Supermarkets in Portugal: where to shop and what things cost

Whether you've just arrived or you're planning a move, knowing where to buy groceries in Portugal saves a surprising amount of money. Prices between supermarket chains can differ by 20–30% for the same basket, and loyalty cards make an even bigger difference.

This guide covers the main supermarkets in Portugal, what they're good for, typical grocery prices, opening hours, online delivery, and a few tips locals use to cut their food bill.

Quick summary:

• Biggest chains: Continente and Pingo Doce
• Cheapest overall: Lidl, Aldi, Mercadona and Pingo Doce (with promotions)
• Best for variety: Continente, Auchan, El Corte Inglés
• Loyalty cards are essential – get them on your first visit
• No Walmart or Costco in Portugal – the closest equivalents are hypermarkets and Makro

The Main Supermarkets in Portugal

Continente

The largest supermarket chain in Portugal, owned by Sonae. Formats include Continente (hypermarkets), Continente Modelo (large supermarkets) and Continente Bom Dia (smaller neighbourhood stores).

• Best for: huge selection, international products, good online shop
• Loyalty card: Cartão Continente – discounts are loaded as credit on your card
• Price level: mid-range, cheaper with promotions

Pingo Doce

Owned by Jerónimo Martins, with hundreds of stores across the country.

• Best for: fresh bread, ready meals, good-quality own brand, frequent big discount days
• Loyalty card/app: Poupa Mais
• Price level: low to mid-range

Lidl

Very popular in Portugal, with competitive prices and good quality.

• Best for: cheap basics, bakery, weekly specials (non-food items)
• App: Lidl Plus with weekly coupons
• Price level: low

Aldi

Smaller range, low prices.

• Best for: budget shopping
• Price level: low

Mercadona

The Spanish chain arrived in Portugal in 2019 and has expanded across the north and centre and into the Lisbon area.

• Best for: good-value own brand (Hacendado), fresh produce, Spanish products
• Loyalty card: none – consistent low prices instead
• Price level: low

Auchan

French hypermarket chain (formerly Jumbo), with large stores in shopping centres and smaller My Auchan convenience stores.

• Best for: big weekly shops, household goods, electronics
• Price level: mid-range

Intermarché

French chain, often in smaller towns.

• Best for: convenience in rural areas, butcher and fish counters
• Price level: mid-range

Minipreço

Small neighbourhood discount stores (formerly linked to DIA), now part of Auchan.

• Best for: quick top-up shops
• Price level: low to mid

El Corte Inglés

Spanish department store in Lisbon and Gaia with a gourmet supermarket.

• Best for: imported and premium products
• Price level: high

Apolónia (Algarve)

Upmarket supermarket in the Algarve popular with expats.

• Best for: British, Dutch, German and other imported products
• Price level: high

Where to Buy Groceries Cheaply

Grocery Prices in Portugal (2026)

Approximate prices at mid-range supermarkets:

Typical monthly grocery spend: €250–€400 for one person, €500–€800 for a family of four, depending on where and how you shop.

Opening Hours

• Large supermarkets and hypermarkets: usually 8:00/9:00 to 21:00/22:00, seven days a week
• Hypermarkets in shopping centres may close at 23:00
• Smaller stores may close earlier on Sundays
• Public holidays: most stay open, but hours can be reduced – especially 25 December and 1 January, when many close

Looking for a "supermarket near me"? Google Maps works well, and each chain's app shows its nearest store and opening hours.

Online Grocery Shopping and Delivery

• Continente Online – the most popular, with home delivery and click & collect
• Auchan Online
• El Corte Inglés Online
• Pingo Doce – delivery via partner apps in many areas
• Mercadona Online – in selected areas
• Glovo, Uber Eats and Bolt Food – quick delivery from partner supermarkets in cities

Delivery fees usually range from free (over a minimum order) to €5–€7.

Markets and Other Places to Shop

• Municipal markets (mercados municipais) – fresh fish, meat, fruit and vegetables, often cheaper and better quality. Best in the morning.
• Talhos (butchers) and peixarias (fishmongers) – excellent quality and advice.
• Padarias and pastelarias – fresh bread every morning.
• Frutarias – neighbourhood fruit and vegetable shops.
• Makro – a cash & carry wholesaler, mainly for businesses; the nearest thing to Costco in Portugal.
• Asian and international stores – for spices and imported products, especially in Lisbon (Martim Moniz) and Porto.

Is there Costco or Walmart in Portugal?

No. Neither Costco nor Walmart operate in Portugal. For bulk shopping, people use hypermarkets (Continente, Auchan) or Makro (business customers). For general goods, try Worten, Leroy Merlin, IKEA and Decathlon, or Amazon.es online.

Tips to Save Money on Groceries

1. Get loyalty cards and apps – Cartão Continente, Poupa Mais and Lidl Plus can save 10–20%.
2. Shop the promotions – Portuguese supermarkets run aggressive weekly deals, and Pingo Doce is known for big one-day discounts.
3. Buy own brands – often 30–50% cheaper.
4. Shop seasonal produce at markets.
5. Compare prices with apps and supermarket flyers (folhetos).
6. Bring your own bags – plastic bags are charged.
7. Use the NIF on receipts – you can add your NIF for invoices, which count towards general family expenses in IRSPersonal income tax. Tax residents file an annual IRS return through the Portal das Finanças..
8. Check reduced-price sections near closing time for discounted fresh items.

Useful Portuguese Words for Grocery Shopping

For more, see how to learn Portuguese.

Final Thoughts

The secret to saving on groceries in Portugal is mixing it up: do your basics at Lidl, Mercadona or Pingo Doce, top up at Continente when you need variety, and buy fish and vegetables at the local market. Sign up for loyalty cards from day one and you'll quickly see the difference in your monthly spend.