Algarve Markets: The complete guide to markets on the Algarve

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Written by: | Last updated on February 29, 2024 | Est. Reading Time: 7 minutes

Portugal is one of the few remaining European countries that still operates functional produce markets – markets where locals actually buy their shopping, as opposed to the more expensive weekend “farmer’s markets” that are common in the UK and USA.

If you’re visiting the Algarve, and especially if you’re staying in self-catering accommodation, then a trip to one of the many Algarve markets is an absolute must.

market in Portimao
© Portugalist

Here, you’ll be able to buy fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, as well as other local produce like cheese, cured meats, and bread. Although you’ll be able to get a lot of these things at the supermarket, the quality tends to be much better and cheaper at the market.

In this article, you can view markets in the Algarve by day (if you’re looking for a market that’s on today, for example) or by town (so that you can see when your nearest market is on). If you’re visiting Lisbon, be sure to check out the guide to markets in Lisbon and markets in Porto.

Want to really experience a Portuguese market?

Try this market tour where you visit Loulé market and then learn how to make a traditional seafood cataplana.

Algarve Market Tours

Want to do a guided Algarve market tour? Tours are available of the markets in Quarteira, Loulé, and Faro, and can be booked through Viator.

Map of Algarve Markets

We’ve put together a handy map of the Algarve’s markets, so you can see at a glance which ones are closest to you.

  • Green logos: food markets
  • Purple logos: are gypsy/flea markets
  • Pink logos: are a combination of both.

Algarve Markets: By town

Eastern Algarve

  • Monte Gordo: 4th Saturday of the month from 10am.
  • Olhão: Takes place every day with a larger market (including a gypsy market) on Saturday mornings.
  • Tavira:  3rd Saturday of the month (9 am – 1 pm)
  • Vila Real de Santo António: 2nd Saturday of the month from 10am &  Every 3rd Sunday of the month (8 am – 1 pm)
  • Vila Nova de Cacela: Every 3rd Sunday of the month

Central Algarve

  • Albufeira: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month (9 am – 2 pm)
  • Alte: 3rd Thursday of the month (8 am – 2 pm)
  • Armação de Pêra: Monday to Saturday (7 am – 1 pm)
  • Carvoeiro: Monday to Saturday (8:30 am – 2 pm)
  • Faro: 2nd Sunday of the month (8 am – 4 pm)
  • Lagoa: 2nd Sunday (8 am – 1 pm)
  • Loulé: Gypsy market and farmers market every Saturday of the month
  • Quarteira: Gypsy market every Wednesday (8 am – 3 pm)
  • Silves: 3rd Monday of every month (8 am – 1 pm)
  • Vilamoura: The nearest market town is Quarteira

Western Algarve

  • Aljezur: 3rd Monday of every month (8 am – 2 pm)
  • Alvor: 2nd Tuesday of the month (9 am – 2 pm)
  • Burgau: The nearest market is in Lagos.
  • Feragudo: Does not have a market. The nearest market is in Portimão. 
  • Lagos: Weekly Saturday Farmers Market  (8 am – 2 pm) with a more general market on the 1st Saturday of the month. Markets also take place on the 1st Sunday of the month. There’s also a farmer’s market at the marina on Wednesday afternoons called Viv’o Mercado.
  • Monchique: 2nd Friday of the month (8 am – 2 pm)
  • Portimão: 1st Monday of each month (8 am – 2 pm) & the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month.
  • Sagres: 1st Friday of the month (9 am – 2 pm)

Algarve Markets: By day

Monday

  • Algoz: 2nd Monday of the month (8 am – 1 pm)
  • Aljezur: 3rd Monday of every month (8 am – 2 pm)
  • Portimão: 1st Monday of each month (8 am – 2 pm)
  • São Bartolomeu de Messines: 4th Monday of every month
  • Silves: 3rd Monday of every month (8 am – 1 pm)
  • Vila do Bispo: Every Monday from (9 am – 1 pm)

Tuesday

  • Albufeira: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month (9 am – 2 pm)
  • Alvor: 2nd Tuesday of the month (9 am – 2 pm)

Wednesday

  • Quarteira: Gypsy market every Wednesday (8 am – 3 pm)
  • Quarteira: Weekly Farmers market (9 am – 1 pm)
  • Raposeira: First Wednesday of the month (9 am – 2 pm)
  • Vila do Bispo: Weekly Farmers’ market (9 am – 1 pm)
  • Lagos: Weekly (mainly organic) farmers’ market (5pm – 9pm)

Thursday

  • Alte: 3rd Thursday of the month (8 am – 2 pm)
  • Boliqueime: Last Thursday of the month (8 am – 2 pm)
  • Boliqueime: 1st Thursday of the month (8 am – 2 pm)
  • Vaqueiros: 2nd Thursday of the month (9 am – 2pm)
  • Vila do Bispo: 1st Thursday of the month (8 am – 1 pm)

Friday

  • Alcantarilha: 1st Friday of the Month (9am – 2pm)
  • Guia: 3rd Friday of the month (9 am – 2 pm)
  • Monchique: 2nd Friday of the month (8 am – 2 pm)
  • Sagres: 1st Friday of the month (9 am – 2 pm)
  • Vila do Bispo: 1st Friday of the month (9 am – 2 pm)

Saturday

  • Alvor: 1st Saturday of the month (8 am – 6 pm)
  • Azinhal: Last Saturday of the month (8 am – 2 pm)
  • Benafim: 1st Saturday of the month (9 am – 2 pm)
  • Castro Marim: 2nd Saturday of the month
  • Lagos: Weekly Farmers Market (8 am – 2 pm)
  • Lagos: General market first Saturday of the month
  • Loulé: Gypsy market and farmers market every Saturday of the month
  • Monte Gordo: 4th Saturday of the month from 10am
  • Olhão: Every Saturday morning (9 am – 1 pm)
  • Paderne: 1st Saturday of the month (9 am – 1 pm)
  • São Bras de Alportel: General market every Saturday of the month (8 am – 1 pm)
  • São Marcos da Serra: 1st Saturday of the month (9 am – 2 pm)
  • Tavira: 3rd Saturday of the month (9 am – 1 pm)
  • Tunes: 4th Saturday of the month (8 am – 1 pm)
  • Vila Real de Santo António: 2nd Saturday of the month from 10am
  • Vila do Bispo: Farmers market (9 am – 1 pm)

Sunday

  • Almancil: 2nd Sunday (8 am – 1 pm)
  • Almancil: General market 1st and 4th Sunday of the month from 10am
  • Almancil: Flea market 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month (7.30 am – 2 pm)
  • Azinhal: 1st Sunday of the month (8 am – 1 pm)
  • Cabeça Gorda: 1st Sunday of the month (9 am – 2 pm)
  • Barão de São João: Flea market 4th Sunday of the month
  • Espiche: Every 3rd Sunday of the month
  • Estoi: market every 2nd Sunday of the month (8 am – 3 pm)
  • Faro: 2nd Sunday of the month (8 am – 4 pm)
  • Ferragudo: Flea market on the 2nd Sunday of the month (8 am – 1 pm)
  • Lagoa: 2nd Sunday (8 am – 1 pm)
  • Lagos: 1st Sunday of the month
  • Moncarapacho: Market 1st Sunday of the month (8 am – 1 pm)
  • Portimão: 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month
  • Pereiro: 4th Sunday of the month (9 am – 2 pm)
  • Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo: Flea market every 4th Sunday of the month (8 am – 1 pm)
  • Vila Real de Santo António: Every 3rd Sunday of the month (8 am – 1 pm)
  • Vila Nova de Cacela: Every 3rd Sunday of the month

What to Buy at the Markets

Fish & Seafood

Fish and seafood are a big part of the Portuguese diet, and most of the markets have an excellent selection of fish – better than what many visitors are used to anyway. Olhão is home to the best fish market in the Algarve but many others, like Portimão, don’t lag far behind.

Fruit and Vegetables

Almost all of the markets have an excellent selection of fruit and vegetables, most of which is grown locally or at least in Portugal.

Look out for sweet potatoes (batata doce) for Aljezur, something which the Algarve is famous for. You’ll also spot some interesting seasonal fruits like dióspiros (the Hachiya persimmon), which is absolutely delicious and tastes like honey.

Meat & Poultry

The Portuguese eat a lot of chicken, often BBQ’d, and you can usually find really well-fed and good quality chickens at the market. The prices are very reasonable as well.

Pork is also very popular. Look out for Porco Preto, which is the Black Iberian Pig. It’s very flavoursome, and something you’ll only find in Spain and Portugal.

Beef in Portugal usually isn’t very good quality, especially when compared to beef from other countries like Ireland, the UK, or USA.

Other more unique things to look out for are cabrito (kid goat), leitão (suckling pig), and cured meats like presunto.

Written by

James Cave is the founder of Portugalist and the author of the bestselling book, Moving to Portugal Made Simple. He has visited just about every part of Portugal, including Madeira and all nine islands of the Azores, and lived in several parts of Portugal including Lisbon, the Algarve, and Northern Portugal.

You can contact James by emailing james@portugalist.com or via the site's contact form.