In Lisbon there are several traditions that are maintained until today, as is the case of markets and street markets. For anyone looking to do a bit of shopping in Lisbon, you’re going to have to include a few markets on your list.
In Lisbon there are several traditions that are maintained until today, as is the case of markets and street markets. Street markets are kept in the oldest or most traditional regions.
Even with the growth of supermarkets, there are still many people who go to street markets to buy fresh produce or simply take a walk and have lunch. In this article we will talk about the most typical and best markets for shopping in Lisbon.
A visit to the markets in Lisbon is always an enjoyable and fun experience. Whether you’re looking to buy something, eat or just wander around, there’s a market for everyone.
See also: Exploring Lisbon in 2 Days
Here’s our summary:
Here are some of our favorite markets in Lisbon
Mercado da Ribeira
The traditional Mercado da Ribeira is a great place to get an authentic taste of Portuguese life.
The market hall is always bustling with activity and full of color. You can find fresh fruit and vegetables here in abundance, and the seafood selection is impressive.
If you’re looking for unusual culinary specialties from all over Portugal, this is the place to go.
Background:
Construction work on the current market hall began in 1876, and it officially opened on January 1, 1882. However, in 1893, a fire destroyed the eastern part of the market. The Mercado da Ribeira was rebuilt and enlarged several times over the years.
The last renovation took place in 2014, though care was taken during this process to preserve the original character of the market. This character is mainly due to elements of iron architecture, which give the structure an imposing appearance.
The engineer responsible for this was Frederico Ressano Garcia (1847-1911), who was also responsible for other notable buildings in the Lisbon area, such as the Avenida da Liberdade and Praça Marquês de Pombal.
Opening hours:
The traditional market is open Monday to Saturday from 6 am to 2 pm.
The flower stores are open daily from 6 am to 8 pm, on Sundays only from 10 am.
Address: Mercado da Ribeira, Avenida 24 de Julho, 1200 Lissabon
Time Out Market – Food Court
The Time Out Market Lisboa opened in the western part of the Mercado da Ribeira in 2014, after the market hall underwent renovation.
At Time Out Market, there are more than 30 restaurants and bars, some of them even with starred Portuguese chefs. You will find traditional Portuguese cuisine, seafood, steak, pizza, sushi and basically any kind of cuisine.
The principle of the Time Out Market is relatively easy to explain. All around each side of the market are small restaurants and bars. In the center, you’ll find seating and dining all around, as well as two other bars that have placed themselves here. If you’re with family or friends, everyone picks their own food and then eats together at one place.
For vegetarians and vegans, the selection at Time Out Market is not very exciting or impressive. Traditional Portuguese cuisine is meat- and fish-heavy. Only at Asian Lab is there vegan curry and Pad Thai.
All the stalls offer excellent food, but I can especially recommend the fried baby squid and the roasted farinheira (smoked pork sausage) by Chef Alexandre Silva.
Other highly recommended places:
Pap’Açorda: traditional Portuguese cuisine, located on the 1st floor.
Marlene Vieira: delicious seafood at relatively reasonable prices.
Manteigaria: the pastéis de nata from Belém are much better known, but these are at least as delicious. See below for more info!
The only downside is that it’s become pretty touristy over time, so the prices are higher than average. And it’s still worth visiting, as you get some delicious food.
Good to know:
The Time Out Academy offers cooking classes that are located in the middle of the market hall. There are different workshops, lunches, and dinners with live cooking as well as programs for kids. This would be a great place to get a souvenir instead of something small like a keychain.
Opening hours: daily from 10 am to 10:30 pm.
Address: Mercado da Ribeira, Avenida 24 de Julho, 1200 Lissabon
Sábados da Ribeira – Ribeira Art and flea market
On Saturdays, the Ribeira district comes alive with an arts and crafts market from 10 am to 7 pm. You can find handmade jewelry, paintings, sculptures and more.
Or if you’re looking for something unique, visit the Colecionadores flea market every Sunday in the East Ship area. This is a paradise for collectors of coins, medals, stamps and old postcards.
Opening hours: Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm
Address: Mercado da Ribeira, Avenida 24 de Julho, 1200 Lissabon
Mercado do Príncipe Real
Get to know the Biological Market of Príncipe Real in Lisbon.
This is one of the best markets, where you can find the best organic products, in one of the noblest neighborhoods in Lisbon.
The market offers Lisboners a huge variety of vegetables and other products. It was created as a collaboration between Agrobio and the Lisbon City Hall and has been a great success among neighbors in the region and even people who don’t live nearby, make a point to go there to buy their products.
There are fruits, fresh vegetables, cereals, breads, olive oil, wine and many other products. The little market consists of several stalls, where the producers sell their main elaborations and specialties. Arrive early to see all the fresh and organized products and be able to choose the ones you like the most. The market’s location is always the same, in the Garden of Príncipe Real. It is super easy to get there, since the area is surrounded by public transportation options.
Opening hours: The Organic Market of Príncipe Real takes place every Saturday from 8am to 2pm.
Address: Praça do Príncipe Real, 1250-096 Lisbon
Mercado de Campo de Ourique
This is the local market of the Campo de Ourique district, where residents come to buy fresh fish and vegetables.
It’s a covered market with several eateries, similar to Time-Out Mercado da Ribeira, though it’s smaller and not yet discovered by mass tourism.
It offers plenty of choice: fish, meat, fruit, traditional sweets, pizza, sushi, walnut bar, wine bar, beers from around the world and an ice cream shop. You can get just about anything you want here.
So, it’s a great place for lunch or drinks. The portions are generous and not too expensive. For 2 adults and a toddler you’ll spend about €25 in total.
The food here is so good, you might forget it’s a market hall at first. If you’re looking to cook your own meal, you can buy fresh (local) ingredients for a delicious meal here. But there’s also plenty of fruit available.
Good to know:
When you hit up the restaurants, be ready to get generous servings with your dish – but don’t forget to check out what’s on offer in terms of portion size. You can usually opt for a smaller helping if that works better for you!
Opening hours: Open every day from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. (Friday and Saturday until 1 a.m.).
Address: Rua Coelho da Rocha 104, Campo do Ourique
You can reach it by tram 28 (read our post for more on how to get around Lisbon) from the center. Stay until the final stop “Campo de Ourique”. Remember, it’s free with the Lisboa card.
Mercado Fusão – Fusion Market
One of the areas of Lisbon that is most densely populated with foreign nationals is also home to the Fusion Market – a place where you can sample flavors from all corners of the globe.
There are DJs and other live acts. People gather here after work for a fresh samosa and a beer. Pakistani kids are playing cricket on the south side and the area is getting better and being renewed.
Situated in Martim Moniz square, this market offers small fast food restaurants selling cuisine from Argentina, Brazil, Bangladesh, China and Japan, among others.
Africa and Portugal are well represented too; making it the perfect place to try something new or stick to your favorite flavor.
The square itself is always buzzing with events and activities; meaning there’s something for everyone here.
Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday from 10 am – 7 pm
Address: Praça do Martim Moniz, Lisboa
Flea market Feira da Ladra
Soaring above the rooftops of Lisbon, in the charmingly situated district of Graça, you can explore an extraordinary market during a stroll through town.
Here, at one of the city’s most enchanting spots, lies Feira da Ladra — Lisbon’s biggest flea and antique marketplace — sure to capture your interest with its vastness and diversity.
A Selection Beyond Compare
At Feira da Ladra, visitors will find literally anything their hearts desire; from antiquated technology to vintage garments or books – even trinkets galore.
The small shops located around this wonderful bazaar also boast incredible merchandise, including antiques that are top-notch quality yet still affordable prices.
The Feira da Ladra flea market, which takes place on the Campo de Santa Clara square and is almost infinitely large, has an eventful history and had a rather dubious reputation in its time because its name means “flea market of thieves“, which is because a lot of stolen goods were offered at the market in the past.
Nowadays, however, nothing of this is noticeable, and you will find a market where a lively hustle and bustle and a cheerful atmosphere prevails.
In addition to being incredibly large and diverse, the Lisbon flea market is also located in an excellent, idyllic location.
On the Campo de Santa Clara worth seeing square you will also find impressive church São Vicente da Fora – one of the incredible sights in Lisbon.
The best way to see Graça is by taking the historic streetcar 28. It’s a comfortable ride, and you’ll get to see some remarkable views along the way.
Opening hours: Every Tuesday and Saturday is Flea Market Day
Address: Feira da Ladra, Campo de Santa Clara, 1100-472 Lissabon
LX Factory
If you’re looking for something to do, hop on streetcar 15 and head to the LX Factory. It’s a former industrial area.
This hipster hangout features trendy shops, restaurants, and bars – perfect for exploring on a sunny day! LX Factory is the perfect place to spend a sunny day.
You’ll find some really cool stores in the old factory buildings. One place you should definitely check out is the Ler Devagar library. It’s located in an old printing house, and the impressive printing machines are still there.
Ler Devagar, one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores, is a place where time stands still. With its inviting atmosphere and relaxed pace, it’s easy to while away an afternoon browsing the shelves and enjoying a coffee or two. The name says it all – take your time and savor each moment in this special store.
The other small galleries are also worth checking out.
In addition to all the cafes, there’s also a dance school and a multi-purpose hall where concerts and other events are held. Keep your eyes open for upcoming events.
And if you keep walking around, you’ll find lots of graffiti art.
Extra tip:
Treat yourself to a magical experience at Rio Maravilha. Relax with an ice-cold refreshment while admiring the stunning views of Tejo river and 25th April Bridge – truly like something out of a movie! Although it may not be quite budget-friendly, you won’t regret this experience.
Opening hours: 9 am to 10:30 pm
Address: R. Rodrigues de Faria 103, 1300-501 Lisboa
Underground Village
The Underground Village is a street art lover’s dream come true.
This co-working space/café is located in a converted Lisbon streetcar depot, and it’s chock-full of colorful containers and buses stacked on top of each other. The café is located in a double-decker bus placed on top of a container, and it’s definitely worth a brief visit.
Unfortunately, there is no direct access from the LX Factory, so you’ll have to walk around the outside of the site to get there. But trust us, it’s totally worth it!
Opening hours: 11 am – 8 pm
Address: Av. da Índia 52, 1300-299 Lisboa
We usually wander around a town and simply get lost. That way we find many small and special shops in each city we visit.
It’s worth exploring the side streets and not just focusing on the big shopping streets, where you only find the big brands anyway, like in every other city.
If you’re looking for an alternative to the mainstream stores, there are plenty of Portuguese designers scattered around the city.
A good place to start your Lisbon shopping tour is Calçada Sacramento in Chiado district. Here you can find charming stores selling clothing, confectionery, jewelry, accessories and even decorative items for your home. At the top of Largo do Carmo square, in front of the monastery ruins, you’ll find a traditional leather shoe store (Sapateria do Carmo).
As you walk back downhill from here, on your left you’ll find a second-hand store with great vintage clothing (“Ás de Espadas“).
Alternatively, if you head up diagonally from Largo do Carmo towards Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint, you can continue your shopping trip at Príncipe Real.
The Príncipe Real is a hip and also very clean district in Lisbon. You can find stores here that would fit in perfectly in other European cities. The Embaixada, a luxurious department store housed in a 19th century palace, is one of the highlights of the area. It has various concept stores with medium to high price ranges.
Then there is Rua do Carmo, which is a charming side street that branches off from Rua Garrett. Its handpicked selection of small family-run boutiques makes it the perfect place to find quality pieces and unique souvenirs to remember your trip to Lisbon.
District Marvila
Insiders have long since gone on the prowl in the neighborhoods on the outskirts of the center – in Marvila, for example. It is precisely there that a young, creative scene has settled. Concept stores, boutiques, cool cafés and quirky galleries provide one hundred percent of the entertainment and plenty of inspiration.
Despite its crumbling warehouses and dilapidated industrial architecture, Marvila is the district to keep an eye on in Lisbon. Situated along the riverside between downtown and contemporary Parque das Nações zone, it has experienced a cultural revival after years of being overlooked.
Marvila is a trendy, up-and-coming area in Lisbon, perched on the side of the beautiful Tagus River. It’s rapidly gentrifying, but still has a gritty edge that makes it unique.
It’s the up-and-coming “London East-End” of Lisbon.
There is one tourist attraction in Marvila – the Igreja de Marvila, a church from 1680 with a beautiful gilded interior and baroque tile panels. It only opens for services, but it’s definitely worth a visit.
The rest of the galleries, restaurants and breweries in this eastern part of town only open in the afternoon or evening, so there’s no reason to come during the day.
If you’re looking for galleries, cafes, bars and breweries, you’ll find them on Rua Capitão Leitão and Rua do Açúcar, which leads to Praça David Leandro da Silva, the main square with a few notable examples of early-20th-century architecture.
Just a few feet away is Fábrica Braço de Prata, a former factory that became an arts and culture center. It’s open until late and has a bookstore, exhibition spaces, screening rooms, and a stage for live music.
See also: Not to Miss Experiences in Lisbon
General info about shopping in Lisbon
In Portugal, there are no clear-cut opening hours for stores, so they may differ from place to store.
In Lisbon, street shops typically open Monday through Friday from 9:00 or 10:00 am until around 7:00 or 8:00 pm. Many smaller establishments close down for an hour or two in the afternoon, usually between 1:00 and 3: 00 pm.
Larger chains and malls open at 10am and stay open until 10pm; some malls are even open as late as midnight. Certain shopping centers and larger stores also remain operational on Sundays.
So it’s best to check online if it’s open, if you want to visit a specific shop.
Supermarkets throughout Lisbon generally maintain the same hours of operation–from 9am to 8pm.
Remember
Be sure to wear your most comfortable walking shoes. Lisbon is nicknamed the “City of Seven Hills” – and with good reason. Also, the paved sidewalks can get pretty slippery in the rain.
Lisbon is a great place to shop for clothes, accessories, shoes, and souvenirs at reasonable prices. And since the cost of living is generally lower in Portugal, it’s cheaper than shopping in other major European cities. Plus, leather goods have a good reputation in Portugal—especially bags and shoes. So if you’re looking for quality leather products, it’s worth paying attention to these items when you’re out shopping.
When it comes to shopping and finding great deals in Lisbon, you can’t go wrong! With the numerous top markets and nice boutique shops, you can find anything your heart desires, all while immersing yourself in the vibrant culture of this beautiful city.
Lisbon’s markets and shops have you covered. So why wait?
Book your tickets and get ready for an unforgettable shopping experience in one of the world’s most stunning cities.
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