Living in Portugal - Shopping

The majority of shops are open from 09:00-13:00 and 15:00-19:00 during the week. Some shops are open during lunch time. On Saturdays most of them close at 13:00, although some may open during the afternoon.

In most of cities and villages there are weekly or monthly street markets (feiras) where you can find everything you need, from clothes and shoes to food and handicrafts at very reasonable prices.

Shopping centres are open from 10:00-23:00/ 24:00, every day. These shopping centres in the major cities have a variety of services including supermarkets, clothes, shoe stores, music, bookshops, restaurants, cinema, banks, ATM, beauty institutes and more.

E-commerce is expanding particularly for the sale of clothes, books, DVDs and DC, and food. 

Pharmacies: Are open 09:00-13:00 and 15:00 to 19:00 Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings. In every area, you can always find one that is open all night or on Sunday. See the sign on the door (white cross on green background) to find your nearest open chemist. The Portuguese word for Pharmacy is Farmácia.

Post offices are open Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 18:00. In main cities there is one post office open on Saturdays. Stamps are sold at post offices and shops bearing the sign of the red horse. The Portuguese word for post office is Correios and a stamp is a selo.

Banks: open from 08:30-15:00 Monday to Friday and close on public holidays.

Museums: open from 10:00-12:30 and 14:00-17:00. Closed on Mondays.

Text last edited on: 01/07/2003

Source: European Union
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