Top Fifteen Souvenirs and Shopping Tips When Traveling in Portugal
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Portugal is a culturally rich country that produces some of most colorful housewares and unique flavors in Europe. If you are planning a visit and already thinking about what you want to bring back as a souvenir, you are in likeminded company.
This past year, I traveled to Portugal for a road trip through the central countryside, bookended by the major cities of Porto and Lisbon. I had some vague ideas in the back of my head of what I wanted to buy while I was there. And, for the most part, I found what I was looking for. What I didn’t know was the degree to which each region has its own unique artistic style and specialties. Which means…if you are traveling the country, you probably don’t want to wait until your last stop (or the airport) to shop.
Above photos: Shopping in Lisbon
Top 15 Souvenirs from Portugal
This guide is an overview of the some of the best shopping I discovered in Portugal and specifically where to go for regional specialties. While some of these items can also be tracked down and purchased in the US, there are many highly coveted items that can only be purchased in Portugal.
- Pottery
- Azulejos
- Ginjinha Liqueur
- Alcobaça Chintz
- Canned Seafood
- Cork
- Filigree Jewelry
- Embroidery & Linens
- Good Luck Roosters
- Portuguese Wine
- Ceramic Swallows
- meia.dúzia Artisanal Tubes
- Castelbel Fragrance
- Pasteis de Nata
- Bobbin Lace
Above photo: Coimbra Pottery
Pottery
The number one thing to purchase in Portugal is hand-made, hand-painted pottery. There are pottery shops everywhere! But, here’s the thing…Each region has its own style. Alentejo is known for its terracotta clay and large floral patterns; Alcobaça is known for vintage floral designs and blue painted ceramics; Caldas da Rainha is known for its whimsical and often humorous ceramics; Coimbra is known for monochrome tones but also yellow, green and ochre — you get the idea.
It is always special to purchase something made in the region you are visiting, but also important to go home with something that suits your personal style. For me, it was the multi-colored woodland designs of Coimbra. I purchased multiple pieces of serveware and wish I would have had room in my suitcase for more.
Azulejos
Azulejos tiles are the blue and white painted tiles seen on the facades of buildings throughout Portugal. Not just blue and white, though! There are also multi-colored designs and different relief styles.
The production of azulejos tiles dates to the 14th century. At first, these were imported from Spain, but eventually were manufactured in Portugal and became part of the cultural aesthetic used in religious architecture and on the facades of private homes.
Hand-painted azulejos tiles are still made today by contemporary artists and available at shops in major cities. A word of caution in purchasing antique tiles though. These are often stolen from buildings and are a form of vandalism. If you see them being sold, be wary and consider purchasing new pieces from a modern ceramist.
Above photo: Azulejos
Above photo: Ginjinha Chocolate Shots
Ginjinha Liqueur
Ginjinha or ginja for short, is a Portuguese liqueur made by infusing Morello cherries in alcohol and adding sugar, cinnamon and cloves. It is sweet, tart, and delicious. There are some commercially produced varieties, but also plenty of small batch sellers that often pop up at local markets and festivals.
The town most famous for its ginjinha is Óbidos, a town about an hour north of Lisbon. The folks there came up with the idea to serve ginjinha from an edible chocolate cup. The idea caught on. Nowadays, little ginja stands and hole-in-the-wall bars all over offer the option to have your ginjinha served this way.
The chocolate cups can be purchased here to re-create the experience for your friends when you get home:)
Alcobaça Chintz
Chintz is a colorful, woodblock printed cotton fabric. It originated in India and made its way to other countries in the Mediterranean region through the maritime trade routes in the 15th century. The designs were adapted to different tastes, but the fruit and floral themes were always present.
The fabric that was used by the woodblock printing workshops in Lisbon came from factories in Alcobaça. While chintz was never produced in Alcobaça, its name became connected with it. Hence, we have Alcobaça Chintz. The most common and easily recognized pattern alternates stripes with different colored backgrounds.
Chinz fabric can be purchased by the yard. Or, you can find home goods that are already made from it, such as pillows, aprons, and tote bags. Two of the best places to find authentic Alcobaça Chintz are:
- Casa Tavares & Tavares, Rua dos Fanqueiros 253, 1100-223 Lisbon
- Made in Alcobaça, Praça 25 de Abril 64, Alcobaça
Above photo: Alcobaça Chintz Apron
Above photo: The Fantstic World of the Portuguese Sardine
Sardines & Other Canned Seafood
Quite possibly the easiest souvenir to throw into your suitcase, is a tin (or four) of canned seafood. Sardines are the most popular choice, but there are other options, such as tuna, crab, and oysters. So, what makes Portuguese sardines so special, you ask? The cold currents and deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean, create ideal conditions for sardines, making the fish juicier and richer in Omega-3 fatty acids.
You will find sardine shops, called conservas (which means canned fish or seafood from Spain or Portugal) in all major cities. Naturally, Porto and Lisbon have some pretty big dedicated shops, but feel free to pick up tins at the grocery stores, too. BTW, it is perfectly OK to bring canned seafood though TSA, although you might want to pack it in your checked luggage just to be safe.
We had a blast wandering around The Fantastic World of the Portuguese Sardine in Gaia. They have locations all over Portugal (and even one in NYC, I hear!).
Cork
Fact: Portugal is the world’s largest producer of cork, which is the bark of the cork oak tree. The municipality of Coruche is the largest producer of cork in Portugal and is known as the “cork capital of the world”. Products made from cork can be readily found everywhere throughout Portugal.
I was truly amazed at all of the various things that are made from it. Of course, you immediately think of wine stoppers, bulletin boards, and flooring. However, I was really surprised to see handbags, backpacks, hats, journals, wallets, and even postcards made from cork. And, it’s waterproof! I found this out when I bought a hat in Porto to keep the rain off of my head — and was informed that the cork hat would keep me drier than the cotton hat. Sold.
Above photo: Cork Hat
Above photo: Filigree Jewelry
Filigree Jewelry
Filigree jewelry, filigrana, is made from very fine gold or silver threads, woven into intricate designs. The most popular design is the heart of Viana, which symbolizes the sacred heart of Jesus. The art of producing filigree jewelry dates back to the 8th century during the Muslim rule of Portugal. Today, it is still a a very manual production and is internationally recognized for its quality.
If you want a piece of fine jewelry made with quality gold or silver, expect the price tag to reflect it. There are gold-plated options that are a little easier on the wallet. The cities of Gondomar and Póvoa de Lanhoso are best-known for their filigree jewelry. However, it can be found at fine jewelry retailers in most cities.
Embroidery & Linens
For centuries, Portugal has held up a reputation for exceptional linen production. Traditional weaving and dying methods are still used, alongside some modern efficiencies. Not only are high-quality luxury home textiles a staple in Portugal, but they are often embellished with beautiful embroidery. I came home with multiple kitchen towels:)
If you are traveling light, consider a lover’s handkerchief, lenços dos namorados. These originated in the Minho region of Portugal during the 18th century. Young girls would embroider a handkerchief with words and symbols of affection to give to her love before a journey. You can find these today in linen and souvenir shops.
Above photo: Portuguese Embroidered Linens
Above photo: Good Luck Roosters
Good Luck Roosters
The Good Luck Rooster, Galo de Barcelos, is a hospitality symbol of good luck, faith, and justice. The symbol is based on a folk tale about a rooster that saved a man from being falsely convicted of murder. However, the good luck charm only works if the rooster is given as a gift — not bought for oneself. This makes it an especially great souvenir for the person whose been looking after your mail or plants while you’ve been galavanting around the Portuguese countryside.
We saw little ceramic Good Luck Roosters in every souvenir and trinket shop we entered. It is also common to find these in ceramics shops — and some of them are pretty high-end, artistic creations. The rooster also shows up in other places, such as on linens, mugs, kitchen items, wine stoppers, coasters. Yea, he’s basically all over everything!
Portuguese Wine
When in Porto…Port. When in Maderia…Maderia. But did you know Portugal has over 250 indigenous grape varieties and 31 wine regions? The best way to narrow down some bottles to take home with you is to tour wine regions and/or cellars and do some tastings. We grabbed some bottles from the store for our picnic and were pleasantly surprised — especially by the price tag. Wine was cheaper than bottled water. Just a thought there. Here are a few highly recommended wine tours:
Above photo: Wine Shopping in Porto
Above photo: Ceramic Swallows
Ceramic Swallows
Swallows are symbols of love, loyalty, hope and good fortune in Portuguese culture. They are also commonly associated with family, home, and new beginnings. Hence, you will see them over doorways and as wall decorations in homes and businesses throughout Portugal, usually in ceramic form.
The first ceramic swallows were designed in 1891 by Bordallo Pinheiro. While you can still purchase an original Pinheiro in the town of Caldas da Rainha (about an hour north of Lisbon), you can find variations of the mold at ceramics shops, cerâmicas, and souvenir shop in most cities.
meia.dúzia Artisanal Tubes
It’s always fun to bring home some of the local flavors of a region. We spotted these meia.dúzia stores in both Porto and Lisbon selling Portuguese jams, chocolate spreads, and flavored honey in tubes. How can you resist chocolate in a tube?! Of course, we went inside, sampled everything, and ended up purchasing several sets that made their appearance on my charcuterie boards during the holidays. International shipping is available through their website in case you need to replen!
Above photo: meia.dúzia Artisanal Tubes
Above photo: Castelbel Portus Cale
Castelbel Fragrance
Castelbel is a Portuguese brand of personal and home fragrance products that includes bath and body products, candles, and diffusers. It is a modern brand that pulls its inspiration from Portuguese culture and the landscape of the Duoro River valley.
Their stunning and serene shops can be found in Lisbon, Porto, and Braga. My favorite collection is their Portus Cale series of products, which are packaged in Portuguese ceramic jars and are perfect for gifting. If you miss them during your travels, worldwide shipping is available through their website.
Pasteis de Nata
Pasteis de Nata are egg-based custard tarts that are synonymous with Portugal. It is hard to pass by a bakery and not spot a tray of freshly made pasteis in the window. The original recipe, Pastéis de Belém, was created in the 17th century by monks at the Jerónimos Monastery in the Belém area of Lisbon, but I had a hard time telling the difference from other bakeries.
Given the popularity of the Pastéis de Belém cafe, expect a long queue to get a table. Here’s a tip though: there is a take-away window just a few steps from the cafe entrance where you can grab a sleeve of tarts and be on your merry way. The sad thing is these are difficult to transport due to the need to keep them refrigerated. Some business will ship them frozen on ice packs, but it can affect the texture. So, it is best to enjoy them fresh and warm from the oven while you are waiting in line for the Tower of Belem or Jerónimos Monastery.
For a hands-on experience where you can learn how to make Pasteis de Nata at home, consider taking a Portuguese Pastry Workshop in Lisbon.
Above photo: Pastéis de Belém
Bobbin Lace
The making of bobbin lace, renda de bilros, is a heritage craft. Bobbin lace and its makers dates back to the 17th century, to the parishes of Vila do Conde, Azurara and Árvore. The Bobbin Lace Museum in Vila do Conde houses both a museum and a school of lacework and embroidery where you can watch artisan lace-makers display their skills.
Most of the lace trim that you see today has been produced in factories. Keep an eye out for handmade bobbin lace at craft markets or speciality stores. It is rare find!
Shopping Tips
In addition to the pieces of Portugal that made it into my suitcase, I also want to share my top shopping tips, recommended experiences, and an honorable mention.
Shopping Tip: VAT Tax Refund
If you are resident outside the EU you are entitled to a VAT refund on goods you have bought during your stay in the EU if the goods are shown to customs on departure within 3 months of their purchase together with the VAT refund documents.
In Portugal, the minimum purchase to be eligible for the VAT refund is 50 € in a single transaction. To get the process started, be sure to ask the store you’re visiting about their VAT refund policy and to create the necessary documents. Click here for a complete guide on how to get a VAT refund for cross-border transactions.
If you plan on making any large purchases e.g., luxury goods, the VAT tax refund could result in significant savings. I took advantage of this at the gorgeous Casa Loewe store in Lisbon. Loewe is a Madrid-based designer brand, but has a really stunning new flagship store in Lisbon, a 400sqm space in a fully restored historic building featuring a greenery-filled outdoor terrace. If there is ever a time to use girl math, this is it.
Above photos: Casa Loewe, Lisbon
Recommended Experience: LX Factory
LX Factory is a really cool creative and industrial area in Lisbon with over 50 shops and eateries. It is a cross between an artisan market and a strip mall. While this may not be your typical souvenir shopping, it is a great place to find original creations from start-up brands and local designers.
We came here for lunch and a bit of shopping at the end of our trip — and it was a very nice break from the tourist attractions and typical souvenir shops. LX Factory is located in the Alcantara neighborhood, which lies to the west of central Lisbon. We fit it in before our visit to Palácio Nacional da Ajuda.
Above photos: LX Factory, Lisbon
Akin to the LX Factory experience, we also ran into all kinds of street vendors, farmers markets, craft stalls, and vintage marketplaces in the locations we visited. These tend to operate during the warm-weather months on select days. They are always fun to browse and it feels good to support local makers.
Above photos: Street vendors and markets
Honorable Mention: Book Stores
The Portuguese name for a book store is livraria. I was surprised by the number of book shops we saw and even more surprised by the beautiful architecture and signage of these spaces. Portugal is probably best known for its lyric poetry powered by one of the world’s greatest romance languages. If you are fluent, picking up a book might be high on your shopping list. Nonetheless, I highly recommend ducking into a few book stores while traveling in Portugal.
Above photos: Book stores in Portugal
Traditional Souvenirs
If you are more of a traditional souvenir person who enjoys collecting trinkets, below are a handful of things that caught my eye as we traveled. I loved all the vibrant colors and bold flavors.
Above photos: Souvenir shopping in Portugal
Your Photos
Last, but not least, there are some things that you simply cannot bottle or pack. Corny as it sounds, memories and time spent with special people are the best souvenirs. Photographs are a close second because I don’t have the best memory and photos help me recall the moments. In that regard, here are a few suggestions for organizing and printing your beloved memories:
- Mpix: love their albums and photo gifts
- Shutterfly: great for creating greeting cards from your photos
- Printique: great for wall prints
- Mixbook: great for creating photobooks
- Snapfish: my longtime fave for individual prints
Here are links to the posts for each of the places we visited: Porto | Coimbra | Tomar | Batalha | Alcobaça | Mafra | Sintra (coming soon) | Lisbon (coming soon)
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