Mercado Agrícola de Santana

Mercado Agrícola de Santana, in Ribeira Grande, is one of those places that still feels properly old school.

This isn’t a tourist market. It’s where locals go to buy vegetables, fruit, meat, and all kinds of fresh products directly from the people who produce them. Sometimes you’ll even see people selling chickens and other livestock, which tells you exactly the kind of place this is.

Inside and around the market you’ll also find small stands selling traditional desserts and other local products. It’s lively, authentic, and exactly the kind of place where you feel the real rhythm of the island.

For the north side of São Miguel, this is a big market and a great place to buy quality products at much cheaper prices than the big supermarkets. No middlemen, just local vendors selling what they produce.

The only downside is the schedule. The market only happens on Thursday mornings and Saturday mornings, and it closes early.

But if you’re around Ribeira Grande on one of those days, it’s absolutely worth a stop.

• →Go early in the morning for the best products and the liveliest atmosphere.

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