SHOPPING

Markets

Market of Funchal

A must on your visit to Madeira is the local market, in the old part of town near the Electricity museum. Products ranging from fresh fish, fruit and vegetables. Flowers can be bought from florists dressed in folklore clothing.

The market is a regional institution, and here you will see first hand the millions of colourful fruits and flowers. Mingle with the locals as you purchase in grams and Kilos. There is a special fish section which is not for the faint hearted, here the fish is displayed, gutted and quartered (don’t stand too near as heads fly).

On the evening of the 23rd of December everyone passes by the market, all the stalls are up way past midnight, and here you can buy last minute presents and food to get you through Christmas. The general atmosphere is very lively which is why this tradition has lasted for so many decades.

Supermarkets

There are quite a few good supermarkets around Funchal with Portuguese and a growing number of international products and always fresh fruit and vegetables. The main supermarket chains are SA and Pingo Doce, in each part of Madeira and Funchal there are many local stores where you will find most products.