I pride myself on finding great gifts for people (most of the time, anyway). One of my secrets is to buy things at specialist stores: they offer unique gifts and the quality is usually higher – they’re experts, after all. With that in mind, and Christmas just around the corner, here’s your exclusive guide to a few of Lisbon’s niche stores. Happy friends and family guaranteed!
Chapelaria Azevedo Rua is a late 19th century hat shop that is not only a great little store for its appearance, but also has a large assortment of hat brands and styles for both men and women. If you’re looking for something a little different, ask for hats made in Portugal. You’ll get more variety of those here than you will abroad and also at a better price. If you can’t find a hat you like here, you won’t find one anywhere else. They also teach you how to wear the hats (yes, you’ve probably been doing it wrong your whole life but it’s never too late to learn).
As the last shop in all of Portugal dedicated entirely to gloves, Luvaria Ulisses is your key to finding high-quality gloves. The store may be tiny but it’s an institution. For 90 years, Luvaria Ulisses has provided fine gloves to Lisbon’s elite and now you can be the proud owner of your own very special pair. So whether you need gloves for fashion or for sports, make sure you get them from the best.
I love unique accessories, but sometimes edible gifts can be just as charming. That’s why I love Manuel Tavares, Lda. If you’re in need of port and other typical Portuguese alcohol, the most delicious dried fruit assortments, national cheeses & charcuterie, conventual sweets and other treats, this often crowded store is an absolute must and a gourmand’s treasure trove in Lisbon.
Happy shopping!
[…] Hotel hotel in downtown Lisbon – a stone’s throw away from two of my favorites stores: Manuel Tavares and the Confeitaria Nacional so it doesn’t get the footfall of street-level restaurants. […]