
SHOPS AND SUPERMARKETS
Find the Finest Ingredients at Portugal’s Traditional Markets and Shops
Although modern supermarkets and shopping malls are abundant in Portugal, the country still maintains a strong tradition of small local shops like bakeries, butchers, fishmongers, and dairies. These shops often offer high-quality products, many sourced directly from nearby producers. The people running these businesses are usually experts in their field, proud of their craft, and provide excellent service along with valuable advice. Local markets also remain an exceptional place to find fresh, top-quality ingredients for cooking, offering a true taste of the region's produce and traditions.
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Bakeries and confectioneries
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For our daily bread and pastries, we usually visit Padaria Pastelaria da Feira, located in the main square of Freixo, just a 4 km walk or 5 minutes drive from Casa das Descobertas. Open from early morning until late evening, this bakery offers freshly baked bread and a wide variety of delicious pastries. As it also serves as a café, we often enjoy a cappuccino in the sun while making our purchases.
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Other noteworthy bakeries in the area include Padaria de Cabaços, located on the far side of Mount Verissimo along the old road to Ponte de Lima; Pastelaria Cantinho Dos Corvos, conveniently close to the motorway exit; and Confeitaria Lopes, found along the road to Braga. Each of these bakeries is known for its quality offerings, making them excellent alternatives. You will also find bakeries with nice bread in most supermarkets.
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​Butcher and charcuterie
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​In Freixo, Talhos Freitas is a local butcher known for its excellent selection of meats and homemade sausages. The knowledgeable staff often provide great advice on choosing the perfect cuts for optimal cooking results. Just across the street, you’ll find the Minipreço de Freixo supermarket. While their meat and charcuterie counter is small, the quality remains top-notch. For an even wider selection, supermarkets in nearby Ponte de Lima or Braga offer fantastic meat options as well.
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Fishmongers
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Most supermarkets offer excellent fish counters with fresh seafood sourced from the nearby ocean. In Freixo, just 4 km from Casa das Descobertas, there’s a local fishmonger located next to the butcher. Although small, it offers a carefully selected variety of fresh fish, ensuring high quality for your meals.
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Fromagerie and dairy
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Queijaria Amaral, a historic cheese shop originally from Porto, has recently expanded to Braga with a new location near the Arco da Porta Nova. This renowned establishment first opened in 1928 and specializes in high-quality Portuguese cheeses, including Serra da Estrela DOP and their own buttery sheep's cheese. The Braga branch continues the tradition, offering an inviting space with a cozy terrace where visitors can enjoy cheese and charcuterie boards with local wines. The shop also stocks a variety of international cheeses, making it a go-to spot for cheese enthusiasts in the region. All supermarkets also have nice chees counters.
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Local markets
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​Fruits and vegetables come directly from local farmers and are available at rotating markets that travel between the surrounding villages. Nearly every day, you can find a market in one of the nearby areas. Additionally, supermarkets offer a wide selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, ensuring that high-quality produce is always within reach.
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Exploring Local and International Products in Portugal’s Supermarkets​
Portugal boasts many modern supermarkets with a wide range of products, both local and international. Last Christmas, we were pleasantly surprised to find more varieties of Annas ginger cookies from Sweden in one of our local supermarkets than we had seen at our ICA store in Stockholm. You’ll likely be able to find most of the items you’re looking for with ease.
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In Freixo, just 4 km from Casa das Descobertas, two smaller supermarkets—Minipreço de Freixo and Freixo Supermercado—carry all the essentials for daily life. For more specialized items, we often drive to Ponte de Lima, which has several larger supermarkets. Our favorites are Intermarché Ponte de Lima and Continente Modelo Ponte de Lima. Occasionally, we also visit Continente at Braga Nova Arcada, which is probably the largest supermarket in the region.
Major Malls and Outlets in Northern Portugal
If you're looking to buy clothes, shoes, electronics, and more, many small local shops offer quality products, some of which are proudly made in Portugal. For a wider selection, you can visit the large shopping malls in the region, which feature a mix of popular international and Portuguese brands. The closest major mall is Braga Parque, about 20 km away. In Porto, we recommend NorteShopping and MAR Shopping Matosinhos. Additionally, Vila do Conde Porto Fashion Outlet, just north of Porto, is a must-visit destination for those seeking discounts on international and Portuguese brands.
Whine, alcohol, medicals, etc.
Wine shops
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Wine and alcohol are available in supermarkets and grocery stores, with larger supermarkets offering an extensive selection. If you visit Casa das Descobertas in the autumn, you might be pleasantly surprised by the substantial wine sales, with discounts of up to 80% to make room for next year’s production.
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Specialized wine shops offer a more curated experience, offering expert advice on the best selections. When searching for something unique, we often visit Garrafeira da Matriz, a small but highly knowledgeable wine shop in Ponte de Lima.
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Pharmacy
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If you need medication, there is a pharmacy in Freixo. In Ponte de Lima, you’ll always find at least one pharmacy open 24 hours. For medical advice, please reach out to the staff at Casa das Descobertas. Freixo has a local doctor, while Ponte de Lima has a small hospital. For more comprehensive care, world-class hospitals are available in Braga, Viana do Castelo, and Porto. In case of urgent or critical situations, dial 112. The fire department in Freixo, just 5 minutes away, also has ambulances.
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