Shopping Options in Lisbon for Expats

Lisbon is a shopper’s paradise. From traditional markets to ultra-modern shopping centers and malls, Lisbon caters to every shopper’s needs. High fashions and luxurious boutiques are available as well as the family-run businesses offering that personal service.

Modern Shopping Malls

The Colombo Center is the place to go for upscale shopping in an ultra-modern setting. It is in the Carnide district of Lisbon and is accessible from the Metro station Colegio Militar. There are three hundred and forty stores. It also has nine cinema screens, a bowling alley, an outdoor garden, and over sixty restaurants and eateries. It is the largest shopping mall in the Iberian Peninsula.
Vasco de Gama Shopping Center is a multi-level shopping mall featuring a glass ceiling. It boasts one hundred and seventy shops, a cinema and a sports club. It is near Lisbon’s Parque das Nações and can be reached on the Metro red line.
Amoreiras Shopping Center is a prominent shopping mall in the center of Lisbon. It first opened its doors in 1985, and it is still the top favorite for elegant shopping, classy boutiques, and upmarket coffee shops.
Picoas Plaza is in the center of Lisbon near the Metro station It has shops, offices, food-halls

Shopping Streets

Avenida da Liberdade is the most luxurious shopping street in Lisbon. A glorious tree-lined boulevard lined with top-end shops and elegant boutiques. You will find all the designers such as Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Cartier, Prada, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent. Avenida da Liberdade is famous as one of the most expensive streets in Europe.
Wander the streets of the Bairro Alto district to experience the old-world charm of many stores here. You can visit Chocolataria Ecuador, where they sell the best chocolate and macaroons in Lisbon.
Lx Factory is in the Alcântara district on the outskirts of Lisbon. It is a historic industrial complex that has been converted into a collection of alternative shops, and hip cafes, and restaurants. It is also alive with different performances and music. The easiest way to arrive at Lx Factory is by taxi, but you can also take the Metro to station Alcantara-Mar.

Farmers’ markets

Don’t miss out on visiting one of Lisbon’s colorful farmers’ markets.

Mercado da Ribeira is a massive food hall that offers a vast selection of fresh produce as well as small kitchens serving traditional foods.
Mercado da Baixa is an open-air market where you can buy all fresh produce as well as traditional street fare. It has been operating and selling gourmet cheeses, wine, meats since 1855.
M ercado 31 de Janeiro is a monthly indoor market selling fresh produce, plants, and pastries. It is well known for its extensive selection of fish and seafood. The cheese selection is equally a must-see.

Bookstores

Lisbon is a book lover’s dream come true. Yes, the old-fashioned paper books are still a ‘thing’ in Lisbon, and there are many historic book stores to visit.

Bertrand in Lisbon is the most famous and oldest book store in the world. It was founded in Lisbon’s Chiado district in 1732. Here you can buy all genres of literature in Portuguese and English as well as French and Spanish. Even if you don’t buy a book, it’s worth the visit to this historic icon.
Ler Devagar is a massive book store in the Lx Factory complex. As well as two floors of books, you may see exhibitions, concerts, and art events. This bookstore is worth a visit.
Livraria do Simao is a bookstore in the Alfama district. It is possibly the smallest book store in the world and measures four meters square yet housing over four thousand books. Only two people can fit inside at a time, and for this reason, there are often queues to get in and a 5 euro entry fee. If you purchase a book, this fee will be refunded.

Online Shopping

As everywhere in the world, online shopping is gaining popularity in Portugal. Sadly, however, Amazon doesn’t have a presence there. It is, therefore, necessary to shop at Spanish Amazon or German Amazon stores.

Some of the more popular online shopping platforms are:

eBay. This site is for buying and selling everything in Portugal.
OLX. This site is the favored choice for classified ads. Here you can find second-hand cars, rental properties and buy and sell practically everything like eBay.
El Corte Ingles Portugal. Online shopping from a reliable shopping chain.
Continente. Do your online grocery shopping at this store and have home delivery. Continente has an extensive selection of grocery items, local and international.
Worten. This store sells electronics, electrical goods, and camera gear.

Top Tips

01	When renting a flat, be sure to ask about heating. Portuguese homes are notoriously cold in winter as usually there is no heating. Houses aren’t insulated, and electricity costs are expensive. Therefore, people forgo heating. But be aware, winters are freezing as well as humid. Many ex-pats are surprised at just how severe a Portuguese winter can be.
02	Why not start your day like a local with a café and pastel de nata (traditional custard tart) sitting on an outdoor terrace. What better plaza than Lisbon’s main square Praça do Comércio.
03	Take the Ascensor da Gloria to the top arriving in Bairro Alto. Turn to your right, to find the famous viewpoint of San Pedro de Alcantara. This scenic lookout offers sensational views over the city.
04	Be very vigilant while traveling on the funiculars. Pickpockets are rife, especially in the high season. They will sit close to you, engage in conversation while a partner will take your wallet.

Useful links

https://www.visitlisboa.com/en

The official tourist information site for Lisbon. Find out everything you need to know to make the most of your trip.

https://www.lisbon.net/

Here is another site with information about activities and day trips from Lisbon.

https://imigrante.sef.pt/en/

The official website for Portuguese immigration matters. Find out about visa requirements and how you can gain Portuguese citizenship.

https://www.meetup.com/cities/pt/lisbon/
For information about residence and all immigration-related questions.

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/

Lisbon has a large expatriate community. This a great resource to find like-minded people in Lisbon. Whatever your interest, there is probably a group that meets up.

https://www.metrolisboa.pt/en/

This is the Lisbon Metro website in English. You can plan your journey here.

Interesting Facts

1. Portugal produces 50% of the world’s cork. Portuguese cork from the Algarve region is superior and used by Moet Chandon for bottling its famous champagne. Other famous companies like NASA, Rolls Royce, and Airbus prefer to use Portuguese cork.

2. The book shop, Bertrand, is the oldest in the world and you can visit it in Lisbon. It has been doing business since 1732.

3. Nazaré, a coastal town north of Lisbon is famous for its epic waves. It is well-known among surfers to have some of the best and biggest waves in the world. The waves are known to get as high as 30 meters or 100 feet.