Experts' Choice Award Mercado Modelo
What the experts agree on
This historic 1861 Customs House turned market is essential Salvador viewing, with 200+ stalls hawking handmade local art, crafts, and souvenirs—expect to bargain over pepper sauce, cigars, and hammocks.
“Bahian food is as fun to pronounce as it is to eat.”
– Afar Magazine
Fodor's "Bargaining is expected here for goods like... pepper sauce, cigars, leather goods, hammocks, musical instruments, and semiprecious stones." Full review
Lonely Planet "The original 1861 Customs House was partly destroyed in a fire in 1986. After reconstruction, it was transformed into a tourist market." Full review
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Live music and free capoeira demonstrations often occur out back – be sure to ask the price before snapping photos of the capoeiristas.
Afar Magazine "This market is part of the history of Salvador, everyone has to visit it even if not interested in buying local art.There are about 200 little shops selling local art, mostly handmade." Full review
Frommer's "It's a fun place to wander...it houses just about everything Bahia has to offer in terms of arts, crafts, and souvenirs. " Full review
