Hey there, I’m Jess ✨. On The Signature, I share reflections on beauty, routines, travel, wellness, culture, and everyday life. For those drawn to a calmer, more intentional way of living, I send a free newsletter each month on the 7th. You're welcome to join.
Ready to experience a grocery store like no other?
Apolónia Supermercados is my favourite supermarket in the world.
I have been to Wholefoods in New York, Marks & Spencer Food in the United Kingdom, Stockmann in Helsinki, El Corte Inglés in Spain and Portugal, Woolworths in South Africa but Apolónia in Lagoa remains absolutely unbeatable. It is considered the Erewhon of Portugal and it's where I head to first as soon as we land in the Algarve!
As I rave about it often, people ask me “but what is so special about it?” all the time.
Well, where can I start... First, it's a successful family-run local business that started in Almancil, Algarve in 1983.
Their motto? They say it best:
Apolónia has built this reputation on placing customer needs first, irrespective of nationality, stocking a broad range of local and international favourites, from staple goods to gourmet specialities, while at the same time anticipating market potential and trends and specialising in new products from home and abroad
And one can feel it in our customer experience. The wide corridors and counters, the superbly curated range of international and national products, the calmness, how everything is exquisitely tidy, clean, aesthetically pleasing, the first-class service, always with a smile and filled with attentiveness...
Also, can I confess I love their green branding? It might have been an inspiration for this website's branding, who knows... wink wink!
We always recommend it to friends and family coming to the Algarve and we go there ourselves pretty often.
Also check everything we had on our Apolonia shopping list to have the most stunning Raclette & Fondue & Wine Tasting Party at home:
Other than food, we also recommend, within the Apolónia family: their pharma stores (great beauty products and OTC selection) and the cafés.
Do check their stores when in Algarve (my favourite is Lagoa's).
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