If there are places we love to visit every day, it’s Lisbon’s municipal food markets. After all, this is where you’ll always find the freshest produce, straight from the producer, and also the cheapest.
In these markets, you’ll find practically everything you need to cook that special dish, from vegetables, fruit, fish and meat to cheeses and sausages. There’s almost everything!
If you don’t know some of Lisbon’s best-known food markets yet, we’ll give you a guided tour of our favorites.
These are only five of them, and they’re getting prettier, ideal places to buy the week’s fruit and vegetables, just like our grandparents did .
In 2016, Lisbon City Council launched the Mercados da Lisboa brand, with the aim of redeveloping several of the city’s markets.
In this proposal, some markets have changed roles and taken on new services, adopting really innovative projects!
For example, at the Mercado de Arroios, it’s normal to find craft fairs from time to time.
We continue to believe that, once the authorities make these food markets more attractive, even the youngest people will come to these havens of good food.
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Ribeira Market
Inaugurated on January 1, 1882 , the Mercado da Ribeira is a “two-in-one” market.
This century-old building has, on one side the traditional market with its stalls and vendors, and on the other a lively food court.
The concept of the market has been completely rethought. The restaurant section features the best chefsof the city to occupy the food spaces.
It has been so successful that it has an average of 10,000 visitors a day, most of them tourists.
Address: Avenida 24 de Julho (Cais do Sodré)
Benfica Market
Inaugurated on October 19, 1971 , the BenficaMarket is the bestseller in the world of our city’s markets.
It is located in a neighborhood with many inhabitants and where local commerce is very much alive.
In this market, you’ll find stalls with fruit and vegetables, butchers and fishmongers, flowers and even clothes and shoes.
It is one of the markets with the largest influx of residents. It has an occupancy rate of over 90% and is frequented by around three thousand people a day.
Address: Rua João Frederico Ludovice (Benfica)
Alvalade Market
Inaugurated on July 1, 1949, the Alvalade Market is also one of the most dynamic and is located in a neighborhood, Alvalade.
It shares space with several retail stores, and here the aim is to maintain the philosophy of the current market: selling fresh produce.
As it is very popular with families, this space even includes a children’s playground and a restaurant area where you can grab a snack.
It also has a program closely linked to healthy eating, conscious consumption and gastronomy.
Address: Avenida Rio de Janeiro (Alvalade)
Arroios Market
Inaugurated on March 1, 1942, the Mercado de Arroios has focused on innovative projects, such as the various stores that have opened around it .
In addition, a hydroponic greenhouse on 2,000 square meters on the roof of the market.
In other words, as the roof is smooth, it can be used to plant vegetables without soil, just water.
This market has already won our as the most creative idea!
Address: Rua Ângela Pinto 40D (Arroios)
31 January Market
The 31 de Janeiro Market is one of the newest and replaced the old market, which was located nearby.
It’s big, with two floors and 7,000 square meters for traders. There’s a bit of everything here: fruit, vegetables, butchers, florists, cafés and restaurants.
However, the Mercado 31 de Janeiro is really known for its wide range of fresh fish.
Some of the greatchefs from all over the city get their supplies from the fishmongers in this market, which has now moved downstairs.
Address: Rua Engenheiro Vieira da Silva (Duque de Saldanha Square)
In addition to these, there are 23 other markets in Lisbon. If you’re not in the habit of buying fresh food at the markets, the best thing to do is to go to and check out the council’s website as close to you as possible.
Saturday mornings are the busiest days and when the stalls are fullest.
In general, the markets are open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 7am to 2pm. Happy shopping!
Map of food markets in Lisbon, and the list for your phone!
Vendedoras do Mercado da Ribeira: os rostos e as histórias da tradição