Mercado Dos Lavradores

There are plenty of great farmers markets around Madeira, but the most famous one is Mercado Dos Lavradores in Funchal. Inaugurated in 1940, the market has been part of everyday life, but has turned into one of the island's most visited tourist attractions. Housed in a cool art-deco building designed in the 1930's by Edmundo Tavares, the building has many interesting features. The facade, the main door and the fishmonger's shop are decorated with large tile panels that were manufactured in the Battistini factory, each of these panels painted with regional theme.  

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Within the basement, you are greeted by the morning hustle and bustle of the fish market. Within this marble-lined building, the freshest of seafood is sold. These range from the popular black scabbard fish, fresh tuna, blue jack mackerel to seabream,.... For a fish market, it must be said how clean it is, stallholders continuously replenishing the ice and cleaning the ground and tables. Watch them skilfully deboning the fish and cutting big tuna steaks.

Above the fish market is a green square that is surrounded by the building. It is here that you find the many stalls selling exotic looking fruit and flowers. 
The colours are just stunning, and you would wonder how long it takes the stallholders to stack the fruit. Taste the ripe passion fruit, admire the finger-length bananas or try the delicious fruit as it is known in Madeira.  Sugar cane, dried fruit and nuts are also on display.

Surrounding the market are many makeshift stalls where you can buy small nick nack's , get knives sharpened or get your shoes repaired. We would advise to arrive early at the market when the produce has been just stalled out, allowing you to admire the fresh produce , but also avoid the 1000s of tourists.