from covered fish and produce halls to sprawling Saturday markets and monthly country fairs selling everything from cheese to ceramics. Here are the best markets in the Algarve, what to buy and tips for visiting.

Quick answer: the best-known is Loulé, with its Moorish-style market hall and a big Saturday market. Olhão’s twin waterfront halls and Saturday market are a close second. Most towns have a covered municipal market for fish and produce (best in the morning, Monday to Saturday), plus monthly or weekly street markets.

Why go

A market morning is one of the easiest ways to see everyday Algarve life. Farmers come down from the hills with oranges, honey and goat’s cheese, fishermen sell the night’s catch, and you can stock up for a picnic or a self-catering kitchen for much less than in a supermarket. Allow an hour or two for a covered market and half a morning for a big Saturday market.

Types of market

• Municipal markets: covered halls for fish, meat, fruit and vegetables. They usually open early and close by early afternoon, Monday to Saturday.
• Saturday farmers’ markets: local growers set up stalls next to the main halls in several towns.
• Monthly fairs: big open-air markets, sometimes called gypsy markets, with clothes, shoes, tools, plants, pottery and snacks.

The best markets

• Loulé: the red-domed market hall and a huge Saturday market. The hall opened in 1908 and is built in a revival Moorish style with domes and arched gates. On Saturday mornings farmers spread out around it, and a separate large open-air market sells clothes and household goods on the edge of town. Loulé is about 20 minutes inland from Faro. See Loulé.
• Olhão: fish and produce halls on the seafront, plus a busy Saturday market. The two red-brick halls date from 1916: one for fish, the other for fruit and vegetables. On Saturdays stalls fill the waterfront outside. Have a coffee in the market cafés and take a ferry to the Ria Formosa islands afterwards. See Olhão.
• Lagos: a municipal market by the river and a Saturday farmers’ market. The riverside hall has fish on the ground floor, and the Saturday farmers’ market is a short walk away near the bus station. A larger monthly market is usually held on the first Saturday of the month. See Lagos.
• Tavira: a market near the river. The modern municipal market sits close to the riverside, with fish, fruit and local produce. See Tavira.
• Faro: a modern municipal market. A bright hall with fish, produce, small food stalls and cafés, a short walk from the old town. See Faro.
• Quarteira: a big weekly street market, usually held on Wednesdays. See Quarteira.
• Monthly markets: many towns and villages hold traditional fairs once or twice a month, with clothes, tools, plants, pottery and food. Albufeira, Portimão, Silves, Tavira and Monchique all have them, usually on a fixed weekday or weekend of the month.

What to buy

• Fresh produce: oranges, figs, almonds and carob.
• Fish and seafood: clams, oysters and the day’s catch.
• Sweets: Dom Rodrigo and fig and almond sweets. See Portuguese desserts.
• Medronho: a strong fruit brandy from the hills.
• Crafts: copper cataplanas, ceramics and baskets. See cataplana.
• Salt: flor de sal from the Ria Formosa salt pans makes a light, easy souvenir.
• Honey and cheese: look for local honey and small goat’s or sheep’s cheeses.

A market morning

On a Saturday, start at Olhão’s halls around 8am, then drive or take the bus inland to Loulé for its market hall and the busy streets around it. Finish with lunch in Loulé’s old town. Without a car, trains run between Faro and Olhão, and buses link Faro and Loulé.

Tips

• Go early: fish markets are best before 10am.
• Cash: handy for small stalls.
• Bags: bring your own.
• Check dates: monthly markets move around, so ask at the tourist office or your hotel.
• Sundays: most covered markets are closed, though some monthly fairs fall on a Sunday.
• Parking: on Saturdays, parking near Loulé and Olhão markets fills up fast, so arrive early.

More: Portugal souvenirs and the Algarve on a budget.

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