Meaning "Worker's Market". and other Funchal, Portugal Shopping Tips

Name of Shop: Mercado dos Lavradores

Trade has been the most important sector in Funchal since the city was founded. In recent years, retailers have been an engine of growth for the city, especially the local offer. Along the streets facing the Praça do Municipio (Municipal Square) most of the traditional businesses are clustered. And if you really like souvenir shopping, many of the little shops are hidden away in various arcades dotted around the Old City. Don't, however, expect any large shops or chain-stores. Madeira is not quite like that: it has more character. Part of this character is Mercado dos Lavradores (Worker's Market) near the Old Town, where you can buy any of the island's specialties.

Mercado dos Lavradores is housed in an important Moderist building out of 1941. Before we entered it we decided to have a drink at the tiny square in front of it, so we could enjoy our view at some of the most beautiful tile decorations at the façade of this building with a nice cold beer next to us. Despite the beautiful tile decorations the building was nothing to look at, but once we entered it we witnessed that the life and atmosphere inside was definately a lot more charming and a kind of electric. We immediately spotted the flower sellers dressed in traditional colourful costumes at the entrance we must say that their flower stalls were trully spectacular.

What To Buy: You can buy any of the island's specialties.

What To Pay: That's up to yourself. Do toggle off!

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Theme: Local Craft
Address: Rua Dr. Fernao Ornelas, Funchal.
Directions: North East of the city centre.

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 07:00h to 20:00h;
Saturday: 07:00h to 14:00h;
Sundays and on bank holidays: closed.

Name of Shop: Mercado dos Lavradores

We can honestly state that if you are looking to buy fresh food in a very picturesque setting, be sure to visit Mercado dos Lavradores near the Old City of Funchal. Once we entered it we witnessed that here, the stand owners still engage in the direct and personalised sale of day-to-day products. Coming via the main entrance we saw two floors and a large central courtyard. Immediately we witnessed the hive of activity and the atmosphere was a riot of colours.

We did walk around for almost an hour, we went upstairs and downstairs. For some time we just stood at the side of the courtyard to just witness the scenes produced by all the people around. We smelled (and almost could taste) the aromas from the various exotic flowers, fruit and vegetables, willow works, fish and other local products of the island of Madeira. We noticed that some of the stalls were already closed and we learned that they were sold out for the day, so they did well! Some of the vendors were in traditional costumes, which again added to the vibrancy of this magical place.

What To Buy: You can buy any of the island's specialties.

What To Pay: It's up to yourself. Do toggle off!

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Theme: Flowers
Address: Rua Dr. Fernao Ornelas, Funchal.
Directions: North East of the city centre.

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 07:00h to 20:00h;
Saturday: 07:00h to 14:00h;
Sundays and on bank holidays: closed.

Name of Shop: Mercado dos Lavradores

On this huge central courtyard vendors had displayed their fruit and vegetables in amazingly colourful pyramids. In the side-galleries we saw stands with Madeira wine, fresh meat, all sorts of candies, leather bags, milk products, et cetera. In the back of the building there was quite a large seperated part with its own entrance. Right there we saw this huge fish market, where the fish arrived and was cleaned at the same spot. There were some stands where the fish was sold and we were really impressed by it, because we saw a lot of native fish like the Espada (scabbard fish), prawns and other fish we didn't recognised. Of course many of them were still alive -> Talking about fresh!

It's quite a typical place as we found fresh food, accessories, but above all, a burst of colours, people, voices, light, noices, aromas and characters straight out of a storybook. We visited this market twice. Once to admire the tiles outside this building out of 1940 itself and the second time to actually visit the market inside. Relinde did buy some fresh stuff for diner, a nice leather bag was even able to hagle a few Euro’s off the price. Later on I even got some candies for Iris and a banana kids for free! We simply loved this colourful place full of life.

What To Buy: You can buy any of the island's specialties.

What To Pay: It's up to yourself. Do toggle off!

Leave a Comment

Theme: Food and Drink
Address: Rua Dr. Fernao Ornelas, Funchal.
Directions: North East of the city centre.

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 07:00h to 20:00h;
Saturday: 07:00h to 14:00h;
Sundays and on bank holidays: closed.