For self-catering tourists in the Algarve, understanding the distinction between local convenience stores and major supermarkets provides the most effective way to manage a holiday budget.

Visitors staying in the main hotel zones are often surrounded by small "Mini-Mercados" which operate on a convenience model charging higher margins. While useful for immediate necessities, prices for basic items such as water, alcohol, and fresh produce in these locations are significantly higher than national averages.

To access standard Portuguese pricing, visitors should travel to the commercial shopping hubs situated on the outskirts of the main towns. These supermarkets and hypermarkets function as comprehensive shopping destinations, offering butcher counters, fresh fish markets, and extensive wine cellars under one roof.

To assist in planning the most efficient route, the map below highlights the locations of the key supermarket chains in the Algarve. It features Continente (Modelo and Bom Dia) and Auchan for extensive household needs, Pingo Doce for fresh ingredients, and Intermarché for reliable access to Northern European products. For specialized requirements, the map also pinpoints Apolónia, the region's primary destination for gourmet and gluten-free products, and The Food Co for dedicated food imports.

Supplementing the full-service hypermarkets are the German discounters Aldi and Lidl, which operate medium-sized stores throughout the region. While these retailers offer consistent value, they typically stock a more limited range of products than the national chains.

A trip to an Algarve supermarket should not be considered as a chore, as it is a chance to discover local produce and ingredients. The larger supermarkets distinguish themselves with extensive fresh produce sections, in-house butchers, and fresh fish counters.

Before showing the location of each of the supermarkets on the map, it is helpful to understand the primary focus of each chain:

• Continente (Modelo) and Auchan: The best option for a complete "arrival shop." These hypermarkets stock everything from groceries and fresh food to beach gear and electronics.

• Pingo Doce: Focused on fresh ingredients rather than non-food items. The preferred choice for fresh fish, butcher counters, and affordable in-store dining.

• Continente - Bom Dia: Standard supermarket prioritizing fresh ingredients and daily essentials.

• Aldi / Lidl: The budget-conscious choice. These discounters offer the lowest prices on high-volume staples but carry a limited range of brands.

• Intermarché: A favourite for tourists seeking specific home comforts. They reliably stock imported British, French, and German products unavailable elsewhere.

• Apolónia: The premium retailer. The go-to destination for luxury items, fine wines, and specific dietary requirements like gluten-free or vegan products.

• The Food Co: A specialist importer, stocking specifically British groceries and brands for those missing a taste of home.

To assist with your planning, the map below details the locations of the primary supermarkets throughout the region. Note: zoom in or out to see the location of each of the supermarkets.

Legend: C1 - Continente Modelo. C2 - Continente Bom Dia. PG - Pingo Doce. I1 – Intermarché Super. I2 - Intermarché Contact. A (red) – Auchan. A (blue) - Apolónia:

Continente
Best for: The complete "Arrival Shop" & household goods.
As the largest retailer in Portugal, Continente operates three distinct store formats. Understanding the difference between them is crucial for planning your shop, as their stock levels vary significantly.

• Continente (Hypermarket): These are massive, hangar-style stores typically located in large shopping centres (such as Algarve Shopping in Guia or Gran Plaza in Tavira). They function as "one-stop" destinations. Beyond groceries, they stock a comprehensive range of non-food items including camping equipment, beach umbrellas, clothing, and small electronics. They also feature dedicated "Wells" health and beauty sections and extensive wine cellars (Garrafeiras).

• Continente Modelo: These are large supermarkets often found on the outskirts of towns like Albufeira, Silves, or Lagos. While smaller than the hypermarkets, they still carry a significant selection of non-food items (textiles, kitchenware) alongside a full grocery range, making them sufficient for most family holidays.

• Continente Bom Dia: These are smaller, urban convenience stores designed for daily shopping rather than weekly provisioning. They focus almost exclusively on food and essential household cleaning products. While convenient for a quick "top-up," they lack the butchery counters and fish markets found in the larger formats.
Website - www.continente.pt/

Pingo Doce
Best for: Fresh produce, fish, and affordable hot meals.
Pingo Doce distinguishes itself with a philosophy centred on "Fresh Food" (Comida Fresca), prioritizing perishables over the non-food aisles found at its competitors. It is widely considered the best mainstream option for shoppers who plan to cook significantly during their stay.

• The Market Concept: Unlike the industrial feel of a hypermarket, Pingo Doce stores are designed to replicate a traditional municipal market. They typically feature excellent butcher counters and fishmongers (Peixaria) that receive daily deliveries of local Atlantic catch.

• Cafeteria: A defining feature of medium-to-large Pingo Doce stores is the in-house restaurant and takeaway counter. These serve chef-prepared meals, including grilled fish, roast meats, and soups, at low prices.

• Frango Assado takeaway: For self-catering tourists, the takeaway counter is a notable time-saver. You can purchase a whole grilled chicken (Frango Assado) with sides of rice and chips by weight, often both faster and cheaper than at dedicated piri-piri chicken shops.

• Store Sizes: Pingo Doce locations vary wildly in size. They range from compact "Pingo Doce & Go" convenience spots in city centres (comparable to Continente Bom Dia) to large "Hyper" formats which carry a wider range of stock.
Website - www.pingodoce.pt/

Intermarché
Best for: Imported home comforts and low-cost fuel.
Intermarché occupies a unique niche in the Algarve’s retail landscape. Unlike the centralized management of Continente, these stores operate as franchises, allowing individual managers to adapt their inventory to the specific demographics of their local area. It is important to distinguish between the two main store formats you will encounter:

• The Import Specialist: Because many branches cater specifically to Northern European tourists and expatriates, Intermarché is the most reliable source for imported goods. If you are missing a specific taste from home, such as British tea and bacon, German sausages, or French cheeses, this is where you are most likely to find it.

• Cheap Fuel: A major logistical advantage for self-catering tourists with a rental car is the "Low-Cost" fuel stations found at many locations. The price per litre here is often significantly lower than at the branded stations on the highway, making it an ideal stop for refuelling.

• Locations: You will typically find large Intermarché branches in towns with significant expat populations, such as Lagos, Carvoeiro, and Olhão.
Website - www.intermarche.pt

Auchan
Best for: International variety, health foods, and hypermarket scale. Formerly known as "Jumbo," Auchan operates massive hypermarkets located in the region's largest shopping centres, most notably Aqua Portimão and Forum Algarve in Faro. Like Continente, these are "one-stop" destinations stocking electronics and beach gear, but they distinguish themselves in the food aisles.

• World Flavors: Auchan is often preferred by international visitors for its dedicated "Sabores do Mundo" (Flavors of the World) section. This area stocks a wider and more exotic variety of international ingredients than typical Portuguese retailers.

• Health & Dietary: The chain places a heavy emphasis on health and wellbeing, offering some of the most comprehensive "Bio" (organic), gluten-free, and vegan sections in the country.
Website: www.auchan.pt/

Lidl
Best for: Beach gear bargains and digital discounts.
With 18 stores distributed across the Algarve, you are never far from a Lidl. The chain is widely favoured by tourists for its high-efficiency model, which keeps prices consistently lower than the national supermarkets. While it stocks a limited range of products, it excels in specific categories relevant to self-catering visitors.

• The "Middle Aisle" (Non-Food): In the summer months, the center aisle functions as a discount beach supply depot. You can often purchase windbreaks, large parasols, snorkelling gear, and inflatable rafts here for approximately 50% of the price charged by souvenir shops. Tip: New "special buy" stock typically arrives on Thursdays, making this the best day to hunt for bargains.

• Lidl Plus App: It is highly recommended to download the "Lidl Plus" app before your shop. Unlike traditional loyalty cards, this digital app often provides immediate coupons (e.g., €5 off a €50 shop) and weekly discounts that can be used instantly at the checkout.

• The Bakery: Lidl operates a "bake-off" system where fresh bread, croissants, and Pastel de Nata are baked on-site throughout the day. Buying breakfast pastries here is a popular budget strategy, often costing under €0.50 each compared to €2+ at hotel cafés.

Aldi
Best for: Early/Late shopping, "Oven Fresh" bread, and fresh juice. Aldi has expanded rapidly in the region and now operates 21 stores in the Algarve. Like its competitor, it focuses on a "limited assortment" strategy to maximize speed and value, but it differentiates itself with unique in-store machinery and operating hours that are particularly convenient for travellers.

• Extended Opening Hours: Aldi stores often operate with the longest hours in the region (typically 07:30 to 23:00). This makes them the most reliable option for early risers or tourists picking up supplies after a late evening flight.

• The Juice Machine: A signature feature of Portuguese Aldi stores is the self-service orange juice machine. Customers can fill bottles with freshly squeezed Algarve oranges on demand, providing a premium product at a supermarket price.

• "Oven Fresh" Bakery: The bakery section features a self-service bread slicer, allowing you to slice fresh loaves to your preferred thickness—perfect for preparing toast at your villa.

• Notable Location: The Aldi at Vale Paraíso in Albufeira (near the Old Bullring) is the largest Aldi store in Portugal, offering a wider selection than standard branches.

Apolónia
Best for: Gourmet foods, fine wine, and dietary requirements.
Apolónia is widely recognized as the finest supermarket in the Algarve, operating on a philosophy of "quality above all else". Shopping here is a calm and sophisticated experience, with spacious aisles and a level of service unmatched by any other retailer. While it carries a higher price point, it is the essential destination for three specific types of shopper:

• The Foodie: The butcher and fish counters are exceptional, offering premium cuts like Black Angus and Wagyu beef, alongside top-tier seafood often reserved for the region's best restaurants.

• Dietary Needs: It is the safest destination for travellers with dietary restrictions, boasting the region's most comprehensive selection of gluten-free, lactose-free, vegan, and organic products.

• The Wine Lover: The store features a temperature-controlled wine cellar curated by sommeliers, stocking everything from affordable local greens to rare vintage champagnes.

• Locations: There are three branches in the Algarve: Almancil (Golden Triangle), Galé (west of Albufeira), and Lagoa (near Carvoeiro).

• Delivery: They offer a premium home delivery service which is free for orders over €125 - perfect for stocking a luxury villa with heavy water and wine upon arrival.
Website: www.apolonia.com/

The Food Co.
Best for: British brands and products.
Established in 2019 to bring a "taste of home" to the Iberian Peninsula, The Food Co is a specialist importer dedicated to serving the large British expatriate and tourist community. If you are self-catering and struggling to find specific tastes from home in Portuguese stores, this is your solution.

• The Tesco Connection: The store acts as an official stockist for Tesco, carrying approximately 7,500 product lines of British goods. This includes everything from Tesco Finest ready meals to specific cleaning products.

• Home Comforts: It is the reliable place to find items that are otherwise elusive in the Algarve, such as strong English tea bags, cheddar cheese, bacon, crumpets, and specific condiments like Marmite or salad cream.

• For Families: If you are travelling with children who are fussy eaters and accustomed to specific UK brands (e.g., baked beans, cereals, or squash), a trip here can save your holiday meals.

Store Locations: The chain operates three large stores in the Algarve.
• Albufeira: Located in the Albufeira Retail Park (Lugar da Tavagueira), conveniently situated for those staying in the central Algarve.
• Almancil: Situated on Avenida Duarte Pacheco, this store serves the "Golden Triangle" area (Vale do Lobo/Quinta do Lago).
• Portimão: Found in the Portimão Retail Center (Rua de São Pedro), serving the western Algarve.
Website: www.thefoodco.es/