Recently updated on November 27th, 2023 at 02:32 pm
Rub shoulders with local grandmas and the city’s top chefs while you admire unique regional produce, or barter for antiques and admire artisanal goods at some of the best markets in Lisbon. Visiting local market halls and pop-up fairs are some of the best ways to get to know a destination. Discover what produce is in season, buy local cheese and pick up unique souvenirs while people watching and supporting small business. Here are the best food markets and antique fairs in Lisbon.
Best Lisbon food markets
Time Out Market
If you’re in Lisbon for a good time, not a long time, this is one of the best food markets in Lisbon to get to know Portuguese cuisine. Street press media Time Out renovated one half of a huge 19th-century market hall and curated two dozen of Lisbon’s best chefs and restaurants into an upmarket food court. Sip and sample your way through traditional dishes and drinks like bacalhau à Brás and Port wine.
When: Sunday-Thursday, 10am to midnight; Friday & Saturday, 10am-1am
Where: Avenida 24 de Julho 49, Cais do Sodre
Mercado do Ribeira
In the other half of the Time Out Market is Mercado do Ribeira, the original market hall concept. Six days a week fruit vendors, fishmongers and butchers sell fresh Portuguese produce to the city’s chefs, grandmas and locals. Witness one of Lisbon’s great food experiences by joining the morning crowd, snapping photos of scary looking fish and picking up some healthy snacks for the day.
When: Monday to Saturday, 6am-2pm
Where: Avenida 24 de Julho 49, Cais do Sodre
Mercado de Campo de Ourique
Every suburb in Lisbon has a traditional market hall where a dozen or so vendors sell fresh local produce. Of course, with the invention and ease of the supermarket these markets needed to reinvent themselves and Mercado de Campo de Ourique is a fine example of that. Before jumping on the popular Tram 28, stop into the 1930s-built mercado. A recent renovation added a central food court and now you can drop by for lunch, listen to live music and still shop for produce, local cheese, tinner fish and bread.
When: Seven days, 10am-10.30pm
Where: Rua Coelho da Rocha, Campo de Ourique
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Mercado 31 de Janeiro
Another large local produce market, this is one of the best markets in Lisbon for fresh fish so expect to bump shoulders with local chefs while admiring the glistening sardines on ice and watching the fishmongers prepare orders. There are 35 stalls here selling vegetables, spices, meat, cheeses, wine and more. If you’re suddenly craving grilled fish, pop upstairs to the restaurant Casa do Peixe.
When: Monday-Saturday, 7am-2pm
Where: Rua Engenheiro Vieira da Silva, Picoas
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Mercado Biológico do Príncipe Real
Any stay in Lisbon should include visiting the trendy and upmarket neighbourhood of Principe Real, so why not combine it with this mercado. This Lisbon food market pops up in the leafy garden with farmers and producers selling organic fruit and vegetables, artisan products and cosmetics, flowers and edible gifts like honey, homemade cakes, cheese and organic wine.
When: Saturdays 8am-2pm
Where: Jardim do Príncipe Real
Best Lisbon markets for antiques
Feira da Ladra
The most famous of Lisbon’s flea markets is Feira da Ladra, or “thieves’ market”, which has operated in some form since the 13th century. Every Tuesday and Saturday locals set up stalls across a few hilly Alfama streets peddling antiques, vintage clothing, jewellery, vinyl and art. You can barter on prices and pick up bargains.
When: Tuesday and Saturday 9am-6pm
Where: Campo de Santa Clara, Alfama
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Feira da Avenida
Along Lisbon’s equivalent of the Champs-Élysées, shop antiques, plants and gourmet and organic food at this upmarket street fair. The stalls pop up along the leafy and wide cobbled sidewalks on the second weekend of every month, plus the fourth Saturday and previous Thursday between May and October.
When: Second weekend of the month, plus fourth Sunday of the month and previous Thursday, from 10am-7pm
Where: Avenida da Liberdade
Feira de Belém
On the first and third Sunday of each month one of the best markets in Lisbon pops up near the famous Jerónimos Monastery. The Belém Antiques, Antiques and Crafts Fair is the perfect spot to trawl the stalls for antiques and handicrafts between exploring landmarks of this must-see suburb. Don’t forget to stop by Pasteis de Belém for the most famous pastel de nata.
When: First and third Sunday of the month, 9am-5pm from November to April and 9am-7pm from May to October
Where: Jardim Vasco da Gama, Belém
Chiado Book Fair
The cute street beside the world’s oldest bookstore, Bertrand, fills with vendors selling second-hand books, guides, prints, atlases, comic books and more. Of course, most of the novels are in Portuguese but there’s something romantic about strolling this charming European street while browsing antique titles.
Have you visited some of the best markets in Lisbon? Let us know in the comments below…