Author’s Note: I’ve been to Spain countless times—too many to remember—both on work trips to shipyards, golf courses, and on cruises. Spain was also the first country I visited outside of the UK & Ireland, on a family trip to Barcelona, and the first country I took my son to outside of the UK & Ireland, on a trip to visit family in Mijas.
In Spain—a country famous for producing gorgeous ceramics, fancy flamenco dresses, and world-beating wines—shopping is made easy with a wealth of souvenirs to choose from. From organic olive oil and rare cheese to handcrafted pottery and flouncy fashion, Spain’s souvenirs offer something for every type of traveler.
Whether you’re buying for yourself or a loved one, pair visiting beautiful landmarks with shopping for some of Spain’s most coveted souvenirs on your next European vacation. Here are some of the fabulous things to buy.
Food & Drink
Wine
Spanish wine
From the effervescent fizz of cava, the nation’s sparkling wine, to robust Rioja, Spain is a dream destination for oenophiles.
Spanish wine is one of the best souvenirs to take home with you. Pick up one of your favorite tiples following a tour and tasting at a vineyard where you’ll get the chance to learn more about Spain’s wine culture.
La Rioja
La Rioja, roughly a 90-minute drive south of Bilbao, offers hundreds of wineries open to the public, with Spanish museums, cellars, and restaurants.
La Geria Valley in Lanzarote, Canary Islands
The wine produced in Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands, is a superb alternative to the more familiar Spanish wine of the mainland. One of the best things to do in Lanzarote is to take a tour and tasting of the volcanic island’s wine route that will take you to the central La Geria Valley.
Pick up a bottle at the oldest winery in Lanzarote, the 18th-century El Grifo, and take a trip to the 19th-century Bodega La Geria to sip on the local Malvasia grapes.
Blue wine
Blue wine is the solution if you’re searching for a lesser-known Spain souvenir from the Rioja area. Disrupting Spain’s traditional wine-making industry since 2016, the eyebrow-raising blue wine is made by a company called Gik Live, created by combining red and white grapes with plant-based blue dye.
Iberian Ham
Iberian ham
Spain souvenirs often involve gourmet food, and you can’t go wrong with a selection of Iberian ham.
Head to one of the lively produce markets that Spain is known for, typically in the center of towns and cities like Barcelona, Bilbao, Malaga, and Valencia, for the tastiest selection of Jamón Ibérico.
Try the superlative La Boqueria market in Barcelona, where you’ll find garlands of cured ham hung from market stalls among the vast array of produce.
Mercado de la Ribera, Bilbao
One of the best things to do in Bilbao is to nibble your way around Mercado de la Ribera—the largest indoor food market in Europe—and pick up a selection of cured Basque Country meats.
Olive Oil
Olive oil
This edible Spanish souvenir lies at the heart of Mediterranean-style cooking. As Spain is the biggest producer of olive oil on the planet, a bottle is one of the best souvenirs to take home.
The ancient Andalusian town of Baena, around 30 minutes from Malaga, produces some of the world’s most refined olive oil. Visit Baena’s Olive and Olive Oil Museum to learn about the region’s olive oil production and taste the golden-hued oil.
The sublime Núñez de Prado is a cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil produced in Baena. This organic olive oil uses a mix of floral and sweet olives to create a robust oil produced in the region since 1795.
Úbeda
You could also visit Úbeda’s Olive and Olive Oil Visitor Center in the lush olive-growing region of Jaén, also in Andalusia. Explore leafy olive groves, taste a variety of oils, and buy a bottle as a keepsake of your time in Spain.
Saffron
Saffron
Aromatic saffron—among the world’s most valuable commodities—is a product of the crocus sativus, also known as saffron crocus, which flowers a beautiful shade of violet.
Spain produces a high volume of the world’s saffron, with the spindly vermillion-red spice used to enhance dishes such as paella, stew, and other meat and tapas dishes.
Mercat Central de Valencia
In Valencia, trawling the city’s famed Central Market is a must-do. While there, stop by Antonio Catalán, a corner stall selling a mix of herbs and spices, including strands of saffron. You could even pick up an authentic paella pan in the market to ensure that the paella you make back home is cooked in the correct way, crispy on the bottom.
You’ll also find saffron available at Spain’s El Corte Inglés’ food market, with branches in Barcelona, Bilbao, Malaga, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Mallorca.
The upmarket department store is a one-stop shop for gourmet groceries, homeware, cosmetics, and fashion for men, women, and children.
Sherry
Sherry
A rich, redolent sherry is a Spain souvenir worth purchasing to savor long after you return home.
The best place to buy sherry is in a cask-filled bodega in Andalusia’s formidable wine country and the drink’s birthplace, Jerez de la Frontera.
Sherry
Before making your selection, embark on a tour of some of the region’s esteemed cellars to understand how this fortified Spanish wine is produced.
Explore Galería del Jerez and its sherry wine museum, home to what is considered the world’s most extensive collection of sherry, before selecting a bottle from the store to return home with.
Paella Rice
Paella
Spain’s most iconic dish is the fragrant and colorful paella. Originating in the region of Valencia, paella is a tantalizing rice-based dish cooked in a large pan over an open fire.
The components of this traditional Valencian dish include tomatoes, saffron, paprika, onion, garlic, peas, and bell peppers, complemented with a mixture of chicken, chorizo, seafood, and wedges of tangy lemon.
Paella
One of the best Spain souvenirs to pick up on your travels is paella rice so that you can recreate this joy-filled meal at home. Shop at Valencia’s food markets to pick up pouches of the short-grained Bomba rice grown in the region’s rice paddy fields.
For an alternative to the city’s bustling City Market, try Russafa Market in the hip Russafa neighborhood, housed in a brilliant Julio Bellot Senent-designed 1960s concrete building.
Spanish Cheese
Manchego
Cheese is among the best Spanish souvenirs to buy on vacation, provided you’ve got somewhere cool to store it.
Tasty varieties that lend a punch of umami include Manchego, a hard sheep’s milk cheese made in the central La Mancha region. Manchego is best served as a tapa, with honey or quince jam.
Mahon, a soft cow’s milk hailing from Menorca, makes for a delicious addition to a cheese course, while Valdeón is a mouthwatering blue cow’s and goat’s milk cheese from northwest Spain.
Tetilla
Plump for a wedge of nutty Basque Country Roncal, a semi-hard raw sheep’s milk cheese, and Tetilla, a creamy cow’s milk cheese shaped into a cone made in Galicia.
Read: Spain Travel Tips
Fashion & Accessories
Pearl Jewelry
Pearl jewelry
Pick up shimmering pearl jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, on vacation in Mallorca.
Unlike sea pearls, usually extracted from oysters, sought-after and more affordable Mallorcan pearls have been crafted on the island since the 19th century. On a visit to the Majorica Pearl Factory & Café in Manacor, a 45-minute drive from Palma, you can shop for your own elegant pearls, including broaches, charms, and hair clips.
Though the exact method of how these elegant pearls are made is a closely guarded secret, you can learn more about the process before purchasing these coveted Mallorcan must-haves.
Flamenco Dress
Flamenco dress
Flamenco, a style of passionate Spanish music accompanied by sensual dance, is commonly recognized by the ruffled dress worn by the female dancer.
The flamboyant Spanish outfit, complete with an embroidered shawl, is traditionally red and black, featuring a polka-dot pattern, although shoppers will find a whole gamut of colors and styles available.
Flamenco dress
As flamenco is an Andalusian tradition, Malaga, Cadiz, and Seville are among the best places to pick up a flamenco dress. In Jerez de la Frontera, near Cadiz, Tamara Flamenco sells a range of alluring flamenco dresses, shawls, and jewelry.
Flamenco y Mas in the center of Seville also offers a choice of sultry dresses and two-piece flamenco outfits. If you’re exploring Granada or Malaga, pay a visit to El Rocio Flamenco for its jaunty dresses, skirts, shoes, and accessories.
Soccer Jersey
Soccer jersey
As soccer is the country’s national sport, a jersey from one of the top teams is one of the best Spain souvenirs to take home as a reminder of your vacation.
In Barcelona, enjoy a visit to Camp Nou soccer stadium, the extraordinary home of F.C. Barcelona. Camp Nou is the largest soccer stadium in Europe and offers tours around the ground and behind the scenes, including the dressing rooms, trophy rooms, tunnel to the pitch, and museum.
Camp Nou, Barcelona
The stadium’s gift store offers plenty of souvenir options, including the team’s striped home jersey. The tour of this hallowed ground is a must for any soccer fans.
Spain’s crimson-red national jersey—sold in stores across the country—is another popular option.
Espadrilles
Espadrilles
This glorious summer shoe was born in Spain and will forever be associated with balmy days spent in the Mediterranean.
The espadrille is a casual, chic style of footwear known for its dried-esparto grass sole and cotton covering. Though traditionally flat, espadrilles are also widely available in a wedge-style shoe, too.
In Spain, espadrilles are typically hand-stitched. There’s even a name (“Alpargateria”) given to stores that sell them.
La Manual Alpargatera, Barcelona Photo by Enfo on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Stylish Catalonians flock to La Manual Alpargatera for customized espadrilles, with a wide range of colors and styles available. It’s located in one of Barcelona’s most famous neighborhoods, the Gothic Quarter.
Traditional Spanish Hand Fan
Traditional Spanish hand fan
Practical and pretty, an abanico is a traditional Spanish hand fan.
From street vendors and flamenco stores to resort gift shops, traditional hand fans are sold all over Spain in a bold array of colors and designs.
Buy an abanico as a token of your Spanish getaway or to use while on vacation to keep you cool during warm summer days as the sun lingers over the Mediterranean.
Art & Crafts
Terracotta Tapas Dishes
Tapas
For Spain souvenirs that are guaranteed to spark joy when you return home, select a range of tapas serving dishes.
Used to present culinary creations such as stuffed olives, meatballs, garlic shrimp, and charred Padrón peppers, tapas serving dishes are a staple feature of bars and restaurants throughout Spain.
Tapas
These round bowls are traditionally terracotta, though you’ll find an attractive array of patterns and colors available. Pick up souvenir dishes at local food and craft markets and stores around the country.
For a more culture-filled shopping experience in Barcelona, trawl Els Encants (open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday), the city’s largest flea market, for characterful, pre-loved tapas serving dishes.
Read: The Ultimate Barcelona Food Guide
Ceramics & Pottery
Ceramics
Ceramics and pottery are among the best souvenirs to buy in Spain for their vibrant colors and eye-catching kaleidoscopic designs.
Pieces such as vases, jugs, plates, and bowls feature religious, floral, and folkloric themes. Travelers can also expect to find a variety of ceramic styles in different regions of Spain, too.
Mijas
In the gleaming, sun-soaked White Villages of the Costa del Sol in Southern Spain, including the picturesque hilltop town of Mijas, near Malaga, you’ll find a range of craft studios and ceramic galleries to delve into.
Pottery in the Canary Islands
In the Canary Islands, pottery is customarily made using clay from the volcanic soil, giving a deep, earthy tone, and without using a wheel, which results in more organic shapes.
Look for artisan studios, art galleries, and craft markets in the islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote for some of the most spectacular pottery available on this dazzling archipelago.
Artwork
Figurines
Create a talking point in your own home by purchasing stirring Spanish artwork on your next vacation.
Independent galleries, studios, and artisan markets in beautiful Spanish cities such as Bilbao, Valencia, Barcelona, and the Balearic Islands are among the best places to buy art in Spain.
While it’s unlikely you’ll leave Spain with an original Picasso, Dali, or Miró, the country’s first-rate museums are not to be overlooked when hunting for your next art purchase.
Picasso Museum, Barcelona
Head to the gift stores of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Picasso Museum in Barcelona, and the Pompidou Center in Malaga for contemporary, head-turning pieces and prints.
Lladró Figurines
Lladró figurines
Lladró is a Spanish brand of beautiful, delicate 20th- and 21st-century porcelain figurines, crafted by hand in Valencia.
Here, Travelers can discover how these charming decorative pieces are made at the Lladró Arts Center. One of the best things to do in Valencia is to join a two-hour tour to witness artisan crafters create intricate ornamental works, including elegant figures, often women, women with children, and animals.
Lladró Arts Center, Valencia
While you can buy Lladró figurines on a visit to the Lladró Arts Center, look out for pieces at flea and antique markets, with some early creations considered valuable collector’s items.
Try the Sunday market, Rastro de Valencia. To identify a genuine Lladró figurine, look for the official logotype on the base of the piece.
In recent years the brand has diversified its product lines, so if a porcelain figurine isn’t your style, browse the brand’s stylish home accessory and jewelry lines at Lladró Arts Center.
Music & Dance
Castanets
Castanets
Castanets, or castañuelas in Spanish, are a handheld percussion instrument and are a fun gift for children and adults.
Castanets are used in Spanish music and dance, including in flamenco and Spanish folk dances, and are often also referred to as palillos, which translates as “little sticks”. They include a pair of curved-inward shells joined by string, with the player clicking them together to form a series of rapid sounds.
These small instruments are usually made of hardwood and decorated with place names and with flamenco dancers painted on the outer surface. You’ll find them sold in markets and souvenir shops all over Spain, especially in popular places around Southern Spain, such as Seville, Cadiz, and Malaga.
Flamenco Music
Vinyl records
In Andalucia, you will hear the pulsing, passionate sound of flamenco music that will forever remind you of this evocative region of Spain.
If you’re old school, you could buy flamenco music on a CD or vinyl from a traditional record or music store, such as Record Sevilla on C. Amor de Dios in central Seville.
Flamenco Dance Museum Photo by Sefaradia on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Visit Museo del Baile Flamenco—Seville’s Flamenco Dance Museum in the Santa Cruz neighborhood—and you’ll be able to pick up souvenirs of flamenco music after learning more about Spain’s most famous genre of music, dance, and song.
Exhibitions showcase costumes and instruments and rooms explore the roots of flamenco in Spain, so you’ll leave with not only flamenco music to listen to at home, but a deeper understanding of this powerful genre of music.
Cajón
Cajón
A cajón—pronounced ka-hon—is a wooden box that’s used as a percussion instrument. Though it originates in Peru, not Spain, it is commonly used in flamenco music and if you pick one up on vacation, it will become a constant talking point back home.
A cajón is hollow, with a hole on one side allowing the sound to travel out, while the player often sits on the instrument, playing it by beating their hands on different sides of the box.
Look for a cajón in Andalucia, in places such as Seville, Granada, and Cádiz. Seville’s Triana neighborhood has plenty of music stores. In Cadiz, try Jiménez Instrumentos Musicales, a musical instrument shop on Av. Cayetano del Toro.
If you’re visiting Barcelona, check out Fanatic Guitars, near Casa Batlló in L’Eixample. Though they specialize in guitars, they sell other instruments, too.
Before committing to a purchase, check your airline’s luggage rules as cajóns can be bulky and you may need to ship it home separately or pay for additional baggage allowance.
Regional Specialties
Leather goods from Ubrique, Andalucia
Leather bags in Ubrique
Lying between the Ubrique and Grazalema mountains, the whitewashed Spanish town of Ubrique is known for its traditional leather crafts, including belts, bags, and purses.
Located around 65 miles north-northwest of Cadiz, Ubrique is roughly a 75-minute drive and an easy day trip from the city.
Ubrique is worth a visit to explore the town’s leather-making history, with the white town supplying international designers, such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton.
Baroque Convent of the Capuchins, Ubrique
Visit the Ubrique Leather Museum within the beautiful 17th-century Baroque Convent of the Capuchins. Located on Avenida Herrera Oria, it has exhibits of historic leather machinery and leather-making tools, and shows how leather bags and accessories are made.
There are plenty of places where you can buy leather goods in Spain, including shops in Ubrique and artisan workshops in Seville and Barcelona, such as Rossymina, a gorgeous leather atelier in Barcelona’s Old Town.
Bilbao and Malaga’s Old Town have their fair share of leather shops, as does Palma in the Balearic Islands.
Gaudí-inspired Trinkets from Barcelona
Gaudí-inspired trinkets in Barcelona
When visiting Barcelona, one of the more popular Spanish souvenirs is to pick up mosaic-style trinkets or prints inspired by legendary architect Anthoni Gaudí.
Most well known as the architect behind the skyline-defining basilica, the magnificent La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi also played a part in designing some of Spain’s most beautiful places, including Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, and the mosaic-clad Park Güell.
You’ll find gift shops at the various Gaudi sights and at other locations across Barcelona, including museums and galleries, where you can pick up Gaudí-inspired trinkets such as ceramic ornaments and mugs, miniature replica buildings, photo frames, and bowls.
Cava from Catalonia
Cava
In Catalonia, Cava is served everywhere, at bars, restaurants, and tapas joints in cities, towns, and villages.
This delicious sparkling wine, sometimes referred to as Catalan Champagne—though those in the know often prefer Cava to its French cousin—is a revered drink made in the Catalan region.
If you’re keen to delve into the viticulture of Cava, you’ll want to make a trip to Sant Sadurní d’Anoia. Regarded as the epicenter of Cava making, it’s around a 50-minute drive from Barcelona, in the bucolic Penedès region.
Caves Codorniu, Barcelona
Visit Caves Codorniu, the oldest, and one of the largest Cava producers in Spain. Founded in 1551, Caves Codorniu is also one of the world’s oldest wineries. Designed by Catalan architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, Caves Codorniu winery has a marvelous art collection that you can admire during a tour and tasting.
After sampling Codorniu’s different varieties, pick up a bottle of the light and refreshing Codorníu Cuvée Original Brut Ecológico or the pink-tinged Codorníu Cuvée Original Rosé as a souvenir for your wine-loving friends.
Sobrasada from the Balearic Islands
Sobrasada
This cured sausage meat is associated with the Balearic Islands, Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca.
Made from ground pork and a mix of spices including paprika, Sobrasada has a red hue and a distinct rich flavor. It’s often served with bread, as an accompaniment to Spanish cheeses, or used as an ingredient in traditional dishes, such as stews.
Pick it up in grocery stores or local food markets, such as Palma’s delightful Mercat de Santa Catalina or Mercat de l’Olivar, to enjoy this savory treat when you return home.
Soccer Merchandise from Barcelona
Soccer merchandise in Barcelona
Aside from Barca football jerseys, you can pick up plenty of other soccer merchandise as a reminder of one of Spain’s top teams while in Barcelona. Hats and caps, scarves, T-shirts, shorts, and memorabilia are among the items you could purchase.
Key chains, miniature model Camp Nou soccer stadiums, lapel pins, embossed silver pens, and even signed merchandise are available at Camp Nou’s gift store, while stores around La Rambla also sell the city’s beloved soccer team’s merchandise.
Aloe Vera Products from the Canary Islands
Aloe vera
Aloe vera—a succulent plant known for its medicinal qualities—grows in abundance in the sub-tropical Canary Islands. Aloe vera leaves contain a gel-like substance that is used in skin lotions, gels, and ointments and helps to soothe sunburn and minor skin irritations, such as insect bites.
If you’re visiting the Canary Islands, pick up aloe vera products at Finca Canarias Aloe Vera. This Spanish brand has several aloe vera farms and outlet stores, including in Maspalomas, near the famous Maspalomas sand dunes in Gran Canaria and in Güimar, Tenerife.
Book a guided tour of the farm and pick out organic products to take home, including body lotion, body scrub, and cooling gel. Hair care, face, and body products are also available.
Mojo Sauce from the Canary Islands
Mojo sauce
One of the Canary Islands’ most famous delicacies is mojo sauce. This savory sauce comes in two varieties, green and red, and both are delicious.
Spicy mojo rojo is made using a mix of red bell peppers, garlic, paprika, olive oil, and sometimes with cumin and chili peppers, with lashings of the mouthwatering sauce served with potatoes, grilled vegetables, and meats. The herby mojo verde is made using a mix of cilantro or parsley, garlic, green bell peppers, olive oil, and vinegar, and is more frequently served as a dip or with seafood.
Look to local producers, gourmet shops, and grocery stores to pick up your own mojo sauce and remember to keep the bottle sealed and well wrapped when traveling home.
Buying Tips and Etiquette
What are the best souvenirs to buy in Spain?
Spanish wine
Travelers to Spain are utterly spoiled for choice when it comes to buying souvenirs. The best souvenirs to buy in Spain include gourmet products, such as cheese, cured meats, and olive oil.
As one of the world’s major wine-producing regions, another top buy is wine, such as Rioja, sherry, and Cava.
Ceramics and handcrafted pottery, such as vases and cookware, traditional leather goods, and fashion items, such as espadrilles, are also among the best Spanish souvenirs.
How can I ensure the authenticity of a souvenir?
Mercat Central de Valencia
There are several ways to ensure the authenticity of a souvenir, including buying from trusted sources, such as independent boutiques and retailers in the source of origin. For example, buy paella rice from Mercat Central de Valencia, the city’s central market, a surefire way to ensure its authenticity.
Check for certifications or tags on items, which may say product of Spain or product of a particular region. Certain fine foods, for example, several cheeses in Spain will say Denominación de Origen Protegida, which means Protected Designation of Origin.
La Geria in Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Buying directly from the source, such as purchasing Cava from a producer in Catalunya or wine from a vineyard in Lanzarote’s La Geria wine region, will ensure its authenticity. Similarly, the best place to buy a soccer jersey is at a soccer stadium gift store rather than from a street vendor.
If you are purchasing jewelry, say pearls or pieces with amber or diamond stones, ask questions, such as “Where was this item made?” and “Who made it?” You can also ask for the item’s certification for expensive jewelry and artwork.
Are there restrictions on bringing certain items home?
Mercat Central de Valencia
There are no restrictions on bringing many items home, including clothes, accessories, and other textiles items, such as flamenco dresses and scarves.
There are no restrictions on bringing ceramics, crafts, and small musical items, and non-liquid soaps and cosmetic items home. There are also no restrictions on bringing books and artwork home.
Many Spanish food items are allowed without restrictions, including cheeses, candy, and some packaged cured meats. Avoid carrying fresh meat, fruits, vegetables, homemade, and unlabeled food items. Sadly, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection prohibits travelers entering the United States with Jamón Ibérico so you’ll have to make the most of it while in Spain.
Spanish wine
There are restrictions on the amount of alcohol you can import, with travelers allowed to bring one liter per adult, duty free. Anything over that amount may incur import or duty taxes.
Other items that are prohibited included ivory, coral, and live plants and soil. Avoid embarrassing situations at the airport by declaring everything. Always check with your airline and with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency if you are unsure about restrictions on bringing certain items home. It’s worth keeping receipts, too, as proof of purchase.
Where can I find traditional artisan markets in Spain?
Mercado de la Ribera, Bilbao
Some of the best shopping experiences in Spain are at artisan markets and every city has its own market, as do many towns and villages.
Look to food markets such as Barcelona’s Mercat de la Boqueria and Mercat de Santa Caterina, and Bilbao’s outstanding La Ribera Market.
For some of the best shopping in Barcelona, head to Els Encants in Plaça de les Glòries, an antique-lover’s dream with hundreds of stalls open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. If you’re visiting Seville, stop by Mercadillo Paseo del Arte, a charming arts and crafts market that opens Saturdays and Sundays for a wonderful mix of ceramics, pottery, artwork, textiles, and jewelry.
Spain
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