Mercado Modelo is a popular market in Salvador, Brazil, with over 250 shops selling handicrafts, souvenirs, and local food.
It has restaurants, bars, and an art gallery. Some reviewers recommend specific shops and artists, like Loja 17 for women’s clothing and Markus Nascimiento for paintings.
Be aware of pricing and inspect items before buying. A nearby underground museum and marine are worth visiting.
The market is currently undergoing renovations.
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Soufian Khatib
June 2, 2025 at 12:08 AM
The mercado is great — lots of souvenir shops and local food to explore! Just outside, there’s also an underground museum where local artists showcase their work. It’s definitely worth checking out. I recommend buying your ticket in advance — the process took a while for us, and it’ll save you from waiting under the sun.
Roy Mosure
May 5, 2025 at 01:17 AM
Great tourist spot. Lots of little shops for souvenirs and food. There is a bigger restaurant overlooking the ocean. In the area are a few museums to visit. The large elevator is steps away. We came back here several times because there are so many things to do. We felt safe and they kept the area clean.
Henry Graham
March 25, 2025 at 01:49 AM
Traditional port in Salvador. Lots of little shops to buy useless memorabilia for your house, family and friends.
Beautiful view of the port and sunset from the second floor restaurant/bar - makes it worth the trip.
Adathottil Jee
March 5, 2025 at 01:57 PM
Popular market featuring 250+ shops selling a variety of arts, crafts & souvenirs, plus restaurants.
Mercado Modelo has bars, cafeterias and canteens. With 8,410 square meters and two floors, with gifts and souvenirs from Bahia
The Mercado Modelo arose out of the need for a supply center in the Lower City of Salvador. Between the old Customs House building and Largo da Conceição, it was a commercial center where it was possible to acquire items as varied as fruit and vegetables, cereals, animals, cigars, cachaças, and Candomblé articles. Thus, the market was inaugurated on February 2, 1912[1] in a building next to the old Customs House building, which had been built in 1860 and inaugurated in 1861.[3] The market's supply was served by the ramp that bears its name, former port of the schooners that crossed the Bay of All Saints.
Dr.T G
February 3, 2025 at 04:00 PM
Horrific history, but I found the market setup comfortable. Here is my take:
You should go. Yes, about 5 vagabonds roam the exterior collecting bottles, etc. but keep your wits about you like always. Although several of the market's stores/stalls sell some of the same items, some have fixed pricing while others try to take advantage.
- If you want WOMEN'S DRESSES, SCARVES, etc. start at Loja 17 with Jefferson. I arrived on a Sunday after the market closed. I looked wild and crazy after a wild and crazy motorcycle ride from Itapua. Jefferson was calculating his books and ready to go home for the day, but treated me with dignity and kindness. He had the patience of Job.
- If you want PAINTINGS, ask for artist Markus Nascimiento in the Art Gallery (Quadra W box 04 & 05). He was an angel in disguise who safely escorted me from the teleferico, and gave me wise counsel about staying on the main roads when walking on weekends since most of the businesses were closed, the streets deserted, and the side streets dangerous.
- Take caution with the lady in the stall across from Loja 17 (Jefferson). She tried to sell me a shirt for R$350 that cost only R$60 in Loja 61! When I gestured 'no way' the price lowered to $175. I guess I looked like I had money to burn in her eyes 🤷🏽♀️.
- Inspect thoroughly before you buy. I purchased a dress in packaging from one of the corner stalls. Turned out, it has a huge stain on front that's been impossible to wash out.
- Bathrooms on 2nd level. Most stores accept credit cards, but not all.