Shopping is an irresistible temptation for most visitors to Portugal
Best buys include locally-made fine porcelain and leather goods, jewellery, and high-quality clothes ranging from thick hand-knitted sweaters to the latest fashion garments
Thankfully, traditional arts and crafts have not been lost as a result of Portugal's rapid modernisation since the 1974 revolution
Pottery, ceramics and tiles are produced to high standards all over the country, with styles differing from region to region and town to town. Porches near Lagoa has a wide range of individual pottery centres
The small antiques shops tucked away in the backstreets of the larger cities offer a fine assortment of items dating back hundreds of years
Normal business hours for shops are from 9 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 7 pm from Monday to Friday
Shops close at 1 p.m. on Saturdays from January to November, but are open from 9 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 7 pm from Monday to Saturday in December
Portugal's many shopping centres (centros comerciais) are open for much longer periods, generally from 10 am until midnight
Locally Lagos, Portimao, and the many villages like Budens should cater for most needs and there is a large supermarket for essentials a few minutes walk from the property
