Handbags, whether carried in your hand, worn over your shoulder, or slung across your body, are not just a fashion statement but also a practical way to carry your special things in style.
Lisbon has fantastic artisans making beautiful handbags. Let’s get to know a few.
Coisas de Maria The designer makes her bags and sets up her stall throughout the city of Lisbon.
Toino Abel makes the classic Portuguese straw bag.
Cestaria CesArt makes hand woven basket bags.
Artisan stalls on Ave Liberdade
Forms Bags sells hand made crochet bags and other beautiful ones made by Portuguese artisans.
Coisas.de.MariaOne of my favorite handbag designers is the lady who founded Coisas de Maria.
I met her when I was walking around the Principe Real Park and she had set up her stall full of gorgeous Pasticcino handmade bags.
Her handbags have fun patterns and colors and will make any outfit look great! I bought this purple bag with the neon green designs. It looks fantastic with a black dress for an evening out in Lisbon!
She also sells different handbag designs like the one above.
Visit her Instagram account to see where she is setting up her stall in the city of Lisbon.
Nuno Henriques founded the Portuguese label Toino Abel, which is known for its beautiful handwoven straw bags.
The designer researched traditional artisan techniques from across Portugal and began making his bags to preserve this specific method of making straw bags.
I fell in love with the Toino Abel bags when I first saw them at the São Lourenço do Barrocal Hotel’s store. The style is simple, the designs on the bags are so elegant, and I love the handles!
Leiria: Rua de Leiria, 16 Directions to their store in Leiria
Go to Leiria, get your bag, have lunch in Alcobaça, and spend the night in Nazaré. This will make an exciting road trip from Lisbon.
Purchase your bag online: Toino Abel
Cestaria CesArtA few months ago, I went to the largest artisan exhibit in Lisbon called Fia. This was my second year to the artisan fair and if you are around when it’s on, go. You will love it.
One of my favorite visits this year was to the CesArt wicker basket weaving stall.
The artisan sitting in the corner of the stall, weaving a wicker basket caught my attention. I watched him for a few minutes, finding it both meditative and enjoyable.
The artisan had so many beautiful bag designs as well as other items and I couldn’t resist picking up a large wicker bag, thinking it would be perfect for the beach. Surprisingly, I’ve ended up using it a lot in the city—it fits everything, even my sketchbook! I absolutely love it.
CesArt is located in Bucelas, Lisboa.
The address is Rua do Mirante, 12.
You can also contact the CesArt artisan on Instagram. to see where they are setting up a stall.
When you visit Lisbon, you’ll definitely find yourself strolling down Avenida da Liberdade. It’s one of the city’s most beautiful avenues, lined with trees on both sides that offer much, needed shade during the summer.
The avenue is also home to fantastic stores like Dior, Longchamp, Cartier, Mango, Adolfo Dominguez, Cos, and many more.
But my absolute favorite part of Avenida da Liberdade is browsing the artisan stalls.
I’ve come across stunning dresses made by Angolan artisans, locally crafted Lisbon outfits, quirky knickknacks, and cozy knitted goods. But, I’m always on the hunt for stalls selling straw or wicker handbags!
So when you visit, be sure to check out the stalls on Avenida Liberdade.
Forms has a good selection of artisanal, colorful crochet handbags. It’s like walking into a candy store.
I loved their triangular bags with the beautiful round strap, and their small rectangular handbags are are classics, perfect for both daytime and evening wear.
The Forms store has just moved to a new location: Terminal de Cruzeiros, Santa Apolónia Lisboa ┊ +351 920 264 678
You can find them on Instagram
*I am not affiliated with any of these stores and designers.
Updated May 2026
Marguerite Beaty, Blogger, Photographer & Artist
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