Feira de Barcelos

Every Thursday, the feira of Barcelos spreads across its great fairground by the river — one of the largest and liveliest weekly markets in Portugal. Pottery, linen, tools, baskets, food and the famous roosters of Barcelos change hands in a tradition that stretches back to the town’s medieval charters.

History and identity

The market of Barcelos grew with the town’s medieval privileges and became, over the centuries, the great fair of the Minho — a place where the countryside met the town. Its fame travelled with the legend of the Barcelos rooster, and the weekly fair remains the beating heart of the town’s identity.

What to find and discover

• Traditional pottery, including the famous rooster figures.
• Linen, embroidery, baskets and country crafts.
• Tools, plants, food and the produce of the Minho farms.
• The fairground itself, with its rows of stalls beside the river.

Products and specialities

Barcelos is a capital of traditional ceramics, and the fair is the best place to see the potters’ work alongside the region’s smoked meats, wines and sweets.

Nearby

The fairground lies beside the old town of Barcelos, with its medieval bridge and historic centre, and Porto and Braga are within easy reach by road.

Visiting

The Feira de Barcelos is held every Thursday at the Campo da Feira, in Barcelos, in northern Portugal. It runs from morning to late afternoon; check with the municipality before your visit.

Information: cm-barcelos.pt.

Image credit: Feira de Barcelos, by Sqjaques, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.