Supermarkets in the Algarve
Where to do your weekly shop across the region
The Algarve is well served by supermarkets, with Portuguese chains providing the bulk of grocery shopping for residents. The main operators are Pingo Doce, Continente, Intermarche, Lidl, Aldi, and Minipreco, all of which have multiple stores across the region.
Pingo Doce is the most widespread Portuguese supermarket chain and is found in virtually every Algarve town. Stores range from small neighbourhood outlets to large hypermarkets. The chain is known for consistent quality, competitive pricing, and a strong own-brand range. Fresh produce, fish, and meat counters are typically well stocked. Pingo Doce frequently runs promotional campaigns, and its loyalty card offers discounts on fuel at Galp petrol stations.
Continente, part of the Sonae group, operates larger-format stores, including the hypermarkets at Forum Algarve in Faro and Aqua Portimao in Portimao. These carry a full range of groceries, household goods, electronics, and clothing. Continente Modelo and Continente Bom Dia are smaller formats found in more locations. The chain's online shopping and delivery service covers much of the Algarve.
Lidl and Aldi have expanded significantly in the Algarve in recent years. Their discount model and familiar format appeal to northern European expats, and their weekly special offers draw shoppers from across the community. Product ranges include a mix of Portuguese, German, and international items.
Intermarche, the French-owned chain, has stores in several Algarve towns and tends to offer a good balance of price and quality, with particularly strong fresh produce sections. Minipreco (owned by the Portuguese Jeronimo Martins group, which also owns Pingo Doce) operates smaller convenience-format stores.
For British products, several specialist shops and import stores cater to the expat community. Iceland Foods opened stores in the Algarve in 2023, offering frozen and ambient products familiar to UK shoppers. Expat-oriented shops in areas such as Almancil, Carvoeiro, and Lagos stock items including Heinz baked beans, Marmite, PG Tips, and other products not available in Portuguese supermarkets.
Farmers markets (mercados municipais and mercados biologicos) offer an alternative for fresh produce. The markets in Loule, Olhao, Lagos, and Tavira are particularly good for seasonal fruit, vegetables, fish, cheese, and honey bought directly from producers. Saturday morning is the main market day in most towns. Prices at markets are competitive with or lower than supermarket prices for seasonal produce, and the quality is often superior.
Online grocery shopping and delivery is available through Continente Online and other services, though coverage and delivery slots are more limited than in the UK. Rural areas may not be served at all.
Grocery prices in the Algarve are generally lower than in the UK, particularly for fresh produce, wine, bread, olive oil, and seafood. Imported and processed foods, particularly items from the UK, can be more expensive.
The Algarve's supermarket landscape also includes several cash-and-carry and wholesale outlets that are accessible to the public, including Makro (membership required) near Faro. These can offer significant savings on bulk purchases of non-perishable goods, beverages, and household products. Ethnic food shops, particularly those serving the Brazilian, Chinese, and Indian communities, have established themselves in the larger towns and provide ingredients and products not found in mainstream supermarkets.
For residents accustomed to the convenience of 24-hour supermarkets in the UK, opening hours in the Algarve are more restricted. Most supermarkets open from 8am or 9am and close at 9pm or 10pm. Sunday opening is standard, though some smaller formats may close earlier. Public holiday opening varies by chain and location. The rhythm of shopping in the Algarve tends to involve more frequent, smaller trips than the weekly big shop common in the UK, particularly for fresh produce, which is best bought regularly from markets and smaller outlets.