Portugal : The Fantastic World of the Portuguese Sardines for Lisbon Tourists!

Ths shop name is called The Fantastic World of Portuguese Sardines located at the corner of Rossio Square. You will not miss this store as it is illuminated by colorful neon lighting. This would be a great place to get your personalized souvenir from Portugal to your friends and relatives.

The Store has a Circus Theme

The store has a very interesting setting which catches your attention immediately. It uses the circus theme which has a little Ferris wheel, carousels, bright colors, and music. The store attendant below also dressed like someone who works in the circus.  The thing sold here is Sardine in a tin.

Sardin in a tin

There are 100 cans of different design available in the store, divided by decades and each year. Each tin has a year on it which can mark as someone birthday, graduation, wedding and any other special dates. It is certainly a great personalized gift.

Everyone in Portugal loves sardines

Portugal is the land of sardines, it has the best fish in the world. Everyone in Portugal loves sardines and consumes tons of them.  In addition, the sardines that most celebrated these days is not the one blistered and hot off the grill, but the one preserved in a tin.  Surprised?

It was especially popular among students and the working class as it is convenience and low cost.  Think about it, it is easy to just open up a can of tuna or sardines for a quick meal.

Can Sardines is Better than fresh

Some studies have shown that canned sardines are even better for you than the fresh one. They are high in protein and vitamin B12 and have 10 times more calcium as a result of the gelification process. The gelification will break down the bones and makes them easily digestible. Therefore, you can eat the whole fish with the bones as it is already softened.

Special Edition in Gold

There is a special edition of “gold bar” sardine cans containing edible gold leaf. But the price is double or triple from the usual one, at around Euro 22.  Usual one cost Euro 7.00 each.  I have gotten the usual one which cost 7 euro as I think the special edition with gold leaf is just too much for me, outside my budget.

The year starts in 1916 to the present

Cheaper options at Local Supermarket

There are other cheaper options at the local supermarket but without the fancy packing which cost about 1.50 euro each.  In case you are not looking for something very fanciful, go to the local supermarket instead, and with 7 euro, you can get about 5-6 tin of sardines!

Instagram-able Chair

At the entrance of the store, there is a red sofa chair with a giant tin of sardine at the back which makes a great spot for your Instagram photo shots.

Unique Paper Packaging

Once you are done with your purchase, you are given a paper bag which is in the form of an envelope where you can send them to your loved ones.

Special note:  Sardines in a tin is strictly not allowed in the hand luggage for plane.

Final thoughts:

The Fantastic World Of The Portuguese Sardine store is one of the most eccentric stores in town. The music and the circus vibes are just a bizarre experience. Step into this store to enjoy the funky atmosphere, even if you don’t buy tin sardines from here, it is totally fine.