Open-air markets Brésil Nordeste

Situated on the edge of the bay, the Feira de Sao Joaquim is an authentic folk market. You'll find meat, fruit, vegetables... as well as everyday objects, handicrafts and candomblé-related artifacts. In a joyful hubbub, with a wealth of smells and flavors, it offers an immersion into the daily life of the Bahian people. It was restored in 2016, but the magic of the place still works. There's a special charm to this market, where Salvador's Afro-Brazilian roots are fully expressed, far from the artifice of modernity.

The beaches of seaside towns often have their own market/fair. In Rio, the Copacabana and Ipanema markets are well known. The residential district of Boa Viagem, with its 20 km of beach, also has its own daily market, from 5pm to 10pm. Near the pretty little church of Praça Boa Viagem, stalls appear every evening as if by magic, offering regional dishes served by ladies in traditional costume, handicrafts and jewelry. Locals and tourists mingle in a relaxed atmosphere.

The Passarela do Descobrimento, known locally as Passarela do Alcool, is a must-see meeting point. During the day, it is a real open-air shopping area. You can find just about anything here: restaurants serving regional cuisine, cafes and bars, but also clothing and souvenir stores, handicraft stores and, at nightfall, "batidas" stands. It is a place to gather "before night".