Continente Porto: Fresh Orange Juice Near Bolhão Market

Your Go-To Supermarket in Porto

Looking for a convenient spot to grab groceries and local treats in Porto? You're in luck! There's a fantastic supermarket right across from the iconic Bolhão Market.

You'll find Continente supermarkets in several locations across Porto, including this prime spot near Bolhão Market. A quick check on Google Maps will guide you to the closest one.

I actually spotted the Continente sign while walking to Bolhão Market from downtown Porto – a happy coincidence!

Continente

Once you arrive, head straight for the entrance.

Take the escalator down to the basement, and you'll find the supermarket entrance welcoming you.

A handy tip: there's a restroom inside the supermarket that's completely free to use! This is a major plus in Europe, where finding a free, clean public restroom can sometimes be a challenge. Usually, you'd rely on restaurants or cafes, so this was a pleasant surprise.

As you step inside, the vibrant produce section immediately catches your eye. I was particularly fascinated by the potato display.

I'd heard that European potatoes come in different varieties, each suited for specific culinary uses, and seeing the vast array of shapes, sizes, and colors here certainly confirmed that! It's a potato lover's dream.

The berry selection looked incredibly fresh – blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries all together. They were so tempting and surprisingly affordable, so I had to grab a pack!

Compared to prices back home, where a small container of blueberries can easily run you over ~$2, this large assortment for just ~$3 was an absolute steal, and they weren't even frozen – they were fresh!

Back at my Airbnb, each berry was perfectly plump and fresh, not mushy at all. Delicious!

And then there's the famous freshly squeezed orange juice! If you're traveling through Portugal or Spain, this is an absolute must-try.

Many supermarkets, including Continente, have these fantastic self-serve machines where you can squeeze your own fresh orange juice right into a bottle. Look for them in the produce or dairy section.

Next to the machine, you'll find plastic bottles in various sizes, each with a different price point:

8.5 fl oz (250 mL) for ~$1.50

17 fl oz (500 mL) for ~$2

34 fl oz (1 L) for ~$4

Just pick your desired bottle size, press the button on the machine, and watch as fresh oranges are automatically squeezed into your bottle. If the orange supply runs low, just ask a staff member for assistance.

While it might seem like a lot of oranges go into each bottle, oranges grow abundantly in Portugal, so they're incredibly fresh and affordable. Once your bottle is full, simply seal it with a cap and take it to the checkout.

This real, freshly squeezed juice is unbelievably delicious and refreshing – truly a taste of Portuguese sunshine! And at such a low price, it’s an experience you just can't get back home. From my travels across Portugal and Spain, I can confidently say this was the freshest, tastiest, and most affordable orange juice I found!

As a city renowned for its wine, Porto's supermarkets naturally boast an impressive selection. You can browse countless varieties of local wines here.

I already had some wine from Bolhão Market, so I decided to skip buying more here, but if you know your wines, this is an excellent place to pick up a bottle or two!

The beer aisle is equally diverse, offering a wide range of options.

I opted for Super Bock, one of the most common beers you'll find in Porto. They have both room temperature and chilled options, but for a refreshing drink, I always grab a cold one!

For my husband, who loves potato chips, I picked up a bag of what looked like a delicious local brand. Unlike many potato chip brands back home, these bags were actually full of chips, not just air!

And the price? Only ~$1.50! While dining out in Europe can sometimes be pricey, buying groceries at the supermarket is incredibly affordable, and this was living proof.

We enjoyed these chips with our beer, and they were fantastic – perfectly crispy and savory, easily rivaling any chips I've had. I just followed what the locals were buying, and it was a total win!

Since we were staying in an Airbnb, I also decided to check out the frozen section. I grabbed a frozen pizza – I can't recall the exact type, but it was one that caught my eye.

Following the cooking instructions, it turned out surprisingly well for a frozen pizza – perfectly seasoned and delicious. Another successful, and very affordable, find!

European supermarkets are famous for their incredible bread sections. I wish we had such a diverse selection back home!

The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air, making it hard to resist, but with my basket already full, I had to pass on the pastries this time.

I also tossed some lasagna and chicken drumsticks into my cart. I focused on easy-to-prepare meals since I wasn't planning on elaborate cooking.

The chicken was a bit on the salty side for my taste, but still quite flavorful!

I wanted to buy milk, but the packaging was completely unfamiliar, so I decided to go with yogurt instead. There were many varieties, but after a previous adventurous (and slightly regrettable) yogurt choice, I stuck with the familiar Activia brand.

A pack of four cost around ~$2 – another great deal!

And of course, water – an essential for any Airbnb stay. A 17 fl oz (500 mL) bottle was about ~$0.30, though prices vary by brand.

After picking up everything I wanted, my total came out to just ~$23. I bought quite a few items, so it felt like a steal compared to dining out!

Overall, Porto's grocery prices are quite reasonable, especially when you compare them to other cities in Portugal and Spain. Don't hesitate to try new things and explore the local flavors!