FORGET SHOPPING CENTRES: CARVOEIRO AND FERRAGUDO HAVE EVERYTHING FOR THE MOST DEMANDING CUSTOMER
The former fishing village of Carvoeiro has become synonymous with dining out, but look beyond the numerous restaurants and you’ll find that the town is also home to plenty of shops selling everything from clothes and accessories to souvenirs and items for the home and garden. Inside went window-shopping to see what the local traders have to offer and found a few gems amongst the mix.
On the main road of Estrada do Farol, there are a number of shops selling lovely clothes, shoes and accessories, but for those looking for quality swimwear and accessories, Maracanã is a one-stop-shop for all your holiday needs. With brands like Ipanema, Billabong, Quiksilver and Rip Curl, there are clothes, swimsuits, footwear and snorkelling gear for men, women and children. Aladdins Gifts and Bacana (across the road) also offer items that you won’t find elsewhere, with pretty womenswear and accessories for any occasion. Along this road, there are plenty of shops selling a variety of gifts and souvenirs, but stores like Dacora – with quirky, oneof- a-kind pieces – near the square, and Basic Décor, further down Rua do Barranco, are filled with unique and colourful items that are perfect for the home. The open-air Praça Velha (with access from both Rua dos Pescadores and Rua do Barranco) has quite literally everything you can imagine, from handicrafts to décor items, whilst O Painel, on the right handside as you leave Carvoeiro, has beautiful handmade pottery made on-site by local artisan João Guerreiro.
Recently, though, there has been a surge in quality clothing, with three new boutiques in particular ahead of the fashion pack and raising the retail bar in Carvoeiro. L’Atelier certainly stands out on Rua do Barranco, with its enormous heart on the façade, but the surprises continue inside, with hand-picked Portuguese, French and Italian designer labels for women and children displayed amongst the elegant, quirky interior. A few doors down is Le Macho, which belongs to the same owners and offers the same imaginative décor, with a focus on quality menswear and accessories, particularly from the Italian brand Antony Morato. But the latest sartorial addition is Kube Boutique. Opened in June near to the post office, this bright and elegant store sells exclusive pieces from Portuguese and Italian brands, with owner Lina providing personalised service and advice to her customers. Selling one-off womenswear, including shoes and accessories, you certainly won’t be caught wearing the same outfit as anyone else!
On the jewellery front, Mariana Cabrita (Estrada do Farol) offers a great selection of quality watches and jewellery pieces, whilst Lolita on Rua do Barranco, established almost 15 years ago, has made its name for its custom fashion jewellery. Next door, however, is Imagine, a striking, glass-panelled jewellery shop which also designs its own pieces in gold, silver, and natural stones. With a more design-led approach to its creations, all carefully crafted and extremely versatile, the brand has two more shops in Portimão and Lagos, as well as a production centre in Alvor.
Golfers will be in their element at the Carvoeiro Golf Shop at the top of Rua dos Pescadores, which provides everything a golfer could need, including clubs and balls (to buy or hire), clothing and various services, as well as discount bookings at any Algarve golf course. Down the road is the fisherman’s equivalent: Pesca & Bichos, which provides all fishing equipment and advice on fishing in the area.
Of course it’s not just Carvoeiro that provides a bit of retail therapy. Lagoa also has an array of traditional stores and boutiques, but if it’s quirky you’re looking for, then Ferragudo is the place to go. Déjà Vu on Rua 25 de Abril, just by the square, offers an eclectic mix of art, antiques, clothes, jewellery and other appealing items, whilst across the road, next to Banif Bank, another shop also adds something very different to the usual shopping scene. A breath of fresh air, Fantasia is a bright little shop that opened in March and sells imaginative gifts, games, toys and decorative items for the home and outdoors. The pieces are pretty and unique, making it a must-visit for those who want to inject character and humour into their home.
