During your trip, shopping in Rio de Janeiro might even be the last thing on your list of things to do, but what many people don’t realize is that the city is a paradise for shopping lovers. So, if you think that a trip to Rio de Janeiro is incomplete without a shopping spree, we got you covered.
The first thing you must know is that go shopping in Rio de Janeiro cater to people of all kinds of budgets.
If you are on a budget, you can hit the street markets or go to SAARA, the popular open market of the city. Depending on your bargaining skills, you can get great deals on it.
For those who want to splurge, they can go to the many shopping malls in the city, which you will find hundreds of stores not only offering the most fashionable clothes and accessories of the Brazilian season but also international brands and department stores.
So, check out our selection with the best places to go shopping in Rio de Janeiro.
Top shopping malls in Rio de Janeiro
In general, shopping malls in Brazil are more than just a convenient place to buy everything under one roof; they are social hubs where people go to have dinner out, watch the latest movies or plays (as most of the movie theaters and theaters of the city are inside shopping malls) and not mentioning a great option of what to do on rainy days.
An important thing to know is the opening hours of shopping malls in Rio: they are usually open every day (including holidays) according to the following schedule:
Stores: Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 10 pm. Sundays and holidays: from 01 pm to 09 pm.
Food Court: From Monday to Saturday: from 10am to 10pm. Sundays and holidays: from 12pm to 09pm.
Rio de Janeiro has plenty of shopping malls to choose from, ranging from cheaper to luxury store options. We round-up some of the top shopping malls in Rio de Janeiro.
Rio Sul
The first mall built in Rio de Janeiro, Shopping Rio Sul is a large mall that will fulfill all your shopping needs and more. With a mix of 400 national and international brand stores, a range of gastronomic varieties, housewares, sports, services, and leisure, it offers fun, comfort and exclusivity to visitors, in addition to an experience of quality and convenience. Not mentioning the great location for those who are staying in the South Zone (especially Copacabana), near Sugarloaf Mountain.
Address: Rua Lauro Müller, 116, Botafogo, RJ
Website: https://www.riosul.com.br/
Shopping Leblon
Shopping Leblon combines the style of the surrounding upscale neighborhood with luxury design, designer stores and gastronomy, with a wide variety of excellent restaurants and places for snacks. Shops range from mid- to high-priced, with international stores like Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry and Diesel and Brazilian designer clothing brands like Osklen, Animale and Farm.
Address: Av. Afrânio de Melo Franco, 290, Leblon, RJ
Website: https://shoppingleblon.com.br/
Carioca Tip:
Shopping Leblon is one of the most accessible malls in the city, located less than a three-minute walk from the Jardim de Alah Metro station.
Barra Shopping
Located in Barra da Tijuca – the land of shopping malls in Rio – Barra Shopping was founded in 1981 and has become the largest center of commerce and services in the country, integrating with the New York City Center and the Centro Empresarial BarraShopping.
Elected for the 12th consecutive time as the favorite mall of Rio de Janeiro residents, BarraShopping has more than 700 stores, in an area that runs for 1.2 miles, offering a complete mix of services, shopping, leisure, restaurants and amenities.
Address: Av. das Américas, 4666 – Barra da Tijuca, RJ.
Website: https://www.barrashopping.com.br/
Carioca Tip:
Be sure to visit the attached New York City Center complex, which has several international restaurants, a cinema complex and a replica of the Statue of Liberty, measuring about 35 meters in height.
Village Mall
Village Mall is the best mall in Rio de Janeiro when it comes to luxury brands and exclusive service. With major international brands such as Gucci, Jimmy Choo, and Armani, it is popular with Brazilian wealthy and celebrities. Its exclusivity for the rich market limits the number of people who go there, keeping the mall free of crowds and with a relaxed and peaceful environment.
The mall also hosts various events in the gardens and on the deck, with wonderful views over the Barra natural reserve and varied themes such as music, gastronomy, fashion, and lifestyle.
Address: Av. das Américas, 3900 – Barra da Tijuca, RJ
Website: http://www.shoppingvillagemall.com.br/
Carioca Tip:
The luxury of the stores is also found in the restaurants that the mall houses. If you are a fan of 5-star meals, I recommend choosing between the Spanish Adega Santiago, the French D’Heaven, or the Argentine Pobre Juan.
Top Street Markets in Rio de Janeiro
The Cariocas are people who love to be outside, street markets in Rio de Janeiro end up being much more than just an option of where to shop – but a vibrant place where you can find a wide variety of goods, from fresh produce to handicrafts and souvenirs, often with music and great street food options.
Here are some of the top street markets in Rio de Janeiro:
Feira Hippie de Ipanema
Feira Hippie is the city’s largest and most famous Brazilian handicraft street market. It has occurred at Praça General Osório, in Ipanema, every Sunday, from 8 am to 6 am, for over six decades.
Initially, hippies and backpackers from different parts of Brazil and the world sold their products by placing their work under a cloth on the square floor, hence the name “Feira Hippie.” Today, the market features 600 stalls selling from local handicrafts to trendy finds such as vintage clothing, accessories, and jewelry, as well as souvenirs ranging from tasteful to tacky.
The fair is so beloved not only by tourists but locals that it was listed as the Intangible Heritage of Rio de Janeiro.
Items to look out for: leather goods, paintings, semi-precious stones, and cheap jewelry.
Address: Praça General Osório, Ipanema
Website: http://www.feirahippieipanema.com/
Carioca Tip:
if you get hungry, be sure to try the acarajé (shrimp and bean ball) at the popular Bahia food stalls at the fair.
SAARA Market
Located in the historic downtown district, the Saara market is considered the largest open-air market in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
The region was originally occupied by immigrants of different nationalities at the end of the 19th century (mainly Arabs, hence the name SAARA), who set up warehouses and small businesses to support their families. Even today, the classical architecture is still preserved in many stores.
Nowadays, the area is still considered a traditional market for shopping lovers and bargain hunters. Along three parallel streets closed to traffic (Rua Alfândega, Rua Buenos Aires, and Rua Senhor dos Passos), you will find a variety of more than 800 stores selling general items, clothing, toys, souvenirs, electronics, etc.
The shops are open throughout the year but close on Sundays and holidays. Opening hours are generally from 9am to 6pm on weekdays and from 9am to 2pm on Saturdays.
Items to look out for: havaianas, souvenirs and costumes for carnival.
Address: Rua da Alfândega, s/n – Centro
Website: https://www.instagram.com/polo.saara/
Carioca Tip:
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes and prepare for a fair amount of walking through the crowded streets. Also, bring some cash in small amounts and leave any other valuables in your accommodation.
Feira do Rio Antigo
Also known as Feira do Lavradio, Feira do Rio Antigo is one of Rio’s most beloved outdoor markets. Taking place every Saturday, Feira do Lavradio is Rio’s oldest antique fair.
The market has a beautiful backdrop of colonial buildings of the historic neighborhood of Lapa, and you will love to meander around the stalls lined up on Lavradio Street to buy authentic souvenirs, unique handcraft items, and more.
Not to mention the fascinating range of vintage and antique items this fair is renowned for. Visit the open-doored houses to find pieces of furniture and vintage home decor.
Items to look out for: antique furniture, clothing, vinyl records, books, and collectibles.
Address: Rua do Lavradio, 28 – Lapa, Centro.
Website: https://www.instagram.com/feiradolavradio/
Carioca Tip:
Take the opportunity to take a bite in one of the interesting restaurants of the street and don’t miss the baile charme, a rhythm and blues street party that starts at 3pm.
Feira de Antiguidades da Praça XV
Did you know that Rio de Janeiro holds one of Brazil’s most extensive antique collections?
This is because the city has received the Portuguese Royal Family and its court in the beginning of 19th century. With that, the personal objects of all these families have been passed down from generation to generation, and, eventually, many of these pieces can be found in this fair, which is considered the largest fair of antiques and collecting in Latin America.
Held every Saturday at Praça XV de Novembro in the city center, the fair starts at 6am and runs until 3pm. There, you can find a variety of vintage items, such as furniture, china, jewelry, and coins.
Items to look out for: china and collectibles.
Address: Praça XV de Novembro, s/n – Centro.
Website: https://www.instagram.com/feiradapracaxv/
Carioca Tip:
Go early to scrounge for the best items, and be sure to explore the surroundings of the historic square with the Paço Imperial building and the first cathedral of Rio de Janeiro.
Feira de São Cristóvão
The Feira de São Cristóvão in Rio de Janeiro is a traditional market that will make you experience the northeastern Brazilian culture.
Occupying an enormous space of 32,000 square meters at the Centro Luiz Gonzaga de Tradições Nordestinas located in São Cristovão neighborhood, the fair has plenty to offer: from typical handcraft and souvenirs to a variety of northeastern goodies, all distributed over the 600 stalls. It also is a good option for entertainment as it has live music performances and good options for traditional food restaurants.
The fair is open from Tuesday until Thursday from 10 am to 6 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, it opens at 10 am and then continues non-stop until 4 am. Sunday until 8 pm. During the weekend there’s an entrance fee of R$10 per person (that must be paid in cash, no credit card is accepted).
Items to look out for: regional food treats and handicrafts.
Address: Campo de São Cristóvão, São Cristóvão
Website: https://www.feiradesaocristovao.org.br/
Carioca Tip:
The weekend is the best time to go as all the stalls are open and there are always live music performances playing Forró or Baião, the typical rhythms from the northeast of Brazil.
Remember to negotiate prices at open-air markets and street stalls as it is a common practice in Brazil. Also, be cautious of your belongings and practice basic safety measures while shopping in crowded areas.
Now you know where to go Shopping in Rio de Janeiro you might be wondering what are the best items to buy. So, check out our post “Where to buy souvenirs and gifts in Rio” to make sure you get all the best tips on what to bring home from your trip to Rio de Janeiro.
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