Art and Shopping in the City of Seven Hills: Lisbon, Portugal

Shopping

• Symbols Lisboa – Immaculately curated concept store with clothes, books, jewelry and more. The fact that the store itself is so gorgeous doesn’t hurt either.

• Feira da Ladra – As a flea market lover, I was not disappointed here. Found some really great textiles and a couple of antique brass and ceramic pieces to bring back to the States with me. Perched up on a hill in the lovely neighborhood of Alfama it is also the home to some pretty stellar views.

• Conserveira de Lisboa – If you are as big a fan of tinned fish as I am you will thank me for sending you here.

• A Vida Portuguesa – Housing products created and fabricated in Portugal, handed down through generations. If you’re looking to bring authentic gifts – ranging from soaps, notebooks, jewelry and more - back home look no further.

• Luvaria Ulisses – Located on the most fashionable street in Lisbon, this is the last shop in the whole of Portugal, which is exclusively dedicated to the bespoke hand manufacture of leather gloves. Sure, you may not *need* bespoke leather gloves but, at around only 50 euro a pair and such exceptional quality, don’t you deserve a little indulgence?

Museums/Galleries

• MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology) – This one is a no-brainer. Before you even enter the building, you can marvel at the stunning, futuristic structure by British architect Amanda Levete. The permanent collection and rotating exhibitions run the gamut, from pop art to ceramics to wood sculptures. There’s something for everyone. Bonus: The on-site MAAT Café & Restaurant (complete with a gorgeous view of the Tagus) is the perfect spot to recharge (and perhaps indulge in an afternoon glass of wine?) It also has a pretty iconic brunch on the weekends.

• ADZ Gallery – Really unassuming, intimate little space that does about eight exhibitions a year. Definitely worth checking out if they have anything going on during your visit.

• Calouste Gulbenkian Museum – Brutalist architecture housing one of Portugal’s finest private collection of world class pieces spanning 5000 years of history including Egyptian sculptures, John Singer Sargent paintings and Art Nouveau jewelry. The museum also houses a large selection of European art with pieces by Rembrandt, Monet and Renoir. Wander through the sculpture-studded grounds and relax on the lawn beside the lake.

• Underdogs Gallery – A venue dedicated to urban art showcasing works from both local and international street artists. Several solo and group exhibitions throughout the year. Their approach to promoting art in the city as a public service and close relationship with the artists they work with is inspiring.

• Eritage – This place gives me chills. Something about their approach to new formats and creative processes and the intelligence and thoughtfulness in the art they showcase really speaks to me. They also have a tattoo studio!

BONUS

• 8 Marvila – This space blends both art AND shopping – JACKPOT! Located in a massive former wine warehouse, this cultural space features a really unique mix of stores ranging from vintage clothing to home décor to plants and design. A couple of highlights for me are the wine shop CUBA No 160, the art gallery Because Art Matters (BAM) and the vintage store Anomaly. Don’t worry – there’s plenty to eat and drink on site as well. 8 Marvila is definitely a can’t-miss in my book.