Anyone arriving in Lisbon in December is on the lookout for meaningful gifts and souvenirs. One simply cannot leave the country empty-handed when it has so much to offer!
Be it that you want to buy a gift for yourself, for someone you’re traveling with, or for a friend or family member who’s waiting for you back in your home country – it can be quite difficult to find the perfect one. After all, it should not only suit what you had in mind but also carry a touch of Portuguese tradition, right?!
If this sounds familiar and you’re wondering where to shop in Lisbon, keep reading to discover more about 12 stores to check out before Christmas!
12 Shops to Check out in Lisbon around Christmas
If you’re visiting Lisbon in December, you’ll have the opportunity to fill your bags with items sold at the Christmas markets – we do know how tempting those shops are!
However, if you want to go the extra mile to buy souvenirs and gifts for your loved ones, you may find yourself at a loss. The city, particularly its center, is bursting with shops. You definitely cannot check them all out because you’ll end up spending your whole vacation doing this! So, we’re here to help you.
We’ll discuss some of the most famous artisanal shops, where you can find items marked by Portuguese culture and traditions. We’ve also included some spots for antique and book lovers – if you don’t know what gift to choose, a book is always a good idea!
1. Caza das Vellas Loreto
Location: Rua do Loreto 53, 1200-241 Lisboa, Portugal
Christmas is all about lights and their magic, right? Well, name a better Christmas gift than a unique candle from one of Lisbon’s and the world’s oldest candle stores!
Caza das Vellas Loreto is a candle shop located in Bairro Alto, close to Praça Luis Camoes. Once you set foot into this store, the atmosphere will immediately transport you back to the 18th century, when the store was founded.
More precisely, it was established on the same day the French Revolution started, a date that bears significant symbolism and marked a turning point in the capital’s history.
During this time of the year, the shop sells Christmas candles, which can even be personalized with an inscription. You’ll also find a myriad of decorative candles, each made by hand, that suit the preferences of any visitor. And, as mentioned, the shop itself and its wood-paneled interior are a true delight for any curious traveler.
2. O Mundo Fantástico da Sardinha Portuguesa
Location: Praça Dom Pedro IV 39, 1100-200 Lisboa, Portugal
As you probably already know, sardines are a must-try dish for anyone visiting Portugal. During the winter, however, getting the true experience is quite impossible because their “consumption period” usually begins in June.
Nonetheless, Portugal makes use of its closeness to the shore to surprise its tourists with tins of sardines. They are sold in various shops, but O mundo fantástico da sardinha portuguesa stands out among them. It combines Portuguese culture with a vibrant, colorful design that makes visitors feel like they’ve stepped into a fairytale!
In Lisbon, O mundo fantástico da sardinha portuguesa is close to the Rossio metro station. There’s no need to worry – it’s so colorful that it’s impossible to miss!
The tins of sardines are grouped based on the year, each having a unique design and color, as well as one interesting fact about that particular year. You can buy one for the year you or your loved ones were born, for example.
3. Livraria Bertrand
Location: R. Garrett 73 75, 1200-203 Lisboa, Portugal
Livraria Bertrand is a haven for any bookworm! Although the bookstore chain has more than 50 shops in Portugal, the one in Baixa Chiado is by far the most charming. In fact, Livraria Bertrand do Chiado, which was founded in 1732, was named the world’s oldest bookstore. It even made it to the Guinness World Records. Fernando Pessoa himself was a frequent visitor of the store!
The gorgeous interior design of the store only adds to its extensive history and charm. If you’re an avid reader, we definitely recommend reserving at least an hour to explore all the available “rooms.” You’ll also have to spend some time exploring the beauty of the building, not only the books!
If you’re worried that you’ll only find books in Portuguese, we’ll tell you otherwise – there are plenty in English, Spanish, and French. In addition, the shop has a stationery section with a diversified collection of journals and related items.
4. Silva & Feijoo
Location: R. dos Bacalhoeiros 117, 1100-585 Lisboa, Portugal; R. de São Nicolau 52, 1100-549 Lisboa, Portugal; R. Bartolomeu de Gusmão 4, 1100-223 Lisboa, Portugal
The Silva & Feijoo brand was established in 1919. It still greets visitors with its collection of traditional Portuguese vintage objects and selected products that encompass the values of Portuguese gastronomy.
There are three Silva & Feijoo stores in Lisbon city center. The most popular one is located in the heart of the city, close to the famous Rua Augusta. Another is near the beautiful Igreja de Nossa Senhora Da Conceição Velha, while the third is a bit farther away, close to Casa dos Bicos, which honors José Saramago.
Each store is uniquely decorated, making for a pleasant shopping experience, and has a wide variety of products – sheep cheese, honey vinegar, Ginja (sour cherry liqueur), coffee, olive oils, sardine tins, and olive oil.
5. Arte Rústica
Location: R. Augusta 196, 1100-051 Lisboa, Portugal
Arte Rústica, located on the busy Rua Augusta, is a dream for those passionate about Portuguese handicrafts. What makes this store unique is its collection of hand-painted azulejo tiles and panels, many of which have traveled around the world and found their place in people’s houses. So, if you want a souvenir that truly speaks of unparalleled Portuguese art, don’t hesitate to enter Arte Rustica.
The shop has an impressive collection of hand-painted items. For example, you can buy an azulejo panel featuring one of the famous Lisbon trams and install it somewhere in your house to remind you of your trip.
Or you can opt for some handmade tableware that will make for an excellent dinner table decoration. If you want to buy a small yet significant Christmas gift for someone, go for an individual azulejo tile, some of which are excellent for the occasion, as they portray the Nativity of Jesus.
6. Armazéns do Chiado
Location: R. do Carmo, 1200-094 Lisboa, Portugal
Armazéns do Chiado is a shopping mall in Baixa Chiado, located on Rua do Carmo. It’s a popular spot in Lisbon in December due to the multitude of lights the building is decorated with. That’s why we recommend shopping during the evening. After you’ve bought presents for your family, you can get a coffee from Starbucks and enjoy the charming lights of the street while exploring other shops around.
The mall has plenty of stores you can choose from – starting with Fnac, where you can find books, electronic devices, children’s games, and even vinyl records, and ending with cosmetics, Christmas-themed sweets and candies, and clothes. We’re particularly fond of the Tea Shop, where you can try some truly unique tea types that can make for an excellent gift for someone!
As mentioned, the mall itself is not the only destination for those shopping for Christmas – the streets around the building are filled with other stores like Zara and Oysho. In addition, don’t forget to check out Flying Tiger, which is close to Armazens do Chiado. It’s a dream destination for anyone crazy about journaling, crafting, and decorating.
7. Casa Macario
Location: R. Augusta 272, 1100-057 Lisboa, Portugal
Casa Macario is located right on Rua Augusta, the busiest and most famous street in Lisbon. The shop was founded in 1913. Since then, it has greeted tourists and locals with traditional coffee, teas, chocolates, and almonds, as well as alcoholic drinks, including wine (particularly Port wine), gin, and whisky.
What you’ll find most intriguing is the sign that says, “Please don’t clean the bottles.” It will sound odd at first, but once you step inside, you’ll understand why – the shop is filled with dust-covered bottles, which only add to its charm! After all, the dust is evidence of the store’s long history and the drinks’ quality.
While you’re waiting for your souvenirs to be wrapped, take advantage of being there and pay attention to the seemingly hidden decorative elements that attest to the shop’s historical value.
8. Manteigaria Silva
Location: Rua D. Antão de Almada 1 C e D, 1100-197 Lisboa, Portugal
If you’re looking for a long-standing shop where you can buy regional cheese, ham, and other yummy stuff, make sure to check out Manteigaria Silva.
The shop is at least 125 years old, and although more than a century has passed, the building still retains some of its original architectural and decorative elements.
In 1922, the store was only selling butter (manteiga), which is why it’s called Manteigaria. Only in 1930 did the store expand and establish an additional butcher shop, which later became a gourmet deli. Over the years, the shop evolved and started selling salted cod and canned goods, dairy products, cured sausages, wines, and other specialties highly praised in Portuguese cuisine.
9. Confeitaria Nacional
Location: Praça da Figueira 18B, 1100-241 Lisboa, Portugal
Confeitaria Nacional is a must-visit for anyone looking for a tasty (self-)gift around Christmas, especially since you probably won’t find a better Bolo Rei cake (the traditional Portuguese Christmas cake) anywhere in the city. It was the founder of Confeitaria Nacional who brought the tradition of Bolo Rei to Portugal in the first place!
But that’s not the only cake you can try there. It’s quite well-known that it takes a bit of time for Confeitaria Nacional customers to decide what they want, considering the wide array of products!
Confeitaria Nacional was established almost two centuries ago, having survived earthquakes and fires, and it still stands elegantly in Praça da Figueira. It first charms visitors with its tiled facade, then makes use of its incredible interior design that will wow anyone stepping inside.
10. Libreria Mondo
Location: R. Garrett 100, 1200-273 Lisboa, Portugal
Yet another gem for readers, except that Libreria Mondo is also a haven for people who like to spend hours looking through antique objects – old letters and photos, vintage decorative pieces, or old magazines. The books are second-hand, which only adds to their value – we do know that many readers appreciate a book that’s been read by so many others before them!
Although the store can be quite messy, and you’ll have to spend some time to find what you’re looking for, we believe that no vintage shop can look otherwise if its collection is as extensive! The store has several rooms, each grouped according to book genres/antique objects. For example, there is a small, charming space filled only with second-hand books signed by classic authors.
11. Cerâmicas na Linha
Location: R. Capelo 16, 1200-224 Lisboa, Portugal
As you probably already know, Portugal is a country of handicrafts. You may have noticed that Lisbon is filled to the brim with buildings covered in hand-painted tiles, so, unsurprisingly, many souvenir shops feature azulejo or other ceramic products.
Well, Cerâmicas na Linha is, without a doubt, a treasure in this regard. Its extensive collection of ceramic tableware carries the core of Portuguese handicraft. You’ll be able to choose pieces from different collections and make an unmatched set of your own based on your preferences.
The most interesting part is that most of the items are sold by kilogram, although some brands have separate prices. If you’re worried that the items are too heavy for your luggage, you’ll be happy to learn that the shop offers international shipping services.
12. Joalharia do Carmo
Location: R. do Carmo 87B, 1200-093 Lisboa, Portugal
Are you looking for a more sophisticated gift, maybe for your significant other or your mother? If so, there’s no better place than Joalharia do Carmo, a shop that meets the jewelry craft and the Portuguese traditions. It is among the most famous jewelry shops in the country where you can find unique Portuguese Filigree pieces with maritime and floral motifs.
Besides exploring the stunningly beautiful earrings, necklaces, and other jewels on your Christmas shopping journey, you’ll have the opportunity to take in the shop’s architecture and design. The Art Deco facade designed by Manuel Norte Junior, the Baccarat crystal chandeliers, the mirrored side tables, and let’s not forget the spiral staircases – they will all add value to your trip. In addition, all these elements are lined with gold and green shades that praise the art of Filigree.
