One of the most authentic markets you are likely to come across in all of Europe, the Mercado do Bolhão is both lively and captivating. Open since 1850, the market’s two-story wrought iron housing is in desperate need of restoration, but that doesn’t stop the bustle of vendors and shoppers from filling its halls like it was just opened recently. With the smell of freshly baked breads and the sounds of merchants bartering across pridefully arranged stalls, a stroll along the aisles of Mercado do Bolhão is a feast for all of the senses. At the same time, there’s a sweet nostalgia that underlines the market’s activity. People interact in a manner of days gone by; greeting each other with a smile, gossiping and exchanging pleasantries. Just spend a little time at the Mercado do Bolhão and you’ll be transported to a welcoming neighborhood far away from the center of one of Portugal’s most metropolitan cities.