Mercado dos Lavradores

In the centre of Funchal, the Mercado dos Lavradores — the farmers’ market — is one of the most visited places in Madeira. Its halls gather flowers, fruit, vegetables and fish in a building of azulejos and arches, where the island’s colours and aromas are on display every working day.

History and identity

Opened in 1940, the market was designed in the Estado Novo era with a monumental facade and tiled interiors, and it became the great meeting point of the island’s farmers and fishermen. Its name honours the lavradores — the growers of Madeira’s hillsides — who brought their produce down to the city.

What to find and discover

• The flower hall, with the island’s famous flowers and plants.
• The fish hall, with the catch of the Atlantic — including scabbardfish and tuna.
• The fruit stalls, with bananas, passion fruit, custard apples and exotic varieties.
• The tiled walls and painted panels that decorate the halls.

Products and specialities

Madeira’s produce is the market’s treasure: small bananas, passion fruit, anona, sugarcane honey, spices and flowers, alongside the fresh fish that defines the island’s cooking.

Nearby

The market is in the old centre of Funchal, close to the Museu de Arte Sacra do Funchal and the city’s gardens and waterfront.

Visiting

The market is in central Funchal, on Rua Brigadeiro Oudinot, reached on foot from the centre. It works every morning except Sundays, with variations on holidays; check the official pages before your visit.

Information: cm-funchal.pt.

Image credit: Mercado dos Lavradores, Funchal, by Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.