Albufeira Shopping and Districts

(Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal)

Given the sheer level of tourist traffic through Albufeira, it is no great surprise that there are so many gift shops and fashionable boutiques in the area. While shopping on the Strip, tourists can peruse a thorough selection of Portuguese wines, beachwear and gifts.

Although there are few modern shopping complexes on the outskirts of Albufeira, most of the shops close to the beaches and the commercial centre are small and privately owned.

When to Shop and Where

None of the other resorts on the Algarve can compete with Albufeira in terms of volume or selection of merchandise. The main shopping drag in Albufeira is the Rua do 5 de Outubro, which is joined by the Praca Duarte de Pacheco. Both of these boast a dense spread of merchant kiosks and boutiques selling everything from swimming suits to wood carvings.

The only major shopping mall in the area is Modelo Shopping Centre. It lies immediately north of central Albufeira and stays open daily from 10:00 to 22:00. Despite the size of this complex, the Modelo is mostly populated by small, independently owned boutiques. Overall, Albufeira is still a fiercely independent city that prefers to keep its economy in the hands of locals.

One of the best examples of local commerce is the 'gypsy market', which convenes twice monthly in the centre of Albufeira. The lively atmosphere alone warrants a visit, and the merchants have plenty of souvenirs and handicrafts to hawk. Locals also show up when a gypsy market is in town, as household items and other practical merchandise sold here are relatively inexpensive.

Some of the most popular souvenirs for sale in Albufeira are ceramics. A vast array of pottery is on hand at the Infante Dom Henrique House. When shopping for gifts, look out for terracotta and hand-painted azulelejos tiles, traditionally used to guard the exteriors of local buildings against the elements.