Colorful hustle and bustle, wonderful flowers and scents of all kinds
At least once during your holiday in Madeira you must visit the Mercado dos Lavradores, Funchal's market! It is open Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 20 p.m., Friday from 7 a.m. to 20 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 14 p.m.
The best day, however, is Friday, because on this day the farmers come from the villages and there is a particularly lively hustle and bustle.
The market is at the end of the wide main street, Rua Fernão Ornelas. Go through the tiled main entrance into the beautifully paved courtyard. There the flower women sit in their colorful costumes and offer the typical Madeiran flowers. You can choose from the bird of paradise flower (Strelitzia), orchids in all colors and sizes (in winter), Anturias, roses, carnations and much more. With this sea of flowers it is difficult to make a decision.
Following the flower stalls, you will see the fruit and vegetable market with its many exotic fruits, which continues on the first floor. Try the passion fruits, mangoes, papayas or anonas (also called cinnamon fruits or cherimoya) and many other delicacies offered here.
In the side rooms, meat, sausage, poultry and cheese, but also wicker and leather goods are sold.
The fish hall is in the last part of the market. You will see the catches of the season, but above all tuna (atún), which is nowhere fresher than here, and Madeira's specialty, the black scabbard fish (espada), which is a visual attraction when unprepared and a delight for your palate when cooked .
A visit to the market will definitely be unforgettable for you. Just let yourself drift from stand to stand and take in the background noise as well as the various scents that will waft your nose around.
