João Pessoa's public markets and what you find in them

Markets run by the city hall bring together fresh fish, crafts and regional food at historic spots around the city.

João Pessoa maintains a network of public markets run by the Urban Development Department (Sedurb), which serves as both a supply point and a tourist attraction. The best known for anyone looking for fish is the Mercado do Peixe de Tambaú, facing the sea on Avenida Almirante Tamandaré. Renovated and reopened with a standardized structure, the venue covers 700 square meters, has 11 stalls, its own ice factory, storage chambers, and operates from 7am to 2pm, offering fish such as cioba, grouper, pargo, arabaiana and shrimp, sourced from local fishing and neighboring states.

In the Bessa neighborhood, the city hall also runs a public market inaugurated with 24 fixed stalls and 50 standardized booths, plus a food court with three snack bars, restrooms and security support — a model designed to organize the trade of food and everyday products in the northern part of the waterfront.

In Tambaú, the Centro de Artesanato Júlio Rafael, on Rua Coração de Jesus, brings together around 20 craft shops — renascença lace, embroidery, colored cotton, leather and weaving — open from 9am to 6pm every day of the week. Although the focus is on crafts, the space is part of the shopping itinerary that also includes regional food products sold nearby.

Together, these markets give a good sense of how the city officially organizes the sale of fresh fish and typical products for residents and visitors.