Two new shopping malls recently opened in the Algarve! We strive to bring you up to date information about what's going on in the Algarve, so in the name of research we just had to go shopping!

Ria Shopping in Olhão opened about 2 months ago and has plenty of free parking with 3 floors of shops and restaurants, a cinema (opening shortly), supermarket and children's play area. It's easy to get to (always a bonus!) - just follow the EN125 through the town and it is on the left if you are coming from the Faro side of town. There are lifts and escalators making access simple for everyone.

The shops are open 7 days a week from 10.00 to 23.00 except for July and August when they stay open until midnight - so no shortage of time to check out the shops!

Ground floor shops:
MultiÓpticas (opticians), Mediapoint (papelaria), Lourdete (perfumes), Kodak Express, Page One (fashion), Carlos Santos (Hair products), Mister Mint (key cutting), BOX (electrical appliances), Pão de Açucar, TMN (phones), Vodafone, Retoucherie de Manuela (clothes alterations etc.)

First floor shops:
Sport Zone, Loop (footwear), Bottega Verde (Natural Beauty), Vila Velha (home decor), Sun Planet (sunglasses), Worten mobile, Jezequel (men's fashion), Nastra (women's fashion), Ao Luar (fashion), Lune Bleu (accessories), Zippy Kidstore, Book it!, Lanidor Loft (fashion), Chá de Cores, Nakua (fashion), Forceva (shoes), Sapatalia (shoes), HTL (fashion).

The supermarket (Pão de Açucar) is open from 09.00 to 23.00 from Monday to Saturday but closes at 13.00 on Sundays and holidays.

The top floor of Ria Shopping is devoted to the food hall, cinema (Algarcine) and a children's play area. The cinema is opening shortly and there were still a few of the food / bar outlets to open. We thought the 'sail' type roof over some of the area created a really attractive setting and on a hot day (which it was) to get a little breeze was lovely!

There are plenty of choices for food including Fukukuchi (Japonese), Happy House (Chinese), Mama Ines (Cuban and Traditional portuguese), O Gosto (International), Al Sultao (Egyptian), A Sopinha (Soups, Quiches, salads etc) Dom Franguito (Barbecued chicken), Porco na Brasa (grilled pork dishes), Burger Ranch, Cantinho do Pao (sandwich bar), Toasties Kiosk, Planet Ria (Ice-creams and tarts), and 3 cafes!

Gran-Plaza in Tavira has only just opened at the beginning of June and is again just off the EN125. Approaching from the Vila Real side of town - it's a left turn at the first roundabout (Quinta do Morgado is on the right) and you will see Gran-Plaza and Continente just a short distance down the road.

We 'found' it from the town side - across the long bridge (Av. dos Descobrimentos) then turn right and it's on the left hand side - Continente supermarket is easily visible from the bridge. Gran-Plaza has 2 floors of shops and plenty of free underground parking. It really is a massive shopping centre with a wide variety of shops as well as a large Continente supermarket and cinema.

The shops are open 7 days a week from 10.00 to 23.00, except on Fridays, Saturdays and the day before holidays when they stay open until midnight. The Continente supermarket opens at 09.00 every day and closes at 13.00 on Sundays and holidays.

Ground floor shops:
Modalfa (clothes), P.C. Clinic kiosk, Stampa kiosk (photographs), C & A (clothes), Impress Centre (papelaria), Chemist, MultiÓpticas, Tribo (furnishings), The Phone House, Carlos Santos (hair products), Millenium BCP (bank), Book it!, V Games (computer games), Worten Mobile (phones), TMN (phones), Jules Daynos (hairdresser), Botaminuto (cleaners), Loja das Bainhas (alterations), Credit Agricola (bank), Mundiclasse (travel agents), Natura (fashion), Zippy Kidstore, Worten (electrical), Sport Zone, Centroxogo (toys), De Borla (all sorts for the home), Óptica (glasses), Made in Green (florists).

First floor shops:
Tezenis (lingerie), Opticália (glasses), Nakua (fashion), Parfois (accessories), Intimissimi (lingerie), Calzedonia (lingerie), Casa (household), Blue Label (household linens, towels etc), Anali (fashion), S & M (fashion), Chá de Cores (childrens/babies clothes), Ourivesaria Correia (jewellers), Seaside (Shoes and bags), Darling (lingerie), Siceou (fashion), Racing Green (mens and womens fashion), Loop (shoes - opening soon), United Colors of Benetton (fashion), Sun Planet (sunglasses), Lanidor (clothes), Espaço Casa (household), Egoista+ (shoes), Cheyenne (fashion), Blue Rise (mens and womens fashion), Parfumaria Mars (perfumes).

The first floor also has a Sushi restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, Smoothies bar, Pizzeria and various cafes and snack bars. Several still weren't open when we visited but it looked as if they would be very soon.

Gran-Plaza is undercover apart from a large terrace outside the food hall on the first floor and the shops are very spacious and airy, so although it was a very hot day when we went it was very comfortable to walk around.