5 Best Places to Go Shopping in Faro

Forum Algarve is a pretty shopping mall towards the north-western outskirts of Faro. It's built around a very pleasant central square that looks like something a lot more historical than it is – after all, the mall only opened in 2001.

The square is surrounded by a 2-storey complex containing about 120 stores, 20 restaurants and a movie theater. Noteworthy shops include Spanish and Portuguese brands like Parfois, Massimo Dutti and Bershka. You'll also find plenty of international names, especially among the restaurants.

Rua de Santo António is a beautiful shopping hub located in the heart of Faro's Old Town. The intricately tiled pedestrian street is already worth visiting for beautiful photos, but the shops add an extra reason to explore.

Star shops to check out along the narrow lane, among a few big-name brands, include Relojoaria Farense for watches, Palloram for fashion, and Artesanato Arco de Sto Antonio for assorted gifts and souvenirs. There are many restaurants and cafés along the historical western end of the street, but it widens out into a modern road further east.

Mercado Municipal de Faro, the main market in the city, is one of the best places to get in touch with Faro’s local people. This covered market has a huge range of local products, mainly fresh fish and seafood, fruit and vegetables. Wander around the hustle and bustle of the locals and shop for fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables.

It’s a friendly place, so take the opportunity to engage in conversation with the local vendors – you’re guaranteed to hear some good stories. Mercado Municipal de Faro also has stores and public services, as well as a few restaurants where you can enjoy regional cuisine.

Antonio Manuel is the Harrods of Faro – a high-class department store showcasing top international fashion labels. The concept store on Rua de Santo Antonio even has a substantial heritage like the world's more famous examples of its kind, having first opened in 1957.

You can expect to find names like Hugo Boss, Michael Kors and Armani here, among many others. With everything from hats to shoes and everything in between available, both men and women could put together a unique evening outfit at Antonio Manuel.

MAR Shopping Algarve is a large outlet mall about 13 km northwest of Faro, on the way to Vilamoura and Albufeira. Its main anchor store is IKEA, but you'll also find a large selection of mid-range fashion labels and stores, such as Calvin Klein, H&M and Lacoste. It's also home to one of the largest Primark stores in Portugal.

Alongside 85 stores, the 8,000-square-meter indoor mall also contains around 25 restaurants, a large food court, a supervised play area for kids and a movie theater.