Out of town mega malls
may be gradually strangling many of Lisbon’s smaller shops
but the Baixa quarter in Lisbon still thrives. Pricier outlets can
be found on the Avenida da Liberadade and in the
attractive Chiado district, to the west above Baixa.
Local handicrafts include baskets and other objects made of wicker,
copper utensils, embroideries and beautiful lace, pottery and other
ceramics.
Shops are generally open Monday to Friday
0900-1300hrs and 1500-1900hrs and Saturday 0900-1300hrs.
Shopping centres are open daily 1000-2300/2400hrs.
Centro Colombo is the largest shopping centre on
the Iberian Peninsula. Others include the Amoreiras Shopping
Centre, Rua Carlos Alberta da Mota Pinto, and the Centro
Comercial Vasco da Gama, at the Parque das Nações.
Lisbon has always been renowned for conservative dress but the renaissance
of the city has also translated into a new wave of funky fashion
outlets. Pick of the bunch are Agencia, Rua do
Norte 117, a 70s-style shop with a hairdresser and a bar, Fashion
Gallery Atelier, Rua do Salitre 169, with its outrageous
designs, and Godzilla, Rua dos Douradores 120,
with its cutting edge club gear.
Markets
Lisbon’s most famous market is the Feira da Ladra
(Thieves’ Market), which springs up Monday to Saturday 0900-1900hrs
on the Campo de Santa Clara, packed with all sorts of bric-a-brac
and can be reached on the tram 28.
Further
information
The Lisboa Shopping Card,
available from the tourist offices for €3 for 24 hours and
€5 for 72 hours, offers discounts at more than 200 stores in
the city.
There is a sales tax of 19 per cent included in prices. Part of
this may be reclaimed by visitors who are leaving the European Union.
Travellers wishing to take advantage of this must ask for a refund
cheque for purchases over €59 at the time of the purchase and
is available at participating stores only. The cheque must be stamped
by customs and a refund claimed before passing through passport
control at the airport. (website: www.globalrefund.com
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