When you think of shopping in Europe, the cities of Paris, London and Milan automatically come to mind. Lisbon, still completely undiscovered in every aspect, doesn’t even enter a top 10 list in that category. But a recent study says otherwise. The Economist Intelligence Unit analyzed shopping in 33 European cities and Lisbon ranked in seventh place behind London (not surprisingly at number one), Madrid (a surprising number 2), Barcelona, Paris, Rome and Berlin. The Portuguese capital actually ranked better than other cities that receive much bigger buzz such as Amsterdam, Milan and Vienna. The Globe Shopper City Index says Lisbon has competitive prices, affordable hotels and a wide selection of restaurants. Naturally, it also points out the sunniest weather in Europe, ranking number one in climate. Another category in which it ranked at the top was international cuisine (the number and variety of restaurants), and also scored high in safety and quality hotels. Unsurprisingly, it was also found to be Western Europe’s most affordable city.
In terms of culture it ranked sixth behind Paris, Rome, Berlin, Barcelona and London. However it did poorly in accessibility for the number of available flights.

Chiado is Lisbon’s most popular shopping area. While the luxury labels are located in Avenida da Liberdade and the more alternative choices are found in Bairro Alto and Príncipe Real, it is in Chiado that everyone finds their favorite international brands. Next to H&M, Nike, Zara, Levi’s, Foot Locker and other famous names are local business you should check out. Below are the ten best.

A VIDA PORTUGUESA
It’s the shop everyone says you should not miss in Lisbon. Filled with nostalgia, it offers irresistible retro products that make classic Portuguese gifts.

ANA SALAZAR
One of Portugal’s first major fashion designers has her main boutique here, filled with her latest creations in clothing and accessories.

OURIVESARIA ALIANÇA
Even if you have no intentions of buying the silver and gold available here, be sure to visit this shop for the jewel that is the interior. In true Louis XV style, it is one of Lisbon’s most beautiful shops.

BERTRAND
It’s officially the world’s oldest bookstore, as confirmed by a Guinness World Records certificate on a wall. In business since 1732, there are periodicals and English-language books in addition to the latest Portuguese best-sellers.

LUVARIA ULISSES
A probable record holder for “world’s smallest shop”, enter one at a time for a trip to the 1920s and exclusive perfectly-fitted hand-made gloves.

PAPO D’ANJO
It was here that this now-international brand was born. Created by an American, this children’s fashion label is for those looking for quality classic European styles, all beautifully handmade in Lisbon. You can now find it in the world’s biggest department stores, but this is the original shop.

PARIS EM LISBOA
During Portugal’s monarchy days, this shop had the privilege of providing the linen for the royal palace.

VOA
This attractive shop tempts you into buying quality products for the home, almost all “Made in Portugal.” Those include fragrances, textiles and ceramics.

STORYTAILORS
This fairytale of a shop presents the collections of a duo of fashion designers who are arguably the country’s most creative, and the creativity is reflected in the décor of the boutique.

VISTA ALEGRE
There are several Vista Alegre shops around Lisbon, but the Chiado branch is the most beautiful, looking almost like a museum of the famous Portuguese porcelain that has decorated royal palaces in Europe and the White House in the United States.

Whether it’s a Christmas present or a souvenir at any time of the year, here are five recently-opened shops in Lisbon where you’ll always find something special for yourself or someone else:

VOA
Address:Rua Nova do Almada, 96 (Chiado)
It’s new and it’s one of Chiado’s most beautiful shops. It offers products for the home (from the bedroom to the living room), as well as flowers and gourmet products, almost all made in Portugal. It’s all found on two floors, with a small café area upstairs for a warm cup of tea.

TOM TOM SHOP II
Address: Rua do Norte, 20-22 (Bairro Alto)
For years, Tom Tom Shop has been where everyone knows they’ll find the most fun and original gifts in the city. Now, in addition to the first (bigger) shop on Rua de O Século (number 4A), there is a second (smaller) one also in Bairro Alto, on Rua do Norte. There you’ll find the same humorous gifts and household items in a wide range of prices.

CAPITÃO LISBOA
Address: Rua de São Nicolau, 43 (Baixa)
Similar to Tom Tom Shop, this recently-opened shop downtown is all about fun gifts. Some more useful than others, but all irresistible if you like funny and pop-culture-related objects.

ULTRA
Address: Calçada do Correio Velho, 7 (Alfama)
This concep store/bar is found by St. Anthony Church and the cathedral. It opens at noon until the evening, presenting design items, jewelry, fashions and accessories at prices said to range from just 5 to 200 euros. The goal of the owners was to offer a selection of products that’s hard to find anywhere else, as well as provide a space to return often, not only to check out what’s new but also to have a drink and a snack.

MUU/LOJA DO CHIADO
Address: Rua da Misericórdia, 100 (Chiado)
Former shop Muu is now also known as “Loja do Chiado.” In addition to the exclusive, specialty cowhide handbags and accessories made in Portugal that have always been available here, there are now two other Portuguese brands — Catarina Martins footwear and TM Collection fashions.

It started in the city of Guimarães in the north of Portugal almost two decades ago but ended up becoming a trendy brand in London. “Fly London” is now known for quality casual footwear and has just opened a flagship store in Lisbon’s Avenida da Liberdade (number 230), the city’s luxury shopping street.
Its goal is said to be progressive, unconventional footwear design but you’ll also see some more classic-looking pieces.
At this new Lisbon shop you’ll also find clothing and accessories, and a fun feature is the use of RFID labels (Radio Frequency Identification) with electronic chips which project a client’s image on a screen, showing him or her on the streets of a major city (London, New York, Tokyo) wearing those selected shoes (because mirrors are a thing of the past).
At the end of August there was another “Fly London” opening, in London, by the popular Covent Garden shopping zone.

Taking home a souvenir from Lisbon no longer has to be from the typical kitsch shops so common around the world. There are now several places in the city offering more authentic choices and original items, actually made in Portugal by local artists and companies.
The newest one is “Temperamento” downtown, a small space that’s big on the quality of the selection of crafts and gourmet products. These are products not just targeted at tourists but also at the local population, telling stories of Portuguese traditions and craftsmanship much appreciated by those with a more refined taste.
There are of course the famous Portuguese soaps and fragranced candles of the Portus Cale brand, together with the traditional biscuits, olive oils, jams, and ceramics and design pieces by young Portuguese artists.
Unlike many shops in the neighborhood, this one is open on Saturdays.

Address: Rua da Madalena, 182B (Baixa)
Telephone: (+351) 218 876 208
Website: www.temperamento.pt

Portugal’s biggest export is not wine or shoes, it’s cork. This is the world’s biggest cork-producing country, supplying around 70% of it. That all-natural material comes mostly from the Alentejo region, and can be molded into a variety of products. A new shop in Lisbon’s Bairro Alto shows that this fully recyclable material is quickly becoming one of Portugal’s trademarks, especially in the design world. New York’s MoMA recently presented some of the best of Portuguese design, and many of the selected pieces were made with cork. You can now see many of those examples at the new “Cork & Co.” shop, offering fashion accessories and furniture all made with that very Portuguese material. These are all products with unique and exceptional characteristics, and entirely made in Portugal. On a trip to Lisbon this is a place to include in your itinerary if you’re looking for local creativity, high-quality eco-friendly products, and distinctive design.

The address is number 10 of Rua das Salgadeiras, just around the corner from Camões Square. This being Bairro Alto, it opens late and stays open at night — 2PM-10PM Monday to Wednesday, and 2PM to 11PM Thursday to Saturday. The phone number is (+351) 216 090 231

Whether you’re visiting Portugal around the holidays and are looking for an “only in Lisbon” gift to take back home, or live in the city and going through the stressful Christmas shopping sprees, you’ll want to check out some of Lisbon’s most authentic shops. While 3 out of every 4 Christmas gifts are either a book, DVD, music, or clothing, there are countless other more imaginative choices. In Lisbon, these are ten places to go for something different:

Antes e Depois
Travessa da Espera, 47 (Bairro Alto)
Phone: 934 305 562
This time capsule of a shop in Bairro Alto offers traditional Portuguese toys from the days before video games. Perfect for finding gifts for children or the child in every adult, the colorful objects come in retro-pop packagings and offer hours of playtime — or can even be used as a decorative piece!

Casa Havaneza
Largo do Chiado, 25 (Chiado)
Phone: 213 420 340
Buying gifts for men is usually a little more difficult than for women. To avoid getting a tie that just may end up not being to his taste, visit this classic Lisbon shop which was first known as a cigar store in the 19th century. The exclusive cigars are still there, but there are also some other rather luxurious gifts available such as pens and special bottles of liquor.

Claudio Corallo
Rua Cecilio da Sousa, 85 (Principe Real)
Phone: 213 862 158
Specializing in chocolate and coffee from Portugal’s former African colony of São Tomé and Principe, this shop offers the perfect gift for the more gourmet-oriented or sweet-toothed member of your family.

Jimmy Portuguese Styleshop
Rua das Flores, 100 (Chiado)
Phone: 918 984 695
For 100% Portuguese design pieces in a variety of shapes and colors, visit this shop around the corner from the Bairro Alto Hotel in Chiado. It includes fashion accessories and contemporary versions of classic Portuguese icons.

Moy
Rua Dom Pedro V, 111 (Principe Real)
Phone: 213 467 011
As one of Lisbon’s best gourmet shops, Moy guarantees that you’ll find a variety of Portuguese and international products. From cheeses to caviar, to Brazilian and Angolan coffees, you’ll be able to create the most appetizing gift basket in Lisbon.

Muu
Rua da Misericórdia, 100 (Chiado)
Phone: 213 472 293
This recent shop in Chiado specializes in 100% Portuguese cowhide handbags, all handmade in a factory in Sintra. They come in rather large sizes, making them perfect for those women who must carry their entire life inside their bags and who prefer exclusive items.

Pelcor
Rua das Pedras Negras, 32 (Baixa)
Phone: 213 049 727
Cork is one of Portugal’s most exported goods (in fact, the country is the world’s largest exporter of it), so there’s nothing more Portuguese than a cork product. That’s what may have inspired Pelcor to offer a large variety of products completely made of cork, from handbags to footwear, to even a few housewares.

PorConceito
UPDATE: This shop has closed.
Travessa da Espera, 17 (Bairro Alto)
Phone: 211 560 148
Finding creations from top Portuguese fashion designers has become easier since the opening of Porconceito. This Bairro Alto shop offers stylish sunglasses, purses, perfumes, and fashion accessories at quite reasonable prices, considering their origin.

Tom Tom Shop
Rua de O Século, 4A (Bairro Alto)
Phone: 213 479 733
You won’t have more fun shopping at any other store in Lisbon. By the entrance are a few humorous gifts while towards the back are all kinds of very original houseware pieces. From lighting to clocks, to kitchen utensils, you won’t resist buying something for yourself and plenty of other people on your list.

The Wrong Shop
UPDATE: This shop has closed.
Calçada do Sacramento, 25 (Chiado)
Phone: 213 433 197
While Christmas may be a time for peace and spreading love around, it’s also time to be completely honest. So for that there’s an “I Hate You” gift at The Wrong Shop in Chiado! Known for its quirky gifts and souvenirs, it’s now showcasing items for everyone, whether you love them or hate them! It can be a merry Christmas indeed!

Spain is naturally one of the countries that most visits Lisbon, as it’s just across a border that’s essentially imaginary, with the open borders policy set by the European Union’s Schengen agreement. At around Christmas time, New Year’s, and Easter, it’s quite common to hear as much Castilian in Lisbon’s Chiado as Portuguese. So perhaps anticipating a large Spanish migration to Lisbon at this time of the year, Spain’s “El Pais” just published a 24-hour guide to the Portuguese capital.
Entitled “From Fado to Fashion,” the article focuses on the city’s trendier side, from its alternative shops in the Principe Real and Bairro Alto districts, to the new Design and Fashion Museum. That’s not the only recent museum to get special mention, as the Orient Museum and Berardo Museum are also considered unmissable.
Overall, this is a list of recommendations that show how Lisbon has become much more of a globalized city while also managing to reinvent itself as a continuously authentic place.
You may read the entire article at the El País website. It’s in Spanish but you may always use the Google translator to read it in your native language: Del Fado a lo ‘Fashion’

Lisbon’s sweetest new shop just opened last week in Baixa, just around the corner from the pedestrian Rua Augusta and the Design and Fashion Museum. Follow the tram 28 tracks down Rua da Conceição and you’ll see the renovated façade of a centuries-old shop now showcasing all kinds of colorful candy. It’s called “Papabubble,” a new shop that’s also opened in Barcelona, New York, Amsterdam, and Tokyo. Everything is chemical-free and handmade on the premises, offering over thirty fruity flavors. They come in a variety of shapes, and can be molded into anything that the client wishes. All it takes is water, glucose, sugar, and some flavors, and you can have personalized candy to enjoy yourself or to share at a party. Prices range from 2.50 to 30 euros depending on the size.
The shop is open every day except Sundays, from 10:30AM to 7:30PM. The exact address is Rua da Conceição, 117-119.

Photo: Filipe Paiva, “i“

Lisbon’s “A Vida Portuguesa” became a favorite of every Lisbon travel guide soon after it opened and is now a shop that no tourist misses. However, its success is also in large part due to the Lisboetas themselves who nostalgically go there looking for the authentic Portuguese products from the past and present that are difficult to find elsewhere. Its popularity inevitably would lead to the opening of a second shop, and the city of Porto was the most obvious choice. It has been reported that owner Catarina Portas took more than two years to find the perfect place in Portugal’s second city, and has finally done it in the downtown district. It just opened on the corner of Rua Galeria de Paris and Rua das Carmelitas, in a former textiles shop, on the first floor (second floor in American terms), as there is another shop on the ground level. It will soon take over the floor above that, which will make Porto’s shop bigger than Lisbon’s.
Just like in Lisbon, most of the products are straight out of the 1930′s, 40′s, and 50′s, ranging from toothpaste to soaps, pencils, and coffee. Their retro packaging is what attracts most shoppers and make practically every product the perfect gift for those already familiar with Portuguese culture and those just curious about it.

Address: Rua Galeria de Paris, 20 (Porto).
Tel. 222 022 105.
Open every day except Sundays; 10AM-8PM
Web: www.avidaportuguesa.com