A Guide To Rio's Sunday Hippie Market In Ipanema

The Feira de Arte de Ipanema (more commonly known as the Hippie Fair) is the most well-known and popular street market in the south zone of the city. Stalls of various goodies are set up every Sunday around the perimeter of Praça General Osório (General Osório Square), while the center of the square is reserved for artists selling much larger canvases and artworks. For unique souvenirs, there is no better place in Rio to go.

About The Hippie Fair

This famous fair was set up in the 1960s by a group of local hippies who were looking for a regular place to sell their handicrafts to tourists and locals. As the years passed by, more and more people joined in, until it reached the established and regular outdoor fair that it is today. Now it sells a wide range of clothes, furniture, arts and crafts that make great gifts or takeaways to remember Brazil.

Typical things to buy from the Hippie Fair

Clothes, Sandals And Swimwear

Jewelry

Most of the jewelry at the Hippie Fair is hand-made, offering one-of-a-kind pieces in various styles. There are some of pure silver with beautiful gemstones, others made of black leather straps with metal or wooden trinkets, and some purely wooden designs. Most of the jewelry stalls have everything from necklaces, bracelets, earrings, anklets and charms to add to your own chain.

Artwork

There is a bounty of artwork available at the Hippie Fair, from oils to watercolors, realist to abstract, and many of them depict images of Brazil and Rio de Janeiro. The ones painted on cloth-like fabrics are easier to toll up and pop in a suitcase, while larger canvases are a bit more tricky to transport. There are also various ceramic figurines of typical Bahian imagery, as well as lace and embroidery. Hammocks are popular at the market and can make an unusual and comfortable addition to the home or garden. There are also other furniture pieces, such as wooden chairs and tables, all beautifully and skillfully handcrafted into novel pieces.

Must-Try Food

At each corner of the park are food stalls, with many selling typical Bahian food. One of the most authentic Bahian food is the Acaraje, a croquette made from a mix of black-eyed peas, manioc paste, coconut and prawns. With fresh ingredients and made to order, it is a delicious taste of Bahia. There are also dozens of different desserts to try – just take the plunge and order any one off the menu for an indulgent treat.

Useful Information

Bargaining is accepted at the fair, especially when buying multiple items, yet it is better to keep haggling within reasonable margins. Many of the stalls accept credit and debit cards, but always bring some cash with you for smaller priced items or for the few stalls that may not be card-friendly yet. The fair is right in between the subway and the beach, so makes an ideal stop-off point to browse in after the beach. It opens around 10am on a Sunday and closes in the early evening, usually around 5pm or 6pm. The nearest subway is Metro General Osório. When you’re in the subway, look for the exit ‘Praça General Osório’ and the Hippie Fair is right in front.
By Sarah Brown

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