Shopping options in Portimão include malls, shopping streets and fancy boutiques. The city has deep roots in fishing and shipbuilding but it has also seen a resurgence as a European retail icon. Situated in the western Algarve, Portimão remains one of the primary hubs in the region for both locals and travelers. The town’s beautiful waterfront adds a delightful ambience and a picturesque view of the docks for shoppers.

A stroll through Portimão’s old town leads to charming plazas and pedestrianized shopping streets. You can wander aimlessly and find a sensational collection of boutique shops, restaurants and cafés. Stop by local markets to get a sense of the fishing acumen that was once the centerpiece of the town. Further inland, there are numerous shopping malls and retail outlets featuring international brands.

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    Aqua Portimão Shopping Center

    Find your favorite designer brands and dine at the top-floor food court

    Aqua Portimão Shopping Center
    • Shoppers

    The Aqua Portimão Shopping Center is an enormous outlet mall where you can shop for an entire day. Just a 10-minute walk from the Portimão railway station, this is a great place to stock up on supplies. The partly open-air complex has a supermarket on the ground floor, lots of fashion stores on the second floor and a diverse collection of eateries in its food court.

    You’ll find many familiar retail brands in addition to lesser-known boutiques selling stylish accessories. Altogether, the mall boasts roughly 100 shops and restaurants. Some of the highlights include Sephora, Primark, H&M and Parfois. The facility maintains excellent cleanliness, and there are elevators and escalators available for those who have difficulty with stairs.

    Location: R. de São Pedro 72, 8500-524 Portimão, Portugal

    Open: Wednesday–Thursday from 9 am to 11 pm, Friday–Tuesday from 9 am to 12 am

    Phone: +351 282 413 536

    Map

    photo by Kolforn (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

  • 2

    CC Continente de Portimão

    Shop for fashion, food or watch a movie at the movie theater

    CC Continente de Portimão
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    CC Continente de Portimão is a great place to stop for groceries, a cup of coffee or to catch a movie. With more than 40 stores, the shopping mall has a diverse range of products available for customers. From fashion and jewelry to books and phones, CC Continente is sure to have it. A large supermarket and over a dozen restaurants are available if you’re craving for a bite.

    The mall is within easy walking distance of the town center and only a 15-minute stroll from the riverside Pier Vasco Da Gama. Movie buffs can check out Cineplace which frequently shows major Hollywood flicks and movie theater from all parts of the globe.

    Location: Lote, Praceta da Malata 1, 8500-510 Portimão, Portugal

    Open: Daily from 8.30 am to 11 pm

    Phone: +351 282 490 840

    Map
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    Portimão Retail Center

    Explore a wide variety of shops to find anything you need

    Portimão Retail Center
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    The Portimão Retail Center strip mall features many of your favorite retail brands and maybe a few you’re not familiar with. You’ll find this retail outlet mall located a 15-minute walk from the Portimão railway station and right beside the roundabout. Though the volume of stores doesn’t compare to other malls in town, there's still a versatile list of things to buy here.

    Shop for food, furniture, clothing, electronics, home goods, pet supplies and more. The stores are easy to navigate and there's lots of parking for those who drive to the complex. There a few nearby eateries for a quick bite and even a laundromat to wash a load while you shop.

    Location: R. de São Pedro 133, 8500-513 Portimão, Portugal

    Open: Daily from 10 am to 10 pm

    Phone: +351 282 413 243

    Map

    photo by Kolforn (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

  • 4

    Rua do Comercio

    Discover the latest high-end fashion beneath the shade

    Rua do Comercio
    • Luxury
    • Shoppers

    Rua do Comercio is one of Portimão’s most popular pedestrianized streets tailored to high-end shoppers. It is adjacent to the beautiful Praça da República, and a stroll through this charming alleyway will take you to interesting shops at every turn. Shade panels provide a cooling presence on days where the heat is intense to insure a pleasant shopping experience.

    Find designer clothes, shoes, lingerie, jewelry and other items at numerous stylish boutiques. Fashionistas will have a field day browsing through the collection of outfits from luxurious brands. You’ll also find electronics, perfumes, a toy store, and a cafe.

    Location: Portimão, Portugal

    Map
  • 5

    Sao Joao de Deus

    An endless selection of shops, restaurants and cafés

    Sao Joao de Deus
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    The vibrant, tree-lined Sao Joao de Deus offers great retail therapy for shoppers in Portimão. Whether you’re a resident of Portimão or simply vacationing, this one street offers a good mix. Restaurants, pastry shops and coffee shops offer an abundance of culinary delights. You can also shop for furniture, appliances and other household items. There are even multiple pharmacies in case you need a remedy.

    One of the streets lining Praça da República runs directly into Sao Joao de Deus and is the perfect place to begin your shopping extravaganza. Closer to the square, you’ll find more stores offering fashion accessories. On the end closer to the roundabout, there are several options to pick up fresh fruits, vegetables and fish.

    Location: Av. Sao Joao de Deus, 8500-674 Portimão, Portugal

    Map
Daniel Grenier | Contributing Writer