A visit to a market in the Algarve is a great way to spend the day, soak up the culture and pick up a bargain at the same time!
Markets are held throughout the Algarve, with local markets on a monthly basis, fixed markets on a daily basis and then special markets held annually and seasonally. Wherever you are staying in the Algarve you can be sure that one is being held near you at any time and Algarve markets are a great choice for every member of the family.
Many of the Algarve markets are held in the morning so you can easily combine a trip to the market followed by an afternoon at one of the attractions in the Algarve, whether you choose a boat trip, a round of golf or even a visit to an Algarve water park.
If you are struggling to pick out the best Algarve market for you then have a look at our list of the top 15 markets in the Algarve, a mixture of all the different types of markets you can find in the region and highlighting some of the very best!
1. Loulé municipal market
Loulé municipal market is located in the historic centre of the city and is open on a daily basis throughout the year.
When you go into Loulé you cannot miss this beautiful building which is more than 100 years old and really is at the very heart of the city with a mixture of locals and tourists meandering about the stalls and stands.
The market in Loulé is open from Monday to Saturday from 6.30am until 3pm and you can buy up local products, organic food and fresh fish but what makes it really good is that it is all under cover so even on dull days this one is a great idea in the Algarve.
Loulé market is a great example of a traditional indoor market in Portugal and if you are in the area then stop by to see what you can pick up!
Time schedule: Monday to Saturday from 6.30 am to 3 pm
What is sold there? Local products, organic food and fresh fish
Parking: Yes, paid
Location: Rua José Fernandes Guerreiro 34, 8100-269 Loulé
Watch the below video to see exactly what Loulé Market is like!
2. Quarteira market
Quarteira market is one of the most popular in the Algarve and is a great place to pick up a bargain – especially if you have your bartering hat on!
The market moved to a new location recently and can be found about a mile outside the town on the main road to Almancil and there are several buses that pass along the route as well as the option of taking a taxi if you don’t fancy the drive or participating in an organised trip specifically to the market.
The market in Quarteira is held every week on a Wednesday and is known across the region for being the best place to find almost anything at a bargain price – from clothes to sunglasses, local produce, games, toys, plants, animals and much more.
The market is close to the Aquashow water park so it is a great idea to combine a visit to the market in the morning with an afternoon at the water park to cool down!
Time schedule: Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
What is sold there? They sell everything at very low prices – from clothing to sunglasses to local products, games, toys, plants and more.
Parking: Yes, paid
Location: Largo do Mercado 3, 8125-167 Quarteira
3. Tavira indoor market
This little market is located along the riverside in Tavira in a beautiful old building that has recently been refurbished.
If you are looking for a place to chat with the locals and soak up the real Algarve lifestyle then there is no better place to enjoy a coffee and the local chatter!
This market combines the traditional style market with more modern shops around the edge and offers a great shopping and cultural experience in Tavira at any time of the year.
Time schedule: The market is open daily except on Sundays and Holidays. It always closes at 3:00 p.m., but opening hours vary between 7:30 a.m. in winter and 7:00 a.m. in spring and autumn and 6:30 a.m. in summer.
What is sold there? Local products, fruit, fish, meat, clothing, furniture and toys
Parking: Yes
Location: Avenida Dom Manuel I, 8800-681 Tavira
4. Algoz flea market
Unlike other markets in the Algarve, the Algoz flea market is a traditional market that has not altered for tourists and instead offers a real taste of flea markets in the Algarve.
The flea market in Algoz is enormous and is held in a large area near to the village hall. It is held once a month on the second Monday of the month between 8am and 1pm before the heat of the sun becomes too much in the summer!
Look out for lots of handmade goods such as items made of wicker, wood and ceramics as well as bargains to be had if you are willing to haggle down the prices for a good deal.
Why not combine a trip to Algoz market in the morning with a visit to the nearby Fiesa Sand Sculpture park in the afternoon for a memorable day for the entire family.
Time schedule: Second Monday of the month between 8am and 1pm
What is sold there? Craft products such as products made from wicker, wood and ceramic, as well as bargains you can find if you are in the mood to haggle on prices in order to find good deals.
Parking: Yes
Location: Rua da Moinheta 122, 8365-057 Algoz
5. Portimão São Martinho market
Once a year the São Martinho market and fair comes to Portimão to mark the festival of St Martin and this is one that is a huge attraction with tourist and residents all keen to find a bargain and enjoy the attractions.
The fair is held in the grounds around the Portimão Arena, near to the riverside in Portimão, around the second week of November each year and continues for around 10 days each time.
The smell of chestnuts roasting away is the first thing that hits you at the market and as you head in you can choose to go through the stalls of leather good, toys, clothes, tools, shoes and everything else in between before heading off to the amusement park part of the fair.
Children (and adults!) of all ages will love the roller coasters, haunted house, candy floss, hot dogs and dodgems that help to make this market not only the oldest, but also one of the most popular in the Algarve.
Time schedule: Second week of November for 10 consecutive days.
What is sold there? Fur articles, toys, clothes, tools, shoes and traditional food.
Parking: Yes
Location: Parque de Feiras e Exposições de Portimão, Caldeira do Moinho, 8500-726 Portimão
6. Portimão municipal market
The municipal market in Portimão is an example of one of the modern large markets in the region and is a brilliant place to do the shopping for the entire week, with everything you need to eat fresh, locally sourced produce on sale here.
The market is located on Avenida São João de Deus between the Aqua shopping centre and the Modelo shopping centres and is easy to find and well signposted.
The market was opened in 2007 and covers an area of nearly 8.500 square metres making it one of the largest markets in the Algarve that you can visit.
This market may not have the atmosphere or charm of the smaller more traditional markets but it is where all the top restaurants source their local produce and is a treasure trove for foodies!
Time schedule: Between 7am and 2pm and between 5pm and 8pm from Monday to Friday and between 7am and 2pm on Saturdays and holidays.
What is sold there? Local gastronomic products, flowers and traditional craft
Parking: Yes
Location: Av. São João de Deus, 8500-508 Portimão
7. Olhão municipal market
Any trip to Olhão really must include a visit to the municipal market, the enormous red brick building that dominates the waterfront area of Olhão.
The market is located near to where you get on boats for trip to the islands of the Algarve and for other boat excursions and is a popular spot, not only for picking up local goods and fresh fish but equally to sit with friends and family and watch the world go by.
There has been a market in Olhão since 1866 but the building we see today was first opened in 1916, with some remodelling work also completed in 1998 to include traditional style tiles.
The market is open from 7am until 1pm but if you visit Olhão market on a Saturday morning then there is also an open air market running alongside with farmers and local handicraft producers selling their goods too – so you get two markets for the price of one!
Time schedule: Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
What is sold there? Food products and local handicrafts.
Parking: Yes
Location: Loja, 43, Dos Mercados Municipais, Av. 5 De Outubro, Olhão, Faro
8. Monchique mountain markets
A visit to the mountain town of Monchique is a must for anyone looking to get a real sense of the Algarve and the traditions of the people who live away from the busy coast, and a great way to soak up the atmosphere is by going to one of the monthly markets that take place there.
The collectable market takes place on the 4th Sunday of every month in the Largo dos Chorões and is the place to go if you are looking for agricultural products, specialist items and basically anything connected with this unique culture and countryside.
There is also the monthly market which takes place in Monchique on the second Friday of every month and this is where people come to buy their fruits, vegetables, grains and other food stuffs from local producers.
After a drive up into the hills of Monchique, take the time to admire the views before heading back down towards the coast, where you can pass by the Autodromo do Algarve and all the activities that take place there.
Time schedule: Fourth Sunday of the month or second Friday of each month
What is sold there? Food products or products related to agriculture
Parking: Yes
Location: Largo do Chorões, 8550-455 Monchique
9. Street market in Lagoa during summer
If you are looking for a lot of fun for the whole family then the summer street market held in Lagoa is a good bet!
Lagoa is a small village located near the water park Slide & Splash and during the summer months the main becomes an open air market.
Kids will love the rocking castles, face painting and other activities that take place in the market. This is a new addition to the calendar of markets in the Algarve and will certainly be very popular!
Time schedule: During the month of May, June and September the market is held on Saturday mornings from 9am to 1pm. In August the market is held on Fridays in the evening between 6pm and 11pm.
What is sold there? Organic products, local crafts, honey and sweets
Parking: No
Location: Main Street of Lagoa
10. Boliqueime Antiques market
Antique fairs have been growing in popularity in the Algarve and the Boliqueime Antiques fair is one of the best.
The antiques market is held monthly on the first Sunday of the month in an area near the churchyard of the small interior village of Boliqueime.
This type of market has a huge variety when it comes to antiques.
Time schedule: First Sunday of the month
What is sold there? Antiques
Parking: No
Location: R. Dr. João Batista Ramos Faísca, 8100-070 Boliqueime
11. Faro Municipal Market
Faro Municipal Market is located at the heart of the city of Faro in a whitewashed building as is customary for buildings in the Algarve region.
We strongly recommend that you visit the Municipal Market of Faro to get to know the local customs of the capital of the region. Indulge yourself with the huge variety of fish and meat that are on display, as well as with the other traditional products such as olives, fruit or corn.
Time schedule: Monday to Friday from 8.30a.m. to 7p.m. and Saturdays from 9a.m. to 1p.m.
What is sold there? Food & Related products
Parking: Yes, paid
Location: Largo Dr. Francisco Sá Carneiro 52, 8000-150 Faro
12. Estoi Market
Estoi market is the ideal place to find those hard to find goods that you’ve looked everywhere for! This kind of gypsy market concentrates near the cemetery and once a month animates the town of Estoi.
Time schedule: Second Sunday of the month from 8a.m. to 3p.m.
What is sold there? All kinds of trinkets as well as food products
Parking: No
Location: R. do Cemitério 2, 8005-450 Faro
13. São Brás de Alportel Market
São Brás de Alportel is a small Portuguese village very attached to its history and traditions. One of the ways found by the village to preserve its tradition is through its market where the same local products that were traded five centuries ago are still nowadays being sold.
Time schedule: Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
What is sold there? Food & Related products
Parking: Yes
Location: São Brás de Alportel, Parque Roberto Nobre
14. Monte Gordo Municipal Market
Monte Gordo’s Municipal Market, with its simple appearance, is known to be one of the markets where you can find the best fruit in the Algarve. Although it does sell other typical agro-food products, its fruit of excellent quality is the great attraction of this market.
Time schedule: Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
What is sold there? Food & Related products
Parking: Yes
Location: Rua de Gonçalo Velho 232, 8900-432 Monte Gordo
15. Silves Market
Silves is one of the most beautiful cities in the Algarve and Silves’ market is situated in a white building with a picturesque aspect. The market building is an architectural example of the dictatorship era. Visit this building to enjoy the products sold there, but also to talk to the sellers themselves, who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Time schedule: Monday to Saturday from 7a.m. to 2p.m.
What is sold there? Food & Related products
Parking: Yes
Location: N124, 8300-110 Silves
