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Shopping
Treat Yourself in Lagos
The following
ideas will
give you
some options
and locations
to "Treat
Yourself
in Lagos".
These have
become our
favourites.
Whether your shopping goals include clothing and handicrafts, or
indulging in the fine selection on wines and ports, you can be sure
that there is no shortage of options and locations to "Treat
Yourself in Lagos".
 Need
to Knows
Lagos has loads of offerings to treat yourself or that special
someone back home. There is something to peak the interest of the
avid shopper, of which I absolutely am one. The occasional shopper
will be pleased with the selection. I find each visit a new and
rewarding experience and I seem to have little difficulty finding
that little something unique that I of course just "gotta
have".
It may be an elegant summer suit from a Lagos boutique to enhance
my business wardrobe or a piece of pottery whose colours perfectly
blend into the new decor of my freshly painted house. Allow your
self at least a day to wander the old town and to scout out "your"
favourite shops. Although large shopping malls have sprung up across
the Algarve, nothing beats the unique charm of the variety of boutiques
that Lagos has to offer, each with that little something that is
Our
Favourite
Treats to
Take Home:
Clothing;
shoes; purses;
cork place
mats; cork-tile
pot holders;
pottery;
port wine;
coffee;
sardine
pate; cheeses
Tip: We shop at the mega supermarkets
for their great selection of foods and wines and ports, to pick
up many of our take home treats
In
Lagos
Clothing
Boutiques in Lagos - Yours to discover!
Features: Small boutiques with
unique styles both youthful and classic
Tips:
1) Candido dos Reis continues to be my favourite
street for clothing shops
2) Large men
will have difficulty finding extra large sizes in most Portuguese
shops
3)
Start your shopping day from the Town Waterfront to take advantage
of the parking spaces that are more readily available than the route
through the back of town.
Hidden Secrets: I have discovered
some great boutiques at the bottom of office or apartment buildings
around town, offering a unique selection of upscale fashions. You
really need to roam around to discover these gems.
   
 :
You're on your own! Arm yourself with our maps and a good detailed
street map of the old town of Lagos and get ready for a rewarding
shopping adventure. You can pick up a street map at the tourist
office in town or at most of the newspaper shops. You're best bet
is to carry the maps, with you at all times, because the maze of
streets are narrow and there are many! Note: Not all streets are
found on the map, to add to the fun!
 :
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!
Lagos
Marina Gift
Shop
Features:
Nice variety
of quality
sportswear
boasting
the Lagos
marina emblem;
we found
sizes from
XS to XXL
Tip: Stop
in for a snack, some lunch or a drink, to take a break during this
shopping escapade. We enjoy having a drink at the Lagos marina at
sunset.
:1)
The best way to get to the marina is to walk over the foot bridge
from the Town Waterfront boardwalk. Walk straight ahead towards
the palm tree lined strip with the elegant shops and cafes. Walk
along the strip to the very end. Turn right and walk to the end
again. Turn left and the gift shop is on your right. It's worth
the walk as you can enjoy the luxurious boats en route.
2)
Alternatively
you can
drive: 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. Turn
right. At
the next
intersection
and then
turn right
again. You
will now
be driving
behind the
marina,
with the
marina on
your right
and the
train station
on your
left.
:
Loads of
parking
available
behind the
marina
Pottery
and Handicrafts
Pottery and handicraft shops in Lagos
- Enjoy the variety!
Features: A colourful sampling
and great assortment of pottery and local crafts
Tips:
1) Rua 25 de Abril has become our favourite street for
pottery. This tiny street is loaded with a multitude of tiny shops
offering a variety of handicrafts and pottery styles and colours
representative of various regions in the Algarve.
2) Roam through the many streets
in Lagos to discover the hidden shopping secrets.
3) Also take time en route,
to admire the historic architecture, the "azulejos" (tile)
mosaics and the intricate wrought iron balconies and window dressings.
This is one awesome value-add of a shopping stroll around Lagos
and perhaps just what it takes to entice that partner who has no
interest in shopping!!!
   
:
From the Town Waterfront, walk to Praça Gil Eanes
which is located between the Correios (post office) and Portugal
Telecom. Rua 25 de April is one of the many streets that stems off
from this square and is parallel to the Town Waterfront boardwalk.
:
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!
Shoes
Shoe Shops in the Lagos - In the Old Town
Features: Lagos has a few boutiques with a unique assortment of elegant quality shoes : Roam around the old town to discover these shops
: Parking along the town waterfront area
Mundo do Sapato - on the east side of Lagos
Features: Warehouse style superstore with a variety of well priced shoes for the entire family : On the east side of Lagos; past the Pingo Doce; from Lagos, drive east on the EN125 towards Portimão; Mundo do Sapato has a huge presence on the left side of the road and is well signed; it is just before Odiáxere; the store is beside the Mestre Maco
: Parking along the town waterfront area
Outside
of Lagos
Pottery
and Handicrafts
Tour
Great
adventure
on a rainy
day - try
out our
favourites
and discover
your own!
Features:
Each
pottery
den has
it's unique
offering
of styles
and colours
of pottery;
they also
offer a
large variety
of local
crafts.
The shops
and choices
are endless
and can
be seen
from the
highway
so get ready
to make
those quick
stops as
you spot
one; mind
the traffic
please!
West
- between Lagos and Sagres
Hipercerâmica Paraíso Lda
  
Features: Great selection of
decorative pottery, functional dinnerware, linens; tiles; cork;
leather slippers, woven baskets
Tip:
1) Look down at the parking lot ground which is made
of colourful crushed tile
2) Bring lots of cash for all
those goodies you will feel compelled to purchase, as credit cards
are not accepted
Location:
EN125; Raposeira; west of Lagos; between Lagos and Sagres
Driving time from Lagos: 20 min.
:
From Lagos heading west on the EN125, you will come to the town
of Raposeira. The shop is on the left, just as you are about to
exit the town
:
The private parking lot has an abundance of space
A Mó
Features: Great selection of
decorative pottery, linens; tiles; cork; leather slippers
Tip:
1) Same owners as Hiperceramica above. So if you are
looking to purchase a few items of a particular pattern and you
cannot find the style/quantity in one location (frequent occurrence
in Portugal), try the other store
2) The owners have two other
shops in the centre of Lagos, worth visiting
Location:
EN125; Sagres; west of Lagos; between Beliche and Sagres
Driving time from Lagos: 30 min.
:
From Lagos heading west on the EN125, head directly to Sagres. Go
through the town of Sagres and towards Cabo São Vincente.
Just as you exit Sagres the shop is on your right. Look for the
bright yellow sign and the multitude of ceramic plates on the outside
wall.
:
The private parking lot has an abundance of space
East
- between Lagos and Porches
Olaria Algarve Porches Pottery
  
Features:
Unique selection and design of decorative pottery, made on the premises;
watch the artists at work!
Tip: We had the pleasure of
speaking with Juliet Fortune (Swift) and her sister Estella, owners
of this family run business. They are artists who have introduced
some unique and interesting variations to the already beautiful
Portuguese traditional pottery designs. It is an absolute pleasure
to return to this delightful pottery den to watch the artists hand
paint these works of art, before your very eyes.
Location:
EN125, Porches-Lagoa
Driving time from Lagos: 40 min.
:
From Lagos head east on the A22 motorway. Take the Alcantarilha/Armaçao de Pêra
exit to a roundabout. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit labeled"Lagos/Portimão/Lagoa". Drive for approx. 6km past
the Aqualand to the town of Porches. Look for Olaria on your left.
:
The private parking lot has an abundance of space
Casa Grade
Features:
Great selection of decorative pottery, linens; tiles, cork;
leather slippers
Tip: I continue to be impressed
with the quality of packing of our purchases at Casa Grade; if you
let them know that you are flying home they use the protective bubble
wrap. This alone makes it worth purchasing your delicate items here.
We chatted with Eugénio, one of Casa Grade's partners and
he takes great pride in the quality of products he offers as well
at the attention to packaging your purchases, so that they return
home safely. If  you
are from the European Union, the shipping charges are reasonable
and avoid the hassle of carrying things home yourself. Casa Grade
does deliver worldwide. They have been in business since 1979.
Location: EN125, Porches-Lagoa
Driving time from Lagos: 40 min.
:
From Lagos head east on the A22 motorway. Take the Alcantarilha
exit to a roundabout. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit labeled"Lagos/Portimão/Lagoa". Drive for approx. 6km past
the Aqualand to the town of Porches. Look for Casa Grade is on your
right, approx. 100 metres after Olaria pottery.
:
The private parking lot has an abundance of space
Artesanto Reis
Features: Vast assortment of
decorative pottery, linens; tiles, cork; leather slippers; Port
wine.
Location: EN125, Porches-Lagoa
Driving time from Lagos: 40 min.
:
From Lagos head east on the A22 motorway. Take the Alcantarilha
exit to a roundabout. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit labeled
Lagos/Portimão/Lagoa". Drive for approx. 6km past the
Aqualand to the town of Porches. Look for Artesanto Reis on your
right just before Olaria and Casa Grade pottery dens.
:
The private parking lot has a few spots by the roadside
Mega
Shopping Mall (if you must)
Another good activity on a rainy day -
if you can handle hours in a shopping mall!
Algarve Shopping
 
Features: Opened
air mega shopping mall with colourful Mediterranean decor and lots
of plants; loads of domestic and international stores offering endless
shopping treats to take home or to setup that holiday apartment;
clothing; home decor items; books; sporting goods, music; appliances;
Continente-supermarket; household appliances; a great food court;
mobile phone retailers; you name it, it's here.
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 over
to Algarve Shopping. 1) Take the Albufeira/Guia exit. 2) Take the
Guia/Alcantarilha/N125 exit and drive straight for a short while. 3) Take the Algarve Shopping exit.
This takes you up on to an overpass, over the highway, through a
U-turn, and onto the side of the Algarve Shopping. 4) Take the 1st
exit into the Algarve Shopping parking lot.
:
There is an abundance of outdoor and underground parking; note that
the parking lot is usually loaded with cars and you may have to
drive around to find that perfect spot.
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