The objects of the Portuguese culture unquestionable
Let's start with the famous azulejos, those beautiful pieces of earthenware or painted ceramics that adorn many buildings in Portugal. Bringing home an authentic azulejo is a must. Enter Orey Azulejos or Cortiço e Netos in Lisbon for example. In Porto, the Zinda Atelier is a sure bet. And if you want to create your own tiles while learning their history, workshops are offered by Brâmica. You can also find them in antique shops, but prices can go up quickly.
When we mention Lisbon, we usually think of its yellow and white tramway, a typical means of transportation in the city. A small tramway figurine will leave you with a good memory of your stay in Lisbon. You can easily find them in souvenir stores, made of plastic, wood or painted iron.
What would Portugal be without the fado? Go into a music store and ask for a traditional album. If you own a record player, buying one or more vinyls will take you back to the time of the famous Amália Rodrigues.
Less traditional but part of Portugal's culture, if you are a soccer fan and supporter of a local team, visit the official stores of the country's two big clubs: the Benfica Official Store in Lisbon and the FC Porto Store Baixa in Oporto.
The Portuguese are big fans of literature. Why not bring back a book in its original or translated version as it is possible to find in Lisbon and Porto? It is not uncommon to see vendors of old books in the metro, so check them out. The Lello & Irmao bookstore in Porto, an architectural marvel from 1906, is very busy and full of interesting books. And if you decide to drop by Óbidos, a charming little village near Nazaré, check out the bookstore in an old church at the end of the main street.
Discovering local crafts
Basketry is a long-standing tradition in Portugal. The making of woven wicker objects requires technique and know-how. If there is a place to visit to discover this ancestral art, it is the cooperativa dos cestinhos de Ilha, in Pombal, where elderly women create baskets, toys, trivets and other unique decorative objects to bring back from their trip.
Cork work is also very present in Portugal, the first producing country in the world. From the bark of the cork oaks, spread throughout the country, are created the corks that we find on wine bottles. Artists have used this material to make all sorts of objects such as wallets, bags, shoes, hats, kitchen equipment, postcards... It is not difficult to find a store dedicated to this product.
In the Serra da Estrela mountains, Burel wool is world renowned. It is used to make resistant clothes, but also accessories, such as scarves, gloves, hats and bags. The company Escolã, in Manteigas opens its doors to you. The Loja de Burel store in Lisbon promotes the work of the mountain's inhabitants by selling products made of Burel wool, as well as honey and jams.
Another idea of Portuguese know-how is lace and household linen with a choice of tablecloths, sheets, dishcloths, aprons...
As for beauty, turn to Claus Porto products, especially for its handmade soaps. There are stores in Lisbon and Porto.
Last artisanal souvenir, the jewelry. Most of them are made of gold and are made with the so-called filigree technique. Gold or silver wires are intertwined to form pendants, bracelets, earrings and rings with various designs. Only 40 workshops work in this way. The Viana heart, which originates from the Minha region in the north, is the symbol of Portuguese jewelry. It has been used in several campaigns such as the Euro 2014 and adorns the necks of many Hollywood stars. Why not yours?
Specialties of the Portuguese gastronomy that support well the trip
We start with the unavoidable pastel de nata which the Portuguese love at any time of the day. Literally, they are pastries with cream, based on custard. The best ones are still made in bakeries such as the very famous pastéis de Belém in Lisbon, which produces its cakes in a traditional way according to the monks' method. The Manteigaria is also one of the best places to find these delicious pastries. You can get them all over the country very easily. And although not as authentic, the packaged pasteis de nata will wake up your taste buds when you return. If you pass by Sintra, at least think about tasting the queijada, a kind of small cheesecake.
The sardine is another symbol of Lisbon. It is eaten grilled in the streets during the Saint Anthony of Padua day in June, but also all year round. In recent years, historical brands have brought back to life retro tins which, once emptied of their sardines with oil, lemon, garlic... make a beautiful decorative element. You can find them in souvenir stores, supermarkets and retro stores like Conservaria de Lisboa or Mercearia En'Graça. Tins of tuna, cod or octopus are also good products to bring back.
The great Portuguese explorers were the first to bring coffee to Europe in the 15th century. The Portuguese have a long and beautiful history with this product. Specialized stores with very good advice will allow you to find a selection of quality coffees. The same goes for chocolate.
Olive oil produced in Portugal tends to be recognized at the same level as its Italian and Spanish counterparts. The country produces very good quality in the Alentejo. Go directly to good producers like Monte Ermos, Rosmaninho, Cabeço das Nogueiras, Carm, Andorinha, Cortes de Cima, Esporão... You will discover the techniques of production and take home an excellent bottle of olive oil. In 2014, the Oliveira da Serra estate, near Beja, and its Lagar do Marmelo bottle won the Best Olive Oil in the World award, an extraordinary achievement. These bottles are also sold in souvenir stores and supermarkets in the country. Choose an olive oil with 0.5% acidity.
Those who like cold cuts will find something to their liking, such as the local chorizo, the Salpiçao sausage from Trás-os-Montes, which is said to have been produced since the 17th century, and the Paio, another large sausage with garlic or pepper.
Wine, port and liqueur
Wine lovers, you will certainly come back with one or more bottles to offer or to drink on your return. You will find them in specialized stores, in the Port wine cellars or in the Douro Valley, but also in supermarkets. A red wine will accompany cheeses and desserts, while a white wine is perfect for an aperitif. Serve it chilled!
Besides wine, Lisbon's local specialty is Ginja, a cherry liqueur. Visit A Ginjinha Espinheira, the oldest factory in Portugal, located in Lisbon.
The rooster of Barcelos
France is not the only country to have the rooster as its national emblem, Portugal too. Its name: the rooster of Barcelos, or O galo de Barcelos in Portuguese. It is represented in black with a red crest, blue feet and hearts on the wings and head. Artists, designers and illustrators have revisited it extensively. You can find them in Barcelos but also in all souvenir stores, in the form of colored figurines (in principle they must be hand-painted so that each rooster is unique), in ceramics, on retro posters, t-shirts, magnets, can openers...
According to the legend, in the 15th century, a Spanish pilgrim on his way to Compostela who passed through Barcelos, near Braga, was accused by the locals of a crime that took place in the small town. He tried to prove his innocence but no one believed him. He was condemned to be hanged. To avoid this terrible sentence, the pilgrim asked to see a judge. When he received him, the judge was eating. Claiming his innocence, the pilgrim pointed to the rooster on the table and said, "If I am innocent the rooster will crow. The judge decided not to eat the rooster. On the day of the hanging, the rooster did crow. The pilgrim was then pardoned. The pilgrim returned a few years later, erecting a monument in honor of the rooster. This one is in the Archaeological Museum of Barcelos. The rooster of Barcelos is supposed to bring joy and luck to the one who receives it.
