Check off your holiday wishlist in style in Lisbon.
With an impressive selection of some of the world's most revered international brands, as well as local gems hidden in every corner, Lisbon is the perfect shopping destination this winter.
Some of our suggestions, below:
Occupying an old perfume warehouse in the trendy Chiado district, this gem of a store has ensured the survival of many a Portuguese tradition. Over 1,000 originally packaged products including candy, tea, coffee, traditional colorful sardine tins, biscuits, vintage and art-deco wrapped soaps by Claus Porto (one of Oprah's favorite things), pencils, mugs, jewelry, toothpaste, ceramics from the Bordalo Pinheiro Factory and traditional woolen blankets from Alentejo.
For her: Heart-shaped filigree gold pendant - Sharon Stone has been spotted wearing it several times.
The delightfully packaged soaps from Castelbel - we especially love the Portus Cale turquoise blue butterfly collection by Claus Porto.
Also located in the Chiado district, this tiny, four-meter square shop is the last remaining of its kind, dedicated to the exclusive sale of exquisite, bespoke hand-made gloves - one of the staples of 1950s fashion (that is so in vogue this year), made famous by the likes of Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. In an array of colors and materials, they are surprisingly well priced, and a perfect gift to take back home for winter.
For her: Opera length gloves. You know what they say: the shorter your sleeves, the longer your gloves!
For him: Sporty driving gloves that will make any car trip seem like a luxurious affair.
A shoe lover's delight, the Luís Onofre brand was born in 1999, and his flagship store brought shoe heaven to Lisbon when it opened in 2013 in Avenida da Liberdade.
A 100% Portuguese brand, Luís Onofre's list of clients includes actresses like Penélope Cruz or Naomi Watts, and icons like Michelle Obama, Laetizia Ortiz or Genoveva Casanova. In fact, he even received a thank you letter from the First Lady herself, for the moccasins President Obama brought back for her from his visit to Portugal.
Embaixada is the newest concept store in the Príncipe Real neighbourhood. Housed inside a neo-moorish 18th century palace, a makeover has been given to the interior to make it suitable for stores, while still maintaining its old-world charm. Embaixada is home to many Portuguese designers and creators that have chosen to display here. An innovative concept in the Lisbon scene, in Embaixada you’ll find a number of other brands, like Latitid, Amélie au Théâtre, Shoes Closet, Urze, VLA Records, Organii Bebé, Organii Cosmética Biológica and Linkstore, among many others.
An obvious stop for stocking fillers!
For her: A swimsuit, bikini or trikini by Portuguese swimwear brand Latitid - because you can never have to many bikinis!
For him: A cosy dark brown waterproof Burel coat (artisanal Portuguese fabric made entirely from wool by the farmers in the mountain regions of Portugal) from Urze mountain lifestyle.
For a mommy-to-be: Vivi & Me organic baby wrap at Organii Bébé.
Extra tip: Enjoy a Gin&Tonic at Gin Lovers - because we all know a day's shopping can be exhausting!
Jewelry
Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is home to a collection of Lisbon's finest jewelry stores, where you can find Rosior (who used to produce for Cartier), Leitão & Irmão (crown jewelers), Saldanha & Pimenta (if you're planning on popping the question anytime soon), Antique (Luiz Ferreira silverware) and Boutique dos Relógios for watch brands like IWC, Rolex and Omega.
International Brands
Lisbon's Avenida da Liberdade, walking distance from the hotel and a lovely stroll all the way down to the river, is a haven for luxury brand enthusiasts, with an array of big names lined one after another. Strolling down the avenue, one can find such stores as Cartier, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Zegna, Max Mara or Gucci, among many others.
See more about Lisbon's shopping scene on Monocle Magazine here: http://monocle.com/magazine/issues/69/head-for-the-hills/
