[Photo from visitlisboa.com]

There is no better way to learn first-hand a city's lifestyle than a trip to the market. Here you can discover in the most spontaneous way the past and present habits, tastes and fashions of Lisboa's locals.

Visit one of several fairs set up in the city's public squares and gardens and enjoy a more authentic shopping experience.

In the heart of Alfama, at Campo de Santa Clara, you can find "Feira da Ladra", Lisboa's historic flea market. Held every Tuesday and Saturday, it offers the most diverse bric-a-brac, from old records to clothes, furniture and crockery, essentially a multitude of items at reduced prices.

At Chiado's Book and Collector's Fair, you can find copies of rare editions, in Portuguese and foreign languages. It is held at Rua da Anchieta, from 10am to 5pm every Saturday.

Belem's bric-a-brac and handicrafts fair is a popular flea market, located at Vasco da Gama Gardens. Held on the first and third Sundays of each month from 9am to 6pm, this fair specializes in collector's and decorative items.

In the gardens of Principe Real, you must not miss the organic market held here every Saturday, from 11am to 2pm. In addition to vegetables and fruits, you can also buy cereals, milk, olive oil, wine, herbs, as well as traditional Portuguese cakes.

Alvalade market is also worth highlighting, having the best fish stalls in Lisboa. Located on the Avenida Rio de Janeiro, this venue is open Monday to Saturday from 7am to 7pm, closing at 5pm on Saturdays.

Just as famous is the 31 de Janeiro Market, next to Praça José Fontana, in the Saldanha area, open from Monday to Saturday until 2pm.

Heading towards Campo de Ourique, the market at this charming neighborhood is one of the oldest in the city. Located on Rua Coelho da Rocha, it is open every morning from Monday to Saturday selling fresh, quality produce. However on Saturdays it becomes a venue for very different kinds of articles. On the first Saturday of the month it becomes a flea market, whilst on the second Saturday it specializes in handicrafts. On the third Saturday it becomes a solidarity market and finally on the fourth it transforms into a book fair.

Lx Market is very hip and more urban, being a second-hand goods market installed at Lx Factory in Alcântara, Rua Rodrigues de Faria. Held every Sunday, from 11am to 6pm, this is a meeting point for buyers and sellers of all ages. In addition to clothing, accessories and home furnishings, you can find many rarities. You can also sample many delicious varieties of traditional Portuguese confectionery.

Finally, you must not miss a visit to the legendary Mercado da Ribeira. Specializing in fresh food, this venue hosts the Collector's Market every Sunday. This fair features an interesting variety of objects that every weekend attract hundreds of collectors.