Like all big cities, there are a number of reasons to go shopping in Rio. The big air conditioned shopping centers like Rio Sul, Barra Shopping, Fashion Mall and Via Parque offer hundreds of shops for people interested in good shopping opportunities, open between 10 in the morning and 10 at night. Besides the best world designer labels you may find jewelry shops, decoration and furniture, electronics, restaurants and also cinemas, theaters and show venues. However, there are also shops along the streets. A walk along Ipanema’s main commercial street Visconde de Pirajá is worthwhile, especially between Rua Henrique Dumont and Rua Joana Angélica. There are many shops and galleries here which offer designer labels next to shops offering good products at lower prices. Don’t forget to stop off for a snack at one of the various cafes en route. This is an enjoyable outing which can even result in you doing some good business.

Whatever else, you must not forget to check out Ipanema’s Feira Hippie (Hippie Fair) open at the weekends which sells leather, hand-made crafts and other items. In the city center, the best shopping streets are the Rua Sete de Setembro and Rua Gonçalves Dias. Feira Hippie de Ipanema Praça General Osório The fair takes place every Sunday, from 9 am to 6 pm The fair was inaugurated in 1968, and at that time the young craftspeople used to sleep in the square and sell their wares on rugs on the ground. Although the hippie movement has waned, the fair continues to be a big hit years later. The stalls now occupy the square and its neighboring area selling clothes, leather objects, pictures, paintings, furniture, jewelry, and other items. You may find really original souvenirs here for a much better price than in the shops.
 
 

Main Shopping Centers

Barra

Barra da Tijuca Barra Shopping
Av. das Américas, 4.666 Tel.:431 - 9922
Opening hours: From Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 10 pm; Sundays, from 3 pm to 9 pm This is the largest shopping center in Latin America. There are 2 restaurant areas, 4 cinemas, a bowling alley and a children’s play center. All sorts of people go there. It is usually busy on Saturdays and it is one of the main Carioca leisure activities, especially when it is raining.

Via Parque
Av. Ayrton Senna, 3.000 Tel.: 385 - 0100
Opening hours: From Monday to Saturday, from10 am to 10 pm; Sundays, from 3 pm to 9 pm
This is a spacious shopping center and the Metropolitan show venue is its main attraction. There are 6 cinemas, a large selection of food establishments and a variety of shops.
     

Casa Shopping
Av. Ayrton Senna, 2.150 - Barra da Tijuca Tel.: 430 - 8000
Opening hours: From Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 10 pm; Sundays, from 1 pm to 8 pm
This shopping center is usually sought-after by people interested in decorating their house. There are more than 70 shops selling products for the home.
     

Barra Garden
Av. das Américas, 3255 Tel.: 430 - 9400
Opening hours: From Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 10 pm
This is fairly spacious and is a good option for a quick shop. There is an ice skating rink and
pleasant garden in the middle of the shopping center.

Barra Point Shopping Center 
Av. Armando Lombardi, 350 Tel.: 483 - 8000 / 483 - 8188
Opening hours: From Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 10 pm
This is a small, new shopping center with a fashionable appearance. There are 39 shops, 3restaurants, 1 tea shop, 2 cinemas. Its main attraction is a deck where you can eat looking out onto the lagoon.
     

Barra Square
Av. das Américas, 3555 Tel.: 431 - 1919 / 430 - 7000 / 430 - 7001  
Opening hours: From Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 10 pm
This was recently expanded to 142 shops, and it also gained a theater and restaurant area with a variety of bars. The ambience is light and pleasant.
     

São Conrado

São Conrado Fashion Mall
Estrada da Gávea, 899 Tel.:322 - 2733
Opening hours: From Monday to Thursday, from 10 am to 10 pm; Fridays and Saturdays until 11pm; Sundays, from 3 pm to 9 pm
This is a charming shopping center. Designer shops and high society shoppers make this a well sought after. There are 4 cinemas and some of the best restaurants in Rio.
     

Gávea

Shopping da Gávea
Rua Marques de São Vicente, 52 Tel.: 274 - 9896
Opening hours: From Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 10 pm  

The ambience is fitting for the neighborhood, not very big but, however, rather pleasant. It has two theaters which are always showing the best plays in town, cinemas, a variety of shops, bars and restaurants. Some shops are open on
Sundays.

Leblon

Rio Design Center
Av. Ataulfo de Paiva, 270 Tel.: 540 - 0700
Opening hours: From Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 10 pm; Sundays, from 10 am to 6 pm
This is aimed at decoration and design and has54 shops and 1 restaurant in the basement called Noz-Moscada, with light meals and delicious deserts.
     

Botafogo

Rio Sul Shopping Center
Rua Lauro Müller, 116 Tel.: 545 - 7200
Opening hours: From Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 10 pm; Sundays, from 3 pm to 9 pm This is busy with executives during the week. There are more than 400 shops, including the main designer shops, 2 restaurant areas, 4 cinemas and the Terraço Rio Sul which is a sophisticated restaurant area with good restaurants close together and with an open central area that becomes a dance floor and area for shows at night.

Outlets/Point of sale for stock

Rio Off Price
Av. Vensceslau Brás, 72 - Botafogo Tel.: 542 - 5693
Opening hours: From Monday to Saturday, from10 am to 10 pm; Sundays, from 3 pm to 9 pm
This is a small but pleasant shopping center. It has 120 shops and aims to offer bargain sale prices and stock liquidation prices. There are 2 cinemas, a restaurant area and it is next to Rio Sul shopping center.
     

Nova América Outlet Shopping
Av. Automóvel Clube, 126 - Del Castilho Tel.: 583 - 1000
Opening hours: From Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 10 pm; Sundays, from 3 pm to 9 pm
This is considered to be the main outlet shopping center in the city, with many shops that are direct points of sale for the factory producing the items. There are 144 shops in a spacious ambience which attract people from all over the city. It is usually full at weekends. There is a restaurant area and 4 cinemas