2026-04-27 This little porquinho goes to market

One of the benefits of a metro pass is that it extends to some towns outside the city center but which are still considered MetroPorto. JR stayed home to receive a delivery and have the apartment to himself while Stacey headed out with an expat friend to the town of Espinho. This is a beach town that has an extensive market every Monday.  We had heard great things about it but we were NOT prepared.

This market is H U G E! Everything from fruits and veggies to fresh fish - like still looking at you - meet, cheese, clothes, housewares, fabrics, trees - it had everything you could possible want and then some.  

Jennifer and Stacey spent the day stumbling over portuguese as most of the vendors did not speak english and they only took cash. Everyone was very nice and helpful and they enjoyed themselves very much.

And of course, you can't have a market without live animals. I'm not sure if these were for 'stocking' or butchering as there was everything from chickens to bunnies, to hamsters and parakeets along with their habitats.

Of course, the market was SO BIG we had to stop and get lunch and then go back and finish shopping. This delightful beach town is a must visit again and again, not only for the market but for it's beautiful beaches and extensive bike trails.

PS - everything we bought - cherries, snap peas, lettuce, lemons, strawberries, carrots, cucumbers - was very fresh and tasty. They also last quite a while as they haven't been in transit from farm  to the shop for weeks as we are accustomed to in the U.S.