There are several threads on the Europe forum about what to buy in each country.. and I was just wondering what special things you have found in Portugal, and what you would suggest to other travelers to look for.

Tiles, copper molds for the kitchen, tableclothes, a big ceramic bowl, and suede cowboy style vests for the kids. They were young and wanted to be cowboys for Halloween, lol! The tableclothes and bowl get used often.

Years ago, I brought back a tablecloth. I was young and didn't know better, so when my MIL said I could wash them in the washing machine (Who would make a tablecloth nowadays that can't be washed? she said), I did, and after that, I had a souvenir napkin! It was really nice, too.

Port (a couple of different bottles from El Corte Ingles, no special significance, but at the time the Euro / dollar conversion rate made these an absolute bargain), vinho verde (from the B&B/vineyard we stayed at near Barcelos) and licor de castanha (from Piodao). My mother collects chickens so of course a cockerel from Barcelos. A postcard made from cork.

My favorite keepsake, though, wasn't purchased but found. At the university at Evora, we found the ground littered with the small pins that the students attach to their robes. I collected about a dozen of them. Some of them were for the different schools at the university (engineering, applied mathematics), sports teams, even coffee(!), just little 'flair' pins. I thought they were cute.

Linens, linens and more linens (tablecloths, napkins, placemats, aprons) embroidered on the island of Madeira.
Ceramics, reproductions of 17th-18th century patterns, from Coimbra
Needlework rugs from Arraiolos

And gorgeous ceramic tiles, azulejos.

Ceramic plates and tiles, and a few bottles of port.

And a fragrance that I can't find anywhere else-"Silêncio", eau de toilette by Portuguese designer Ana Salazar.

Gold jewellery on "the street of gold" in Baixa section of Lisboa. Gold has to be at least 19.5 karat by law in Portugal. You don't get the shite that is sold in the US. 14K, that is just bogus, guv.

Thin

My wife went crazy in Nazare purchasing tablecloths and fisherman's knit sweaters......said the prices were very fine. We also bought pottery and tiles in Alcobaca, with much better prices than in Lisbon.

OMG, I cannot believe I forgot to mention the jewelry! The gold...yes...stocked up, lol! Found a jewelry store we loved and went back twice.

From Porto, vintage port.

From outside of Viseu, local black pottery.

From Obidos, a bottle of ginja.

From Lisbon, gold filigree jewelry and fine linen from Principe Real.

maytraveller

I'm curious as to the best method for bringing things home that may be heavy. With the one suitcase rule, is it better to pay the extra charge for a second bag and carry it myself, or have the store ship it? I"d love to get some pottery but its the getting it home part that has me worried.