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Travelling to Portugal and on the hunt for the best souvenirs from Portugal? 

Bringing home a few special souvenirs from your trip helps lock in the memories from your time travelling. Whether you’re on a honeymoon vacation or a summer family trip, it’s always a good idea to select a few cool items to take home with you.

Travelling to Portugal is no exception, especially when there are so many great local products you can choose as souvenirs.

There’s no need to pick cheap plastic key chains or tacky refrigerator magnets when there are countless other options for authentic Portuguese souvenirs! 

Having scoured countless Portuguese fleamarkets and souvenir shops, I’ve compiled a list of my favourite Portugal souvenirs. Whether you’re after the perfect Portuguese ceramics, foodie souvenirs or cork bags from Portugal, I’ve got you covered so you can buy a truly meaningful and genuine memento from your travels.

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Pssst…Don’t forget to read our Portugal packing list post to ensure you’ve got all your travel essentials packed and ready for your holiday to Portugal!

No matter which town or city you visit in Portugal, there are bound to be plenty of souvenir shops. Try to find places owned by locals and don’t be afraid to look around for a little while before choosing the perfect shopping spot.

Whatever you do, don’t leave your souvenir shopping to when you’re at the airport and preparing to leave! Not only are airport souvenirs jacked up in price, but they also usually aren’t the “real deal.” It’s much better to take a bit of time to find an authentic Portuguese souvenir while you’re travelling in the country.

For bargain hunting, head over to the famous ‘Feira da Ladra’, translated as Thiefs Market, the oldest fleamarket in Lisbon to find the perfect Portugal souvenir.

If you’re after a more upscale souvenir shopping experience, then I can highly recommend visiting one of the ‘A Vida Portuguesa’ retail shops where you’ll find a selection of good quality Portuguese gifts and souvenirs. 

One of the most quintessential souvenirs in Portugal is cork products. Being one of the world’s largest producers of cork, it’s no wonder Portugal has turned this material into countless products.

Portugal cork bags, cork handbags, and coin pouches are some of the most popular products, but you can get larger items like cork purses and backpacks as well. As taste in souvenirs has changed, artisans have adapted to meet the times by making cork phone cases, sunglass holders, and more!

Porto and Lisbon are the best two cities to shop for Portugal cork products. It’s definitely a good idea to look around a bit though because quality varies. Pelco and Cork & Co are two of the better shops in Lisbon to check out for cork souvenirs.

One of the things Portugal is most famous for is the intricately designed tiles (or Azulejos as they are known in Portuguese).

These traditional Portuguese tiles can be seen all over the country, and decorate many famous buildings with their distinct, blue-tinted, hand-painted art. On your travels in Portugal, you’re certain to encounter azulejos in churches, museums, palaces, or even hotels.

Local artisans will sell tiles of varying sizes, and the small ones are usually very reasonable in price. A lot of shops can be found around famous Portuguese landmarks which use azulejos in their architecture and design.

Just remember to be careful when packing the tiles. Make sure they’re well wrapped and preferably tucked securely under several layers of clothing – you definitely wouldn’t want them damaged on your flight home!

If you’re looking for the perfect Lisbon souvenir shop from which to buy these gorgeous tiles, then head over to Cortiço & Netos for bespoke Portuguese tiles. 

Insider Tip: A word or warning, whatever you do, please don’t buy any tiles from the merchants selling loose tile samples at the fleamarket, these are often illegaly chipped off buildings and sold to unsuspecting tourists. 

What better way to celebrate your time in Portugal than by bringing home a bottle of the country’s most famous beverage? If you’re a serious wine fan, plan on spending extra on a vintage bottle (usually around €100), but under €20 will still get you a decent bottle. Savouring Port wine is definitely one of the best things to do when visiting Porto! 

The best place to buy Port is from one of the famous Port Houses situated in Gaia, just across the river from Porto. Of course, you may visit many of the wineries and estates in and around the Douro Valley to sample not only Port wine but other varieties produced in this famous wine region. 

If you don’t have a chance to take a wine tour in the Douro Valley, there are plenty of shops around Porto, Lisbon and other parts of the country, which sell bottles of Port wine.

In addition to Port, there are other varieties of Portuguese wines, which make great souvenirs. Of all the Portuguese souvenirs on the list, wine is one that you don’t need to be so picky about where you buy; Portugal has such great wine selections that even the options in supermarkets are quality choices!

One thing you have to include in your Porto or Lisbon Itinerary is to try the world-famous Pasteis de Nata pastry. 

If you fall in love with this famous dessert of Portugal, which I’m sure you will upon first bite, then you’re in luck, because these delicious treats also come in six-pack transportable boxes.

Bring a packet or two home so you can enjoy these crunchy and delectable Portuguese egg-yolk custard tartlets.

The best place to buy them is at the Pastéis de Belém shop in Lisbon, which is the oldest and most famous bakery to make the treats. Having said this, this particular bakery can attract long lines of tourists, all eager to get there hands on these delicious delights. 

As an alternative, skip the queues and rather head to one of the Manteigaria shops to get your Pasteis de Nata fix.

Just make sure it’s the last thing you buy before you leave to ensure they stay fresh as long as possible.

Portuguese olive oil is said to be some of the best and most flavorful in the world. If you took a Portuguese cooking class while on vacation or simply fell in love with Portuguese cuisine, a bottle of olive oil is a great thing to bring home to continue to savour your trip.

There are several varieties of olive oil, so if you’re picky, you might want to do a bit of research to figure out which type you want to get.

If you’re in Lisbon, the Olistori shop is a good place to look for reasonably priced and high-quality Portuguese olive oil.

An iconic Portugal souvenir you’ll see all over the country is the Barcelos Rooster or “O Galo de Barcelos”. These little ceramic figurines resemble brightly coloured and decorative roosters which range in size and detail.

Since the rooster is the national symbol of Portugal, it makes sense why these cute pieces have gained so much popularity as souvenirs.

Although they’re sold in practically every souvenir shop and tourist stall in the country, try looking for the smaller local venues where you might even have a chance to meet the artisans who make these figurines.

In addition to roosters, ceramic sardines are another popular icon to use since the little fish are such common food throughout the country. 

Traditionally, the figures were made of ceramic, but you can also find other varieties made from cork, wood, or cloth for something new and different.

It takes a bit of strategic packing, but a beautiful ceramic platter or serving plate can make a great souvenir from Portugal.

Portuguese pottery is said to be some of the best in Europe, and you can find ceramic shops all over the country selling everything from tiny teacups to enormous serving dishes.

Price varies a lot depending on the shop and where it’s located, so for the best deals and authenticity, we recommend finding shops in less frequented areas off the main tourist roads.

As the ceramic style has adapted over the years, it’s possible to find both rustic and classic designs as well as more modern and sleek ceramic pieces. Both types are usually local and handmade, it just depends on your style preference for which you want to buy.

When it comes to finding the best ceramics from Portugal, Vista Alegre is undoubtedly the place to go. Offering a premium selection of hand painted ceramics, this chain is known for their quality and truly unique designs, although this does come at a heftier price tag too!  

Jewellery items are common souvenirs, and in Portugal, it’s no different. Whether you want to pick up something special for yourself or as a gift for someone else back home, there are plenty of jewellery items to chose from.

Portugal is particularly known for the elegant gold filigree jewellery produced in the country, which is definitely on the pricier end of what you could buy in Portugal. 

However, if you can afford it, a piece of traditional Portuguese jewellery adorned with a religious symbol and elegant designs can make a very meaningful memento or an exceptionally special gift for a friend or loved one.

Plus, since jewellery items are generally small, you don’t need to worry about them taking up too much room in your luggage!

A final food item to include on this list of Portuguese souvenirs, cheese is extremely popular throughout the country and comes in many varieties.

Chances are that as you’ve been travelling, you’ll have had the opportunity to sample numerous types of Portuguese cheeses. If you find a particular kind of cheese you love, then why not bring some home. 

If you do decide to buy a wheel of cheese, opt for a local version instead of a commercially produced one. Sheep milk cheese is considered a more classic variety, but goat and cow milk are also commonly used.

Harder varieties of cheese are easier to transport and less susceptible to damage or change in temperature. It’s a good idea to save your cheese purchase until the end of your trip though so you can refrigerate it once you get home.

Whatever make you chose, be it a cheese from Azeitão, the strong Queijo de Serra da Estrela, or the subtle Requeijão Português, there is a cheese variety for every taste and preference!

11. Sardines

By Tanya Taylor from Travels & Treasures

Do you have foodie friends? Our favourite souvenirs from Portugal are canned sardines, known as ‘sardinha portuguesa’, and pate. These attractive cans are decorated with cute little scenes and come in a variety of sizes.

Portuguese sardines are renowned for their flavour and quality and we like to buy a small supply to take home to friends and family. These tinned sardines are one of the country’s most iconic fish dishes and a must-try for all visitors.

The most sought-after canned sardines are those made by Conserveira da Sardinha Portuguesa located in downtown Lisbon. This store is like the Willy Wonka of canned seafood! They offer an extensive range of products including tuna, cod, and salmon – all perfect gifts for fish lovers. You can also find a nice selection at Silva & Feijoo.

The cans are airtight so there’s no need to worry about any spillage or breakage in your luggage. There is no special packing required. However, we recommend burying them inside a shoe or apparel so that if your luggage is thrown on a carousel, the cans are not dented. 

Canned sardines from Portugal make excellent (and tasty) souvenirs, so be sure to pick up some before leaving. Not only do they taste great but they also provide a reminder of your trip to one of Europe’s most charming countries each time you look at them!

12. Tea Towels – Gifts & Souvenirs from Portugal

By Nancy Michelle Cote from Ericeira Family Adventures

One of the best practical and useful souvenirs from Portugal are beautiful tea towels and hand towels from A Vida Portuguesa. They are very lightweight, so they won’t add much bulk to your luggage on the way home. These tea towels are 100% Portuguese products and feature beautiful designs that are sure to help you remember your time in Portugal every time you dry a plate. 

The shop prides itself on using Portuguese-sourced products as much as possible and is an emblematic place to buy unique gifts coming from Portuguese heritage. You’ll find traditionally hand-embroidered products as well as cross-stitch designs on their snack and bread bags, and even napkins and placemats. 

A Vida Portuguesa has 4 shops in Lisbon, all of which are an experience in themselves and makes for a fun hour perusing beautiful objects! Make sure to visit the shop in Chiado, the old-world feel of hanging goods and the apothecary-like shelves take you back to another time.  

The Intendente shop is quite large and repurposed an old ceramic tile factory that closed long ago. It is quaint, full of exclusive, interesting objects, and truly not to be missed. They also have a shop in Ribeira as well as in Depozito which are not quite as picturesque.

Everyone loves a practical gift you can use for years to come, making tea towels an excellent souvenir for any traveller! So make sure you visit Vida Portuguesa and take a piece of Portugal back home with you.

13. Pico Island Wine

By Inês from Random Trip

Portugal is a country of amazing wine (being the Douro Valley wine region and Oporto wines the most famous internationally) but have you heard about Portuguese volcanic wine? This special and rare wine is created in very harsh conditions on Pico island, one of the nine islands of the Azores islands. 

About 80% of Pico island is covered with lava from volcanic eruptions and what’s so interesting is that rich grapes are born from such an arid land with the help of “currais”, a Pico architectural vineyard miracle. The black volcanic stones of currais walls protect the vineyards from the wind and seawater but they need to break the volcanic rock to put down roots. 

The grapes born from this process are delicious due to the greenhouse effect of the currais and the salinity of the sea. Pico’s wine (especially white) is actually one of the main attractions of the island (the other one is climbing Pico´s mountain, the highest point of Portugal), and the landscape of Pico´s vineyards and currais is a Unesco World Heritage Site. 

You can walk through this landscape in Criação Velha’s trekking and learn about Pico’s wine process and history at Pico Island Wine Museum in Madalena and at the Interpretation Center of the Cultural Landscape of Vinha da Ilha do Pico in Lajido. 

You can taste and buy this fantastic wine at Cella Bar, an architectural pearl with a wine cellar that has 25 wines only from the island of Pico (Terras de Lava is amazing); at the Azores Wine Company, another architecturally interesting point or at Cooperativa Vitivinicola Da Ilha Do Pico (aka Picowines) to taste a sweet wine, the famous “Lajido Superior”, a strong but dry wine but also one of our favourite whites produced here: Frei Gigante. 

You can also buy this and other Pico island wine brands like Curral Atlantis in Madalena: in Mercado Bio, apart from delicious vegetarian and vegan food, offers a good selection of local wines to buy, and in Garrafeira da Vila. 

You can also find some of them in the Continente supermarket on the island. The good news is that if you want to try this wine but can´t make it to the Azores yet, you can also find it in the Portuguese mainland, in Mercearia dos Açores in Lisbon, or Mercadinho dos Açores in Oporto. 

After knowing all this, you can now understand why it is one of the rarest and most special souvenirs you can bring from the country, we can guarantee you it won’t be easy to find it elsewhere. 

14. Madeira Wine

By Joanna from The World In My Pocket

Madeira wine makes a wonderful souvenir to buy from Portugal, especially when you visit the beautiful island of Madeira. Whilst you will find Madeira wine all over Portugal, it is best to first taste and then buy it straight from the producer, in Madeira.

One of the fantastic things to do in Madeira is to go for a Madeira wine tasting. There are several producers on the island, the most famous and accessible to visit being Blandy’s. They are one of the oldest producers on the island as well and have their headquarters in the centre of Funchal.

Madeira wine is special because it is aged in American oak barrels, on the top floor of cellars, using the heat of the sun. The average temperature that Madeira wine ages at is 45-50 degrees Celsius for at least 3 months. The maturation of the wine goes on for at least 3 years, with vintages being aged for even 20 years.

Whilst many people know Madeira wine as a dessert wine, you will be surprised to learn that it can be an aperitif as well. There are different types of Madeira wine with different levels of sweetness. If you visit a bodega in Funchal you will learn about the differences in Madeira wine as well as taste it. These are the best places to buy wine from as well.

15. Poncha from Madeira

By Jasmine from The Life Of A Social Butterfly

Whilst you may be familiar with Madeira wine, another local tipple you must try during a holiday to Madeira is Poncha; Madeira’s most famous drink and one of the must-try things to do in Madeira.

This potent alcoholic beverage may look like fruit juice, after all, it does contain fruit flavours of orange, lime, tangerine, passion fruit, or lemon depending on the variety you choose. However, the fruit juice accompanies sugarcane rum, honey and sugar, which gives the drink a succinct kick! The traditional flavour is lemon, and the drink is believed to be derived from Madeiran fishermen who drink Poncha as part of their staple diet!

One of the best places to try Poncha in Madeira is the Madeira Rum House, located next to the Santiago Fortress in Funchal. Of course, once you try Poncha, it’s more than likely you will want a bottle to take home as a souvenir and you will find plenty of shops in central Funchal to buy Poncha. Alternatively, purchase a bottle of Poncha at the airport, which is a great option to ensure the bottle is properly wrapped as a duty-free item. 

16. Piri Piri 

By Paulina from Paulina On The Road

Piri piri is a type of chili pepper that is native to Africa and the Caribbean. It is commonly used in Portuguese, African, and Caribbean cuisine. The peppers are typically dried and ground into a powder, which is then used to make a spicy, flavourful sauce. We know piri piri for its amazing flavour used in numerous dishes.

What we don’t know is that it originates from Portugal and hence is known widely in the country.

Piri Piri from Algarve is an excellent souvenir because it is a unique and flavourful seasoning and its origins can be traced back to Portuguese colonial times. 

Apart from the best beaches in Algarve, piri piri is another thing this place is known for. It can be used to add a spicy kick to any dish and can be used to make some truly delicious and unique dishes. Plus, it is a great reminder of the wonderful flavours and experiences you had while visiting Algarve.

Travellers can buy bottled piri piri hot sauce so that it is easy to carry. You can choose any of the popular brands like a popular brand such as Ferbar or Continente from regular grocery stores. Choose a bottle of authentic piri piri during your visit to Algarve.

17. Unique Souvenirs from Portugal – Sand

By Abbey from Trips on Abbey Road

One of the best souvenirs from Portugal is the sand on the beautiful beaches you visit. This is because sand is free, comes in many different shapes, colours vary, is easy to carry, and is one of the best reminders of your trip to Portugal. And let’s face it, Portugal has some of the most stunning beaches ranging from the best beaches in Lagos, the dramatic beaches in Madeira and the Azores to the gorgeous beaches in and around Lisbon!

While on the best beaches in the Algarve, you can collect the sand and put it in everyday containers you already have. Old shampoo or soap bottles are perfect, once you wash them out. You could also put sand in small glass bottles if you are careful when packing for your trip home. 

Not only is sand lightweight and easy to bring home with you, but it also has a distinct texture and color that is unique to each location throughout Portugal.  The sand from Praia Dos Pescadores in Albuferia, for example, is a beautiful blend of white and gold, making it a one-of-a-kind souvenir. Many of the other beaches throughout the region have bigger rocks with darker colors. 

Try to collect a sample from all the different beaches in the Algarve. Once you get home you can find adorable clear containers to store them in. You can even stack the different layers of sand to really show off the different textures and colors from each place. When it comes to souvenirs from Portugal, sand is hassle-free, eco-friendly, and basically a free option to bring back home to your friends and loved ones!

Whether you’re looking for cork purses from Portugal, traditional ceramics, tiles or to simply take a taste of Portugal home with you, then hopefully this guide has inspired you to ditch the tourist traps!