I am an accomplished knitter and fairly well-traveled. I like to buy yarn wherever I go because I…read morethink of the place while knitting (or crocheting) something beautiful to reflect the time there. My daughter and I were on our last day in Lisbon and I asked to visit a yarn store. She was happy to oblige and this one had four stars, was close by our Airbnb and looked good on line. I've never visited a yarn shop with an unfriendly atmosphere and staff. They did not seem willing to speak any English and did not greet us or approach us as we looked up at the glass enclosed yarn behind the counters that ran the full length and width of the place. Various sample books lay on some of the counters and most of the yarns depicted felt rough and as though they had acrylic fiber plied in. Many of the samples were actually covered in plastic so you could not touch them. Prices were not displayed and we were clearly not expected to touch the yarn. Almost all of the colors were saturated with no variegated skeins. Nothing looked appealing to me. Perhaps this is a store for Portuguese knitters or those who like these types of yarns. It was not for me.

So much yarn available that it can be overwhelming. Didn't like the fact that the yarn is behind…read morethe counter so your not able to check it out yourself. I asked to see 3 different yarns and they were mostly acrylic based which I don't like much. Reasonably priced at 3-5 euros. Only bought one yarn only because it was different from what we have in the US.

From the owner: Retrosaria - Tudo para tricot, crochet e patchwork. Fios de…read morealgodão, lãs, fios diversos, linhas, TECIDOS, linhos, atoalhados, bordados, materiais para patchwork , retrosaria, Artesanato

I am sorry to report Retrosaria Nuvem is closed in Campo de Ourique on R Tenant Ferreira Durão. If…read moreit has moved there is no indication on the store front.

Violeta's linens are gorgeous, varied, and unbelievably well-priced. Compared with the other,…read morelocal linen shops, Violeta prices are around 10% of the going rate. All handmade, table cloths, placemats, runners, bathroom and kitchen accessories, towels handkerchiefs and sachets. They don't do tax free and they do not accept American Express. Violeta is the only store in Portugal that I shopped under these conditions. If prices in Lisbon were like those of Violeta generally, I would forego the tax refund and the security of my American Express card without a second thought. Anyone who loves linens and visits Sintra should visit Violeta for easy gifts and impossible-to-find-at-home, traditional, refined, quality linens.