In Rio de Janeiro there are several malls as well as local outdoor markets and shopping streets where you can buy typical souvenirs and the best gifts — expensive or cheap. Most markets and shops are in Copacabana, Ipanema and Centro (Downtown).
They attract tourists and Cariocas (natives of Rio) and are worth visiting even if you are not particularly interested in buying anything.
Main Shopping Streets in Rio de Janeiro
Rua Visconde de Pirajá in Ipanema is the main mid- to high-end shopping street in Rio. It is worth exploring the mostly-for-women shopping galleries along that street, such as: Ipanema 2000 (at # 547), Quartier Ipanema (at # 414), and the ultra-fashionable Fórum Ipanema (at # 351). Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (some shops stay open until 7 p.m.), Sat. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (some shops stay open until 2 p.m.), closed Sundays and holidays.
Although Rua Visconde de Pirajá has shops not only for women, men interested in casual clothing should also have a look at Galeria River at Rua Francisco Otaviano, 67 (the last street between Ipanema and Copacabana – see Ipanema Map in Chapter 4 in My Rio Travel Guide).
For cheap and non-brand items, head for Saara, a large street shopping area in Centro (downtown). Take the subway and get off at Uruguaiana Station. Then, walk on Rua da Alfândega until the end, take left twice and walk Rua Senhor dos Passos (which is parallel to Rua da Alfândega) until the end, where you find the Uruguaiana Subway Station again. Open Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Beware of pickpockets.
Open-Air Local Street Markets in Rio de Janeiro
Whether or not you want to buy something, you should not miss the outdoor Feira Hippie de Ipanema (Ipanema Hippie Fair) on Sundays (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) at Praça General Osório (Ipanema). This is one of the best markets in Rio de Janeiro to buy handmade art-crafts, art naif, paintings in general, Brazilian semi-precious gemstones, sarongs, hammocks, embalmed piranhas, amulets, bikinis, and other cools gifts and souvenirs.
Another not-to-be-missed local street market (rather a flea market) is the lively Feira do Rio Antigo (literally ‘Old Rio Market’), where you can find art, fashion and antiques. It takes place every first Saturday of the month, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Rua do Lavradio, Lapa.
Malls in Rio de Janeiro
If besides souvenirs you want to buy shoes, clothing, accessories, or any other product, you can buy them at Rio Sul, one of the most traditional malls in Rio de Janeiro, with over 370 stores. The top fashion stores are: Osklen, Armadillo, and Wöllner (for men) and Animale, Maria Filó, and Toten (for women).
The mall is located right across the tunnel between Leme (see Leme map in Chapter 4 in My Rio Travel Guide) and Copacabana. Take a taxi to get there and a taxi back from the stand at the exit. The high-end malls are Shopping Leblon (in Leblon) and Fashion Mall (in São Conrado, the next neighborhood along the coast after Leblon). Mall Hours: Mon. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun. and holidays 3 – 10 p.m.
Planning a trip to Brazil in the near future? Find all the shopping-related as well as the important and updated travel information you need in My Rio Travel Guide – The Essential How-To Visitor’s Guide to Rio de Janeiro.