Lisbon, a coastal city in Portugal, is best known for its iconic seven hills capped with “miradouros” or terraces overlooking Tagus River (Rio Tejo). This ancient city filled with white-domed cathedrals decorated with brightly colored ceramic tiles, and cobbled streets leading you to the best restaurants and shops offering world-class wine and food. It’s a far cry from the city that was destroyed by an Apocalyptic earthquake in 1755. While ruins of its awesome Manueline structures remain as memoirs of its Moorish past, the post-earthquake Pombaline architecture is proudly the first European structures that are seismically protected. On your next visit, you may want to buy a memento or two to remind you of this awesome city. Here’s a list of what to buy in Lisbon, Portugal on your next visit!
1. Cork accessories
Thank you @afarmedia ?? #bairroalto #cork #lisbon #corkandcomapanypt #accessories
Posted by CORK & CO on Sunday, 2 September 2018
Since Cork trees are abundantly grown in southern Algarve, the spongy wood is used in several ways other than just being a wine bottle sealer. Local artisans have created a variety of fashion accessories in stylish designs that surpass world-class standards. These items are lovely enough to wear every day or be given away as precious gifts. You’ll find unique waterproof bags, shoes, hats, wallets and even jewelry made of cork in various areas of Lisbon. In Downtown Baixa district is a shop called Pelcor Lisboa that specializes in manufacturing all items in cork. Casa de Siberia located at Rua Augusta 254 specializes in wallets and bags made of cork and leather.
Pelcor Lisboa
Address: Pátio do Tijolo, Nr. 16, 1250-096 Lisboa, Portugal
Website: Pelcor Lisboa
2. Olive oil
In Portugal, Olive oil is not only abundant, but it’s also the best quality. Seven popular varieties of olive trees are grown in six different regions in the country which enables them to produce world-class olive oil in assorted and intense flavors. Gourmet olive oil from Portugal is very tasty and versatile to use for any dish or occasion. Aside from its culinary applications, olive oil is also being used in beauty regimens. Visit any store in Lisbon and you can get a free sampling of the different variants of Olive oil before making a purchase. Buying a bottle of this precious oil is a memorable gastronomical experience!
Mercado da Baixa
Address: Rua da Assunção, 42, 1º andar Sala 7 Lisbon, Portugal 1100
Website: Mercado da Baixa
3. Port wine
Port wine or Vinho do Porto, is a variety of vintage wines paired with desserts. Portugal is popular for producing the best world-class vintage wine attributed to its excellent grape harvests and aging process that can take around 100 years. It’s no wonder a bottle of this delicious wine could be so pricey but each drop is worth every euro! Wine shops in Lisbon are many and the friendly staff will be happy to educate you with free wine tastings to help you make your purchase.
Mercado da Ribeira
Address: Avenida 24 de Julho 1200 - 481 Lisboa
Website: Mercado da Ribeira
Tip from our local expert
There are two main styles of Port: those aged in oak barrels and those matured in a bottle. The top of the Port hierarchy is the vintage Ports, having great power, flavor, and complexity. Some top picks include Taylor’s Vintage Port 1985, Warre’s Vintage Port 2000, Quinta Do Noval Nacional Vintage Port 1985, Fonseca Guimaraens 1998, Graham’s Vintage Port 2003, Niepoort Colheita Port 1995, and Dow Vintage Port 1975, among many others. If you're at Mercado da Ribeira, Garrafeira Nacional has a great selection of Port and other wines.
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4. Delicious custard tarts
Lisbon the is the birthplace of the world’s best tasting custard tarts called Pasteis de Nata. The original recipe was created by monks from Mosteiro dos Jeronimos. They used eggwhites for adding starch to their clothes while the leftover yolks were baked into tarts and sold. Closure of the monasteries during the 1820s to the 1830s forced them to sell the recipe to a nearby sugar refinery called Antiga Confeiteria de Belem. The tasty pudding is placed in the pastry baked into tarts then dusted off with cinnamon and served to guests. Every time you bite into one of these delicious tarts, you will remember Lisbon!
Pasteis de Belem
Address: Rua de Belém nº 84 a 92 1300 – 085 Lisboa Portugal
Website: Pasteis de Belem
5. Colorful ceramics
Ceramic tiles or “azulejos” are so popular in Lisbon that you will literally see them all over the town. These tiny glazed tiles when put together give the city its vibrant color and lively character. They decorate every home, building, wall, and street in Lisbon. There are several shops where you can take lessons on how to make your own ceramic tiles and other ceramic items using modern methods. Make these your souvenir and take a piece of Lisbon home with you.
se.di.men.to Ceramics Studio
Address: Tv. Santo Ildefonso 31, 1200-667 Lisboa
Website: se.di.men.to
6. Silver and gold jewellery
Ourivesaria Aliança
Posted by Ourivesaria Aliança on Friday, 8 December 2017
You’ve come to the right place if you are looking for the best-handcrafted gold and silver jewelry on the planet. During the ancient times, Portugal hoarded these precious metals from their colonies which gave their artists and goldsmiths a lot to work on. With so much experience, they became specialists in producing outstanding artworks and elegant jewelry sold in shops, that have been existing for centuries. These pieces are great fancy adornments for everyday wear, precious gifts for any occasion, and a valuable collector’s item.
Ourivesaria Aliança
Address: R. Garrett 50, 1200-092 Lisboa, Portugal
Website: Ourivesaria Aliança
7. Fado merchandise
Fado is a music genre of blues that is significantly Portuguese in style. It means “destiny” or “fate” characterized by soulful vocals with a lively 12-string guitar accompaniment and ballads about melancholic tales or poems of passion, broken hearts, and lost sailors. These performances are dominated by women, the most famous of which is Amalia Rodriques, the Queen of Fadistas. These are held at Fado Clubs where you must refrain from making noise or movement while the lady is singing. If you are a fan of Amalia or of Fado and its many art forms, you can visit any vintage shop and you will find old records, the unique pear-shaped guitar, a printed shirt, or some memorabilia pertaining to famous fadistas and their unique brand of music.
A Vida Portuguesa
Address: Largo do Intendente Pina Manique, 23 1100-285 - Intendente - Lisboa
Website: A Vida Portuguesa
8. Moscatel de Setúbal - a delicious dessert wine
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Moscatel de Setubal is a delicious dessert wine made of Alexandria grapes from the Southern Portugal’s Setubal peninsula. It is best paired with Queijo de Ovelha, a variety of Portuguese cheese distinct for its runny center, or any caramel drizzled dessert. Setubal region, known for its Muscat wines, is also one of the oldest places for wine production. Muscat wine, like Port, is aged in wood barrels and remain their best for the first five to six years with a distinct apricot taste. As the wine gets older, mixed flavors and aromas of nuts, caramel, and raisin become more pronounced.
Mercado da Baixa
Address: Rua da Assunção, 42, 1º andar Sala 7 Lisbon, Portugal 1100
Website: Mercado da Baixa
9. Ginjinha
You’ll definitely go bottoms up with this fruity Portuguese liqueur made from Ginja berries traditionally served in an edible chocolate cup. The recipe of this delicious drink was discovered by accident by a Galician friar. He had left Ginja berries soaked in Portuguese brandy (Aguardente) and then added cinnamon, sugar, salt, and water thus creating the national drink of Portugal! The liquor is largely produced in the Oeste and Lisbon regions and is shipped worldwide. In Lisbon, Praça de São Domingos was the first institution to popularize the name Ginjinha and commercialize the drink. Typically served in tiny chocolate cups with a cherry, you will have to sip it slowly then suck the cherry when you are done.
A Ginjinha
Address: Largo de Sao Domingos 8 | Rossio, Lisbon 1150-320, Portugal
Website: A Ginjinha
10. Traditional honey and jams
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The very same stores selling the traditional Portuguese beverages like Ginjinha also sell the old-fashioned honey and jams unique to Portugal. The yummy preserves come in various flavors and are stylishly packaged in attractive jars. There are traditionally mixed jams made of berries and there are the exotic mixes with African chocolate, Port wine, pumpkin, almond, and muscatel, enticing those with an adventurous palette. These are all made from high-quality and natural ingredients such that once you’ve tried them, you’ll forget the ones your grandma used to make!
A Vida Portuguesa
Address: Rua Anchieta 11 1200-023 Chiado Lisboa
Website: A Vida Portuguesa
Enjoy shopping in Lisbon
Lisbon does not disappoint when it comes to looking for items that will most remind you of Portugal. Whether you are looking for a personal keepsake or a souvenir to give a loved one, you get to taste and feel the richness of the Portuguese culture and history with the things we’ve listed above.
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