SHOPPING
From the mall
Shopping in Rio is not only about malls. Here I bring together malls, fairs and popular markets so you can choose by area and type of outing.
ERNESTINHO GUIDE
Shopping is also a way to explore.
SHOPPING · SERVICES · FOODShopping mallsSee shopping malls →
CRAFTS · CULTURE · NEIGHBORHOODSFairsSee fairs →
COMMERCE · FLAVORS · TRADITIONPopular marketsSee markets →WHAT TO BRING HOME FROM RIO
Souvenirs with meaning.
Ideas recovered from our original guide for buying something more Carioca than a generic souvenir.
Three ways to shop
Shopping malls
Choose based on proximity to your itinerary or a specific store. Barra and Jacarepaguá involve longer trips from other areas; Botafogo, Copacabana and Leblon may be more local stops depending on where you are.
Fairs and crafts
Check the operating day first. A fair can be a great way to combine sightseeing and shopping, but do not cross the city without confirming it will be running.
Markets and popular commerce
CADEG, SAARA and Feira de São Cristóvão offer different settings. Allow time, decide what you are looking for and confirm hours, businesses and access conditions for the date.
Mercadão de Madureira adds another scale of popular commerce in the North Zone. I would choose it when the market is part of the plan and pair it with the neighborhood, instead of crossing Rio for a quick stop. Check the market’s own channels for current operations and access before setting out.
Plan your transport
Fit shopping into the neighborhood where you will already be. Consider how to carry items, where to store them and how to return to your accommodation. Operating details can change, so check each establishment or event.
These guides are editorial guidance and do not confirm opening, inventory, prices or fair dates. Check that information directly before leaving.
