A day trip by car from Taste Tavira AL to Loulé is a rewarding inland adventure. The scenic drive via Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo leads you through rolling hills, cork oak forests, and sleepy hamlets — giving you a sense of the Algarve’s rural heartbeat. Loulé itself is a vibrant market town with Moorish roots and a proud artisan tradition.
At the heart of Loulé lies its famous covered market, a 19th-century neo-Arabic structure filled with stalls offering fresh produce, seafood, local cheeses, cured meats, and handcrafted goods. Saturdays are particularly lively, when farmers and artisans from nearby villages join in. Wander the charming side streets around the market to discover ceramics shops, small galleries, and traditional cafés.
If you visit in spring or summer, check if the Loulé International Jazz Festival or one of the town’s folklore events is on. The Castle of Loulé, partially restored, offers a glimpse into the town’s long history and provides a peaceful view over the old town rooftops.
For something truly unexpected, venture 130 meters below ground into the Loulé rock salt mine (Mina de Sal-Gema de Loulé), one of the oldest in Portugal. The underground guided tour leads you through vast tunnels carved from ancient rock salt, while explaining the geology, history, and mining techniques. It’s a fascinating and slightly surreal experience — a cool contrast to the sunlit streets above. Tours must be booked in advance and are available in several languages. See www.loulesaltmine.com for details.
Loulé blends authenticity, creativity, and a touch of the unexpected — and it’s all within an hour’s scenic drive from Tavira.
Tavira: The town center buzzes with markets. The Mercado Municipal de Tavira (Avenida Eduardo Mansinho) is open Monday–Saturday 7:00–13:00 (weekday), offering fresh fish, meats, fruits and vegetables from local producers. Beyond that, Tavira hosts special weekend markets: a monthly “Mercado Mensal” (farmers’ market) on the 3rd Saturday of each month at the old fairground in Vale Formoso, where vendors sell homegrown produce, plants, livestock and household goods. There’s also a bi-monthly Feira de Velharias (flea/antiques market) on the 1st and 5th Saturdays of the month around the municipal market. Here you’ll find antiques, crafts, clothing and bric-à-brac alongside the food stalls.
Tavira’s market hall stands at the heart of town life, surrounded by cafés and shops. Each Saturday special market brings out local farmers and artisans with produce and crafts
Moncarapacho: This village north of Tavira has a small daily municipal market (Monday–Saturday mornings) for local produce and fish, but its highlight is the Mercado Mensal (Gypsy market) on the 1st Sunday of each month. Held in the Largo do Mercado (next to the Torrinha football field), it brings out vendors selling clothes, handmade crafts, snacks, plants and various household items.
Estoi: A village just outside Faro, Estoi holds a large monthly market on the 2nd Sunday of every month. Located on Rua Vasco da Gama (near the old cemetery), it’s a classic farmers’ market with fresh produce, fruits, vegetables, local cheeses and sometimes livestock. The market runs morning hours (roughly 8:00–13:00) and draws villagers from the surrounding countryside
Fuseta (Olhão municipality): This seaside town has two notable monthly markets by the campground area. The Mercado Mensal (a gypsy/folk market) is held on the 1st Thursday of each month near the camping ground. Vendors set up stalls of clothing, leather goods, trinkets, and homemade foods (honey, chorizo, bread, etc.). On the 2nd Sunday of each month the Feira de Velharias de Fuseta takes place in the same spot. This flea market features antiques, collectibles, household wares and vintage items alongside stalls of crafts. (Note: in August these markets typically pause.) Aside: Fuseta also has a daily small market and fish stalls on the quay (Monday–Saturday).
.Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo: A quiet village north of Tavira, Santa Catarina comes alive with a Mercado Mensal on the 4th Sunday of each month. Located on Rua 1.º de Maio in the village center, this “Gypsy market” draws vendors selling fresh regional produce, handicrafts, clothes and accessories. Many farms from the Caldeirão hinterland bring fruits, vegetables and bakery items, making it a great place to taste local flavors.
Olhão: Renowned for its fishermen’s market, Olhão’s Mercado Municipal (Av. 5 de Outubro) operates every day except Sunday from around 7:00–13:00. Its west hall is the famous fish market (live shrimp, octopus, fresh catches), and the east hall is a produce market selling fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats and deli items. On Saturdays the market area expands outdoors: starting early morning, farmers’ stalls line the waterfront in front of the market, offering fruits, veggies, honey, eggs and local specialties at bargain prices. This weekly fair often runs until early afternoon. It’s a feast for the senses – the air rich with sea-and-soil aromas, and streets bustling with locals and visitors alike.
Olhão’s handsome brick-market halls sit by the Ria Formosa. Inside are halls of fish and produce, while outside on Saturdays local farmers peddle vegetables, fruit, honey and more
Loulé: This town’s landmark is its red-and-white Moorish-style municipal market building (Praça da República). The Mercado Municipal de Loulé is open Monday–Saturday 07:00–15:00, with vendors inside selling fresh fish, fruits, vegetables, bread, and traditional Algarve fare. The real draw for market-lovers, however, is the large Saturday farmers’ market. Every Saturday morning (7:00–13:00) the streets Ataíde de Oliveira and José Fernandes Guerreiro around the market fill with stalls of regional produce, honey, olives, textiles, pottery and craft. (Vendors set up early, so arrive by 9 AM for best variety.)
São Brás de Alportel: A hilltop town in the Serra, São Brás has its own farmers’ market on Saturdays 08:00–13:00 along Rua Boaventura Passos (near the main square). Locals come for seasonal fruits and vegetables, poultry and regional snacks. Also, on the 3rd Sunday of each month there is a Feira de Velharias e Antiguidades at Parque Roberto Nobre. This monthly flea market (“Serra fair”) draws antique dealers and craftsmen selling furniture, antiques, books, crafts and second-hand items. For tourists, visiting these markets is a great way to mingle with residents and discover rural Algarve traditions.
Sotavento, the “leeward” side of the Algarve, whispers rather than shouts. Stretching from Faro to the Spanish border, this serene region invites you not just to visit, but to savour—with all your senses. This is the Algarve for those who enjoy life slowly, with a good glass of wine in hand and the scent of wild herbs on the breeze.
Here, the Ria Formosa Natural Park unfolds like a living painting—salt pans shimmering in the sun, flamingos wading through brackish shallows, and wooden boardwalks leading to island beaches so pristine they feel undiscovered. Whether you kayak its channels or drift aboard a traditional boat, the lagoon offers both stillness and adventure.
But Sotavento’s pleasures are rooted in the land as much as the sea. Visit a working olive grove near Tavira, where the fruit is still cured in sea salt and patience. Or tour local wineries, like Casa Santos Lima’s new tasting room just outside town, where Tavira’s own terroir is bottled into smooth reds and crisp whites, best enjoyed with local cheese and fresh bread. It’s not just wine tasting—it’s a sensory celebration.
Indulge in long lunches in Santa Luzia, the octopus capital, or enjoy fresh oysters in Fuseta, harvested only hours before they reach your plate. Markets in Olhão and Loulé offer everything from heirloom tomatoes to handmade ceramics. And in between tastings, take time to explore timeless villages like Cacela Velha, where cobbled streets end in panoramic views over the sea.
This isn’t the mass-market Algarve of brochures. This is authentic Portugal, rich in flavour, texture, and gentle discovery. A region where luxury lies in simplicity—a shaded terrace, a well-cooked meal, the kindness of a shopkeeper, the cool hush of an old church.
Let Sotavento surprise you. Not only with spectacle, but with soul too. And once you’ve tasted its rhythm, you may never want to leave.
Loulé is one of the Algarve’s most vibrant market towns, rich in tradition and full of shopping opportunities. The Mercado Municipal de Loulé, located in a striking neo-Arabic building, is the town’s main attraction. Here you’ll find fresh produce, meats, cheese, olives, sweets, and local specialties like mel de rosmaninho (rosemary honey). The market also houses stalls with handicrafts and souvenirs.
Every Saturday, the surrounding streets host the Gypsy Market, a sprawling event that draws both locals and tourists for bargains on clothes, leather goods, kitchenware, and fabrics. It’s a great place to practice your haggling skills and pick up something unique.
For more boutique-style shopping, Loulé’s historic center has plenty to offer. Explore the Rua 5 de Outubro for stylish clothing, footwear, and home decor, with an emphasis on Portuguese brands and craftsmanship. Many of these shops blend old and new—some are housed in beautifully preserved buildings with tile façades and wrought-iron balconies.
For a modern shopping experience, visit Mar Shopping Algarve, located between Loulé and Faro. This large complex includes IKEA, a wide range of fashion outlets, restaurants, and an open-air leisure area for kids. It’s ideal for families or a full shopping day with more variety.
Address Highlights:
Mercado Municipal de Loulé – Praça da República, 8100-270 Loulé
Gypsy Market (Saturday) – Largo de S. Francisco and surrounding streets
Mar Shopping Algarve – Av. Algarve, 8135-182 Almancil (between Loulé and Faro)
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