The Ultimate Guide to Shopping in Lisbon

Shopping in Lisbon is a particular pleasure, with a wealth of independent stores, artisanal food shops, and high-end clothing boutiques on offer.

Finding the best places to shop in Lisbon hinges on knowing what you’re seeking. Whether it’s ritzy window shopping for fabrics, prowling through a flea market for beautiful fado instruments, or simply stocking up on colorful tins of top-tier seafood to take home, there’s something for every taste here.

When planning your next visit to Lisbon, here are some of the best spots to shop ‘til you drop.

Rossio Square

Considered by some to be the beating heart of the city, Rossio Square is a perpetual hum of activity. Officially known as Dom Pedro IV Square, this area is a prime example of the gorgeous traditional architecture for which Lisbon is known.

While the striking statue of King Pedro IV of Portugal atop a pillar and the twin fountains initially draw the eye, the most visually important feature here is actually below your feet.

Lower your gaze to the pavement, which is lined with a distinctive black-and-white wave pattern wrought in cobblestones. This remarkable pavement dates back to the mid-1800s and is directly inspired by ancient Roman mosaics.

After pausing to admire all that architectural splendor, consider grabbing a small bouquet from one of the flower vendors that regularly congregate here.

Or for a less ephemeral souvenir, a five-minute walk from the square itself will take you to one of the best places to buy traditional fado instruments in the city.

The distinctive guitarras, sometimes referred to simply as Portuguese guitars, that make up the core of any fado ensemble, have a delicate sound all of their own.

Cheap, mass-produced versions are available, of course, but can’t hold a candle to the handcrafted variety. Salão Musical de Lisboa has been sourcing top-quality versions of these, along with other string and wind instruments, since 1958.

Mercado de Arroios

First opened in 1942, this bustling bazaar is the perfect place to peruse a wide array of edible souvenirs.

As a bonus, it happens to be located in one of the most culturally diverse and vibrant neighborhoods in the entire city, making it a real pleasure to explore.

This is a place to shop, stroll, and sample delicious things at a leisurely pace. It’s a terrific place to pick up Portuguese cheeses, sausages, or olive oils.

The interior of the market hall contains everything from artisanal jewelry to trinkets to fresh flowers. At its core, however, this is a haven for farm-fresh products and still a place where many locals do their regular grocery shopping.

After surveying the mountains of neatly arrayed vegetables and gleaming fish arrayed over ice, reward yourself with a pastéis de nata, the beloved custard tart that Portugal is famous for.

Each of these sweet treats consists of a buttery crust cradling a saffron-hued, yolk-rich center with a top blistered like a Basque cheesecake. They travel well—but they’re so delicious that they’re unlikely to last long.

Centro Comercial Colombo

At one point this massive shopping center was the largest in Europe. Currently, it’s the second largest in Lisbon, with more than 300 stores and over 60 restaurants.

The sheer size of the mall can feel overwhelming at times, but for shoppers who prefer as many options as possible, the Centro Comercial Colombo is hard to beat. Expect to see mostly familiar international brand names here.

Mercado 31 de Janeiro

Officially named Mercado 31 de Janeiro—Açucena Veloso—in honor of both the date of Portugal’s revolution and a legendary fishmonger—this market has retained its local character over the years. Shoppers will find all manner of fresh vegetables here, but seafood is the real star.

Expect to see mammoth fish recently hauled from the Atlantic splayed out on ice, plus plenty of fresh squid and shellfish. Many of these vendors have been in the game for decades, meaning they know how to point savvy shoppers in the direction of the best catch.

There’s also an exceptional selection of Portuguese cheeses, both for savoring now and for taking for the road, as well as a modest number of stalls serving prepared dishes.

Avenida da Liberdade

Lovers of luxury labels should make a beeline for this tony boulevard that runs from Marquês de Pombal to Restauradores Square.

With an architectural grandeur that loosely calls to mind the Champs Elysées in Paris, this avenue has been one of the ritziest spots for a stroll since the 19th century. If you’re looking for high-end boutiques and the best from international fashion houses, this is the place to be.

In between browsing the designer windows, pause at one of the kiosks for a blood sugar boost the way Lisboetas do it. One of the classics is a glass of ginjinha, a crimson-colored bitter almond liqueur. It can be sipped straight by itself or served chilled over crushed ice with a wedge of citrus on a hot day.

Mercado de Campo de Ourique

Unlike some of Lisbon’s glitzier food halls, this neighborhood stalwart still sports its original 1934 architecture. The market has gotten a few updates over the years, most notably a modest food hall specializing in all sorts of food in Lisbon, plus a few international offerings.

Part of Mercado de Campo de Ourique’s charm lies in its location in a mostly residential area. It may be a bit out of the way for travelers, but should you find yourself in the neighborhood, it’s a great spot to feel like a local.

Feira da Ladra

There has been some sort of market held on this space since 1272. Held Tuesday and Saturday each week, this sprawling flea market is a treasure trove for bargain hunters, as well as anyone looking for truly one-of-a-kind souvenirs.

As is the case with most flea markets, visitors will need to come prepared to do some real digging here. Tchotchkes and cheap trinkets abound, but for those who love the thrill of the chase and aren’t afraid to spend a few hours browsing, there are authentic handicrafts, remarkable antiques, and genuine gemstones to be found here.

One of the best souvenirs to pick up in Lisbon are azulejo tiles. These intricately painted glazed ceramic tiles have been a hallmark of Portugal since the 14th century and can still be seen throughout its major cities today. Azulejo tiles can be found throughout Lisbon’s metro stations, street corners, and traditional shops.

Keen-eyed travelers may notice that the designs on the tiles are far from accidental. Some tell tales of Portuguese explorers and other historical figures; others recall the lives of saints and scenes from the New Testament.

Still others reinterpret classic motifs in a more contemporary style. Flea markets like Feira da Ladra are often a great place to pick up these miniature works of art to display back at home.

Another specialty to keep an eye out for are handicrafts made with cork. Portugal currently produces around a whopping 60 percent of the world’s cork.

Naturally, much of that winds up being used as stoppers for wine bottles, but this durable, lightweight wood’s uses extend far beyond that. From cutting boards to bags and other fashion accessories, cork’s remarkable versatility comes in handy in all sorts of products.

Mercado da Ribeira

Although a market has stood on these grounds since the 12th century, the current incarnation of Mercado da Ribeira feels decidedly modern. That’s in large part thanks to Time Out, the global magazine brand that won the bid to take over the concession for the space in 2014.

In an effort to inject new energy into the food hall, Time Out brought in a thoughtfully curated collection of restaurants, some run by lauded fine dining chefs like Henrique Sá Pessoa, who helms Alma, a Michelin-starred restaurant in the Chiado neighborhood.

While Mercado da Ribeira has certainly changed, it still retains some of its more historic elements that made it one of the best places to visit in Portugal. Prowl for fresh produce and bouquets of flowers away from the chef-driven stands.

For foodie gifts and treats, this is the best shopping in Lisbon to be found. A fun item to take home is beautifully decorated tins of sardines—or the same tins of sardines, but with foil-wrapped chocolate fish inside. Bottles of port, from Porto in the north of the country, are another authentic Portuguese gift or souvenir.

Read: Lisbon vs. Porto: Which Should You Visit?

Freeport Lisboa Fashion Outlet

For travelers looking to save on both international and local labels, this enormous shopping complex across the Tagus River is worth a detour. The upmarket mall features roughly 150 different shops, many offering wares with serious discounts.

To reach the Freeport Lisboa Fashion Outlet, travelers will have to venture about a half hour outside of the city center. Fortunately, the market is easily reachable with public transportation.

Feira do Relógio

If you’re the type of traveler who enjoys the gently competitive sport of haggling, Feira do Relógio, or the “Market of Clocks” named in honor of its previous location near a clock tower, is for you.

Every Sunday, vendors line up hawking everything from clothing to dragonfuit out of the backs of vans or on makeshift stands. The overall vibe here is a little rougher around the edges than at some of the other flea markets around town and you’ll find plenty of “genuine fakes”, as the vendors jokingly call them, on offer.

Even if you’re not in the market for imitation luxury goods, Feira do Relógio makes for a fun shopping excursion. There are real bargains to be found here on occasion, plus great people-watching.

Many of the produce stands are run by farmers themselves and the affordable prices draw a mostly local clientele. If shopping fatigue sets in, there are also top-notch prepared dishes, including standout stalls representing Lisbon’s Brazilian diaspora and other immigrant communities.

Rua Garrett / Chiado Neighborhood

Arguably one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in Lisbon, the streets of Chiado are an amateur photographer’s dream.

After a fire in 1988 heavily damaged many of the area’s spectacular 18th-century buildings, Álvaro Siza Vieira, the Pritzker Prize-winning architect, restored them while adding a touch of his own style. The result is a stunningly harmonious blend of Lisbon’s historic and modern sides, complete with tiled building facades and black-and-white cobblestoned squares.

The central artery of the neighborhood is Rue Garrett, which runs more or less from east to west past some of the most striking shops and cafés in town.

Check out the Livraria Bertrand, considered by the Guinness Book of World Records to be the oldest still operating bookstore in the world. For a broader selection of goods, the Armazéns do Chiado, a historic shopping center refurbished after a fire, is the place to go.

EmbaiXada

Situated in the buzzy Príncipe Real neighborhood, this sophisticated shopping center is housed in the historic Ribeiro da Cunha Palace, a 20th-century architectural jewel.

All of the building’s original ornate facade has been left intact, but the interior is now home to a wide range of upscale shops and eateries. Peruse the latest fashions to haul home.

LX Factory Market

For a well-curated selection of artisanal crafts and goods, this weekly Sunday market is one of the best options in town.

It’s located on the western edge of Lisbon, which means it’s a bit of a trek to reach, but well worth the journey for the chance to see a more contemporary side of the city. The market is located in a large industrial complex that sports murals and an achingly hip overall vibe.

The market itself is on the small side and steers clear of the kinds of knick-knacks and items at the more traditional markets in the center of town. Keep an eye out here for exceptionally made leather goods and unconventional ceramics, all of which make great gifts.

Read: How to Spend 3 Days in Lisbon

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