Shopping in Albufeira

Algarve Shopping Centre Guia Offering a vast array of shops selling just about everything, Albufeira is a shopaholics paradise with outlets ranging from seafront kiosks selling everything for the beach to the town’s main shopping plaza, the Modelo Centre in Rua de Municipio, crammed full of different shops and the Algarve Shopping Complex just a short distance away in Guia selling just about everything including factory outlets and brand name designer shoes and clothes.

This complex is located off the N125, and from the Faro direction you will find it on the left hand side before entering the village of Guia. More than hundred shops and a supermarket occupy two levels with several upstairs restaurants catering for every taste and budget.

The complex also has cinemas showing English films and a bowling alley. It is open daily from 9:00 until midnight.

If this is not enough, there is a market held on the first and third Tuesday of the month in Albufeira Old Town which offers a wealth of souvenirs and gifts with numerous hand made items including mats made from rush or corn husks, woven baskets, wood carvings and glazed terracotta ceramics.

There is also a flea market held every third Saturday of the month in the main square at Albufeira. Here you will find some very attractive ceramics, delicate filigree jewellery, traditional oil paintings and delicious wild lavender honey.

There are plenty of different types of shop to choose from for food shopping in the Algarve. The terminology can be a bit misleading with small shops being labeled mini markets, medium shops are supermarkets and what we would term as a supermarket is called a hypermarket.

In Albufeira probably the best two “hypermarkets” which offer an excellent selection of fresh produce, local breads and croissants and good value wines are Model and AliSuper which are located near the town centre. For those preferring to stick to food they know, a good range of branded products you will recognize from your home country are also available here.