The #1 Guide to the Supermarkets in Lisbon in 2026
Need to know all about the supermarkets in Lisbon? I can help! On a recent trip to Lisbon, I challenged myself with only eating at the city’s big chain supermarkets as well as its smaller, local markets.
I was on a mission to stay on a relatively tight budget, and I’m happy to say that by booking an apartment rental and restricting myself to only shopping where the locals shop, this otherwise relatively expensive city became overwhelmingly affordable!
In this post, I’ll be going in-depth on the different brand-name markets (also called supermercados in Portuguese) you can find in the capital of Lisbon as well as throughout the country of Portugal.
I’ll also be sharing with you some of my top tips for going shopping in Lisbon, where you can find vegan and vegetarian options, and the typical operational hours of the more popular markets. Let’s get started!
Best Supermarkets in Lisbon
The best supermarkets in Lisbon are Pingo Doce, Lidl, and Intermarché. I know, I know – what about Aldi?? Well, it’s actually not my favorite for a few reasons.
In the past, you could find incredible deals at Aldi, but in recent years it has become far more expensive than the larger chain markets. Since you’ll still be financially supporting a large chain supermarket versus a local one, I’d suggest doing your weekly shop at one of the other supermercados I mentioned.
As for Pingo Doce, Lidl, and Intermarché, these Lisbon supermarkets are highly rated, so they’re practically always busy. I did my best to shop at different times of the day whenever I went out, and I was consistently trying to weave my basket in and out of groups of people.
However, if I were to return and do it all over again, I’d still shop at these busier markets. You can often find great two-for-one deals and they have the largest selection of both local and international foods that I could find, and I rarely had any issues with the produce being less fresh than I’d prefer.
Supermarkets in Portugal
While there are dozens of small supermarkets throughout the country, there are only a few big chains where you can consistently find great products at affordable prices. I’ve provided a breakdown of each, so you know what to expect when you arrive in Portugal!
🛒 Aldi: Aldi is a supermarket chain that offers semi-reasonable prices on groceries and household items, though their costs seem to be on the rise more recently.
🛒 Continente: Continent is a large grocery store chain that offers a wide variety of products, including fresh produce, meat, and dairy.
🛒 Lidl: Lidl is a fantastic budget supermarket chain that specializes in private-label brands and is easily one of the most popular supermarkets in Lisbon!
🛒 Pingo Doce: Pingo Doce is the largest grocery store chain in Portugal, and it offers a wide variety of products, including fresh produce, meat, and dairy. Pingo Doce also happens to be one of the biggest supermarkets in Portugal when compared to those of Lidl and Continente.
Cheap Supermarkets in Lisbon
Just like everywhere else in the world, some supermarkets are cheaper than others in Lisbon. The cheapest supermarket in Lisbon and Portugal is Lidl, with its prices a good percentage lower than those of El Corte Inglés, Celeiro, and Minipreço.
Anywhere you go in Portugal, however, you’re going to be able to find great deals. The supermarkets are great for purchasing large quantities of dry goods such as rice and flour for cheap, while the local markets are the best spots to pick up fresh meats, fish, and produce.
I previously had written in this post that Aldi was also a top contender in terms of price, but I have since changed my suggestion due to a rise in prices across several departments (i.e. meat and fish, dairy, etc.). Now, Lidl is a great option as is Intermarché and SPAR.
Best Outdoor Markets in Lisbon
If you’re looking for the best outdoor markets in Lisbon, you’ll want to check out the Mercado de Arroios, the Mercado Biológico do Principe Real, the Mercado 31 de Janeiro, and the Mercado de Campo de Ourique.
I absolutely loved strolling through these markets since you’ll meet tons of locals buying their personal groceries, so it’s a great way to meet people, and it’s where many of the local restaurants buy their ingredients for the day!
You can chat with the local vendors to get the “in” on which restaurants in the city have the freshest food and even get an idea of how they prepare the most popular local Portuguese dishes including Bacalhau, Caldeirada, and Arroz de Pato!
Or, if you want a local to show you the ins and outs of the best cuisine, how the dishes are made, and where to find them, you’ll probably want to take a food tour.
5 Important Tips for Shopping in Portugal
If you’re planning on doing some grocery shopping in Portugal, there are a few things to keep in mind. I wish I had known a few of these before I got started as they could have saved me a lot of time with my shopping.
- The first thing you should know is that Portugal is going online! You can now order your groceries online and have them delivered right to your door from some participating supermarkets.
- But, if you plan on plan on taking advantage of this online grocery shopping offer, keep in mind that you may need an NIF card (numero de identificação fiscal – a personal tax number) to make any purchases.
- Also, many medications in Portugal are available without a prescription, so it won’t always be necessary to find a pharmacy if you need something simple. But luckily enough, most supermarkets in Portugal have pharmacies inside!
- Additionally, many of the markets only accept cash, so be sure to have enough on hand before you pick up a basket or cart. I made this mistake one day and had to put some things back since I only had about 20 euros on my person.
- Be sure to try some of the unique foods that are sold in the local markets! Everything from codfish cakes and octopus salad to Port wine, pastel de natas, and chouriço can be found right in the markets already prepared and ready to eat.
Best International Food Spots in Lisbon
If international cuisine is what you’re looking for while in Portugal, then look no further than Darshan Nepal 2 (Nepalese), Leo (Indian), and Sajna Lebanese Cafe Restaurant (Lebanese) located in Lisbon.
These restaurants offer a great variety of selections from all over the world right at your fingertips, and the best part is they’re located near popular tourist areas so they’ll be relatively easy to find.
And if you want something a little more out-of-the-ordinary, there are also stores that specialize specifically in international cuisine including Flavers, DilliWala Global Foods (though this one is a little bit of a ride outside the city), and Glood Areeiro!
These stores have a huge selection of international food items, and they’re all conveniently located in or near Lisbon.
Where to Buy Wine in Portugal
Wine stores, also known as Garrafeiras, are popular throughout Portugal owing to the country’s artistic creation of Port wine as well as its endless vineyards and award-winning wineries.
If you’re looking for a good bottle of wine while in Portugal, you’ll want to check out some of the local wine stores. Wine prices vary depending on the store, but you can usually find a great bottle for around 10-15 euros.
Here are a few tips on how to tell if you’re getting a good deal on wine when shopping in store:
- Compare the costs. You don’t need to spend a fortune to have good wine, but in the end, you also get what you pay for.
- Look for bottles that are sealed with a cork rather than a screw cap.
- Check the vintage year to make sure it’s recent (usually anything from 2010 onwards is considered current).
- Read the label to see where the wine was produced. Wines from Portugal tend to be cheaper than wines from other nearby countries such as France and Italy. Since you’ll be so close to the Douro Valley (one of the most popular wine regions in the entire world), you’ll have exceptional wines right at your local market!
Some of the best wine stores in Lisbon include Garrafeira Nacional, Lisbon Wine Shop, and Garrafeira Napoleão among many others.
FAQ
In this section, I’ll be providing some extra helpful information if you’ll be doing some shopping at Lisbon’s markets. From my personal experiences to local insights, here is some great pointers for your next visit!
What is the Main Supermarket in Lisbon?
Primarily known as mercearias to the locals, grocery stores in Portugal typically sell a wider variety of products than regular grocery stores, including fresh produce, meat, and seafood.
This is a major expansion on the limited products they sold in previous decades.
Today, the main supermarkets in Lisbon are Pingo Doce, Lidl, and Continente. All three of these stores have a large variety of products, including fresh produce, meat, and dairy items.
They also have a wide selection of packaged foods, household supplies, and other helpful products that keep customers from having to travel to multiple stores to get all of their household items.
Pingo Doc is the biggest supermarket in Lisbon, but all three supermarkets have pretty much everything you could need during your visit to Lisbon. Continente is the second-largest supermarket in Lisbon.
But, one of the more local spots to pick up delicious food in Lisbon is called Mercearia Poço dos Negros.
Local supermarkets also make for one of the lesser-known spots to pick out authentic Portuguese souvenirs, as many times prices here are far lower than those of the tourist shops!
As for othersupermarket chains that can be found around Portugal, you can also visit Pão de Açúcar, Minipreço, Apolonia, and SPAR.
What are the Large Supermarkets in Lisbon?
The large supermarkets in Lisbon include Pingo Doce, Continente, Lidl, and Aldi.
Shopping at these larger markets can be a great way to find the best ingredients for your next meal (though I personally prefer the smaller, more local markets since you can often find fresher meat and produce).
The smaller the market, typically the more you’re going to have to dish out for ingredients, however, you’ll be supporting the locals and earning yourself some top-shelf food!
What are the Big Supermarkets in Lisbon?
While Pingo Doce is the biggest supermarket chain in Lisbon, Continente is the biggest supermarket overall in Lisbon.
Both spots are great for those seeking one spot to find everything they need in one place thanks to their enormity, however, I still found myself doing much of my shopping at the local markets versus these larger markets.
Then again, if you want to save some money or aren’t looking for produce that’s been fresh dug out of the dirt that needs an extra washing or two, then Pingo Doce and Continente are great choices!
What is the Portugal Version of Walmart?
While there are Walmart-like stores in Portugal, they are not called Walmart. The most similar stores would be Leroy Merlin which is mainly a home building store offering everything DIY-related, as well as Worten and Casa which offer household goods and electronics.
Portugal doesn’t have stores too similar to Walmart Supercenters where you can do your grocery shopping, home goods shopping, and clothing shopping all in the same place.
The Portuguese believe in buying fresh food daily at the local markets, then finding everything else they need at specific stores. This is also why you won’t see as many locals doing their weekly grocery run at the larger markets as you will the local markets.
Are There Lidl Stores in Portugal?
Lidl happens to be the main supermarket in Lisbon city centre as well as in plenty of places around Portugal. You can find them in the following locations:
➡ Lisbon
➡ Porto
➡ Aveiro
➡ Braga
➡ Coimbra
➡ Funchal
➡ Setubal
Do Supermarkets in Lisbon Sell Vegan Options?
While this wasn’t the case for many years, you can now find vegan options at many supermarkets throughout Lisbon.
In addition, the city has several all-vegan stores, and most regular grocery stores have a section of food dedicated to vegans!
Some of the best spots to find vegan products in Lisbon include Green Beans (my favorite place for a vegan chocolate bar!) and Miosótis.
Do Supermarkets in Portugal Use Plastic Bags?
In an effort to reduce the amount of plastic waste that is produced each year, Portuguese supermarkets have begun to phase out the use of plastic bags.
This change has caused some confusion among shoppers who are unsure about what types of bags they are allowed to use. Shoppers are welcome to continue their use of paper bags, cloth bags, or reusable plastic bags to minimize their impact on the environment.
Just be sure to bring your bags in, because if you forget them you may be forced to bring all of your groceries to your car in a cart without bags or you’ll have to pay for new bags in the store.
This may feel like a big shift (especially for those of us who continually forget our reusable bags in the car), but in the end, this is a small change that can have a tremendous impact!
When are Lisbon Supermarkets Typically Open?
In major cities like Lisbon and Porto, most supermarkets are open from 9AM to 10PM Monday through Saturday. However, in Portugal, the hours of supermarkets vary depending on the size of the city or town.
In smaller towns and villages, supermarkets may only be open from 9AM to 7PM, or even closed on some days of the week, particularly Sundays.
Regardless, you should check the supermarket’s hours or even give them a call if you plan on scheduling family meals around when you’ll be able to get to the market.
Also, you should always check if there are local holidays or celebrations going on, as this can also affect store opening and closing hours!
Are Groceries Expensive in Lisbon?
When compared to the U.S. and other major cities across Europe, groceries are quite affordable in Lisbon.
The average family of 2 will spend between 200-300 euros per month in Lisbon, while an average family of 2 will spend between 500-800 USD per month in the U.S.
Lisbon supermarkets don’t just offer the basics; shoppers can find everything from unique specialty items as well as international foods. Of course, each supermarket is different in terms of size and product mix, so it pays to investigate before you pick which one you want to shop at.
The supermarkets in Lisbon have everything you’ll need during your next visit, so to save some money on eating out, try renting somewhere with a kitchen like I did so you can take advantage of all the amazing products available to you right in store!
