If you missed the first part of this post you can read it here – Don’t miss the market at Loulé
So having left you all to go for a quick coffee and a sneaky pastel de nata – we’re back and ready to go back to Loulé market to explore the rest of what this wonderful market has to offer…
As well as buying a big shopping bag to put all of your produce in so far, you might also be tempted by a beautiful handbag made out of cork, like one of these:
The craftsmanship is exquisite! Pride in their products and attention to detail are some of the traits of Portuguese crafts, and there are several small local shops within the market that sell traditional items and gifts – ideal for the holidaymaker looking for something original to take home as a gift.
I love the pottery shops here, the vast array of items and colours on display are staggering – and so pretty!
I am always drawn to the jugs, I love the shapes and patterns on them:
And of course you cannot miss the inimitable Cock of Barcelos – who seems to get everywhere!
My favourites though are the beautiful butterflies, which look stunning hung on the wall:
And in case you haven’t got enough bags – here’s another traditional one for you!
These letter tiles are really good value and can transform your house – we have our number displayed on our house using these and they are a lovely traditional touch:
In case all this shopping has left you feeling peckish again, there are lots of stalls selling sweet fruit and nuts – and lots of unidentifiable objects too if you are feeling brave!
And then it’s off outside – yes so far everything we have shown you is inside the market building! – and even more stalls and displays for you to marvel at. Chorizo is extremely popular here, and seeing them strung up like this in the fresh air is quite a sight!
Next door are an array of fresh cheeses and hams – all of which Dave would be happy to buy!
I loved these bananas tied to a post – there was something almost Caribbean about them hanging there:
And not to be outdone were the giant garlic bulbs – also hanging in the sunshine:
You cannot escape the bacalhau or dried cod stands, although I have to admit that I am far more interested in photographing it than preparing it!
Finally a burst of bright colours and scents with the flower stalls – the prices are amazingly good value and it is nice to find fresh cut flowers for sale too as most supermarkets don’t sell them here unlike in the UK:
One last walk around the outside of the market – well it is time for lunch now! – and you will find this wonderful life-size statue sat outside one of the side entrances. I love this so much, her expression is amazing – you instantly feel sorry for her and feel her pain – and if she were real I am sure you would be reaching for your money to buy some fish from her:
So there it is – Loulé market in all its finery for you. I hope that you have enjoyed the tour.
You might also enjoy some of our other posts that take you on a virtual tour of the Algarve – click the link here to find more places for you to explore and enjoy:
Algarve Blog 
Very colourful 🙂
yes isn’t it!
I am going to visit this market. What a lovely post!
thank you – Saturday’s are the best day to go – let me know what you think!
I love the pictures! Beautiful!
thank you 🙂
Looks like a delightful place to shop. Thanks for sharing. If I lived there, I am sure I would shop there.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
thanks yes it is a great place to shop and wander around
I did! I did! It’s wonderful what they can do with cork now, Aly. I always feel guilty if we buy a screw top bottle of wine, which we mostly do these days in England, but these must compensate a little for a declining industry.
yes I must try to find out more about the cork industry out here – the bags were beautiful
Love these pictures! I, too, like to snap pics of colorful veggies, art, crafts, people, etc. I’d love to shop in Loule! http://ohtheplaceswesee.com
it is fab there!
I am enthralled! I so miss the markets of Asia which are similar with their wonderful array of everything under the sun. Even though we have farmers markets, they simply don’t compare.
what I love most is that this isn’t a tourist gimmick – this is just the local market – there are loads scattered across the Algarve, this is just one of the biggest.
What a great market. I love the bags and butterflies.
they’re great aren’t they?!
Wow. I want to go shopping there!!
it’s a fab place to wander round for an hour or two!
Thank you for sharing, it is really a great place to go
yes there’s something different each time you go as well…
I think I would love Portugal, but I’d need much bigger shopping bag.
yes I have to be quite self controlled or our house would be full of pottery!!
We just returned from Portugal, and visiting this market was wonderful. We purchased dinnerware at the shop that seems to be photographed here, and, unfortunately, the bag with the larger serving bowl fell at the airport gate and shattered. I would like to contact the shop and see whether we can get a replacement. It is the beautiful sunflower pattern. The specific store had an older man owner…very sweet. Do you have any suggestions on how I could contact this store? Thanks!
oh what a shame – and that’s a challenge for us! we can try for you – any chance that you could send a picture of the dinnerware pattern as someone we know might be able to recognise the shop that way? email a3art@live.co.uk and we can ask around for you!