If you're new to Lisbon, you'll be intrigued by the Portuguese guitar, a beautiful "alaúde"-style guitar that resembles a sitar on the first strumming. It's delicate and magical but will make a room vibrate with it's old, melodic, Arabian-like sound. If you're a musician like me, this is heaven: one of the oldest musical instrument shop in town, my favourite playground!
I could easily spend half a day inside testing new instruments while smiling like a kid with cotton candy. If you're not a musician? Don’t worry - you’ll become one! There are instruments out of this world: check a Portuguese Fado guitar, with a very unique orientalish sound with a kind of natural delay that will echo in the streets. There are also other Portuguese traditional instruments like Cavaquinhos, a small 4-string guitar that was born in the North and travelled the world and the seven seas, to distant places like Cape Verde, Brazil, and ended up in Hawaii when it changed his name to Ukulele.
Ask Carolina, the grand-daughter of the founder, what you’re looking for, and she’ll help you in no time. Besides the Portuguese traditional instruments, there are electric guitars and basses from the major brands, flutes, drums and all sorts of accessories.
If you want to try something rare and exclusive, forget about the mandolins; get your hands on the Campaniças and Amarantinas traditional guitars and you’ll easily lose your head for a new sound and a perfect souvenir of your loving stay in Lisbon.
Find your way with 208 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
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I've been on a quest for the best truffle pizza in Lisbon and I feel like "La Villa" at Campo dos Mártires da Pátria is on its own quest to earn the first place...
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"O Caco da Marquesa" in Lisbon is an ideal pottery shop for beautiful gifts. It will definitely help you better appreciate what Portugal has to offer...
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"Alcântara 50" is a very cosy Portuguese restaurant in Lisbon where you will feel like you're in a typical home of someone's grandparents...
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"Tasquinha da Linha" in Lisbon offers affordable full lunch & dinner menus. You can go there every day of the week and never eat the same thing twice!
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208 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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✓ 208 Insider Tips