There’s a wide range of incredible souvenirs from Barcelona, provided you know where to shop here. The Catalan capital is renowned for its craftsmanship, which shows up in high-quality ceramics, jewelry, leather goods, and accessories. Friends and family members back home are sure to appreciate edible gifts from Barcelona, too. From superb charcuterie and cheeses to fine wines, sherries, and liqueurs, there’s a whole lot of portable deliciousness here.
You’ll find almost all of the ritziest shops clustered along the Passeig de Gràcia, while better bargains can be found in Portal de l’Àngel. The famous La Boqueria market is a great place to shop for food and drink. Meanwhile, don’t overlook the excellent museum shops in places like La Sagrada Familia and the Fundació Joan Miró.
Gaudí-Inspired Ceramics and Mosaics
Gaudí-inspired souvenirs
It’s hard to speak of Barcelona without mentioning its most famous son, Antoni Gaudí, the visionary architect who helped found Catalan modernism. Gaudí’s fingerprints are all over the city, often characterized by colorful mosaics and imaginative, undulating forms.
Casa Batlló, colloquially known as the Casa dels Ossos, or the “House of Bones,” resembles the scaly back of a dragon. The UNESCO World Heritage Site stands imposingly over the Passeig de Gràcia, one of the city’s most famous shopping streets.
Then there’s Park Güell, which feels like something plucked from a Tolkien novel overlooking the city. Finally, La Sagrada Familia, Gaudí’s final masterpiece, is still under construction. The current plan is for it to be completed 100 years after the death of its creator.
Gaudí-inspired souvenirs
While none of these masterful buildings quite fit in a carry-on, there are plenty of miniature mosaics and ceramic works inspired by Gaudí’s work. All of these make for a great way to remember the Catalan city.
Ratafia
Ratafia
If you’re seeking a sophisticated after-dinner digestif, look no further. The name for this liqueur comes from the Latin phrase “rata fiat,” or “the deal has been made.” One can imagine powerful merchants closing trade deals centuries ago over glasses of this sweet, complex elixir.
You’ll find versions of ratafia in France, Italy, and parts of Spain, although each has its own distinctive character. The Catalan iteration relies heavily on green walnuts, along with a proprietary blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, rosemary, and other herbs and spices. The recipe has been kept secret for generations and Catalan ratafia is carefully geographically protected.
Tinned Fish
Tinned Fish
Not long ago, a sizable portion of the world scoffed at tinned fish as a commodity product. “Fresh is best” was the prevailing logic when it came to seafood, and tinned tuna was reserved for mayo-loaded sandwiches, or for cats. Thankfully, the Spanish always knew better. For generations, artisans have been producing incredibly high-quality tinned seafood.
Whether it’s bluefin tuna, Cantabrian anchovies, or cockles, these are luxury products guaranteed to elevate any dish or appetizer board. While Galicia is much more famous for producing tinned fish, you can still shop for rare tins in Barcelona. As a bonus, the tins are often beautifully decorated and make for lovely gifts.
Tinned Fish
Top-notch tins are so appreciated here that they’re all that’s on the menu at one of the most popular tapas spots in town. Quimet & Quimet, which has been in business since 1914, uses tinned ingredients in every dish. If you’re a newbie to tinned fish and not sure what you like yet, it’s a great spot to try a few varieties before deciding what to bring home.
Catalan Porcelain Figures
Catalan porcelain figures
Catalonia has a long, proud tradition of ceramics craftsmanship, which is why you’ll find so many dainty porcelain figurines for sale. These range from Gaudí-inspired miniatures to flamenco dancers and bullfighters.
Most curious of the bunch is the type of figure nicknamed El Caganer, which quite literally translates as “the pooper.” True to its moniker, this odd figurine is usually depicted mid-squat with his pants down. He’s almost always shown in traditional Catalan peasant garb and he pops up a lot during the festive season. If you have a friend or relative with a quirky sense of humor, this could be just the stocking stuffer for them.
Espardenyes
Espardenyes
It doesn’t take long in Barcelona to realize a certain fact: people in this city take fashion seriously. Locals tend to look effortlessly chic and put-together, equally ready to paint the town or sip a gin and tonic by the beach.
Espardenyes is the Catalan word for espadrilles. Versions of these woven, rope sandals have been popular here for at least a century and when the weather is fair, expect to see plenty of pairs of these stylish shoes gracing the streets.
They’re often associated with the Balearic Islands, although they’re an equally common sight in Barcelona. Lightweight and wonderfully comfortable, they’re perfect for tossing in your beach bag or suitcase and make a great souvenir from Barcelona.
Jamón Ibérico
Jamón Ibérico
Calling jamón Ibérico “ham” is sort of like referring to a five-year-aged wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano as “cheese.” It’s technically an accurate classification, but this jamón is light-years beyond the deli meat at your grocery store. For starters, it’s made from Black Iberian pigs, one of the most ancient and revered breeds of swine on the planet.
Iberian pigs have a genetic predisposition to developing particularly richly marbled meat. They spend their lives grazing freely and feasting on fallen acorns. When cured, the meat has a particularly rich, nutty taste with luxuriously silky, almost delicate lard.
Jamón Ibérico
Because it’s both costly and labor-intensive to produce, jamón Ibérico is often served by itself. A single platter of it or a few shards on a sandwich elevates the whole affair. You can buy vacuum-packed slices to savor when you return home. Or if you’re feeling really extravagant, go for the whole leg.
Turrón
Turrón
Once you try this particular type of nougat, there’s a good chance you’re not going to want to stop snacking on it. Variations of this traditional sweet can be found from Sardinia to Portugal to North Africa. In Barcelona, it’s often referred to by its Catalan name, torró.
It’s made with egg whites, sugar, and honey, then studded with almonds and all sorts of dried fruits. Through some alchemical confectionery magic, this sugary mass can turn into either a crumbly or a hard sweet, depending on the regional style.
For locals in Barcelona, this treat is synonymous with the holiday season, although it’s sold all year long. You’ll find hulking slabs of turrón as well as more diminutive, individually wrapped slices. It makes for a wonderful gift, either for a loved one back home or yourself.
Olive Oil
Olive Oil
Spain has long been one of the world’s largest producers of olive oils. In fact, Italy may be more famous for olive oil, but it imports a good amount of this liquid gold from over here. Olive oil is one of the best souvenirs from Barcelona to buy, but it’s critical to shop carefully. More than 200 varieties of olives are grown in Spain. Local producers also make a wide range of olive oils, running from flavorless ones for frying to transcendent finishing oils.
For the best extra-virgin olive oils, be sure to visit a specialty shop like the wonderful Oli Sal in Gràcia. Here, you’ll find a thoughtfully curated selection from small, regional olive growers. There’s also a good assortment of artisanal vinegars and sea salts.
Spanish Saffron
Spanish saffron
Ounce for ounce, the world’s most precious spice rivals the price of gold. Saffron has been prized by humans for more than 3,500 years. Throughout history, it’s been valued as a form of medicine, a fabric dye, and, of course, the source of the brilliant yellow hue in dishes from Portugal to India. In Spain, saffron is one of the ingredients that gives paella its unique, fragrant flavor.
There are good reasons why saffron is so costly and coveted. For starters, it’s wildly labor-intensive to produce. Saffron comes from the stigma and styles of Crocus sativus, a special variety of crocus flower. Each of these tiny threads must be plucked by hand and it takes around 4,000 flowers to produce just one ounce.
Spanish saffron
As the third-largest producer in the world, Spain is home to some very fine saffron. A little goes a long way here, so this souvenir won’t take up much room in your carry-on. Use it to make a pan of paella when you return home to remind you of your trip.
Catalan Wine
Catalan wine
Catalonia produces some of the finest wines in Spain, many of which are sold and imbibed in the autonomous community’s capital. Grapes have been fermented into wine here since the time of the Phoenicians. The Mediterranean climate and diverse range of terroir lend themselves to both rich, full-bodied reds and crisp whites.
The region is particularly famous for its Cava, the Spanish answer to Champagne. Although far less expensive than the regionally protected French bubbly, Cava can be equally delicious, which is why it’s one of the best souvenirs from Barcelona to buy.
Cava
Unlike Italian prosecco, Cava must be made with the traditional méthode champenoise. Since 95 percent of Cava is made in Penedès, Catalonia is a wonderful place to pick some up. Grab a bottle or a case at a wine shop in Barcelona to take home.
Chocolate
Chocolates
The Spanish didn’t invent chocolate, but they were the first to popularize it in Europe. The conquistadors first encountered cacao beans in the 1500s and brought them across the Atlantic. They were initially skeptical of this intense, bitter drink so prized by the Aztecs and Mayans. By the following century, however, chocolate was highly sought-after among the Spanish elite.
To this day, Barcelona has a long, proud tradition of making exceptional chocolate. Travelers should be sure to check out the Museu de la Xocolata while in town. This showcase dedicated to the art of chocolate making is invariably a hit with kids in particular. The highlight is arguably the enormous, handmade chocolate sculptures.
After learning about the history of chocolate, be sure to buy some to take home with you. If you visit Casa Batlló, you’ll find absolutely divine hot chocolate at the museum’s café. The gift shop carries a wide array of chocolate bars and drinking chocolates, all with beautiful packaging.
Read: Best Things to Do in Barcelona With Kids
FC Barcelona Merchandise
FC Barcelona merchandise
If there’s a fútbol fan in your life, be sure to pick up merch from Barcelona’s soccer club. FC Barcelona, which locals refer to almost exclusively as Barça, is one of the best in the world. For many locals, support for the team approaches a kind of religion.
You’ll find T-shirts and jerseys for sale around Las Ramblas and any of the more popular touristy parts of town, but these are largely fakes. For the real deal, you’re going to want to go to an official Barça store. There’s a wide selection of jerseys with the names of all of your favorite players, along with gear and all sorts of accessories. If you’re willing to shell out the extra euro for something truly special, they often have signed merchandise as well.
Artisan Cheese
Artisan cheese
After visiting a tapas bar or two, you may find yourself hankering for Spanish-style meats and cheeses back home. Catalonia produces some truly outstanding cheeses, which make for great gifts or souvenirs.
Garrotxa, a pasteurized goat’s milk cheese, has a mild flavor that pairs beautifully with fresh or dried fruits. It comes in two-pound wheels, meaning truly devoted cheese aficionados can take the whole thing back with them. Serrat, meanwhile, is one of the most ancient cheeses in all of Spain. These small, buttery wheels of sheep’s milk cheese have a delicious, intense flavor and creamy texture.
Barcelona
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