Mercado dos Lavradores
An Art Deco market from 1940, with tiled murals, tropical fruit and black scabbardfish stalls, offering a glimpse of everyday life in Funchal.
Mercado dos Lavradores sits on the edge of Funchal's old town. It was designed by architect Eduardo Pereira and completed in 1940, and its entrance and courtyard are decorated with colorful tiled murals depicting Madeiran peasant women. The market has two levels. The central hall and ground floor hold flower stalls (birds of paradise, orchids), vegetables and tropical fruit, where you can see more than a dozen kinds of passion fruit, cherimoya, “monster fruit” (the fruit of the Monstera plant), tree tomato and more. The fish market at the back is the most distinctive: Madeira's specialty is the deep-sea black scabbardfish (Espada), fearsome-looking and a signature dish on local tables. Upstairs, you'll find stalls selling spices, Madeira wine and handicrafts. On Friday and Saturday mornings, farmers bring produce from across the island, and the market is at its busiest. The street outside is Rua de Santa Maria in the old town, so you can keep shopping and eating nearby. Note: Fruit vendors often offer tastings and then weigh your purchase at a high price, so one serving of fruit can cost €20 or more. Always ask the price per kilogram before buying. The fish market quietens in the afternoon as stalls gradually close.
Opening hours
Mon–Thu 07:00–19:00; Fri 07:00–20:00; Sat 07:00–14:00; closed Sun
Nearby sights
- Funchal Old Town & Cable Car
- Funchal Cathedral (Sé)
- Blandy's Wine Lodge
- CR7 Museum
- Madeira Botanical Garden
- Monte Palace Tropical Garden & Monte Toboggan
- Palheiro Gardens
- Pico dos Barcelos Viewpoint