Mercado Modelo (Modelo Market), Salvador (must see)

Modelo is not your average marketplace—this sprawling two-story, neoclassical-style wonderland is a celebration of Bahian culture in all its glory. Housing over 250 shops, it offers everything from musical instruments and lacework to leather goods, hammocks, and those famous baiana dolls. And yes, you can grab a Senhor do Bonfim ribbon or two, but that’s just scratching the surface. Hungry? Head straight to the famous Maria de São Pedro or Camafeu de Oxossi, where the food is as legendary as the market itself.

At Oxossi, sip on a hearty shrimp broth, dive into moquecas brimming with fresh fish and shrimp, and top it off with a sweet quindim or cocada—all while gazing at a stunning view of the Bay of All Saints. Meanwhile, Maria de São Pedro serves up dishes that make even literary legends swoon; Jorge Amado himself once sang the praises of shredded crab and other Bahian classics.

Modelo’s history is as colorful as its stalls. Originally a busy supply depot, it housed everything from grains to ceremonial artifacts. When a fire ravaged the original market in 1969, it was reborn in the neoclassical 3rd Customs House in 1971. Another blaze hit later, but Modelo bounced back once again, reopening in 1984 to become the cultural and culinary treasure we know today. When life gives you heat, you just keep on cooking!