Shopping
There's something magical about markets, especially the one's abroad. Yes, there really are bargains to be had, if you look carefully, but it's more than that. It's the atmosphere, the buzz, the holiday feeling, the colours, the smells... you know what I mean. The Algarve is the ideal place to have a wander and a look around markets as most towns and villages have their own. However, the following two 'tourist' markets are recommended by us and are big and beautiful enough to be well worth a visit.
WEDNESDAY - Quarteira
SATURDAY - Loule
Quarteira has everything. There are stalls selling souvenirs, shoes, clothes, watches, bags, fake designer this and that... shopping heaven. Quarteira is adjacent to Vilamoura and is half-an-hour's drive or less from Praia da Oura. You can park in a street just off the seafront and walk through to the main street to find streams of people heading towards the market. Loule is also a very good market and a nice place to visit.
Gypsy markets are held throughout the Algarve and this is a guide to when they are held and where. Please be aware that they don't always follow this pattern ( There are some special day fairsin certain months at certain towns) and so you should always check before travelling- after all this is Portugal !!
Albufeira 1st & 3rd Tuesday
Alcantarilha 1st Friday
Algoz 2nd Monday
Aljezur 3rd Monday
Almancil 1st & 4th Sunday
Alvor 2nd Tuesday
Alte 3rd Thursday
Ameixal 1st Thursday
Azilheira 1st Thursday
Azinhal (Castro Marim) First Sunday
Azinhal (Loulé) Last Saturday
Benafim 1st Saturday
Boliqueme Last Thursday
B S Miguel 1st Monday
Budens 1st Tuesday
Castro Marim 2nd Saturday
Cortelha 2nd Saturday
Estoi 2nd Sunday
Fuzeta 1st Thursday
Guia 3rd Friday
Lagoa 2nd Sunday
Lagos 1st Saturday
Messines 4th Monday
Moncarapacho 1st Sunday
Monchique 2nd Friday
Odiaxere 4th Monday
Paderne 1st Saturday
Pereiro 4th Sunday
Portimão 1st Monday
Quelfes 4th Sunday
Raposeira 1st Wednesday
Rogil last Sunday
Sagres 1st Friday
Santa Catarina 4th Sunday
Silves 3rd Monday
São Marcos de Serra 1st Saturday
Tavira 3rd Saturday
Tunes 4th Saturday
Vaqueiros 2nd Thursday
Vila do Bispo 1st Thursday
V N de Cacela 3rd Sunday
Additionally there are markets every week at:
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Loulé Every Saturday
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Quarteira Every Wednesday
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São Brás Every Saturday