The trees are yellowing, but Porto’s gentle fall weather is still calling for strolls outside. What better reason to discover the city’s local flea markets (and grab nifty pieces for a bargain), but also to lose yourself in the colors and sights of Porto’s other cheerful markets. We’ll help you fill your time—and suitcase—with enjoyment in our following selection.
Vandoma Market
Photo by: Pedro Castro
Where: Avenida 25 de Abril (Campanhã)
When: Every Saturday from 8 am—1 pm
Vandoma is Porto’s oldest and most genuine local flea market. Its decades of history are tangible in the friendly community spirit you’ll find amongst buyers and sellers. Here, you’ll easily find interesting vintage furniture and decorations, spare parts for everything, clothes, books, antique china, used electronics, and collectibles such as stamps, coins, or postcards. If you arrive early enough you’ll get first dibs on the best material, and believe us, it’s worth the early rise. The schedule says the market starts at 8 am, but the sellers are already setting up stalls as early as 3 am. By 6 am, buyers start bargaining and Vandoma comes alive. We’ll also make a special callout to all DIYers: this is the place to purchase your next project for a thrifty price.
Flea Market
Photo by: Pedro Castro
Where: Parque de Estacionamento do Campo Alegre or Silo Auto, etc. Location varies every month
When: 1 pm—4 pm
Keep an eye on their Facebook page for future editions announcement.
Flea market—also known as “Pulga”—will make its monthly comeback in mid November, this time in the format of a car boot sale. This local flea market is a paradise for hipsters and bargain seekers. You could fill up miles of wardrobes on the variety of clothing available, but it’s also great for vinyl and CD collectors, bookworms, indie crafts enthusiasts, and the lovers of all things vintage. A DJ will help set up a spirited vibe, and there’s always a series of food stalls to quench the post-shopping munchies.
Organic Produce Market
Photo by: Pedro Castro
Where: Núcleo Rural de Aldoar, Parque da Cidade (Aldoar)
When: Every Saturday, 10 am—2 pm
Every Saturday, several farmers open up stalls and display their organic produce in the picturesque rural nucleus of Aldoar. Here, you can purchase the season’s harvest directly from the producer. The selection is plentiful and includes the freshest vegetables, fruits, and legumes that are sold by the kilo. You can also get your hands on olive oil, herbs, spices, honey, and jams. You’ll surely get a bigger bang for your buck in comparison to buying your organic produce in supermarkets. Getting your greens in this market also grants you the possibility of a walk amidst nature in the city’s largest park.
Foz Market
Where: Rua de Diu (Foz)
When: Mon: 7 am—5 pm; Tue-Sat: 7 am—10 pm
Mercado da Foz is one of Porto’s lesser-known municipal markets. This quaint little market was recently refurbished but still preserves its original stores so you can find excellent meat, fresh fish and vegetables, flowers, groceries, or services such as a cobbler. That’s right -a cobbler. The restaurants and cafés, such as the mouth-watering pizzas of Peco and the brigadeiros cakes of Brigadão, keep the spirit fuelled and the schedule stretched until later.
Temporary Bolhão Market
Photo by: Pedro Castro
Where: Rua Fernandes Tomás 506
When: Mon-Fri: 8 am—8 pm; Sat: 8 am—6 pm
The refurbishment works in the original Bolhão market will happen over the next 2 years, so the sellers have been relocated to the temporary market in the La Vie shopping mall. The spirit, however, remains vibrant and hospitable. Bolhão is the largest and most important market in town and supplies many of the city’s best restaurants. The variety, quality—and price—of local products is baffling. If you’re just looking around, you can fall into a dairy frenzy with cheeses that range from mellow to spicy, taste delicious regional bread and broas (specialty local breads), uncover a myriad of dried fruits and nuts, and much more… But if you pledge to go further, then why not pick amongst a medley of cuts of pork, choose from the daily catch of Atlantic fish, or garden-fresh produce. The market also features a series of other shops where you can find local crafts, flowers, and plants.
MAP – Mercado de Artesanato do Porto
Photo by: Tiago Mulhmann
Where: Praça de Parada Leitão
When: Every Saturday, 10 am—6 pm
The Mercado de Artesanato do Porto is the city’s biggest crafts market, showcasing the work of over 80 artisans. The market envelops the Rectory of the University of Porto and is the ideal setting for a long stroll. Expect a myriad of crafts, such as handmade clothing and embroidery, toys and accessories made of chita de Alcobaça (a printed cotton fabric that came from India), home decorations, jewelry, and all things cork.
So, what market tingled your curiosity? Let us know in the comments!
