Getting places by bus from Cerro Grande

Vsiiting Albufeira early in October - staying on the Cerro Grande.   

I have printed lots of relevant maps/timetables from Cubsur, a million thanks there, incredibly useful!

There are basically three trips we need to do by bus and I'd be so grateful if someone would give any tips.  Have stayed in Albufeira before but not for 12 years and always with a) a car and b) a man (husband ) but taking neither this year!

First:  I believe there is a small supermarket just down from our accommodation but we will want to go to a bigger Pingo Doce a couple of times.

Google Maps says it's walkable, just over half an hour, but would rather save our legs.

I can see the new (to me) turistrem picks up at Fisherman's Beach and stops right at the Pingo so is a possibility? -  but a service bus might go from a closer point to our house - looks like a Red line bus goes from the end of the Rua Cliff Richard? If anyone can tell me where the stop is I'd be very happy! and which side of the road, how will we know it's the right bus? what will its general direction say?  presumably you have to stick your hand out to stop it?

Do you tell the bus-driver your destination as you pay - in this case what would we say? 

Hoping to take a taxi back as we shall have heavy bags.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can offer any advice!  Sorry for so many questions (I have two more yet but this is the most vital.)

10-15 minutes if you trot  With my little leggies it's a good 25 minutes!!

First:  I believe there is a small supermarket just down from our accommodation but we will want to go to a bigger Pingo Doce a couple of times.

Correct - there is an Ali Super opposite the old cemetery just a couple of minutes walk. Open 7 days week until 8pm

Google Maps says it's walkable, just over half an hour, but would rather save our legs.

It would take at least 20 minutes to walk to the big shops and there are lots of hills both ways.

I can see the new (to me) turistrem picks up at Fisherman's Beach and stops right at the Pingo so is a possibility? - 

It no longer picks up at Fisherman's beach. The stop is at the top of the escalators up the cliff so by the time you have walked through the old town you might just as well walk the last 5 minutes or so to the shops!

but a service bus might go from a closer point to our house - looks like a Red line bus goes from the end of the Rua Cliff Richard? If anyone can tell me where the stop is I'd be very happy! and which side of the road, how will we know it's the right bus? what will its general direction say?  presumably you have to stick your hand out to stop it?

There is a buses only run one way around those streets. There is bus stop almost opposite the Belver Boa Vista hotel and another outside the old cemetery in Rua Sir Cliff Richard. All stops are request stops, so yes put out your hand to stop the bus and ring the bell to get off.

Do you tell the bus-driver your destination as you pay - in this case what would we say?

It's a flat fare of €1,40 for any journey on the GIRO buses, so there's no need to tell the driver anything. The GIRO 2 will take you directly to Pingo Doce and Continente, it stops right outside. Unfortunately, coming back, it goes by way of the bus station where it waits 10 minutes. I am too mean to pay for a taxi back to Páteo, so I put up with it. Those in more of a hurry can take a taxi from the rank outside Continente.

Hoping to take a taxi back as we shall have heavy bags.

Pingo Doce is across the road from the taxi rank, which is directly in front of Continente.

BTW if you plan to use the buses more than half a dozen times, invest 3 Euros in a pre-pay pass which reduces the fare to 80 cents. The cards can be loaded with 10 or 20 journeys which can be used as and when, there is no time limit. The cards can be purcahsed from the bus shop in Avenida Liberdade in the old town.

cubsur wrote: First:  I believe there is a small supermarket just down from our accommodation but we will want to go to a bigger Pingo Doce a couple of times. Correct - there is an Ali Super opposite the old cemetery just a couple of minutes walk. Open 7 days week until 8pm

Travel Tip 335
I use this supermarket regularly.
Check the "sell by" dates with a vengance as stock rotation does not exist here, particularly Milk.

My "best" find recently was 3 seperate "flavours" of Pate......all over 2 weeks out of date

Avril wrote: Last month I bought a frozen tuna pizza from there, when I opened it less than 5 mins later to put in the oven, bits of it were frozen and bits were not, so not sure their freezer works. Pizza went in the bin!!

Ah..........the delicious Dr Oetker Tunno, such a shame they are not available in the UK

Anyway the open topped ? freezer cabinet at Alisuper, Cerro Grand was completely empty 2 days ago and next day filled up again, makes me wonder where all the stock went to and returned from.

One other point is that, whilst convenient, prices can be 10-25% higher than Continente/Modelo/Pingo Doce here.

Yes I have too Elaine.

Ladies, thanks but have you seen a Dr Oetker TUNA Pizza in UK?

p.s. Just to make you all feel bad I am now off out for my dinner to A Tasquinha do Rossio

Lucky you Bedlam -  I'll raise you my tinned  tuna sandwich on white - no? maybe not then. 

Yes hoping to do main shop(s) at a bigger supermarket, surely armed with all the info above we will be able to chase down either a bus or a taxi