I’m sure you have already heard about the famous Mercado da Ribeira (also known as Time Out market), in Cais do Sodré, but it’s probably not the most traditional market of Lisbon. Lisbon has many traditional markets among the city but let me introduce you to a selection of the best farmers’ markets in Lisbon!
Mercado de Campo de Ourique
I live in Lapa so Campo de Ourique is a neighborhood I know very well! You can find pretty much anything in the market: fresh fish and seafood, local fruits and vegetables, meat, cheese, nuts or even flowers. If you get hungry while grocery shopping, you can also find a small food court that offers different types of cuisines, from traditional Portuguese to Japanese. There is no metro station (not yet!) but you can come by bus or tram.
Where? R. Coelho da Rocha 104, 1350-075 Lisboa
When? Mon-Wed: 7am-11pm / Thu-Sun: 7am-1am. But come in the morning to buy fresh food (in the afternoon and night, you can only eat something at the food court)
Mercado de Arroios
Arroios was my first freguesia as I have lived in different apartments between Alameda and Intendente for a few years. I love the vibe of this vibrant and multiethnic neighborhood, there are a lot of things to do (and to eat!) and the market is a central place of the neighborhood. Arroios market is a few minutes away from to the brand new Arroios metro station, so it’s very easy to access. At the mercado de Arroios, you can find fresh food such as fish, fruits, vegetables… but you also have a delicious small bakery (Padaria Terra Pão) and a few restaurants such as Mezze, a restaurant which promotes Middle Eastern cuisine and inclusion by employing refugees from Syria. Just remember they don’t accept reservations and it’s always full, so be prepared to wait a little.
Where? R. Ângela Pinto 40D, 1900-221 Lisboa
When? Mon-Sat 7am-2pm
Mercado da Quinta das Conchas
Quinta das Conchas is a big public park close to Lumiar and I discovered its market a few years ago while having a walk with a friend in the park. It’s easy to access since you can go directly by metro (yellow line). If you have a car, it is also super easy to park close by. The market is small (only a few producers sell fruits, vegetables, cheese, honey and bread) but I absolutely love the products: everything is seasonal, local (from Loures, Mafra and around) and quite cheap. Some producers accept payments by card or MB Way, but as always I recommend you take cash.
Where? Alameda das Linhas de Torres, Lisboa (metro station: Quinta das Conchas)
When? Every Saturday from 9am to 2pm
Mercado de Benfica
One of the most Portuguese markets in Lisbon. You won’t meet many tourists here! As in any self-respecting covered market, you can find anything in Benfica: fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, seafood, cheese, Portuguese delicatessen… The place is vibrant, noisy, alive! You also have a churrasqueira which is a place where meat is cooked in churrasco style, i.e. on the barbecue.
Where? Rua João Frederico Ludovice
When? Tue-Sat from 7am to 2pm
Mercado biológico do Príncipe Real
This market is perfect if you live in the historical city center since it’s right next to the garden of Príncipe Real. The place is gorgeous and the producers sell biological fruits and vegetables, cheese and bread. Go grocery shopping while relaxing and maybe even enjoy a coffee at the quiosque under the trees.
Where? Jardim do Príncipe Real, Praça do Príncipe Real, Lisboa
When? Every Saturday from 9am to 1pm
Mercados Agrobio
Agrobio is a network of Portuguese biological agriculture producers. They organise farmers’ markets in Lisbon and sell their products in many different places of Lisbon, mostly on Saturday mornings.
Where and when? Many places in Lisbon and around such as Campo Pequeno, Parque das Nações, Lumiar or São Vicente. More information and opening hours here.
Mercado do 31 de Janeiro
As in any other market you can find fresh fruits and vegetables, meat or cheese in Mercado do 31 de Janeiro (Saldanha), but it is particularly famous for its excellent fresh fish. Half of the market is dedicated to fish and seafood. You can find pretty much anything that comes from the sea: octopus, cuttlefish, tuna, oysters, mackerel, mullet, cockles, rockfish, seabass and many, many other things from the Atlantic Ocean. If you don’t want to cook fish at home, you can also go to the restaurant Cantina and basically ask them to grill anything you’d like. It’s good, cheap, non touristy and very authentic! A place you should definitely try.
Where? Rua Engenheiro Vieira da Silva
When? Tue-Sat from 7am to 2pm
Do you know other farmers’ markets in Lisbon you would like to recommend to the expat community?
