4 Best Places to Shop in The Algarve, Portugal

Believed to be one of the oldest in the Algarve, if not the country, Loulé Municipal Market is a hive of smells, colors, and sounds. The century-old Moorish-style indoor area has a number of stalls that sell ready-to-eat foods, so you can sample local delicacies as you browse. The best time to come is Saturday morning, when the surrounding outdoor farmers' market bursts into life.

Works by internationally renowned artists are displayed—and sold—at the Art Catto gallery.

One of the Algarve's best food markets, the Mercado dos Pescadores is held in the riverfront buildings in the town gardens. Feast your eyes on the shellfish for which Olhão is renowned; mussels, in particular, are a local specialty. Visit on Saturday morning to see the market at its most lively.

This pretty little blue-and-white pottery shop embodies the essence of Algarvian ceramics. It's owned by a friendly Scot named Ian Fitzpatrick, who has worked in the Algarve for years, and nowadays, it's his two daughters Molly and Martha who run it. The handmade pieces here are reasonably priced.