Portugal is a country full of wonderful food options. Lisbon, Porto, and many other cities are filled with trendy, Insta-worthy restaurants and local eateries serving delicious, traditional dishes. However, you’ll (likely) eventually need to visit a grocery store in Portugal, whether to buy a bottle of water, stock up on Portuguese wine, or purchase food to make at your Airbnb.
Luckily, there are plenty of great supermarkets in Portugal, and they all offer the same level of quality as the ones you’d find in places like the United States, UK, and Canada. That doesn’t mean they’re exactly the same, though. Here’s what to know about navigating best supermarkets in Portugal, including what to expect from this type of shopping experience and how you can save money on your purchases.
Types of Supermarkets in Portugal
As is the case in other countries like the United States and Canada, there are two main types of supermarkets in Portugal:
- National chains such as Pingo Doce, Minipreco, Intermarché, and Continente offer an all-in-one shopping experience.
- Smaller local stores specializing in one or two products, such as a butcher, seafood shop, or bakery.
If you’re a tourist, you’ll likely visit a larger national chain as most of the larger supermarkets in Portugal offer everything you’d need during a vacation here. However, if you want to practice your Portuguese, we highly recommend visiting local shops. If not, stick to the larger national chains. They’re great for tourists or new residents needing to make a large grocery run.
For example, the Continente in the Colombo Shopping Center in Lisbon is larger than most Super Targets in the United States. You’ll find everything from tires and furniture to baby clothing, shampoo, frozen pizzas, and alcohol. However, Continente isn’t your only option (and neither is Lisbon, by the way, which many visitors seem to forget; Portugal is a diverse country with lots of other cities to explore).
If it’s your first time grocery shopping in Portugal, here’s a brief breakdown of our favorite Portuguese supermarkets and what you can expect to find at each.
Also Read: What is Portugal Known For?
Continente
Continente is Portugal’s largest retail chain, with stores all over mainland Portugal and on some islands. It offers various products, from groceries to home goods, at competitive prices. And, as mentioned above, most Continente stores are quite large and comparable to a Super Target in the US.
If you’re in Lisbon and need a lot of food and home good items, we suggest going to the Continente in the Colombo Shopping Center or Vasco da Gamma. Both are massive and have everything you’d need for a visit here, including sunscreen, shampoo, pet food, batteries, food, and alcohol. They even have a pharmacy inside.
Additionally, you can enjoy online grocery shopping in Portugal via the store’s website for even more convenience and savings. With its commitment to quality and customer service, Continente is a go-to destination for shoppers in Portugal (at least for us).
Continente Store Locator & Hours: continente.pt
Pingo Doce
Pingo Doce is another one of Portugal’s largest and most popular supermarket chains. With over 500 stores nationwide (including in Madeira and the Azores), Pingo Doce offers a wide selection of fresh produce, frozen foods, and daily essentials — all at an affordable price.
In addition to groceries, Pingo Doce also offers customers a selection of “gourmet” food items handpicked from local producers and suppliers. Most locations have what looks like a small buffet or cafeteria at the entry, and you’ll find people sitting down to eat at all hours.
Their stores are staffed by friendly, knowledgeable employees who are always there to help make your shopping experience as enjoyable as possible. Our top tip for shopping at Pingo Doce? They have incredibly tasty juices. We don’t buy juice anywhere else.
Pingo Doce Store Locator & Hours: pingodoce.pt
Minipreço
Minipreço is a chain of discount supermarkets in Portugal, belonging to the Spanish group Dia. It was formerly owned by the French company Carrefour until Dia took over in 1993. If you’re familiar with Diga in Spain, Minipreço here looks and feels similar (plus they carry Spanish tortillas for anybody missing a taste of Spain).
The Spanish group’s network in Portugal comprises around half a thousand supermarkets and three distribution centers, employing thousands of people (despite cutbacks in late 2022).
One study from 2018 found that Minipreço had some of the highest prices in the country for fruits and vegetables, and that is pretty accurate. We don’t buy fruits and vegetables from our local Minipreço as the prices and quality aren’t great. However, they’re great for small items like toilet paper, drinks, and snacks.
Minipreço Store Locator & Hours: minipreco.pt
Auchan
First, it’s important to address that if you visited Portugal before 2019, you might know this supermarket as Pão de Açúcar. It was a Portuguese supermarket chain belonging to the French group Auchan. In 2019, all supermarkets switched over to using to Auchan name.
This chain operates nationwide, with local hypermarkets and supermarkets in various neighborhoods. All products are fresh and offer customers the best possible deals. However, what’s most appealing about Auchan stores is that they’re consistently ranked as one of the cheapest supermarkets in Portugal.
A 2023 study from The Portugal News found that not only is Auchan the cheapest grocery store to shop at in Portugal, but it had a €2.85 price difference when compared to the most expensive supermarket, Minipreço.
Auchan Store Locator & Hours: auchan.pt
Lidl
With stores throughout the country, including Albufeira, Porto, and Lisbon, Lidl provides shoppers with an easy and convenient way to purchase groceries. You can also take advantage of weekly promotions, and they have some of the best prices on frozen foods like pizzas (making Lidl a great place to shop if you’re a student or backpacker on a budget).
In addition to their physical locations, Lidl has an online store where customers can find even more great deals. With their commitment to providing excellent value for money, it’s no wonder why Lidl is one of the most popular supermarkets in Portugal.
They’re also expanding quite a bit. Whereas Minipreço had to close stores in 2022, Lidl invested over €17 million to expand its operations. This seems like a good indication of how successful and popular their grocery stores are.
Lidl Store Locator & Hours: lidl.pt
Intermarché
Intermarché has maintained a successful presence in Portugal for more than 30 years. One key aspect that sets Intermarché apart is its unique organizational structure, centered around empowering independent entrepreneurs. Through this innovative approach, these store owners take on full responsibility for their respective locations while reaping the benefits of shared resources such as sales structures, logistics, business management, development, and quality assurance.
This remarkable synergy between individual entrepreneurship and collective support cultivates a retail environment that champions growth and success on a grand scale. If that’s something you’re interested in supporting, shop here! They’re pretty prevalent in the Algarve and on the outskirts of other larger cities (there aren’t any in Lisbon’s city center, for example).
Intermarché Store Locator & Hours: intermarche.pt
SPAR
SPAR stores are predominantly convenience-focused neighborhood stores of around 200 square meters in size on average (in other words, they’re pretty small). In addition to its physical stores, SPAR also offers an online shopping service for customers.
SPAR Portugal has more than 100 stores around the country, but they’re more prevalent in smaller towns (you won’t find one in Lisbon; you have to go a bit north up into Lumiar or Pontinha to find one). However, if you find one, you’ll find a range of products, from fresh produce and groceries to household items and more.
The quality of the products is great relative to the pricing. Overall, we’d compare them to mini Ralphs, as you’d see in the US.
SPAR Store Locator & Hours: spar.pt
Discount Supermarket Chains in Portugal
So, where should you go if you’re looking for a discount supermarket in Portugal? What’s the cheapest supermarket in Portugal? You’ve got plenty of options for budget-friendly grocery shopping here. As mentioned, the study linked above found that Auchan has some of the lowest prices. They’re typically followed by Continente, Intermarché, and Pingo Doce. These stores offer a wide range of products at competitive prices.
If you’re looking for the absolute best prices, though, we suggest shopping at local stores. The fruit and vegetable vendors you’ll find in most local neighborhood stores offer some of the best prices for fresh veggies and eggs. We’ve heard from others that their local butcher offers the best quality-price ratio they’ve found compared to purchasing fresh meat at a grocery store like Continente. Locals are friendly here, so if you stop in, we can almost guarantee they’ll be happy to help you find what you need.
What is absolutely not the cheapest supermarket in Portugal? Definitely don’t get your groceries from El Corte Inglés. They have a few special items we can’t find anywhere else (like our favorite low-calorie ice cream and some cleaning products), but otherwise, we don’t shop there. Their prices are absolutely outrageous.
Also Read: Tips for Traveling in Portugal
What to Know About Grocery Shopping in Portugal
Grocery shopping etiquette in Portugal is similar to anywhere else in the world. However, it can still be nerve-wracking to shop in a new country. You wonder if you’re violating any unspoken social rules like using a cart for certain items or standing in the wrong line. We get it. So, here are a few things to know about navigating supermarkets in Portugal based on our own experiences.
Grocery Store Opening Hours in Portugal
Supermarket opening hours vary across Portugal, but most are open from 9 am until 8 pm, Monday to Saturday. Sunday opening hours tend to be shorter, with many shops closing between 1 pm and 3 pm while others close later in the evening, depending on their location.
It’s also worth noting that some supermarkets may be closed during public holidays, so it pays to check before heading out for food shopping. We haven’t seen larger national chains close on “less important” public holidays but did notice slightly shorter hours for holidays such as Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Shopping Carts
As with any other supermarket in Europe, it’s common practice for customers to have their own shopping basket or trolley when making their way around stores in Portugal. While it might feel weird to bring your basket in and load it up, it’s normal here.
However, if you don’t bring your own, all larger chains have baskets available. In some grocery stores in Portugal (mostly in Pingo Doce stores), we’ve seen them charge a €0.50 deposit that is returned upon returning the cart back to its designated area within the store.
Important: You’re also not allowed to take carts out of most supermarkets in Portugal, so be prepared to carry your belongings in bags (reusable bags, of course).
Food Choices
Portuguese supermarkets offer a wide range of food choices ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables (some organic options), regional delicacies like cheeses and sausages, canned goods and ready meals, and more international options such as frozen pizza, Chinese ready meals, etc.
It’s worth noting that larger stores such as big Continentes or even El Corte Ingles offer a wider variety of international options. We often crave tortilla chips and salsa, and the large Continente we go to always has them in stock; this (understandably) isn’t the case for the mini-mart right next to our apartment.
In general, we’ve found that supermarkets in Portugal offer a wider variety of food and drink than most supermarkets we visited when living in Spain. We’ve also noticed that even small Minipreços in Portugal carry unique food items such as protein oatmeal, kombucha, and more.
Payment
Most supermarkets accept all major debit and credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and sometimes American Express. This means that you’re fine to pay with an international credit card, for example. When using cash as a payment method, most checkout clerks will ask if you have smaller bills. Avoid paying with anything over a €50 bill if you can.
Food Delivery Services in Portugal
Food delivery services have grown drastically in popularity in Portugal over the past few years. Prominent delivery services such as Glovo and Uber Eats make ordering food easy and convenient for those who don’t want to leave their homes or hotels.
Delivery fees vary depending on the platform but are typically very affordable. You’ll find plenty of options nearby as long as you’re staying in a somewhat popular spot. If you’re staying on the outskirts of Lisbon or Porto, though, or in a smaller town, for example, your options might be limited if you’re using a food delivery app like Glovo.
Ultimately, ordering food from your phone in Portugal is pretty much the same as it is in other countries, even if you’re getting it delivered to your Airbnb or hotel. Download the app, enter your card and address information, and order. Just be sure to tip your delivery person well, and if you’re staying at a hotel, ask them about their policy for food delivery.
Health Food Shopping in Portugal
Health food shopping in Portugal is becoming increasingly popular, with many organic shops, supermarkets, and farmers’ markets popping up nationwide. From Celeiro (which used to be Biomercado) to Miosótis and Bioescolha, there are plenty of options for those looking for healthy and natural products.
Additionally, online stores such as MerceariaBio.pt offer a wide selection of organic food delivered right to your door. Celeiro is perhaps the best, however, as it’s a great place to go for supplements and specialty items.
You’ll also find plenty of specialty shops where you can get items you can’t find elsewhere. Popular specialty store chains throughout the country include A Vida Portuguesa and Amanhecer. These stores are known for their excellent selection of organic fruits and vegetables, artisanal cheeses and sausages, Portuguese wines, and other locally produced products.
Also Read: Exploring Different Types of Port Wine
Convenience Stores in Portugal
Convenience stores in Portugal offer a wide variety of goods and services, from the modern Minipreço Express to the traditional emporiums in small towns scattered throughout the country. For those looking for a quick snack or beverage on the go, Grab&Go is super convenient, especially if you’re out late at night.
Liquor Stores in Portugal
Liquor stores in Portugal are a great place to find a variety of wines, spirits, and liquors. Garrafeira Campo de Ourique and Garrafeira Estado d’Alma are two popular options in Lisbon, but you’ll find plenty of unique wine and spirit shops peppered throughout the country.
Whisky & Co., A Ginjinha, and Napoleão are some of the top-rated liquor stores in Lisbon for those looking for more specialized options. Likewise, Porto has several great spots for purchasing the best Port wine (however, if you have time, we suggest visiting a local quinta and buying it straight from them).
Ultimately, liquor is sold in any supermarket or mini-mart in Portugal. You’ll find regular name-brand alcohol in most supermarkets around the country, meaning you don’t have to visit a liquor store to buy spirits. However, not all grocery stores stock premium labels. So, if you’re looking for something special or high-end, it might be worth checking out a liquor store or specialty shop.
Final Tips for Grocery Shopping in Portugal:
- Look for Local Specialities: Portugal is known for its wine, cheese, and seafood. Seek out regional favorites like queijo serra da estrela (a unique cheese), vinho verde (a refreshing and wine), and bacalhau (codfish) to experience the local cuisine.
- Always Carry Cash: While cards are widely accepted, small shops and markets, especially in rural areas, may only accept cash. It’s best to have some euros on hand to avoid missing out on fresh, locally produced goods.
- Bring Your Own Bags: We’ll dive deeper into this below, but in a move to reduce plastic waste, Portugal has implemented a tax on plastic bags. While you can still pay for them when checking out, most locals do bring their own bags, so you might stand out. To avoid any inconvenience, always carry your reusable tote bags or a backpack to carry your groceries.
Do Portuguese Supermarkets Use Plastic Bags?
In Portugal, the use of plastic bags has drastically decreased since the introduction of a government tax on them in 2015. The tax was implemented to reduce the consumption of plastic grocery bags and help reduce potential contributions to environmental pollution. And it worked! Studies show a 74% reduction in plastic bag use in the country and a 61% increase in reusable bags.
Most Portuguese supermarkets will allow you to purchase a plastic bag if you don’t have a reusable one. However, they have reusable bags for purchase near all cash registers, and they’re about the same price as purchasing a plastic one. We’d say that 95% of people who shop here use reusable bags. It’s nice to see.
