Rio Cultural Tips - Street Markets

Rio is full of informal markets, in every neighborhood there is at least an old street market that sells essentials and fresh products, such as organic fruits, homemade honey, eggs, spices, farm dairy, etc. But there is not only food - these markets can be a treasure trove of unique gifts and other items!

The City is also very known for the art, decoration and fashion markets, my favorite so far is the Ipanema Hippie Market (Feira Hippie de Ipanema in portuguese) that is a real open-air art gallery - in the 60's this was a meeting point for artist and artisans. They sell products made of wood, ceramic and resin but also handmade clothes and accessories such as necklaces, bracelets, rings, headbands, bags and many other beauties that make us women crazy. It happens every Sunday at Praça General Osório from 8 am to 8 pm.

The Feira do Lavradio is one of the most traditional street markets in Rio, located in the Old Rio area, specifically at Lavradio Street in Lapa. The market is famous for selling antiques from grandmas time, and visiting the Feira do Lavradio is truly an opportunity to travel in the past. It happens every first Saturday of the month from 10am to 5pm. Bars and restaurants around the market are a chance for a deeper experience. 

Another internationally famous street market is the Copacabana Beach Market (or Feirinha de Copacabana) from the 80's, located by the beach sidewalk where they sell souvenirs, clothes, handcrafts and paintings Monday through Saturday from 6pm to 12am.

The last but not least I recommend the Saint Christopher Market (known in Portuguese as Feira de São Cristóvão). This is not a street market properly, but it's a huge complex of informal shops from the Nordestinos - people from the Northeast of Brazil. In the market you find all typical products you can imagine from the Northeast culture: among the items you will find hammocks, wooden miniatures, cloth dolls, hats and leather sandals, lace clothing and all kinds of craftwork that involves popular culture. It's located at São Cristóvão District, opens Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 8pm and during the weekend from 10am to 9pm.

Get in the Carioca's routine visiting our street markets during the Rio Olympic Games!