The Mercado Central, open since 1929, is one of Belo Horizontes most beloved institutions, a vast covered market with hundreds of stalls selling the famous cheeses of Minas Gerais, cachaca, sweets, spices, handicrafts, plants and live animals. A sensory feast and a hub of local life, it is the best place to buy regional produce and souvenirs. Wandering its crowded aisles, sampling cheese and cachaca, is an essential Belo Horizonte experience for visitors.