A Vida Portuguesa
📍 Address: R. Nova do Almada 72, 1200-289 Lisboa, Portugal
If you want to take home a piece of ‘old-world Portugal,’ this store in the Chiado district is an absolute must-visit. Journalist Catarina Portas rediscovered traditional Portuguese daily necessities and crafts that were fading away and brought them together in one space, creating ‘A Vida Portuguesa’ (Portuguese Life). Housed in a renovated former perfume factory, stepping inside feels like a nostalgic journey back to the 1950s.
What you’ll want to get here are items with retro, beautiful packaging that have been loved for generations. Particularly popular are the ‘Donkey Milk Soap,’ said to have been used by Cleopatra herself, and the fragrant perfumes from Claus Porto. Also recommended as small gifts are ‘Xavier’s Candies’ and tuna cans with charming packaging. While they might feel a bit more expensive than what you’d find in a supermarket, considering their design and high quality, they make the perfect gift for someone special.
A practical tip for shopping: in Portugal, purchases exceeding a certain amount (over 61.5 euros per store) are eligible for tax refunds. However, during busy times, staff might not always inform you. So, if you make a bulk purchase, be sure to declare ‘Tax Free, please’ at the checkout yourself.
A Vida Portuguesa
📍 Address: Av. 24 de Julho 49, 1200-109 Lisboa, Portugal
This branch is located inside Lisbon’s hugely popular gourmet hub, ‘Time Out Market’. While the space is more compact compared to the main store in Chiado, it neatly displays a curated selection of particularly popular souvenir items.
Its biggest advantage is the ease of dropping by while enjoying a meal. You’ll find a range of lifestyle goods that add color to daily life, such as swallow wall hangings – a lucky Portuguese symbol – retro-packaged toothpastes, jams, and beautifully designed postcards. It’s a highly convenient spot for travelers who don’t have time to visit the main store or want to shop efficiently between meals.
Despite being amidst the market’s hustle and bustle, the staff are very friendly and provide attentive service. Keep in mind that for some products or due to specific accounting systems, tax notations might vary, so there could be slight fluctuations between the displayed price and the amount paid at the register.
Pastéis de Belém
📍 Address: R. de Belém 84 92, 1300-085 Lisboa, Portugal
Anyone visiting Lisbon must try a ‘Pastel de Nata’ (egg tart) at least once. Its birthplace, and the place that has reigned supreme since its founding in 1837, is the venerable ‘Pastéis de Belém’. Legend has it that the monks of the nearby World Heritage site, Jerónimos Monastery, used large quantities of egg whites for starching their habits and utilized the leftover yolks to create these pastries.
Even today, its closely guarded original recipe is preserved by only a select few craftsmen in a kitchen known as the ‘Secret Room’ (Oficina do Segredo). The freshly baked tarts feature an astonishingly thin, crispy, and flaky pastry crust. Inside, they are generously filled with a rich yet not-too-sweet, creamy custard.
While the takeaway line at the front is always long, if you venture further inside, you’ll discover a spacious café area with over 400 seats. It’s often possible to find a seat after a short wait, and a modern system allows you to easily view the menu and order via a QR code at your table. The local way to enjoy them is to sprinkle plenty of powdered sugar and cinnamon, provided on the table. After savoring a freshly baked one on-site, taking a box of six to go for a late-night snack at your hotel or as a last-minute souvenir before returning home is highly recommended.
The Fantastic World Of Portuguese Sardines
📍 Address: Praça Dom Pedro IV 39, 1100-200 Lisboa, Portugal
As you walk through Rossio Square, a flashy exterior resembling a circus or amusement park suddenly appears. At first glance, it might look like a toy store, but it’s actually a specialty shop that sells only ‘canned sardines’! Sardines are a national dish in Portugal, but this store elevates the humble sardine can into an entertainment experience.
The interior is decorated like a carousel, with vibrant cans lining an entire wall. The biggest highlight here are the cans printed with ‘year numbers’ from 1916 to the present. Each can notes historical events that occurred or famous people born in that specific year. (Note: The contents of the sardine cans are the same regardless of which year you choose).
At about 7 euros per can, the price tag is quite assertive compared to sardines bought at a supermarket. But this isn’t just about buying food; it’s about ‘buying an experience’. The treasure hunt-like feeling of searching for a can featuring your birth year or those of your parents or friends is unmatched elsewhere. It’s an incredibly fun tourist spot, perfect for taking photos with the staff in their cute uniforms or picking out a commemorative gift for your trip.
SOMA IDEAS – Lisboa
📍 Address: R. dos Fanqueiros 98, 1100-232 Lisboa, Portugal
For design-conscious travelers who appreciate ‘classic souvenirs but also crave something more stylish and practical,’ ‘SOMA IDEAS’ comes highly recommended. This is a select shop offering original items that incorporate local Portuguese culture and traditional motifs (like azulejos) into modern, sophisticated graphic designs.
All products displayed in the store are manufactured within Portugal, with the owner herself serving as the designer. From stylish pot holders that are colorful yet blend seamlessly with home interiors, to unique illustrated tableware and bowls, the shop is packed with one-of-a-kind ‘Made in Portugal’ goods.
While it boasts a refined atmosphere that sets it apart from mass-produced souvenir shops, the staff and owner are very friendly and warm, taking the time to explain the story behind each product. It’s the perfect place to find a ‘treat for yourself’ or a gift for that special someone you want to impress with your good taste.
Local TIPS for Smart Shopping in Lisbon
Here are a few tips to make your souvenir hunting in Lisbon even more rewarding. First, items like soaps, canned goods, and ceramics (such as azulejo-themed items), though small individually, can quickly add up and strain your suitcase’s weight limit when bought in bulk. On your shopping day, it’s wise not only to bring a sturdy eco-bag but also to leave ample room in your checked baggage allowance for your return flight.
Additionally, souvenir shops offer VAT refunds (tax refunds) for purchases above a certain amount. In Lisbon, store staff don’t always ask, ‘Would you like tax-free documents?’, so when making large or bulk purchases, be brave enough to present your passport (or a copy) and request it yourself.
Enjoy a wonderful shopping experience in Lisbon, a city where tradition and modernity beautifully intertwine. May you take home not just objects, but also the history and the passion of the artisans behind them.
