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 Trip101 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
Lisbon Tour Guide
Ana Cristina Paiva
I am an australian-born Portuguese living in Lisbon since I was 8 years old. I studied Tourism and became a Licensed Guide and I absolutely love my job! The Portuguese landscape, history, food, traditions have won me over and I hope to share all this with you! I live in an historical neighborhood and believe that the best way to get to know a city is by walking. During the tours I hope to answer your questions and curiosities, proving a memorable and fun learing experience.
Tours by Ana-cristina
Lisbon Tour Guide
Francisco
Hello!!! My name is Francisco, but my friends call me Chico, so, feel free to call me that! I was born, raised and live in Lisbon, but I am a well travelled person, as I work for almost 30 years in the Tourism Industry. I am a family man, father of 3 grown up boys, and my friends say I am a "Social Animal" as I easily make friends! I love sports ( especially soccer and rugby), walking the streets of Lisbon ( I always discover new things. . . ); talking to people; trying a new wine or a different type of food. With a degree in Social & Cultural Anthropology, and with the experience as a Tour Guide, I have learned to look and feel our City and its people with tourist's eyes and heart. I believe that Life is a wonderful gift and must be enjoyed every single day, and in every moment, so my Tours reflect this philosophy. You can expect I will inform you about facts, but I will tell you the stories that made these facts interesting. My favourite themes are History and Traditions, Art and Gastronomy, Sports and People. . . Lisbon People!!! My Tours are relaxed; they are made for people who seek to Know, but also, to Enjoy!!! Aahh. . . and I can customize any of my Tours according to your special interests. Just ask me. So, this is Me. . . I am waiting for your contact!
Tours by Francisco
Lisbon Tour Guide
Marta Côrte Real
I was born in Lisbon and I'm forever in love with it! After my family, guiding is my greatest passion: I love what I do! I have a 5 year degree called Touristic Information, specifically to work as a Tourist Guide, as well as the Certificate of Competence acquired through a qualifying examination, in order to be able to exercise this regulated profession. I own and manage a tour company licensed by the Turismo de Portugal IP, Portugal's National Tourism Authority. Tour guiding has been my full time job since 2003 and it has always been incredibly rewarding. In 2021, I was recognized by the Wanderlust Awards as one of the world's "Best Specialist Guides", which I think is a result of doing what I love every day. Waking up knowing I'll meet enthusiastic people who are excited to discover my city makes me a very grateful and happy person. For almost two decades (how am I that old already?!) I travelled around the world as a tour guide and tour manager in Portugal, Europe, South and Central America. I stopped being so nomadic when my first child was born and in 2016, I became part of ToursByLocals' amazing team and since then I've been 100% dedicated to my lovely Lisbon and its surroundings. I am a mother of 3. I love planning family trips. I know how important it is to create special family memories. Travelling means getting to know new places and cultures, experiencing nature more closely, walking and playing more, discovering history through cities, monuments and palaces! Our childhood travel memories are often the sweetest and along with other remarkable moments, we build who we are and how we live in the world. So if you're in need of someone to guide you and your kids and have them thrilled about travelling, I'm your guide! I'm also very fond of small groups of friends, extended family trips and solo travellers. It's a much more personal approach and very interesting and grateful, too. It's so lovely to get to know you! My wish is to make you feel all the unique details of this fairytale country the way I proudly do, welcoming you as a friend, however always assuring professional, original and interesting tours. I offer walking tours or if you prefer to just sit and relax, I also provide tours with transportation included (private minivan, minibus, bus). You can choose from my many tours the one you're most interested in, or we can build together a tailored experience, everything at your pace. Once you send me a message, I'll try to answer right away, but if I'm delivering a tour or busy with my family, I'll let you know that I'll get back to you soon. I'll be happy to create a customized tour just for you and if you have a special request, if it's a family with different age ranges. . . let me know so we can build the best option for your group. Some of my tours can perfectly be combined. I can also help you plan the best timings to avoid the crowds and even buy your tickets, if needed. There are lots of magic places in Portugal: let me know about you, your interests and ideas and according to that I will work on your time here! The most recent experience has been incredible: the virtual tours. The idea came up with the 2020 pandemic scenery and I decided to keep them going in the future as they're such a pleasant way of travelling differently and sustainably. These tours are perfect to gather families and friends who live away from each other and for schools to complement their teaching, as well as to help those who cannot travel for many reasons, to be able to see the world. I believe we always need to make the best out of the worst. Portugal is a country to visit all year round: weather is wonderful and even during the winter you can enjoy the simple pleasures of life like sitting on an esplanade, absorbing each sunbeam! Plus, I love cooking and baking and I'm happy to share my recipes. Portuguese food is simply delicious and the wine is just perfect for a toast to celebrate life! Get ready to deeply fall in love with Portugal! Can't wait to meet you!
Tours by Marta
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Lisbon Tour Guide
Beatrice Sacco
Hello! My name is Beatrice, I'm originally from Milan and I'm currently living in Lisbon. Travel, nature, music and art are among my passions. I'm curious and determined and I love meeting people from different countries. I moved to Portugal after finishing my studies in Art History. Now I'm putting into practice what I have learned by working as a tour guide. I love to share with people all the history, culture and local insights about the beautiful city of Lisbon and its surroundings! Come with me, if you want to go deep into the richness of this place!
Tours by Beatrice
Lisbon Tour Guide
Rita Jardim
Rita has been a tour guide in Portugal since 2015. She is a passionate storyteller and a history buff whose goal is to immerse curious travelers in the beautiful Portuguese tale. Rita creates customized tours, cultural experiences, and food adventures in Lisbon, Belém, Sintra, Évora, and lesser-explored corners of Portugal. If you're looking for a genuine and immersive experience beyond the typical tourist route, Rita is your guide.
Tours by Rita
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
Tip from tour guide
This is the oldest place selling Ginjinha (sour cherry liquor) in Lisbon. They sell it in glass cups. You just need to ask WITH or WITHOUT (cherries). And notice the bartender skills pouring it from the bottle into the small cups! Locals drink it any hour of the day, before or after any meal! You can buy Ginjinha bottles there as well.
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.
History
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