The Algarve Markets Guide:
Every Local Market, By Town and Day
Updated for 2026
Whenever friends come to stay, I take them to a market before almost anything else. Partly because it's my favourite thing to do when I travel myself — and partly because Algarve markets are genuinely that good.
The one thing that used to drive me mad was finding out when each market actually runs. Opening days shift, some only run monthly, and half the information online is years out of date. So I put together this guide — the days, hours, and locations I've verified myself and cross-checked locally, kept updated as things change.
This isn't a complete list of every market in the region (there are dozens of small monthly ones tucked into villages you'll only stumble on by chance), but it covers the ones worth planning a trip around, including the daily and weekly markets and the big monthly gypsy and flea markets.
Quick-reference: Algarve market days
Market days for monthly and gypsy markets can shift slightly — always worth a quick local check before planning a special trip out.
Loulé Market
Loulé's covered market (Mercado Municipal de Loulé) runs daily, but Saturday is the one to see — a lively gypsy and farmers' market spreads out around the historic building itself. It's still my personal favourite, largely because Loulé is such a beautiful town to wander afterward. Fair warning: it gets seriously busy on Saturday mornings in the warmer months, so go early if you want to browse without the crowds.
Quarteira Market
Quarteira has a small daily fish and fruit-and-veg market right by the beach — handy if you're staying nearby. The big one, though, is the Wednesday gypsy market, now held slightly out of town on the road toward Almancil (it moved from its old car-park location a few years back, so don't be thrown if old directions send you to the wrong spot). There's also a smaller flea market on the first Saturday of the month.
Tavira Market
The Mercado Municipal de Tavira runs most days, with Saturday drawing the biggest crowd. Once a month — generally the third Saturday — a gypsy and flea market takes over the open space beside the market building, worth timing your visit around if antiques and bric-a-brac are your thing.
Lagos Market
Lagos's covered market runs daily except Sunday, with a lovely rooftop terrace worth a look even if you're not buying anything. Like most Algarve markets, Saturday is the biggest day. The separate Lagos flea market runs on the first Sunday of the month at the Municipal Sports Hall car park — a good stop for vintage finds and secondhand bargains.
Silves Market
Silves market runs Monday to Saturday, and it's worth combining with a wander up to the castle — Silves is one of the prettiest old towns in the region, and the market has real old-town character to match.
Portimão Market
Located near the old town, Portimão's daily market (Monday–Saturday) has the usual bigger Saturday crowd. Once a month, a flea market takes over Parque de Feiras e Exposições de Portimão, running from around 8:30am.
Olhão Market
No Algarve markets guide is complete without Olhão — it's home to one of the largest fish and produce markets in the entire region, right on the waterfront, and runs daily. If you only see one fish market in the Algarve, make it this one.
Albufeira Market
Albufeira's gypsy market runs on the first and third Tuesday of the month, a solid stop for clothes, household goods, and local produce if you're staying on that stretch of coast.
Monchique Market
Up in the hills, Monchique's monthly market (second Friday) is smaller but worth the drive if you're already up there for the views and the cork forests — handicrafts and local produce feature heavily.
São Brás de Alportel Market
A popular flea market runs on the third Sunday of the month — a good option if you're exploring inland rather than sticking to the coast.
Aljezur Market
On the west coast, Aljezur's monthly market (third Monday) has a slower, laid-back atmosphere in keeping with the town itself.
Hot tip: published end times are optimistic. Most markets wind down before the "official" closing time, especially in summer heat — go earlier rather than later.