Paulistas say that if you can't buy it in Sao Paulo, you can't buy it in Brazil. They're probably right. Sao Paulo has it all, from international fashion boutiques to little local crafts markets.

The city has a number of shopping areas worth exploring. Jardins is well known for its high-end fashion boutiques. The main shopping streets are Rua Augusta, the parallel Rua Haddock Lobo, and their cross streets: Rua Oscar Freire and Alameda Lorena. This area is packed with national and international brands, expensive clothing and jewelry, gourmet foods, and luxurious gift shops.

In Centro (downtown Sao Paulo), Rua 25 de Março is the place where Paulistas rich and poor browse the market stalls and small shops for inexpensive items such as belts, buttons, small toys, gadgets, towels, textiles, and socks. Keep an eye on your purse, though, as the streets are chaotic with vendors and stalls vying for space, and throngs of people making their way through.
 

    


For Oriental trinkets, there's no better place than Sao Paulo's Japanese neighborhood, Liberdade. On Sunday there's a large market with great food and a variety of market stalls selling everything from bonsai plants to porcelain Buddha statues.

Then there are the malls, which in Sao Paulo have been elevated to a whole other shopping experience: elegant, upscale, and refined. Sophisticated brands, boutiques, and fine dining can be found in a number of malls; the best-known ones are Shopping Morumbi www.morumbishopping.com.br, Shopping Iguatemi www.iguatemisaopaulo.com.br and Shopping Patio Higienópolis www.patiohigienopolis.com.br , located in upscale neighborhoods close to the city center.

And finally, there are the street markets, which are particularly popular on the weekends. With antiques, food, and flea markets, they provide a great excuse to get out, browse, haggle, and shop. Product highlights include Brazilian designer clothing, art, antiques, jewelry, handicrafts and articles for home decoration.

Need help planning your Sao Paulo shopping trip ?

Our Concierge will be delighted to direct you to a shopping area most suitable to your requirements.