Shopping near Carvoeiro and in the Algarve Primary tabs

If you are stuck for something to do on a wet day, want to stock up on some new buys or are looking for a trip to the cinema then a visit to one of the local shopping centres or retail parks is a great way to fill the day.

Below is a list of some of the shopping centres and retail parks that are closest to Carvoeiro as well as a couple a little further afield for those exploring ther parts of the Algarve.

At the bottom of the page you'll find local supermarkets

Aqua Portimão

Where: Central Portimão

Directions: From Carvoeiro drive to Lagoa and turn left onto the EN125. Travel across new bridge and take Portimão exit. Go straight over the roundabout at hospital. Move into the right hand lane and travel up to roundabout. Aqua Portimão is directly in front.

What: This partially open air shopping centre opened in April 2011 and has 117 shops over three floors.

Underground parking at the centre is available for free and can accommodate 1,800 cars.

Open daily from 9am until midnight the shopping centre is best known locally for being the first place in the Algarve with an H&M clothes store and a Primark but it also has many other fashion shops as well as a large toy shop, many shoe shops and a large Jumbo supermarket.

The food court area has the usual suspects but also some different places including a kebab restaurant and a place that sells everything in a cone!

For a full list of all the shops and a map of the shopping centre please click http://www.aquaportimao.pt/files/aquaportimao.pt/plans/plantas.pdf

Portimão Retail Center

Where: Central Portimão

Directions: Follow directions for Aqua Portimão, go around Aqua Portimão and behind the centre is the retail centre.

What: This one seems a little strange being so close to the huge Aqua shopping centre and is definitely overshadowed by its large neighbour however it still has something to offer and is the closest place in the Algarve to be able to buy goods from C&A.

The Retail Center has a very large Brinka toy shop and the biggest Worten I have ever seen in my life with electrical goods as far as the eye can see. It also has a huge Sports Zone shop which stocks everything from darts flights to trampolines and surfboards.

If you are visiting Aqua Shopping and havent been able to find what you need then it may well be worth passing by this retail park.

Where: Central Portimão

Directions: From Carvoeiro turn left at Lagoa onto the EN125, cross the new bridge and turn right into Portimão. Pass the hospital on the right and pass through the tunnel, through the traffic lights and feed onto the V6. Cross straight over the first roundabout and you will then see the centre on the left hand side which can accessed by turning right before the petrol station or by going around the next roundabout and back on yourself.

What: An older shopping centre which is showing signs of aging but still has a large Continente supermarket, many little shops, a large Sports Zone and Wortens and a food hall.

This shopping centre is used a lot for the cinema which shows many of the films in English (look out for VO for original versions) and childrens films in Portuguese (VP for Portuguese version).

To find out what is going on at the cinema. Click http://www.castellolopescinemas.com/site/cinemas.php and choose Portimão to see what is on at the cinema.

Where: Guia

Directions: From Carvoeiro head to Lagoa and turn right onto the EN 125 and continue through Alcantarilha, past Zoomarine and then turn right into the shopping centre. The shopping centre can also be reached by using the A22.

What: Open from 9am until 11pm during the winter months and until midnight during the summer months Algarve Shopping not only has a huge Continente supermarket but it also has a good few shops, large food court area including fast food and restaurant fayre and a multiplex cinema.

With ample free underground parking Algarve Shopping has long been a popular spot to drop in to, especially due to the cinema complex.

Many of the films shown here are shown in English with Portuguese subtitles. Look out for VO (original version) or VP (Portuguese version). The films that are dubbed do tend to be the childrens films but even these are shown in the original version later in the evening.

To see what is on at the cinema click here http://www.castellolopescinemas.com/site/cinemas.php and choose Guia.

Algarve Shopping is known for having a large Fnac music shop which also stocks games consoles, books, computers and other technical bits and bobs. The centre also has a very large Zara fashion shop, a Body Shop and many other great little boutique type shops.

Algarve Shopping Retail park and more...

While Algarve Shopping is the main draw on the other side of the road there is a massive Leroy Merlin DIY store and a Makro store for anyone looking for larger goods and everything from a garden shed to lightbulbs.

Back on the Algarve Shopping side of the EN125 there is also the Retail Park.

This retail park cannot be accessed directly from Algarve Shopping and you need to drive round to it from the shopping centre and park up.

The retail park is known for having a very large Nike store where some bargains can be found all through the year but now it is primarily known for being the place where the Iceland supermarket is. The Iceland supermarket stocks all the British favourites, to see open hours please click http://overseas.es/stores/17

And further afield....

If you are not all shopped out then there are other shopping centres in the Algarve if you fancy a bit of a drive.

Forum Algarve

Where: Faro

Directions: Travel along the EN125 or the A22 and head towards the airport. Instead of turning off for the airport continue on ahead until you see the shopping centre on the left hand side and follow signs from here.

What: For a long time this was THE shopping centre in the Algarve but now there is not much more here than you will find in Portimão. Plenty of free parking and a large Jumbo supermarket and 119 shops makes this the biggest place to come shopping in the Algarve.

The shopping centre also has a cinema. To find out what is on click http://www.forumalgarve.net/cinema.html for further information.

Ria Shopping Olhão

Where: Olhão

Directions: Easy to find and well signposted the Ria Shopping Centre is found on EN125 a Sul / Rua Antero Nobre a Norte.

What: Only 10kms from Faro if you have never been to Olhão and don't know where to start then you could do worse than park up in the shopping centre and use this as a base to explore a little further.

Although relatively new this shopping centre does not feel as luxurious as others in the region and has yet to fulfil its potential.

The shops are nothing that you wouldn't find elsewhere but the toilets are very well appointed and clean and the food hall has some great choices including a wonderful local restaurant serving local seafood specialities.

If you want to go and see a film then the shopping centre also has a multiplex cinema, for more information please click here http://www.riashopping.pt/cinema.asp

Where: Outskirts of Tavira

Directions: The shopping centre is on the way out of Tavira on the east side of the town and can be found by following the signs along Rua do Vale do Caranguejo where it sits on the left with the sea on the right as you drive along from Tavira centre.

What: A two floor shopping centre with 105 shops and the most amazing view ever from the food hall terrace.

Lots of space for parking and with a modern feel this shopping centre is a great addition to the eastern Algarve but nothing out of the ordinary when it comes to the shops on offer. The centre has a large Continente supermarket, a Sports Zone and a Mango store as well as many other fashion and shoe shops.

Another cinema complex can be found at Gran Plaza with five screens. Find out what is on here http://www.zonlusomundo.pt/Cinema.aspx?c=TA

Super markets: There are a few in the village itself if you don't have any transport. Intermarche is just outside the village on the way to Lagoa; and nearer to Lagoa there is now the new Lidl Plus located on the new roundabout.

Most supermarkets open everyday 9am to 9pm, those which are regarded as hypermarkets e.g. Modelo, Portimao and Continent in Guia have to close at 1pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Intermache seem to regard themselves on Sundays as a large store and close at 1pm but seem to decide they are a smaller supermarket when it is a Bank Holiday and stay open all day.

Lidl Plus and Modelo in Silves all open every day of the year expect Christmas Day and May 1st (workers day ). Modelo in Silves is open all day on Sundays.

In the summer peak periods times vary, some open at 8am, some 8.30am and it is possible in July and August to shop in Modelo and Continent until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. (These put up signs with their opening hours for each day).

But, being Portugal there has to be a exception! During November and December all supermarkets, whatever their size can open all day Sunday and Bank Holidays so even more time to do your Christmas shopping