The world is a market (Lisbon) -

Getting lost in Lisbon´s markets is always a pleasure. Getting lost in the labyrinths of fruit, vegetables, meats, fish, flowers, antiques… everything is possible! Here you will find some clues on where to buy the best local and regional products and eating a nice dish of cod at “home” (in an apartment with a kitchen) is a priceless experience. Here are two markets you can go to: the Mercado Da Ribeira and the Feira Da Labra, both with undeniable attraction for locals and tourists, because the world is a market.

Da Ribeira food market

A must for anyone who wishes to buy bags and bags of all the typical products of the city. Its location is privileged: on the shores of the river Tejo, and there you can buy fruit, vegetables, escargots, cakes, aromatic herbs, etc. It´s an ideal visit to get to know the local cuisine and its architecture is striking, a giant structure of steel and glass with plenty of light and colour, thanks to the flower stalls that stand side by side with the food ones. It´s also a cultured market because there´s also a bookshop on the fop floor where you can have a browse and a read before going shopping, a great chance to get acquainted with Portuguese literature. Although the first Da Ribeira Market dates from the 12th century, it had to be moved to another area after the earthquake of 1755. Now it occupies 10,000 m2 over two floors and they say that gourmets think it´s the best market in the city.

via surfistaseco

Feira Da Ladra

This market with a life of its own has a name that means the “Thief´s Fair” and it comes from many years ago when the products that were sold there were mostly stolen goods. Despite being one of the most important attraction for the city´s visitors, it seems that this market is still tainted by its poor reputation. However, what´s sold the most these days are antiques and the market has a vintage air to it since it´s filled with collectors and tourists who want to take a souvenir back home. They also sell music vinyls of fado music and other genres, second-hand clothes, curiosities of all types and even old and new mobile phones. You might be in the western world in Portugal but haggling is a must at the market; don´t pay the first price that you´ve been quoted by the seller whatever you do! This famous flea market is one of the most famous ones in the Portuguese capital and you´ll find it open to the public every Tuesday and Saturday until 6pm in Campo de Santa Clara, in the Alfama district. If you want to know more specifically where it is, it´s just behind the church of Sao Vicente da Fora and next to the National Pantheon. The views from its dome are truly stunning.