Christmas Shopping in Lisbon for Festive Gifts and Presents.

Christmas shopping in Lisbon rewards the visitor with a Santa’s list of Xmas present options for all the family. With the city glowing under a blanket of sparkling decoration, the city’s shops, stores and boutiques entice shoppers with the Yuletide spirit and some wonderful seasonal gift ideas.

You can’t miss O Mundo Fantástico da Sardinha Portuguesa with its glittering Christmas façade. Shop here for sardines packed in tins that will surprise you. For wines and spirits take a look inside the well-stocked Garrafeira Nacional, which has it’s own in-store cellar museum. Gift ideas abound at Lojoa Aldeias do Xisto, quirky presents that include ceramic bells shaped as cats. One of the city’s most attractive delicatessens is Manuel Tavares.

The shop always puts on a special display during the festive season and this is the place to shop for traditional Portuguese food and wine. The old style Embaixada mall comprises a series of trendy salons housed in a former palace building. This is the place to browse independent fashion boutiques and upmarket handicraft – great stocking fillers! Similarly, Amar Lisboa is where you can buy colourful and contemporary handicraft, some of it fashioned by one of Portugal’s most respected designers.

Christmas shoppers should also make a point of visiting A Vida Portuguesa, a highly respected craft and hardware store specializing in retro wares and merchandise, all of it made in Portugal. For festive and ecclesiastical candles it has to be Caza das Vellas Loreto, a beautiful store dating from 1789. Jewellery is always appreciated at Christmas and for some truly exquisite pieces pop into Tous, which also dazzles with its 18th-century interior. And finally, if you’re looking for Christmas decoration ideas than spend some time in Nickolaus, a veritable Santa’s grotto of yuletide décor.

The festive season sees this homes and gardens stockist transformed into a veritable Santa’s grotto of yuletide gifts and decorations. Baubles and lights for Christmas trees, candles, winged angels, wrapping paper and all sorts of Biblical figurines, including wonderfully detailed nativity scenes, are available here. Lanterns and mugs, snow globes, boxes of colourful Christmas crackers and happy, smiling Santa masks and mannequins line the shelves along with soft toy reindeer, bells and artificial Xmas trees and wreaths. Particularly striking are the carved wood detachable sculptures depicting the three kings visiting Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, a scene that personifies the spirit of Christmas.

The festive season sees this homes and gardens stockist transformed into a veritable Santa’s grotto of yuletide gifts and decorations. Baubles and lights for Christmas trees, candles, winged angels, wrapping paper and all sorts of Biblical… Read More

Tous Rua Garrett Lisboa

Baixa/Chiado Photo courtesy of Paul Bernhardt

Upscale Spanish design house Tous has a Lisbon presence at the former Ourivesaria Alianca, one of the city’s most historic jewellers. The building is pure Louis XV – all filigree gilded woodwork, Venetian mirrors and glass cabinets set under a palatial ceiling. Besides jewellery, the fashionable outlet stocks watches and other accessories for men and women. It also sells perfumes, fragrances, cosmetics and a select range of beauty products. The store is noted for its top-notch handbag collection, a line that changes with the seasons. Shoppers are welcome to browse at leisure and explore the interior of an authentic early 20th-century commercial icon.

Upscale Spanish design house Tous has a Lisbon presence at the former Ourivesaria Alianca, one of the city’s most historic jewellers. The building is pure Louis XV – all filigree gilded woodwork, Venetian mirrors and glass cabinets set under a… Read More

Caza das Vellas Loreto

Baixa/Chiado Photo courtesy of Paul Bernhardt

This wood-panelled shop has been selling candles since 1789, and its appearance has changed little since. The cosy interior exudes a delightful yesteryear ambiance, a mood accentuated by the refreshing lack of modernity, even the cashier’s till is hidden from view! Ecclesiastical Candles in all their shape and form are lovingly handmade in a workshop at the rear of the premises and then displayed in beautiful glass cabinets set either side of a polished teak counter. The different styles available is astonishing, anything from traditionally crafted taper or dinner candles to the chunky pillar variety, and dainty tea light candles. There’s also an imaginative selection of speciality candles moulded or sculptured into three-dimensional shapes such as fruit, birds and even cupcakes!. Many are scented and the perfume is intoxicating. For something special, ask to see the beeswax candles embellished with filigree decoration.

This wood-panelled shop has been selling candles since 1789, and its appearance has changed little since. The cosy interior exudes a delightful yesteryear ambiance, a mood accentuated by the refreshing lack of modernity, even the cashier’s till… Read More

A Vida Portuguesa

Baixa/Chiado Photo courtesy of Paul Bernhardt

If you’re after an original souvenir of Portugal, this absorbing handicraft-hardware store is probably where you’ll find it. Items on sale here are represented by brands that have been manufactured in the country for generations, and the inventory lists some of the nation’s most cherished goods. There are fragrant soaps from Brito/Claus Porto (Oprah raved about them on her show) displayed in colourful and stylish retro wrapping paper, and Benamor Cream boxed in similarly eye-catching designs. For the kitchen, look out for the aromatic vinegars from Moura Alves and gourmet sea salt (Flor de Sal) from the Algarve. There are also toiletries, stationary, books, toys and even jewellery, all uniquely Portuguese and with a provenance that stretches back centuries, and they all make perfect Xmas gifts for everyone.

If you’re after an original souvenir of Portugal, this absorbing handicraft-hardware store is probably where you’ll find it. Items on sale here are represented by brands that have been manufactured in the country for generations, and the… Read More

Amar Lisboa

Santa Apolonia Photo courtesy of Paul Bernhardt

Portuguese designer Vera Gama lends her name to this colourful collection of gifts, mementos and souvenirs, all of which make ideal presents for special occasions. The eye-catching T-shirts carrying vivid patterns and bold logos of famous Lisbon landmarks and Portuguese symbolism are particularly striking. Among the designs is a bright yellow streetcar, jumping sardine and even a city cab. The traditional Barcelos cock, Portugal’s national symbol, is available as a stylised cockerel of vivid patterns, and is a favourite souvenir. Customers can also browse all sorts of key fobs, fridge magnets and coffee mugs. There are some wonderful dolls, again fashioned in different colours, prints, postcards and drawing. Despite the more contemporary design slant, the collection is complemented by a range of traditional handicrafts, most of it from southern Portugal’s Alentejo province.

Portuguese designer Vera Gama lends her name to this colourful collection of gifts, mementos and souvenirs, all of which make ideal presents for special occasions. The eye-catching T-shirts carrying vivid patterns and bold logos of famous Lisbon… Read More

Embaixada

Bairro Alto/Principe Real Photo courtesy of Paul Bernhardt

Set in a former 18th-century neo-Moorish palace replete with onion dome turrets, this alluring mall is a wonderful place to shop. Salons set over two floors have been transformed into chic boutiques. Many are open-plan, with interconnecting doors so that customers can browse seamlessly and at leisure. Here you can shop for all sorts of upmarket wares including independent his and her clothing and accessories and handcrafted jewellery. One of the stores sells a great line in eco-friendly cosmetics, another contemporary interior design furnishings. And look no further for an attractive range of high quality Portuguese handicraft – lamps, mirrors, ceramics and even chocolate, among other traditional artefacts.

Set in a former 18th-century neo-Moorish palace replete with onion dome turrets, this alluring mall is a wonderful place to shop. Salons set over two floors have been transformed into chic boutiques. Many are open-plan, with interconnecting… Read More

Manuel Tavares

Baixa/Chiado Photo courtesy of Paul Bernhardt

The astonishing variety of traditional goodies stocked in this gem of a shop lures foodies far and wide such is the quality of the goods. One of Lisbon’s oldest stores, dating to 1860, this wood-fronted emporium is especially vibrant during the festive season. This is when shoppers can expect to find stocking fillers such as mini bottled wine sets and chocolate snowmen. Elsewhere, the store heaves with smoked hams, cheeses, spicy sausages, pata negra (smoked ham) and pickles, along with homemade jams, dried fruits and nuts such as almond and cashew. Canned fish and seafood, virgin olive oils, retro wrapped sweets and an assortment of herbs and spices supplement the xmas shopping list. Stacked floor to ceiling on groaning shelves is a fabulous collection of Portuguese wines, liquors and brandies from all corners of the country. The port wine choice is particularly alluring with several vintages dating back a full century. Wine tasting is available here, so it’s possible to sample selected labels before purchasing.

The astonishing variety of traditional goodies stocked in this gem of a shop lures foodies far and wide such is the quality of the goods. One of Lisbon’s oldest stores, dating to 1860, this wood-fronted emporium is especially vibrant during the… Read More

Loja Aldeias do Xisto

Castelo/Alfama Photo courtesy of Paul Bernhardt

Sited on the road leading up from the cathedral to the castle, this delightful little boutique stocks all sorts of handicraft goodies, each exclusively made by local artists. Items for sale range from ceramic bells shaped as plump cats to lampshades worked from cork. At this time of year the collection of traditional figurines on offer – colourful clay dolls like fishermen and farmers, for example – include mini mannequins inspired from Biblical scenes that go well with the scented candles for sale. Other Christmas gift ideas worth considering are the woven tablecloths, the coffee sets depicting Lisbon trams and other iconic city scenes, and the beautiful handcrafted jewellery, pieces like cuff-links for him and broaches for her.

Sited on the road leading up from the cathedral to the castle, this delightful little boutique stocks all sorts of handicraft goodies, each exclusively made by local artists. Items for sale range from ceramic bells shaped as plump cats to… Read More

Garrafeira Nacional Wines & Spirits

Baixa/Chiado Photo courtesy of Paul Bernhardt

Established in 1927, this is one of Portugal’s leading specialists in wine and spirits. Of the three outlets located in Portugal, it’s the premises in Rua de Santa Justa that offers the most engaging shopping experience. For the connoisseur there are wines from every region of Portugal on offer, a fascinating and quite bewildering stock of premium and vintage examples – reds, whites, roses, late harvest and sparkling. Anyone of these makes a perfect gift or souvenir. But it’s the traditional port and Madeira wines that work so well at Christmas, as does smooth, rich liquor, and there are plenty of bottle to choose from. The yuletide- shopping list can also be extended to include some New Year bubbly, with a cork-popping selection of champagnes available chime in 2017. The store can arrange overseas mailing, with free shipping for some European countries.

Established in 1927, this is one of Portugal’s leading specialists in wine and spirits. Of the three outlets located in Portugal, it’s the premises in Rua de Santa Justa that offers the most engaging shopping experience. For the connoisseur… Read More

O Mundo Fantástico da Sardinha Portuguesa

Baixa/Chiado Photo courtesy of Paul Bernhardt

The humble sardine is a favourite seafood staple, and ubiquitous across Portugal. Available freshly caught this delicious fish is also sold in tins. At the “Fantastic World of the Portuguese Sardine” however, they’ve come up with a novel marketing idea whereby the lid of every tin features a year underneath which is written an important event or breakthrough that occurred during that particular twelve-month period. In addition the names of various celebrities and VIPs born that year are also noted. For example, anyone purchasing a tin bearing “1953” is reminded that DNA was discovered in that year and that Cyndi Lauper, John Malkovich and Benazir Bhutto were born. Colourful and quirky, the tins are stocked in an equally striking boutique whose interior resembles a fairground attraction replete with a carnival atmosphere.

As seen on the Heatheronhertravels.com