Shopping in Lisbon: what to buy and where

With so many things to do and see in Lisbon, be careful not to run out of time for shopping: that would be a real shame, because in the Portuguese capital you can buy fancy products that you can’t find anywhere else or international brands at more affordable prices than abroad.

Whether you are fashion victims on the hunt for trends or romantic souls looking for a beautiful memory to keep, the stores, malls and markets of Lisbon will excite you. There are proposals for all tastes and all budgets, from the historic family store to the exclusive boutiques of the most famous designers.

Our mini-guide to shopping in Lisbon will not waste your time: go straight to the best areas to buy souvenirs, typical products, handicrafts and design, clothing, CDs and records. New or used, here’s everything you can buy in Lisbon and where to buy it.

What to buy in Lisbon

Shopping in Lisbon satisfies everyone’s taste because in the Portuguese capital you can buy both traditional products and modern creations of young designers. Here are some ideas for your purchases.

Food and drink

The typical dessert of Lisbon is the pastel da nata, a delicious cake filled with egg cream with a sprinkle of cinnamon. The best ones are the ones bought in the historical pastry stores, the cheapest are the ones in the supermarket and the most practical for those traveling by plane are the ones bought at the airport stores.

They must be eaten soon in order to keep their freshness and goodness, but this has never been a problem for any tourist: such a delicacy cannot be kept in a cupboard for a long time.

If you prefer salty to sweet, you can take home another typical food to buy in Lisbon: the Portuguese are greedy for canned fish, so much so that this is now sold to tourists as a local delicacy.

In fact, it’s much better than the international brands we find in our supermarkets… maybe it’s the tradition or the greater care in the preparation, the fact is that bringing home a can of fish from Lisbon is a must. Not only tuna and sardines: the tradition of Portuguese canned fish also includes cod, eel, mackerel, cuttlefish and other types of fish and fish mousse.

The best store to buy canned fish in Lisbon is Conserveira de Lisboa, a historic family-run business located just a 5-minute walk from Praça do Comercio. Its brands Minor, Tricana and Prata do Mar have become a cult and are still sold in colorful cans with vintage 1930s style graphics.

From food to beverages: if you love wine, take advantage of your vacation in Lisbon to bring home one or more bottles, choosing between a full-bodied aged port or a fresh vinho verde. Typical liqueurs are Ginjinha, a black cherry liqueur spread all over Portugal, andEduardo, an anise and herb liqueur mainly drunk in the Lisbon area.

Food and drinks in hand luggage

Remember that those traveling with carry-on luggage only must comply with the restrictions on liquids set forth in international security regulations. If you don’t check your suitcase, you’ll have to make do with buying the mini 100 ml bottles.

Some foods are also not allowed, such as certain soft cheeses. Find out before you arrive at the airport.

Azulejos and ceramics

The best gift you can give yourself in Lisbon is to take home a piece of Portuguese tradition, namely beautiful decorated tiles or ceramics.

The magnificent white azulejos decorated with elaborate designs or refined geometric patterns, strictly in blue, have become a symbol of Portugal. Portuguese ceramics may be less internationally known, but they boast a tradition as long as the tiles.

They are certainly a challenging gift to bring home, whether because of the weight, fragility and cost, but it is something special that is worth all the effort.

Where to buy original azulejos

The ever-increasing interest of tourists in the marvelous Portuguese tiles has led to the spread of thefts of tiles from houses and monuments and then reselling them at markets. In order not to fuel this dishonest practice, it is important to buy azulejos and ceramics in stores and workshops of serious artisans, able to offer guarantees on the origin of the products on sale.

Some stores where you can trust to shop are Fabrica Sant’Ana, Ceramica Viuva Lamego and Bordallo Pinehiro. If you prefer something more modern than classic design, we recommend the workshop of the artist Add Fuel and the brand Surrealejos.

You can also buy azulejos in the souvenir store of the National Azulejo Museum.

Crafts and Design

Another typically Portuguese tradition is cork making, an activity that still represents an important part of the national economy.

On sale in Lisbon you can find all sorts of handicrafts made with cork, including sandals and shoes, bags, wallets, umbrellas, diaries, jars: they are original creations, combining modern taste and retro charm. You can indulge yourself in specialized stores that sell only cork objects!

The Portuguese design has had a strong development in recent years, so today you can buy in Lisbon original homefurnishings, trendy jewelry and beautiful clothing in organic cotton. Fortunately, traditional craftsmanship such as embroidery and lace also survives.

Music

After attending a fado concert in a traditional tavern, few tourists can resist the temptation to bring home a CD or vinyl so they can listen to this haunting music back home.

A historic store where you can buy fado cds and records in Lisbon is Discoteca Amalia, but also check out the bizarre Lisboa Cidade do Fado, a store housed inside a vintage truck usually parked on Rua do Carmo.

Lisbon is also an exciting destination for lovers of other musical genres, thanks to an incredible amount of new and used vinyl stores, from techno to classical with everything in between.

Typical souvenirs of Lisbon

Tired of the usual magnets, t-shirts, posters, dolls? Want to buy a souvenir that you can not buy in any other city? The two best selling typical Lisbon souvenirs are the model of streetcar 28 and the figurine of the Rooster of Barcelos.

A miniature Lisbon streetcar will delight children, who can add it to their collection of cars, and adults with a romantic and nostalgic soul. You can choose from reproductions of various sizes and colors, but remember that the historical one is yellow.

If you loved exploring Lisbon up and down narrow streets aboard this historic means of transport, give one to you as a gift, to put on a shelf at home to remember the best moments of your vacation.

The Gallo de Barcelos is instead a souvenir between kitsch and traditional: it is a wooden figurine, now also available in cheaper plastic versions, which reproduces a colorful lucky rooster decorated with hearts and flowers.

According to a legend, a rooster saved the life of a merchant unjustly accused of murder and since then a statue of a rooster is kept in every Portuguese home as a sign of good luck.

The typical Barcelos rooster is black with a bright red crest, hand-painted, but in the stores and souvenir stalls of Lisbon you can find them in all colors, sizes and prices.

Another lovely item you’ll find at Lisbon souvenir stalls are reproductions of the lovers’ handkerchief (lenço dos namorados). It is a tradition of northern Portugal, where in the past the girls embroidered a handkerchief with romantic decorations such as hearts, birds, flowers and then give it to the man loved.

Where to shop: the shopping streets in Lisbon

The shopping area in Lisbon is the Baixa district, which extends from Praça de Rossio to Praça do Comercio. In this grid are enclosed elegant pedestrian streets full not only of bars, pastry stores and restaurants but also stores.

Barrio Alto, in particular Rua do Norte and Rua da Rosa, is the best area to buy vintage clothes, design objects and creations of young Portuguese designers, while Avenida da Libertade is the luxury shopping street where the boutiques of international designers are concentrated.

If you prefer to store in shopping malls rather than stores, take note of these names: Colombo, Vasco de Gama, Galerias Monumental, Atrium Saldanha, Complexo dos Amoreiras. They can be easily reached by public transport.

Not to be missed is a visit to Corte Inglés, a Spanish department store chain very popular in Portugal.

Thief’s Feira

Lovers of used and vintage goods, fans of flea markets or just curious? Don’t miss the Feira da Ladra, Lisbon’s most famous flea market and one of the most fun outdoor attractions in the Portuguese capital.

Every Tuesday and Sunday from early morning until early afternoon, this lively flea market livens up the oval square of Campo Santa Chiara, behind the magnificent monastery of São Vicente de Fora.

It is a historic tradition that dates back to the twelfth century, and today you can find everything for sale: vinyls and CDs, books, clothes, coins, furniture, military uniforms, vintage posters and postcards, handmade items and more. Some vendors have their wares on display on a stall, while others simply spread a blanket on the ground and put the items for sale in bulk.