Home to almost 7 million people, Rio de Janeiro’s bustling streets are home to countless attractions, fascinating museums, delicious restaurants, and so much more. In between all that hustle and bustle, the city also packs in some great shopping opportunities.
From vibrant local markets to sleek luxury boutiques and glistening shopping malls, this article will introduce you to the best shopping spots in Rio de Janeiro. If you're feeling a bit nervous about heading out on your own - don't worry. Our Rio de Janeiro private guides will be happy to guide you through all the best shopping spots the city has to offer. Even better, they will take care of all the logistics for you and navigate any language barriers that might arise.
Ipanema
Ever since the 1960s people have been flocking to this seaside neighborhood to soak up the sun. However, there is more to Ipanema than merely working on your tan or playing volleyball on the beach! The neighborhood has also emerged as one of the city's top shopping destinations, boasting cool boutiques, large malls, and lively markets that are guaranteed to satisfy even the most demanding shopaholics.
Ipanema is arguably Rio's best destination for die hard fashionistas, as the area is home to world renowned luxury brands like Hermes and Louis Vuitton. If you're not shopping on a huge budget, don't worry, as the main street of Rua Visconde de Piraja also offers plenty of more affordable shops.
This street is also home to the popular Forum de Ipanema - though it must be noted that this mall is quite modest compared to the bigger malls located in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood or even in neighboring Leblon. If you're looking for unique clothes, accessories, and interior pieces, make sure to visit Ipanema's Hippie Market (Feira Hippie de Ipanema) which takes place at Praca General Osario every Sunday.
Barra da Tijuca
If you are craving a break from Rio's tropical weather and prefer to do your shopping in the air-conditioned comfort of a shopping mall, Barra da Tijuca is one of the best areas to visit. This sleek and affluent neighborhood is located about a 20 minute drive down the coast from Ipanema and Copacabana, which are the most popular areas for visitors to stay in. It is also home to many of the best malls in Rio de Janeiro.
Barra da Tijuca boasts plenty of skyscrapers and a beautiful stretch of beach. When it comes to shopping, there are a few top-rated malls to choose from in the area. Village Mall is renowned for housing luxury boutiques such as Burberry, Chanel, Gucci, and Michael Kors to name just a few. The New York City Center mall is not as luxurious but it does offer a unique reason to visit: a giant Statue of Liberty which guards the mall's entrance! The mall itself offers a huge variety of stores and restaurants, as well as housing an IMAX movie theater. New York City Center is part of the enormous Barra Shopping Complex which boasts around 600 different stores, making it one of the largest shopping malls in Brazil.
Leblon
Leblon is a fashionable neighborhood that's located adjacent to Ipanema. Leblon is said to have the highest price per residential square meter on the continent and it's not the most affordable place to go shopping, either. Luckily, the quality of the products sold in Leblon tends to match the price. For shoppers, the main attraction to visit in the area is Shopping Leblon. This is an upmarket shopping mall which represents well-known brands such as Adidas, Calvin Klein, Lacoste, Kiehl's, and many more.
Beyond the shopping complex, Leblon is home to many attractive boutiques, including those representing innovative local brands. A great place to get a feel of all that Leblon has to offer is to take a stroll down Avenida Ataulfo de Paiva. This central strip is lined with trendy shops and elegant boutiques - and several cafes and restaurants for when all that shopping leaves you feeling famished! Contact one of our Rio de Janeiro tour guides to accompany you today.
Saara
Hmaglione10, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
So far we've established that Rio de Janeiro is home to many impressive malls and shopping emporiums. If, however, you prefer to do your shopping in a more "local" setting, we recommend setting your course for Saara in the city's historic center. Saara is said to be the largest open-air market in the whole city - and that is saying something in a metropolis that's home to nearly 7 million people!
The market is made up of 11 intersecting streets which are lined with stalls and shops selling everything from clothes to accessories and from souvenirs to household items. The variety of products really is huge and you could easily spend hours simply perusing the stores. This area has been a popular marketplace since the 1800s, and you can still admire the original architecture while visiting the shops. Saara is a great place for finding some real bargains as well. Even if you don't end up buying anything, the area is worth visiting for the lively ambiance alone. To make the most of your shopping excursion to Saara, we would recommend visiting the market with one of our Brazilian tour guides. This will ensure things won't get lost in translation and you won't have to worry about haggling, either.
Conclusion
As you can see, Rio de Janeiro is not just about samba and soccer - the city also offers some amazing shopping opportunities! Seeing how big the city is, planning your retail excursion might seem a little daunting. Maybe you're wondering how you'll manage the logistics or how well you'll get by with English. Rio de Janeiro private tours are a great way to take all the stress out of planning, thus allowing you to focus on what's important - i.e. getting the best deals! Our Rio de Janeiro private tour guides know this metropolis like the back of their hand, so you'll be sure to find all the best shops and secure your purchases at the best price.
