A curated list of beautifully made, local, and truly unique finds from makers across Portugal.
Here’s one thing you should know about me: I love gift giving. Truly. I treat it like a competitive sport. I’m that person who will quietly stalk your hobbies and your throwaway comments just so I can find the gift that feels like it was hand delivered by destiny.
But even with all that enthusiasm, I know choosing the right present isn’t always a walk in the park! Especially when you’re shopping for someone who either 1) already has everything, or 2) insists they “don’t want anything” (which is, frankly, unhelpful).
Thankfully, Portugal is full of brilliant small businesses and independent makers who are creating the kind of products that make you go, yes, that’s it.
Before we dive into the list, just a quick note: most of these products are Porto born and bred, but I’ve also included a few gems based elsewhere in Portugal, plus some made abroad by founders who now call Porto or Lisbon home. I promise, all carry that Portuguese creative spirit—and the good news is, most ship nationally and internationally, so wherever you are, you’re covered!
Read my Ultimate Porto Christmas Market Guide next…
Handmade purses and accessories made from vintage Portuguese fabric
If you love the idea of carrying something that literally no one else has, OM Essence is going to be your kryptonite.
Handmade purses and accessories made from vintage Portuguese fabric. So yes, the collections are limited, and yes, they’re extremely unique. If you’re the kind of person who gets a little serotonin boost when someone asks “where did you get that?”, this is your spot. I’ve got one of her purses myself, and it’s genuinely one of my most–reached–for pieces. Just DM her on Instagram to order.
⭐️ Ysabelle recommends ⭐️
Vibrant Portuguese clothing and accessories designed with bold colours, effortless cuts, and a signature feel good style.
Cantê is one of those Portuguese brands that just nails effortless style. What started as a small Lisbon label has grown into a full on clothing and accessories brand known for bold colours and easy silhouettes.
If you’re shopping for someone who loves pieces that feel joyful, wearable, and a bit different from the high-street copy-paste, Cantê is a solid bet. While they do ship nationwide and internationally, they actually have a store front in Foz, too!
Handmade, small batch womenswear and accessories with playful prints and artisanal cuts.
Lume Lisboa is a tiny, design-led label that makes joyful, wearable pieces, think dresses and separates that feel both effortless and a little special.
They sell directly via their Instagram and appear at local markets, so ordering is personal and lowkey.
Pure Silver 925 Jewellery
If you know me, you know I’m a sucker for pretty shiny things, and Plata has been my latest obsession. This Porto-based jewellery brand boasts the sleekest pure silver pieces.
The designs feel modern but completely wearable, the kind of jewellery you could see an “it” girl rocking without it feeling try hard. Perfect for gifting…for yourself.
Limited Collections & One-Of-A-Kind Silver + Gold Pieces.
If you’re all about pieces that feel personal and thoughtful Akhsar is one to know. Their jewellery is designed and made by hand in Porto with quality craftsmanship, ethically sourced materials, and slow fashion values at the core.
Every piece of jewellery is timeless but fresh, perfect for someone who wears their accessories with intention. They ship nationally and internationally, too!
Organic, 100% Portuguese Lemoncello
For the hostess with the mostest, nothing says “thank you” like a bottle of artisanal limoncello. Made from organic lemons hand harvested at Oporto Lemon Farm—a gorgeous little rural getaway with over 3,000 lemon trees—this liqueur is produced in a traditional Portuguese distillery using the original Italian method. Only the lemon peel is used, macerated to 100%, giving it an intense citrus aroma and a velvety, unforgettable taste.
And honestly, the farm itself is adorable, so why not kill two birds with one stone and enjoy a bottle while soaking up the countryside vibes?
For the baker short on time—or the aspiring baker who just can’t figure out a recipe (no shame there, baking is a science!) this DIY pastel de nata kit is a total win. I’ve personally used it, and honestly, making pastel de nata was such a breeze—yes, I’ve baked them from scratch too, so I can compare—and it’s quick, easy, and seriously satisfying. And if you run out of the powder mix, you can always order more online too!
Bonus: it’s also available at Lisbon airport and Portugal’s duty free, making it the perfect edible souvenir to bring home.
⭐️ Ysabelle recommends ⭐️
Portuguese Whisky made in the Centre of Porto
If your friend loves hosting and appreciates something a little unexpected, a bottle from Little Faca hits the mark.
This Porto micro-distillery makes small-batch whisky, gin, and liqueurs using locally sourced fruits and cereals, giving each bottle a truly unique flavour.
Perfect for gifting or for elevating your own dinner party.
You can order a bottle online or in store
tip: if you visit their physical shop, you’ll be able to try one of their cocktails!
Small batch handmade ceramics
If you’re after something truly one-of-a-kind for your friend who loves hosting, Zofie Ceramics is a winner.
She makes small batch, handmade ceramics right here in Porto, with new collections dropping regularly and the option for custom orders. Perfect for gifting a piece that’s personal, functional, and beautifully crafted.
Bespoke scented candle workshop
If you’ve got a crafty friend, I cannot recommend this workshop at Sneferu enough.
It’s not your run-of-the-mill candle session, they do something called “passing the vessel.”
You pick a porcelain piece that someone before you glazed, then mix up your own fragrance and pour a candle that actually feels like yours. Before heading out, you glaze a new vessel to leave behind for the next person.
You leave with a polished porcelain candle with a scent you can proudly say you created! Snnacks, drinks and wine are all part of the deal.
For the crafty friend who loves a stay-at-home project, this DIY Portuguese Tile Painting Kit would be an excellent gift.
From the same people who made the DIY Pastel de Nata kit, this box has everything you need to paint your own little azulejo at home. And if they need a spark of inspiration, there’s even a dedicated Instagram page full of different tile designs to copy, tweak, or completely reinvent. Perfect for a quite crafternoon.
Okay, I’ll admit it… I once signed up for a wheel throwing class purely because Patrick Swayze in Ghost had me convinced pottery was the height of romance. Spoiler: no Swayze appeared, but honestly? It was still ridiculously fun.
If you’ve got a couple of gal pals who don’t mind getting a bit muddy doing a WheeInes ceramic workshop is such a good shout.
Inês, who runs the studio, is genuinely one of the loveliest humans you’ll meet. She’s patient, warm, and somehow able to rescue even the most chaotic looking lump of clay.
So whether you’re chasing your inner artist or just recreating your cinematic fantasies, you’re guaranteed a good time.
Looking for something to do? Check out these super fun activities in Porto
If you’ve got a sentimental bestie — the type who keeps cinema tickets, wine receipts and tiny reminders of a good time — taking them to Next Memory in Lisbon is basically like giving them their golden ticket.
This Lisbon atelier makes beautifully crafted fragrances, candles, home scents, teas and more, all inspired by memories and Portuguese moments, and invites guests to personalise scents in The Bespoke Garden experience — from choosing accords to designing the bottle and labels.
Whether you pick one of their evocative signature perfumes (yes, there’s even a Pastel de Nata scent) or book a bespoke session, it’s a gift that feels deeply personal and totally unforgettable.
Vintage Photo Booth, Museum & Camera Shop
I’m a firm believer that the best sentimental gifts are the ones that are sentimental and don’t cost a fortune.
If you want something cute, nostalgic and genuinely wholesome, pop into the vintage photo booth inside Vintage Cameras Porto on R. de Santa Catarina.
Hop in with your friend, snap a strip of old school black-and-white shots, and turn it into a tiny keepsake — whether that’s one of those playful, funky frames you see all over Instagram or a mini scrapbook with a single perfect frame. It’s simple, personal, and ridiculously charming.
DIY Charm Bracelets + Accessories
Nothing screams a sentimental present quite like a custom DIY charm bracelet! It’s the kind of gift that’s personal, playful, and full of little stories.
You can get one made at Puro, a cute jewellery pop-up booth tucked inside Mercado Ferreira Borges and Mercado do Bolhão, perfect for giving a gift that’s truly unique and full of meaning.
⭐️ Ysabelle recommends ⭐️
Porto’s first certified Self-Recovery Center
If you’ve got a friend who’s into sports or wellness, a session at Ladata makes a brilliant gift.
From saunas and cold plunges to guided breathwork, pressotherapy, and hightech recovery treatments, it’s a next level selfcare experience that’ll leave them feeling completely refreshed.
Independent Portoguese Brand Selling Matcha & Hojicha
For the friend who loves a little morning selfcare ritual, this ceremonial grade matcha from Slow Social Club is a total win.
Smooth, vibrant, and packed with umami, it’s perfect whisked traditionally or stirred into lattes. A thoughtful gift for tea lovers, wellness enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates a little Japanese-inspired calm in a cup. Plus they ship nationwide and internationally.
Fun fact: GLAD uses this for their matcha, so if you or your friend likes their matcha – this is it!
Read next… Where to find the BEST matcha in Porto
Natural, Vegan Skincare
If you’ve got a friend who loves good skincare but can’t be bothered with ten step routines or ingredient lists that read like a chemistry thesis, LALU is such a solid pick. It’s minimalist skincare powered by superfoods. The founder, Adja, now calls Porto home, and her formulas strike that perfect balance between simple and high-performing. The Portugal site is still on its way, but you can order directly through Instagram for now — and trust me, once this brand officially lands on the Portuguese skincare market, it’s one to watch.
⭐️ Ysabelle recommends ⭐️
If you’ve got a friend who treats tennis or padel like their Roman Empire, AZO Sportswear is an absolute win. Their pieces are sleek, technical, and feel like something you’d see on that effortlessly cool girl at the courts.
Modern, minimal, and genuinely performance driven, these outfits are perfect for anyone who wants sporty, high performance gear that looks as sharp as it feels.
Velley Padel is perfect for the friend who likes their tennis or padel kit to be as fun as it is functional. Their outfits combine bright, bold colours with comfortable, performance ready designs, so you can play hard without sacrificing style.
It’s a thoughtful gift for anyone who enjoys sporty, statement making activewear that actually works on the court.
Porto’s Only Independent English- Language Bookstore
As a book lover myself, nothing makes my heart soar quite like unwrapping a new read to add to my ever-growing TBR pile (extra points if it’s one I’ve been subtly hinting about for weeks). If you’ve got a bookish friend, head straight to Rosebud Bookshop in Cedofeita.
It’s Porto’s only independent English-language bookshop, stocking everything from new releases to well loved used titles, plus a sweet little children’s section. And if there’s a specific book you’re hunting down, Rose is more than happy to order it in for you. They even offer free gift wrapping, so that’s one less thing to stress about!
If you’ve got that friend whose idea of peak happiness is being wrapped up like a human burrito, Cama em Porto is about to make you look like the world’s most thoughtful gift giver.
Each collection is small-batch, beautifully designed, and rooted in the designer’s childhood in Northern Portugal, which gives every piece this quiet, homespun charm you can’t fake.
Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Bars
If you and your friend both agree that the best “night out” is actually a night in with a film and something warm in a mug, the drinking chocolate from GLAD is the move.
They’re a Porto based bean-to-bar chocolate maker, and their blends are rich, smooth, and — bless — not tooth achingly sweet. They also make incredible chocolate bars and offer a chocolate tasting experience (which I’ve done and highly recommend).
Remember, gifting doesn’t have to be about ticking boxes! It’s also a chance to support the incredible local talent around Porto and beyond.
Every purchase on this list helps small businesses, independent makers, and passionate founders keep doing what they love, while giving your friends and family thoughtful, unique presents they’ll actually enjoy. Celebrate creativity, support local today.
If there’s a small business you think should to be on this list, tell me about them at ysabelle@ohmyporto.com!
Ysabelle is the voice behind Oh My Porto, a blog that peels back the glossy pages of travel brochures to reveal the heartbeat of the city. Through Oh My Porto, Ysabelle shares everything you need to make your time in Portugal unforgettable, from cultural deep dives to travel tips you won’t get anywhere else.
Oh, My Porto is a Porto & North Portugal-focused travel, food & lifestyle blog by writer Ysabelle Alesna.
Ysabelle shares her guides and recommendations to help travellers discover the heart of Porto and fall in love with the city just as she has.
