Shopping
Basic Needs in Lagos

These supermarkets and small vendors offer an abundance of goods to meet and exceed your "Basic Needs in Lagos". These have become our favourites. Setup up Home in Lagos, is loaded with great tips as well!

Need to Knows

Lagos has grown considerably in the last few years with its mega supermarkets, offering both local Portuguese produce as well as goods from across the European Union. These supermarkets accept major credit cards, offer a wide variety of grocery items and just about every household item you may need during your stay. They even have a selection of appliances and clothing. This assortment will generally meet the range of needs of vacationers renting or owning a property in Lagos.

Alternately, little can replace the freshness, the quality, the personal touch and the overall experience of the small local vendor. From the multitude of local butchers, to the fish market, to the bakeries, and the weekend outdoor market for fresh fruit and veggies, your basic needs will be met and exceeded in Lagos.

Tips:

1) Shopping carts: Are stacked up and locked outside the supermarkets. Insert a 50 centimos coin into the coin slot on the cart handle to release the key lock and you have yourself a shopping cart to host your shopping adventure. Don't forget to take your cart back to the stall when you have completed your shopping. Insert the key from the cart in front and your 50 centimos coin is released. It's really quite simple and efficient.

2) If you SEE IT, BUY IT: Whether you are an occasional visitor to Lagos or an expatriate shopping to make little improvements to your holiday accommodation, take note of this great tip. The supermarkets have a good variety of household goods. If you do see something you truly need or that you really like, BUY IT immediately! Don't wait to "shop around", because it may not be available again. This is a huge "Lessons Learned" on our part. We have spent many a fruitless hour scouting around the supermarkets for items previously seen and no longer available.

Mega Supermarkets, Lagos

Intermarché - French chain
Features: Fresh meats; fish; bakery; dairy; wine; beer; household goods; appliances; clothing; coffee shop

: From Tulip roundabout #5, drive straight to Blackball roundabout #4. Take your third exit. Drive to the first set of traffic lights. Turn left and soon after take your first right. You will be driving on the entrance road into the Intermarché parking lot. Drive around the building to get to the parking area.

: Lots of parking.

Modelo - Portuguese chain
Features: Fresh meats; fish; bakery; dairy; wine; beer; household goods; appliances; clothing; coffee shop

: From Tulip roundabout #5, drive straight to Black Ball roundabout #4 and take your 3rd exit to Floral "Lagos" roundabout #8. Take your first exit down the hill to Lighted Chairs roundabout #9. Take your third exit up the hill. Cross the Aldi roundabout #K. Note: Entrance to Model is on your right just before the Elephant carwash. If you miss this, simply drive to the next roundabout and double back.

: Modelo has an immense parking lot.

Pingo Doce - Portuguese chain
Features: Fresh meats; fish; bakery; dairy; wine; beer; household goods appliances; coffee shop
Features: Flower shop also delivers in Lagos
Phone: (282) 792 256 (for flower deliveries)

: From Tulip roundabout #5, drive straight to Black Ball roundabout #4 and take your first right down the road towards the Town Waterfront. Drive on through town and past the Marina to the Ironworks roundabout #3. Take your first exit and you will very quickly see the entrance gates to the parking lot for Pingo Doce.

: Lots of parking available. Note that the entrance gate is locked after-hours.

Lidl and Aldi - 2 Other large supermarket chains
Features: Fresh meats; fish; bakery; dairy; wine; beer; household goods

: Refer to our Shopping Map.

: Lots of parking available.

Small Vendors

Small supermarkets
Features: General groceries on a smaller scale; also a good selection of beer, wine and port; bottled water is often less expensive; located in most neighbourhoods making them easily accessible by foot; if you do not have access to a car, you will enjoy the convenience of these small supermarkets; extended hours provide access both evenings and Sundays.

Near our Vila Dona Ana Apts: There are two handy Small Supermarkets.

A) Super Rotunda: At Stone Tulip Roundabout. This former Ali Super shop is now called Super Rotunda.

: From our Vila Dona Ana apartment, walk out the entrance of the complex; turn right and walk to the end of the road; turn right and walk to the Stone Tulips roundabout #5; the supermarket is directly at the Stone Tulip roundabout (5 minute walk).

: Parking is not easy here; you will need to park further down a the road.

B) Super Eureka: In front of the Vilabranca complex. We often find some unique food items that other small supermarkets do not carry.

: From our Vila Dona Ana apartment, walk out the entrance of the complex; turn right and walk to the end of the road; turn left; then take your first right and walk to the end of the road; turn left and walk about 2 minutes to the Super Eureka Supermarket on your right; right; (10 minute walk).

: The supermarket is in a residential area and there are a few parking spots in front.

C) Other Small Supermarkets: Spar Supermarket at the Campismo (Camping) is between our Apartment complex and the Old Lagos Town. Another tiny one is between our Dona Ana Complex and Ponta da Piedade. Both of these may be convenient if you are in the area.

Bakeries

1) German Bakery Padaria do Wini - Features: Fresh baked German bread; savories, sweets and the most decadent cakes
2) Other Bakeries - Features: Fresh baked Portuguese bread; savories; sweets
3) Bakeries in Supermarkets: The larger supermarkets have their own on-site bakeries, offering an abundance of fresh baked goods from the bakery counter; including birthday cakes

:

1) German Bakery Padaria do Wini: At the back entrance into town, as you enter the old wall archway, you pass Praça d'Armas on your left; the road turns into a V; stay right; you are on Travessa do Forno; keep walking until you reach a 4-way intersection; the bakery in on the left corner; the bakery is not well signed; it has a stand-up chalkboard just outside promoting its baked goods; see Walking Tour #3 Old City for directions; also refer to our detailed map of the old historic town

2) Other Bakeries: Follow your nose to the other bakeries sprinkled through out the old town and find your favourite; see Walking Tour #3 Old City for directions; also refer to our detailed map of the old historic town

: Avoid driving in the old town; lots of parking available in a parking lot just outside the town wall at the back entrance into town.

Fish Market / Butcher / Fruit - with a view

Features: Three floors of fresh produce to meet all your shopping needs; ground floor offers the daily catch of a variety of fish from 33 vendors, 4 quality butcher shops and ice purchase; 1st floor shops provide an abundance of fruit and veggies as well as a coffee shop; 2nd floor profiles a terrace and will feature a future restaurant overlooking the harbour front; make a point of going up to the terrace to soak in the panoramic view of harbour, the marina and the coast line

The Mercado Municipal is designed around a monumental tile staircase and a panoramic elevator which connects the three floors. This place is lively in the early hours of the morning as the fish vendors proudly display their day's catch. Another activity to add to your "must experience" list!

Tip 1: Get to the Fish Market at 6am-7am for a good selection; this is one of our routine morning walks, before Lagos awakes
Tip 2: The "new" Fish Market reopened in July 2004 fully renovated and is the town's pride; it had been under renovation for quite some time.

: The Fish Market is on the main road facing the Town Waterfront boardwalk, between the Post Office and the Marina and directly across from Swirl Sculpture roundabout #B. If you don't see it, ask somebody for the "Mercado de Peixes". See Walking Tour #4 Town Waterfront for directions.

: Parking can be tricky in the town waterfront area. Try finding a space along the endless pay parking spots that border the waterfront boardwalk along the main road. You may need to drive up and down a few times until you find someone pulling out. Alternately you can use the pay parking lot that is directly across the road from the waterfront boardwalk, between the old town wall and the Post Office. The entrance to this lot is beside the intriguing marble plaza with the statue of Henry the Navigator. The charges are minimal, but just remember to pay the attendant before you leave and drive to the exit gate!

Saturday Market - Fruits and Vegetables

Features: Abundance of fresh local fruits and veggies at great prices; other interesting surprises; the vendors are eager to sell you more than you need, so be prepared to politely speak up, to purchase only what you need; strolling around this market is a unique cultural experience and a "must do"; enjoy shopping with the locals!

: The Saturday market is down by the bus station, off the main road facing the Town Waterfront boardwalk, almost directly opposite the footbridge that takes you over to the marina.

: Parking can be tricky in the town waterfront area. Try finding a space along the endless pay parking spots that border the waterfront boardwalk along the main road. You may need to drive up and down a few times until you find someone pulling out. Alternately you can use the pay parking lot that is directly across the road from the waterfront boardwalk, between the old town wall and the Post Office. The entrance to this lot is beside the intriguing marble plaza with the statue of Henry the Navigator. The charges are minimal, but just remember to pay the attendant before you leave and drive to the exit gate!

Laundry Services
Features: Full Service Laundromat; Dry Cleaning; there is no self service laundromat

Pricing: €15-€20 per load of laundry and includes washing; drying; ironing; we have yet to use the dry cleaning services

Both of our apartments have washing machines which will save you the exuberant fees of the laundromat; we endured these fees for several years, before we invested in a washing machine; automatic dryers are not used in the average Portuguese household, due to the high cost of electricity.

When: 8:30 to 21:30 Monday to Friday; 8:30 to 13:00 Saturdays; Closed Sundays and holidays

: On the same road as the Vilabranca Complex; on the opposite side of the street; between the Vilabranca complex and the Stone Tulip Roundabout.

: Parking is on the street.

Walking time from Dona Ana (DA) Apartment: 10 min.

Lagos Pharma - Pharmacy/Chemist & Esthetics Services

Features: Full array of non-prescription pharmaceutical products; also carry a great selection of beauty, foot care, sun and baby products

Esthetics Services: Waxing; Pedicure; Manicure; Facial and body treatments; Body Massage.

Ana the owner, has personally designed and created a bright and cheerful ambiance, making this a welcoming stop for your needs. She and her team are thoughtfully attentive to each client's needs, bringing back the old world charm to your visit. The shop is well organized making it easy to select your products.

Phone: 282 792 050.

When: 9:30 - 13:00 & 15:00 - 19:30 Monday to Friday; Saturday: 9:30 - 13:00; Sunday: Closed; Summer hours may be extended a little on Saturday, but it's best to check first.

: From our Vila Dona Ana apartment, walk out the entrance of the complex; turn right and walk to the end of the road; turn left; then take your first right and walk to the end of the road; turn left; then after the tennis club turn right and walk about a minute to LagosPharma on your left; they are on the ground floor of an apartment complex. Also walking distance from the Vilabranca complex.

: Parking is on the street.

Walking time from Dona Ana (DA) Apartment: 10 min.

Drogaria Inova - Hardware
Features: General hardware store items; household goods store (caution: Not a pharmacy or drug store, as the name may imply!)
Phone: (282) 768 291

Inova now has two handy locations:

1): At the Inova Roundabout #C:

: From Tulip roundabout #5, drive straight to Blackball roundabout #4. Take your third exit. Drive to the first set of traffic lights. Turn right and follow the road as it takes a sharp right for about 300m. You'll have a couple of opportunities to turn left, but continue straight. You then reach the small Inova roundabout #C. Take your first exit. As soon as you notice the road turning downwards the store will be on your right.

: Just past the hardware store there are a very small number of parking spots. If there is no space, you may need to drive further and find a spot on the side of the road.

2): At the Lighted Chairs Roundabout #9 (larger shop with more variety):

: From Stone Tulips roundabout #5, drive straight to Blackball roundabout #4; take your third exit and drive to Floral "Lagos" roundabout #8; take your first exit and drive to Lighted Chairs roundabout #9; this Inova location is directly at the roundabout, up on the hill

: Parking on the side streets around the store; take one of the roundabout exits on either side of the store for plenty of parking.

Regional Markets
Features: Abundance of household items; clothing; footwear; fresh local fruits and veggies; nuts; honey; pottery; embroidered linens; wicker baskets; even live chickens on occasion; other interesting delights

Regional Markets offer a unique and intriguing experience, as you never know what surprises await you. These markets roam from town to town and offer their wares in designated wide-opened grounds in tent-like structures. They setup for the day and seem to open at 09:00 and start closing up at 13:00.

Tip:

1) The regional markets regardless of the city hosting them, make for a good half day of walking with no protection from the weather; prepare yourself with comfortable shoes, hat, sunscreen, windbreaker and bring bottled water

2) Be prepared to negotiate as the vendors are pros at this art and quite assertive in advising you of what you need and how many; items can be purchased at great prices as there is minimal overhead for the vendors; remember to always be polite, smile and have fun; avoid the tendency to take negotiation personally

When: Weekly or monthly based on the particular town; Regional Markets operate on a calendar days basis (e.g. the 1st Saturday of the month); get a current schedule from the tourist office

Regional Markets Schedule:

: As you drive into a town hosting the market,look for the "Mercado" signs or just look for the wide expanse of tents or just ask someone for the "Mercado Regionais"

: Parking is very informal along the perimeter of the market; these markets are popular with both local and tourists so arrive early to get a parking spot closer to the entrance or you will have a very long walk

Setting up Home

"Setting up Home" in another country is a major undertaking for an expatriate. There is so much to learn and so much that is different from your home country. Armed with some useful tips and leveraging our Lessons Learned, this can and should be a rewarding experience.

The number one rule and key to your success is to forget what is is like in your home country and start learning and accepting the Portuguese Way!

Through setting up two properties over the years, we have learned a considerable amount. I must admit that it was a real challenge learning the ropes on our own. These tips will save you time, as we have spent so much time in the past, searching oodles of furniture stores. We now rely on these.

Tips:

1) Be efficient - Measure twice: Safe yourself some stress; before you head out on a mad shopping frenzy, get some measurements; sketch out a layout of your home with the room dimensions; plot some furniture on your sketch, with a range of dimensions; this will be a huge help is figuring out what will fit in your home as you browse the furniture shops
2) Browse first - Then Buy: I encourage you to browse the furniture stores to your hearts content armed with your sketch/measurements in hand; this will give you a feel for the styles, colours and selection available; it will probably result in your changing your thinking a little to take advantage to the Portuguese choices and the Portuguese Way; this is not a bad thing
3) Order to Delivery: Plan for 6-8 weeks; this is critical info and means that you cannot plan a 2-3 week trip to Portugal expecting to "Measure; Browse; Choose; Order; Receive; Install your Furniture"

Bela - Furniture
Features: : A good selection of quality furniture for every room in your home, over its four floors; they also have a selection of patio furniture;

Phone: (282) 697 387

: Bela is in Almadena; west of Lagos; towards Sagres; from Stone Tulips roundabout #5, drive straight to Blackball roundabout #4. Take your third exit and follow the winding road to Floral Lagos roundabout #8. Take your second exit to Sagres/A22 roundabout #E. Take your second exit to the EN125 highway west to Vila do Bispo. Continue on until you arrive at the traffic lights in Almadena. Drive past the lights and look for the entrance into Bela on the right . You can see the sign and shop from the highway

: Parking on the premises

Casa - Home Accessories
Features: Smaller furniture items and household goods for every room in the house; Casa is a fabulous store; the rule "If you see it - Buy it" applies here, as there is no such thing as routine stock

: In Lagos on Rua Candido dos Reis; see Lagos Old Town Map

: Parking on the premises

IZI - Home Improvement Supplies
(formerly Mestre Maco)
Features: Warehouse style store with hardware and home improvement supplies for every room in the house; building materials; the perfect handyman store; this store is another great example of my rule "If you see it - Buy it", as there is no such thing as routine stock

Phone: (282) 341 318
When: Mon-Sat 8:30 - 21:00; Sun & Holidays 8:30 - 20:00
Web-site: www.izi.pt

: On the east side of Lagos; past the Pingo Doce; from Lagos, drive east on the EN125 towards Portimão; Mestre IZI a huge presence on the left side of the road and is well signed; it is just before Odiáxere; visit their web-site for IZI Store Info, Directions, Hours

: Parking on the premises

Leroy Merlin - Everything Household
Features: Tasteful home products with style - Our Favourite!!! . We continue to be impressed with this French superstore chain. They manage to offer a variety of products for every aspect of your home with some tasteful styles.

Phone: (282) 289 560 500

Location: A22 Guia; east of Lagos; between Lagoa and Albufeira
Driving time from Lagos: 45 min.

: From Lagos head east on the A22 motorway and take these exits towards Leroy Merlin. 1) Take the Albufeira/Guia exit. 2) Take the Guia/Alcantarilha/N125 exit and drive straight for a short while. 3) Take the Leroy Merlin exit. Leroy Merlin is across the EN125 from Algarve Shopping, so easy to find. Visit their web-site for
.Leroy Merlin Store Info, Directions, Hours

: Parking on the premises

Martins - Home Appliances, Air. Con., Sat TV
Features: High quality brand name appliances in various price ranges; from major to small appliances; we purchase all our appliances from Senhor (Mr.). Martins; he is a Lagos local; he only sells good quality; he is reliable and known for his excellent service; he runs a family business and he is trustworthy; when you are living afar, his quality/service is key

Extensive Range of Appliances: Fridge; stove; washing machine; dishwasher; flat panel TV; home theatre; stereo; central air/heat; satellite TV; vacuum cleaner; heater; fan; dehumidifier; coffee maker; mixers; cables

Phone: (282) 762 572

: Martins shop is In Lagos, on the road between our Dona Ana Apartment and Old Wall Archway roundabout #7 (going under the bridge), near the Back entrance into town); see Shopping Map

: Parking is tricky; on the street; in designated parking spaces across the road

Moldopoli - Custom Framing
Features: Artistic, creative custom framing with flair, in a beautiful showroom!

Edite the owner, takes great pride in providing personal, customized service; she offers her clients her artistic abilities which she blends with her clients personal taste; it impresses me how Edite devotes so much time to her clients; Edite is multi talented as she and her husband Pedro both do the framing work in their workshop at the back of the store; whether you are setting up your holiday home or just vacationing in Lagos, take your artwork to Edite for a truly rewarding experience

: From Stone Tulip roundabout #5, drive straight down the road towards Vilabranca; turn right just before Vilabranca onto the road leading you to the Top of Hill roundabout #D; take your second exit and drive straight; as the road bends to the left Moldopoli is on your right; the shop is located on the road between the Top of Hill roundabout #D and the Intermarché; see Shopping Map

: Parking directly in front of the shop

Mourinha - Furniture
Features: : An excellent selection of high quality furniture for every room in your home; the furnishings are well organized by room and laid out over the four floors; they also have an extensive selection of patio furniture and lighting; they also make professional custom curtains with matching bedding, but be prepared to pay a hefty price for this quality

Drop by Decoradora Mourinha and browse around to get a feel for the selection. When you are ready to purchase ask for Goretty as she is an excellent and responsive sales rep. Call her ahead of time to book an appointment, as the store is well known and can be quite busy.

Phone: (282) 410 620

: Mourinha is in Alvor; east of Lagos towards Portimão; from Lagos, drive east on the A22 4-lane motorway and take the Alvor exit; drive straight for about a mile (2 km) and you will see the signs on your right at a major intersection.

: Parking on the premises

Raminhos & Raminhos - Kitchen-Bathroom
Features: Top quality fixtures for the kitchen and bathroom

Extensive Range of Fixtures: Taps; towel racks; door hooks; heated towel racks; bathtubs; toilets; shower stalls; cabinets

Phone: (282) 780 780

: On the east side of Lagos; past the Pingo Doce; from Lagos, drive east on the EN125 towards Portimão; Raminhos & Raminhos is located on the right side of the road, just as you leave Lagos; it has a large presence and is well signed; it is set a fair bit back from the road, in an industrial warehouse style building

: Parking on the premises

Sergisil - Garden Furniture, Mattresses
Features: Warehouse like shop in industrial park with a great selection of quality garden furniture, lounge chairs, sun umbrellas, sun beds, bedroom mattresses.

Phone/Fax: 282 799 150; Mobile 963 786 438
When: Mon-Fri 9:00 - 13:00; 15:00-17:00

: Located in the town of Torre just outside Lagos on the east side; past the Pingo Doce; from Lagos, drive east on the EN125 towards Portimão; as you leave Lagos after approximately 1km, look for the large pink warehouse like industrial buildings on your right; you will also see a sign for Torre; drive into this industrial park and around the back of the pink buildings; look for this tiny well marked warehouse like shop; the entrance is at the back of the pink buildings beside Vidro Candeias

Go into the shop to discuss your needs. The furniture is neatly stacked up and it only takes a few seconds for Marco to bring down his selection.

: Parking at the back on the premises;

Staples - Office Centre
Features: Superstore with everything you need to setup your office or home-office

Browse the products available in Portugal, locations and hours, directly on Staples Web-site

Phone: Faro ( 289) 887 900; Portimão (282) 402 600
When: Faro Mon-Sat & Holiday 9:00 - 22:00; Sun 10:30 - 20:30 ; Portimão Mon-Sat & Holiday 10:00 - 22:00

: Faro: Just past the airport; drive east on the A22 4-lane motorway and take the Faro Aeroporto exit; exit immediately again onto the N125; drive toward the "Faro Centro" signs; Staples is near the large Forum Algarve Shopping Centre; see Staples Map

: Portimão: At the new Retail Park in Portimão on the EN125; see Staples Map

: Parking on the premises

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