Barcelona is a city you want to take away with you. Bright, festive, unusual: so are the souvenirs here. But if you have to leave the capital of Catalonia and back home, you can buy as many souvenirs as you like. Our review will help you plan a successful shopping trip and bring home pleasant and valuable gifts. Find out what to get from Barcelona for the kids, where to buy brand-name items at a reasonable price and what souvenirs will remind you of your trip to this fantastic city.
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Practical & Unique souvenirs from Barcelona
It's safe to say that ideas of what to bring back from Barcelona as a gift will hit you at every turn. You can do without trivial magnets with pictures of the sights. Here are some characteristic Barcelona souvenirs that capture the city's unique atmosphere.
1. Park Güell Lizard
A more miniature copy of the lizard in Güell Park is an iconic souvenir from Barcelona. The mosaic technique used by Antoni Gaudi to decorate the park is also used in many other souvenirs.
2. Donkey figurine
The Catalan donkey is the autonomous community's unofficial symbol, and its image appears on many products. Souvenir figurines are often decorated with yellow and red stripes, symbolising Catalonia's flag.
3. Caganer
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/caganers
When holidaying in Barcelona at Christmas, among all the other souvenirs, you will surely notice one that will make you both smile and bewildered. We are talking about the figurines of the caganer. It is believed that a pooping man symbolises prosperity. It is a purely Catalan belief, so you can only buy a Caganer figurine in this region of Spain.
Address: Caganer Experience Shop C/ de Sant Pere Més Alt, 1
4. FC Barcelona gifts and accessories
Baseball caps, T-shirts, scarves and other paraphernalia with the Barça logo are brought from Barcelona not only as a gift for football fans. But if you need to pick up something for a young footballer, pay attention to a T-shirt with the number of your favourite player or quality footballs.
Address: Barça Store Ronda de la Univ., 37
5. Flamenco Music CDs
Flamenco dance is mesmerising from the first minute you watch it. And during your trip to Barcelona, you get a fantastic chance to see outstanding performances of flamenco shows with gorgeous dancers, singers and guitarists. In that case, you can bring a couple of discs with flamenco music as a souvenir for your friends. Perhaps these music recordings will make them consider travelling to the Catalan capital.
Best gifts for foodies
The list of what to buy in Barcelona as a gift most often starts with delicious things. Spanish products are known and loved in many countries, so why not make your family and friends happy with real jamon, delicious cheese and good wine?
- Prices in Barcelona for Food in Restaurants, Cafes and Supermarkets
- Spanish Food: 48 Must-Try Dishes in Spain
6. Jamón
Few dishes are more Spanish than jamón. It is the country's most iconic dish, along with gazpacho and paella. Ham is not produced in Catalonia but is often imported from Barcelona. Expensive jamon with a black or red label is best bought in specialised shops, while ham with a green or white label can be purchased in a supermarket, charcuterie or market.
Good jamon, a costly production process, cannot be cheap. If you are looking at a huge leg that (in its entirety) costs only 20 or 40 euros, expect something other than exquisite flavours or special health benefits from this jamon. Regardless of your expectations, there will be no miracle. It makes sense to talk about a high-quality jamon iberico minimum at 70 euros per kg.
7. Fuet
It is a typical Catalan delicacy, and at the Boqueria market, you will immediately recognise this raw sausage with a noble white coating. In addition to garlic and black pepper, aniseed is added to the mince.
8. Cheese
Among Catalan cheeses, we would like to mention Tupi, a soft, sharp cheese flavoured with aniseed liqueur during maturation. Tupi is sold in clay pots and can be accompanied by a jar of Spanish olives — these products complement each other well.
9. Wine
The most famous wine made in Catalonia is Cava. To drink this sparkling drink like the Spaniards, we suggest serving pa amb tomaquet, an appetiser made of dried bread slices covered with mashed fresh tomatoes, garlic and olive oil.
We recommend paying attention to wines from Priorat, Monsanto, Penedès, Aleja and other wine regions of Catalonia.
10. Porrón (Catalan: porró)
In addition to wine, you can buy this Catalan vessel, which looks like a transparent teapot with a narrow spout. This spout is used to drink the wine, but the jug must be high above your head so the liquid goes straight into your mouth. It takes skill, but the first failures only add to the excitement.
11. Catalan sauce
Not everyone gets a first taste of Salsa Romesco — the combination of tomato and almonds seems too unusual. It is made of roasted tomatoes, garlic, hazelnut, almond and red pepper with a touch of paprika.This sauce goes well with grilled poultry, fish, eggs or vegetables.
Sweet tooth gifts
Sitting in a café where crispy churros are served with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate is one of the fondest memories of Barcelona. Is there any way to express this feeling? Traditional Barcelona sweets will serve you well here.
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12. Carquiñoles cookies (or in Catalan – carquinyolis)
Biscuit croutons with almonds are a nice gift for those who like bitter coffee with a delicate dessert. Carquiñoles are ideally stored and will not lose their flavour even if you hand them over a few months after purchase.
13. Turron
Several regions of Spain claim the right to be called the birthplace of the turrón. Catalonia has been making its version of turrón since the 18th century — torró d'Agramunt. Round or rectangular plates made of egg white, honey and nuts can be bought all year round, and Torrons Vicens has been one of the best producers for the third hundred years.
14. Amatller Chocolate
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Chocolate produced in Barcelona since the early twentieth century is an exquisite gift that will delight people of any age. The bars, truffles and shaped sweets are packed in boxes with reproductions of famous paintings. It is no exaggeration to say that this treat is a work of art.
15. Vioko Chocolate
Various delicacies, from biscuits to coloured sugar, are available at the brand's café (Passeig de Joan De Borbó, 55 Barcelona).
16. Candy Catanies
Photo:https://www.facebook.com/catanies
They look like truffles, but in fact, they are a marzipan ball dipped in chocolate powder with whole almonds inside. Instead of marzipan, it can be white chocolate. In Barcelona, these sweets are served with coffee.
Address: Catànies Cudié Barcelona 17 Carrer de Calaf
Clothing and footwear
Seasonal sales in Barcelona are always an excellent reason to go shopping. But even if you don't catch the seasonal sales, you can find practical, fashionable and inexpensive items in the Catalan capital. What gifts to bring from Barcelona to convey the flavour of this city? Let's share the best options.
17. Desigual
The company, which produces high-quality and colourful clothes, began in Ibiza but is now headquartered in Barcelona. Desigual clothes can be bought in many other countries, but they are often cheaper in Spain.
18. Custo
A Catalan brand whose clothes also feature multicoloured prints. In addition to the main range, Custo produces bags, wallets and scarves.
19. Sports shoes Munich
The "German" name should not be confusing — this is a Spanish brand. The recognisable "X" on the logo is a sign of quality football boots, trainers for various sports and city shoes. The brand has a cute children's collection, bags, and backpacks.
20. Camper shoes
It's a footwear brand from the Balearic Islands, trendy in Catalonia. Its speciality is its bold designs, rich colours and one more interesting feature: left and right sandals, trainers, or boots can have different designs.
21. Espardenyes
The unfamiliar name is the Catalan version of the word espadrilles. Shoes with textile uppers and rope soles were believed to have been invented centuries ago in Catalonia. Nowadays, espadrilles are worn worldwide, and it's worth buying a pair of light Catalan slippers — these shoes are suitable for both the beach and summer walks.
22. Bags and backpacks Pinzat
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/pinzatbarcelona/
Connoisseurs of exclusive accessories should definitely visit the Pinzat shop (Carrer de Grunyí, 7, 08003 Barcelona) and choose one of the bags of this unique Barcelona brand. In 2000, sculptors Samuel Nualart and Dolça Teruel founded the company, and today, 35 artists collaborate with them. The peculiarity of the products is that all the images are handmade, and each backpack is a kind of small artistic masterpiece. In addition, all bags are made of recycled materials, which is very good for the environment.
Souvenirs for children
Even if you buy children's clothes and shoes, you'll still want to find a surprise gift to delight your child. Here are some fresh ideas of what to bring your child from Barcelona.
23. Building sets Aedes Ars
From tiny clay bricks you can build anything — a fortress, a farmhouse, a bridge, a lighthouse. The constructor is designed for teenagers, but if you are ready to help your child in construction, you can buy a set even for preschoolers. There you will find everything else, from bath toys to bicycles, from dolls' houses to children's teepees, from big soft animals to tiny models for assembly.
24. Puzzles
The Puzzlemania shop (Carrer de la Diputació, 225), as its name suggests, sells a variety of puzzles — large, small, luminous, three-dimensional, made of wood and metal. You can order a personalised puzzle with the photo on it.
25. Spanish puppets
Charming puppets and dolls from Spanish companies Muñecas Manolo, Vidal Rojas, Vestida de Azul and others are very popular with children. Babies who watch Pocoyo's animated series will be in joy toy characters — Pato, Ellie, Lula and others. There is no need to worry about the quality of toys and the safety of materials.
The best places to buy souvenirs in Barcelona
It's impossible not to notice souvenir shops in Barcelona — they can be found everywhere. However, it is not always possible to find something original at once, and the first purchases are often magnets. It is not a bad memorable gift: you can find an excellent copy with a three-dimensional image of the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló and other sights.
It is convenient to buy souvenirs on La Rambla, in the shops of the Gothic Quarter and the Spanish Village on Montjuïc. Interestingly, in Poble Espanyol, you can first watch an artisan at work and only then buy a forged, clay or glass figurine.
Many works are appealing: a minute ago, you didn't know what to bring back from Barcelona as a gift, and now you're holding a ceramic donkey or a pretty brooch. Here are some of the most interesting and unusual souvenir shops where you are sure to get something memorable: Barceloning (332 Mallorca Street, next to Sagrada Familia), Fantastik (Carrer de Joaquín Costa 62), OMG Barcelona (Plaça de la Llana 7).
Postcards reproducing Picasso's paintings are also a nice, inexpensive gift sold in the artist's museum. And if you visit the Joan Miró Museum, pay attention to the assortment of souvenir shops: there are children's books about art and educational games that introduce the works of Miró and other Spanish painters.
And if you know exactly what souvenirs to bring from Barcelona but need more time to browse the dozens of shops, head to the large shopping centre El Corte Ingles. You're unlikely to find something original there, but you're sure to find something of high quality and practical.
What is prohibited to bring back from Barcelona
Overweight luggage due to many souvenirs is not the biggest problem that tourists leaving Barcelona may encounter. It is much more important that the number of souvenirs does not include things forbidden to take out of the Catalan capital and Spain in general. The list of such things consists of only one item — historical or cultural value items.
Antiques or jewellery can theoretically be also included, so when buying gifts, ask for a receipt and a certificate from the shop. With these documents, customs officers will let you through without any problems.
To bring cheese and jamon, you only need to fulfil one condition — the products must be in their original packaging. There are no restrictions on the export of these delicacies. It is also free to bring wine from Barcelona, but if you get alcohol with strength above 24%, you can take at most 5 litres per person. It should be noted that many countries have set duty-free alcohol import regulations.
No matter how vivid your trip's memories are, you will want to refresh them after a while. If you are going to the capital of Catalonia with a child, take advantage of the children's itinerary in Barcelona. Kidpassage has selected the sights and attractions that will interest the whole family.
