Everyone has a friend that doesn’t know what he or she wants. You ask them about a souvenir they would like to get from Lisbon and get nothing back. They leave it all up to you, which can become a cause of confusion for you when you’re already in Portugal. Gifts from churches, museums, cloths, paintings . . . what can you buy from this country? Something that everyone will like, something that is famous in Portugal. Here’s a list of such items that are worth purchasing.
Portuguese Wine
Wine is a good present in all cases. If that wine is from Portugal, then the quality will add some value to the occasion. There are a few wine-producing countries that produce wine, but delicious wine mainly comes from countries like Armenia, Georgia, France, and, of course, Portugal.
Go for a wine tasting tour. This will help you discover the variety and find out your own wine taste. I’m sure you’ll be tempted to buy not one but a few bottles, one for yourself too.
Embroidery
Everything that bears Portuguese embroidery is a good find. It’s really beautiful. You can find embroidered blankets, clothing, handkerchiefs, anything really. You can find them in markets, kiosks, or souvenir shops. Here’s a tip, everything is more expensive in souvenir shops. Portugal is generally cheap, especially if you come from Northern Europe. But still, if you’re on budget travel, every saving counts. Search the local markets, they offer the best deals.
If the person to buy a gift for is also in the business, much better! He or she will discover a whole new world of this art, perhaps new skills.
Portuguese Cheese
This is a little tricky. First, you need to find some kind of cheese that not only tastes great, but also smells good. You’ll be carrying it in your baggage and don’t want all your belongings to smell like . . . something bad.
Other than that, Portuguese cheese is famous all over the world. It’s definitely a good choice as a gift.
Tiles and Handmade Pottery
The Portuguese people have a very good trait (they are great in all ways, but this one peculiarity is completely awesome). They take something simple like a tile or a cup and turn it into art. Tile Museum is a living proof (well, not exactly living).
A nice tile set is a great gift for someone who’s been complaining about a boring house. Pottery is suitable for those who also complain but wouldn’t start a renovation. The pottery can bring freshness into their kitchen or serve as decorations.
Learn a few bargaining skills before you go shopping. Souvenir or other shops will hardly lower the price, they might make a special “discount” if you spend a lot of money there, while you have a good chance of winning money back in markets and kiosks. Just get on goof terms with the seller and be more than charming.
I wish you a lot of luck on your gift-finding adventure and hope it eventually becomes a happy end for all, travelers and friends of travelers.
