Saara Shopping District, Rio de Janeiro

This area is one of the most renowned shopping districts in the world. Saara is an acronym for Sociedade de Amigos das Adjacências da Rua da Alfândega, which translates to “Society of Friends of the Alfândega Street and Surroundings”. This area was originally lived in by immigrants who opened up enterprising shops and businesses.

Today, you'll find both locals and tourists looking for the perfect item. This extensive shopping area offers unlimited possibilities, with over 600 shops selling everything from candles to clothing, shoes, and Carnival costumes. You'll probably walk away with at least one pair of Havaianas (iconic Brazilian flip flops) and souvenirs for the whole family.

Shop for soccer jerseys, t-shirts, and hats. If you need beach accessories such as a Brazilian bikini or an extra-large beach towel, you'll be spoilt for choice. This is an excellent place for bargain finds, and vendors are open to further bargaining.

There's also a delightful mix of cafes and restaurants serving Brazilian food.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Luiz Fernando Reis.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Rio de Janeiro. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Saara Shopping District
Sight Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (See walking tours in Rio de Janeiro)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

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