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Shopping and souvernies in Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra

Posted by (TOKYO) on

Greetings!

Interested in souvenirs (preferably locally made and not somewhere in Asia), gourmet gifts, leather shoes/bags made in Portugal. We want to have a few free hours to just walk around and do some shopping.

Would Rua de Santa Catarina be the best area for shopping in Porto?

in Lisbon?

In Coimbra?
Any particular shops or famous brands to check out?

Last week we met a man from Coimbra who lives in Tokyo (has been here for over 20years, so his advice might not be current ;))) He kept saying how inexpensive shoes are and the best shopping in Portugal is definitely in Porto. I think he mentioned Rua de Santa Catarina.

Also there was a program on Japanese TV (which I personally didn't see), and it showed some shops (in Lisbon?) that had ridiculously inexpensive shoes for like 10-20-30 EUR. Have no idea if that was an outlet or what. The problem is that the ladies I am traveling with are now super excited about scoring some great buys!

Thank you!
Anna

Posted by
25 posts

Another unique item in Portugal would be products made from cork. There are shops that sell only products made from the cork that grows on the trees there. I purchased some fun necklaces that had lovely beads on them. I like to pick up jewelry on travels as a reminder of where I have been and are easy to pack.

Posted by
11608 posts

Portugal is known for it’s pottery. It is the only thing I bought there, such beautiful pieces.

Posted by
145 posts

Thank you Rolanda and Suki.
I know the ladies want to buy cork prodcuts. One of them has been to Portugal before, and I have seen her using a backpack and a pen case made of cork! so, i know that's somehting they want to buy.
I personally might get a piece or two of pottery. Or a coupel of tiles. I think someone got tiles in Andalusia before.
I also think that the ladies might be intersted in the filigree jewelry. I mentioend to them the Heart of Viana. Maybe something small and delicate. Not sure where it be best to look for it-- Porto, Lisbon, Sintra, or Coimbra.

Posted by
6113 posts

It’s personal taste - sorry, but I think cork products other than bottle stoppers are hideous.

I don’t find Portuguese leather shoes to be good value compared to U.K. prices - I certainly haven’t seen any as cheap as €30. More like €60+.

There will be many pottery items available. In certain areas, there are traditional lace tablecloths for sale, which don’t suit many non Portuguese homes.

Posted by
145 posts

Cork products are hideous ... haha. I won’t be passing that on to the ladies, many of them seemed to be impressed with how light the material is. And I agree with the lace comment, but I’m not in my late 70s :)). I’m sure a few ladies will pick up some —they did get some expensive lace dollies in Budapest as I recall.

Posted by
511 posts

Mercado Na Invicta on Rua Fabrica in Porto, not far from Sao Bento station has well-made and designed work by various Portuguese artisans at reasonable prices in a historic building, including a good selection of cork items, some tiles and other ceramics, some jewelry, some fabric items and more.

Posted by
145 posts

CD in DC "Mercado na Invicta", It is really close to the hotel we are staying at! Great!

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