Mar d’Estórias, a shop with a view in Lagos

There are no displays full of postcards, sunglasses or pottery outside to call your attention, but the shop Mar d’Estórias may nevertheless be just the place to find that perfect souvenir. Behind the clean white façade await several floors of beautiful products, a restaurant, art gallery and rooftop terrace with wonderful view.

Made in Portugal

When you enter the door you will first set foot in the shop. Here you can find a lot of unique products, often made by small Portuguese entrepreneurs and creatives. Discover the best in home décor, jewellery, footwear and typical Portuguese groceries. In the tasting area you can try the delicacies, wines and liquors, before you fill your suitcase with them.

On higher floors there’s more to enjoy. I personally love the book section, that’s full of great books on Portuguese gastronomy, travel and culture. Some of them are in Portuguese, but there’s a lot of choice in English as well. Lovers of fado will appreciate the extensive collection of CDs.

Of course this shop can’t do without Portuguese ceramics. The famous tableware from Bordallo Pinheiro is well presented, but there are more brands to discover. Other typical Portuguese craftworks are woven baskets, wool blankets and carpets. Warning: you might need to get extra baggage allowance on your flight home 😉

Restaurant

A small, cozy restaurant welcomes you on the first floor. The concept is based on local and seasonal products, full of unique flavours and quality. Algarvian carrots, chicken piri piri and octopus are some of the famous regional dishes you can find on the menu. It’s all served in a contemporary way though, different from what you would find in the traditional restaurants.

Rooftop bar

What you cannot miss is the wonderful rooftop terrace. The view of Lagos city centre is spectacular! On the one side there’s the tower of the Santo António Church and beautiful jacaranda trees, on the other side the blue of the Atlantic Ocean. Have a coffee, fresh lemonade, pastel de nata or cocktail on one of the comfortable benches while you decide on whether to buy that nice lamp you just saw.

Gallery room

The pretty gallery room is a place to discover new art talent. It’s where Mar d’Estórias hosts exhibitions, workshops, conferences and even thematic dinners.

Where

Mar d’Estorias is a shop with restaurant and rooftop bar in the centre of Lagos, a city in the western part of the Algarve. From Faro Airport it’s a 90kms drive. 

The address is Rua Silva Lopes 30. Don’t try to park your car nearby, as parking in the small streets of the centre is a hassle. While you’re there you should also visit the Santo António Church, which is just a few steps away.

More information

Check the Mar d’Estórias website for more details and pictures. Their blog is also really nice if you want to know more about Portuguese brands. Or follow them on Instagram or Facebook.

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