Originally published by Condé Nast Traveler
Shopping inLisbonyields myriad delights—it’s a major draw for anyone passing through the city. Flitting from shop to shop browsing through and picking up things you can only get there, from fabulous tinned fish to upcycled jewelry and chic flats for traversing the cobbled streets, there’s so much to see and scoop up that you could dedicate a full day or two to shopping in Lisbon. Known for its traditional crafts and longstanding shops, the Portuguese capital is also home to many forward-thinking native brands. Here’s our guide to the best shops and boutiques to look out for on your next trip to Lisbon.
Read our completeLisbon guide here, which includes:
The Best Things to Do in Lisbon
The Best Hotels in Lisbon
The Best Restaurants in Lisbon
Lisbon is home to a great number of bookshops, from modern arty spaces to old-school academic purveyors, including the world’s oldest,Livraria Bertrand. Located in Chiado, it has been in operation since 1732, and is now one of the largest booksellers inPortugal. Visitors can pick up literary tomes and English-language versions of works by famous Portuguese poets, such as Fernando Pessoa or Nobel Prize winner José Saramago, as well as join the shop’s historic tertulia (book club). Over on Rua de São Bento, chic travel bookshopPalavra de Viajante (which translates as “Traveler’s Word”) offers a literary journey around the globe—with recommendations from owner Ana Coelho. Those in the market for antique maps and rare books go to longstanding LivrariaSá da Costain Chiado, to peruse leather-bound editions on its wooden shelves and quaint library trollies.
Conserveira de Lisboa is the oldest shop in Lisbon to stock tinned fish.
Where to buy tinned fish in Lisbon
The oldest shop in Lisbon to stocktinned fish,Conserveira de Lisboahas remained true to its roots and continues to sell quality conserved fish and preserves to its faithful crowd of foodie traditionalists. Opened in Baixa in 1930, it has updated very little: its products come in pretty old-fashioned tins wrapped in paper and tied up with string. The shop offers a nostalgic trip to another era, with wood-paneled shelves and tin signs hanging over a stone-topped counter. Classic buys include canned tuna, mackerel, squid, and cod, and conserves from heritage labels Tricana, Prata do Mar, and Minor.
Depozito, a 4,300-square-foot concept warehouse and shop, sits within an old foundry on Rua Nova do Desterro and carries traditional Portuguese handicrafts as well as work by contemporary artisans and creatives.
Catarina Portas, founder of the popularA Vida Portuguesabrand, renowned for its heritage Portuguese goods, joined forces with craft association Portugal Manual to transform an old foundry on Rua Nova do Desterro into a 4,300-square-foot concept warehouse and shop,Depozito. Here, traditional Portuguese handicrafts—olive wood chopping boards, floral linen place mats—sit alongside more playful works by contemporary artisans and creatives. This approach spotlights regional craft throughpottery, carpentry, basketry, cork,jewelry, and textiles, and has brought in new Portuguese talents.
Oficina Marques is a workshop, gallery, and store housed within an industrial former printing house where many of the wares are made on-site by owners José Aparício Gonçalves and Gezo Marques.
In the lively Bairro Alto area,Oficina Marquesis a workshop, gallery, and store in a former newspaper printing house, run by José Aparício Gonçalves and Gezo Marques. Among the up-cycled wooden sculptures, hand-painted plates, oval-framed prints, and Iberian water vases, most of which are made on-site by the duo, there’s a rotating exhibition of their work. For more traditional homeware,Principe Real Enxovais, next to thebotanical gardens, stocks hand-embroidered lace tablecloths, napkins, andbed linenfrom its eau-de-nil boutique.
Pottery is just another example of the wares on sale at Oficina Marques.
Opened in 1789, candle shopCaza das Vellas Loretois one of the city’s oldest boutiques and is part of the Lojas com História (shops with history) association. It has always been in the same chapel-like premises in elegant Chiado, producing and showcasing beautiful items in arched perpendicular cabinets. Products range from traditional beeswax candles, hung from their wicks in neat rows, to fragrant botanical creations. The fruit and vegetable-shaped candles, such as lemons overflowing from a basket and remarkably realistic pomegranates, are mini works of art.
Flats by Lachoix, a company dedicated to producing practical footwear for Lisbon’s uneven cobblestone streets.
Wearing stilettos in cobbled Lisbon can be particularly tricky. In 2018, spotting a need for elegant flats, entrepreneur Fátima Carvalho foundedLachoixaround the idea of smart, practical loafers. Just three years later, she opened a stand-alone shop on Pátio do Tijolo, with lines of flatsandals, Mary Janes, ballerinas, and myriadloaferstyles. Made in Portugal using Italianleather, and with a specially designed sole that doesn’t slip on Portuguese pavements (even in the rain), Lachoix shoes are sleek, stylish, and extremely comfortable. Look out for understated slip-ons in dusty neutrals.
Claus Porto, founded in 1887, is just as known for its bright art nouveau facade and packaging as it is for its color-pop oval soaps.
Although Portugal has lacked a tradition in perfume making, it has been producing quality soaps and colognes since the 19th century.Claus Porto, founded in 1887 and known for its bright art nouveau packaging and color-pop oval soaps, is one of the nation’s most beloved beauty brands. Its Lisbon shop—which sellsgiftsets of soap bars and tricky-to-find diffusers, candles and hand creams—occupies an old pharmacy that has been beautifully renovated by local design star Joana Astolfi, who paired the original wood-and-glass cabinets with minimalist polished gold tables. Downstairs is a barbershop, which uses Claus Porto’s Musgo Real line (a scent synonymous with Portugal’s stylish folk). Nearby, fellow heritage beauty brandBenamôrhas been making creams andfragrancessince 1925 from natural ingredients grown under the Portuguese sun: lemon, rose, aloe vera, and almond oils. On an unassuming road behind Avenida da Liberdade, hidden inside a former pharmacy isNext Memory Atelier.I’m always surprised that more people don’t rave about this stunning store, where walls are lined with perfumes, reed diffusers, and candles, but I’m only too happy to share the love. The solid perfumes make a great gift or travel buy, and you can personalize the leather with your initials.
The Feeting Room LxFactory
The most charming clothes
Fashion lovers will get lost inThe Feeting Room, which is home to a range of independent clothing and accessories brands. It’s a great place to find unique pieces you’ve never seen before—and you can grab a coffee and hang out at the in-store café at the same time.
André Opticas interior
Accessories of all kinds
Family-owned jewelry companyPortugal Jewelsis Portuguese from start to end. Using local craftsmanship, such as filigree, each piece is designed to embody the essence of the country. The Chiado store is housed in a former barber shop, and lots of original detailing has been preserved, including the original tiles, which have been paired with new ones in the brand’s signature blue color. Be sure to check out the brand’s collaborations, including a recent one with fado singer Ana Moura. Around the corner isAndre Opticas’satelier, where a small team of craftsman create completely bespoke glasses, designed from start to end with customers. Traditional glasses and trinkets line cabinets, making it part workshop, part museum, where machines and materials fill every space. Visiting here feels like stepping back in time, as is the case with glove shopLuvaria Ulisses. Founded in 1925, the tiny Chiado brick-and-mortar is still creating handmade, often-bespoke gloves for clients. Most styles use high quality leather, but there’s a selection of newer designs too. Meanwhile, atA Fábrica dos Chapéus, you’ll find a store dedicated solely to hats. From traditional styles to sun hats, each style is manufactured and made by the brand.
Where to buy vintage furniture
For generations, browsing the antiques shops along Rua de São Bento has been a customary pastime for Lisbon’s residents. Highlights includeMiguel Arruda Antiguidades(at number 356), with sculptures and furnishings ranging from midcentury modern to French Regency, and the exquisite art atSão Roque Antiguidades e Galeria de Arte(number 199), which also organizes exhibitions—the latest features celebrity Portugal resident Ai Weiwei.Galeria Bessa Pereira(number 426) also offers a splendid selection of art andvintagefurniture, or, for moresuitcase-sized finds, there’sThe World of Vintage(number 291), particularly good for table lamps. Additionally, at numbers 234 and 418 are the outlets forDepósito da Marinha Grande, the primary brand of the Portuguese glass industry, and a secret of interior decorators the world over.
8 Marvila, a converted warehouse, counts a bunch of different counters as residents, from vintage shops to florists.
The best concept stores
In the charming Príncipe Real neighborhood,EmbaiXadaset up shop in the iconic neo-Arab Ribeiro da Cunha Palace, originally built in the 1870s. Products from local brands and artisans coexist to showcase Portuguese talent, from Benedita Formosinho’s elegantholidaygear and cotton t-shirts by Isto to modern jewelry by HLC and fun swimwear from Latitid. Another great concept store, almost opposite EmbaiXada, isNº50, where international brands sit alongside Portuguese creators, such as contemporary jewelry designer Carolina Curado. Converted warehouse8 Marvilain the ex-industrial area towards the east, has residents including vintage shops Black Mamba and Anomaly, plus up-cycled fashion line RO Archive.
A version of this story originally appeared inCondé Nast Traveller UK.
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