Hi all,
We are visiting CVO for two weeks this Sat.
As we are arriving too early to book into our villa straight away we are thinking about stopping en-route from
Faro to do a big shop somewhere.
Has anyone got any reommendations on where to go for a family of newbies.
Any info would be appreciated.
Mark

Go to Algarve shopping at Guia, a large continente hyper market and numerous other shops.

Starsky - you might find this useful, also prices & food names in Portuguese

http://www.farouncovered.com/about-faro/shopping.aspx

Yes def. Algarve Shopping en'route and pretty good value too!
gaynor

Thanks for the advice and link much appreciated.

Cheers,
Mark

The quickest way from Faro to CVO is on the motorway and you dont go past Algarve shopping centre as that is on the N125 - so if you want to go there take the N125 route NOT A22. It is a great shopping centre and has lots of shops and restaurants on the top floor. continente is good and Huge. It will take 30 - 40 mins to get there on the N125, then another 20-25 mins to get to CVO, so if you have plenty of time it will be good.

If you decide to go on the A22 there are 3 supermarkets as you come off the motorway and head to CVO (within 3 miles at this point)

The first one is Pao da Azucar (sugarloaf). Coming off the feeder rd from the A22 Mway you will see the water park straight ahead and then it is behind you as you go round onto the N125 heading for Lagoa/CVO. Pao is on a parallel rd on the RHS and you will go past it as you head to the main Island at Lagoa - If you turn sharp right at this island, it is 200 m on the right. Pao is a largish place -was Modelo until Continente took over. Good value and there are clothes, electrical, pharmacy shops in the same complex

If you continue approx 300m into Lago you must then turn rt at the lights to CVO. Approx 50 m after turning you will see Pingo Doce (sweet penguin) This is a nice size and has all the usual stuff but not the choice of the others - there is all the necessary stuff and the fresh fish and meat counters are very good (great rib eye staek for € 8-9/kg). It is slightly cheaper than Pao.

1500m further on is a very large Place called Intermarche - everything you could need including english foods like sausages, bacon, sliced bread etc. Good fresh fish, extensive meats etc, but it is 20-30% more than the previous 2.

CVO is approx 1500 m further down the rd. Enjoy your stay!!

Hi,
We are also arriving in CVO on Saturday and can't get in our villa until 2 ! We are also newbies and not too bothered about the shopping but wondered if there are any nice cafes that won't mind 4 adults and 4 highly charged children descending on them ?
Nicky.

Go to Guia shopping as there are lots of cafes and lots of shops - all inside and nice and cool!
You can go down the motorway and come off at (I think) junction 9 onto the N125 and it is only a few minutes down the road - then just follow the signs to go over the bridge and into the shopping centre. THen, to get to Cvo, just stay on the N125 going towards Portimao.

Mind you, there are plenty of cafes that would welcome you with open arms in Cvo - and no need to stop off onthe way!

Once again thanks for the excellent advice.
I'm going to take my Europe Sat Nav and hopefully that will direct me to the right place although anyone who has used these will know that's not guaranteed. We have lots of time so it probably going to be Guia. The problem is going to be trying to get the missus away from the handbag and shoe shops.....
Mark

There are a lot of the more "designery" type shops on the top floor - which is where there are a lot of food outlets as well.

nic76 wrote:Hi,
We are also arriving in CVO on Saturday and can't get in our villa until 2 ! We are also newbies and not too bothered about the shopping but wondered if there are any nice cafes that won't mind 4 adults and 4 highly charged children descending on them ?
Nicky.

I would venture into CVO anyway as there are lots of nice resturants, ice cream shop right on the beach so the kids can run around the square or venture on the beach. There is a playground for younger kids as you come onto the square you will see on the right side of the beach a hill that goes up to the church at the top of hill there is the playground.
enjoy and explore!
Gaynor

I agree with the previous post.

You will pay a premium to sit/eat by the beach.
There is a small square ( opposite ) the Roundup on O, Farol with a couple of small bars/cafes plus a couple more ice cream shops nearby, it is also a good place in the evenings as they have live music playing. It is very popular with families.

If you are having to park before you can get access to your property make sure that your luggage is not visible and also that nothing of value is left on display in the car.

The papers have reported an increase in car break-ins in the Algarve this year.