Souvenirs from Barcelona

Did you know that most holidaymakers spend about 50% of their budget on souvenirs and shopping? This is more than is spent on food, good wine or sightseeing. Most of the times we buy souvenirs just because we hold on to the feeling of our stress-free vacation and stupidly think we might be able to catch it by spending our hard-earned money in those – most of the times pretty useless and even kitschy – objects. In order to avoid any error of this kind when doing your next trip to Barcelona, we made a list of what should be on your shopping list and for whom it should be bought.

How to get the perfect gift for everyone:

For soccer fans:

One thing’s for sure: Doesn’t matter if we are talking about your dad, brother or best fellow, when it comes to soccer, most male human beings become like little kids. And Barcelona is kind of their play ground; here you will find any accessory of the most popular soccer club in the world, the FC Barcelona. Luckily you don’t have to actually visit the Camp Nou to do your shopping, you can find many official FC Barcelona shops all around the city:

FCB Fan Shop

Barcelona FC Official Shop – Maremagnum Moll d’Espanya 5

Shop 38-39, Maremagnum Village

Metro L3 – Drassanes, L4 Barceloneta

Barcelona FC Official Shop – Centre Universitat

Ronda Universitat, 37

Metro L1 – Universitat

Barcelona FC Official Shop – Estació Sants

Estació de Trens de Sants

Metro L3, L5 – Santa Estació

Barcelona FC Official Shop Jaume I – Gothic Quarter

Calle Jaume I, 18

Metro L4 – Jaume I

The following gifts will hopefully delight housewives&-men in your surroundings, because they are both non-standard and useful. Our first idea is a kitchen apron on which you will find the recipe of the traditional „pa amb tomàquet“, the very delicious Catalan bread with tomatoes on it. 

Other ideas of this kind would be handmade pottery that you can buy at one of Barcelona’s numerous weekly markets. Or get a Porrò, some typical Catalan glass wine pitcher that is simultaneously used as a glass.

For fashionistas:

If you want to make your sister, your BFF or your girlfriend a happy person, get her some nice dress from one of the famous Barcelona-based designers. By now you can find a Desigual-Shop in almost every bigger city in Europe, so if you want something more outstanding go visit Custo Barcelona. In the past, this label has been outfitting Stars like Beyoncé, Sarah Jessica Parker and many more!

Custo Barcelona

Shopping Center L’Illa

08029 Barcelona (Barcelona)

Metro L3 – Maria Cristina

Custo Barcelona

C/La Rambla, 109

08002 Barcelona (Barcelona)

Metro L1, L3, L6, L7 – Placa Catalunya

If you are afraid to pick the wrong size, then better get a handbag from MISAKO. This brand with a Japanese sounding name is actually a quickly expanding fashion chain with its headquarters in the Catalan city of Esparraguera. The brand is specialized in the production of handbags and accessories; there are more than 150 shops in Spain and in the world. The perfect souvenir for your fashion-conscious friends.

For gourmets

Gourmets will definitely get their money’s worth in Barcelona! Fancy food is the most popular souvenir you can get, because it won’t have the time to gather dust on your shelf. You better consume it together with your friends while you show them the pictures you took during your holidays, wallowing in memories.

This is a short list of the most delicious food you can get as a souvenir in Barcelona:

Jamón: Spanish ham is more than popular! Try out one of the ‘Enrique Tomás’ shops that are specialized in ham and that you can find almost anywhere in Barcelona where tourists gather.

Cava: Catalan sparkling wine with a quality description. The most famous winery might be Freixenet, but you can find many other brands in Barcelona. Be attentive: A real cava’s cork is branded with a star and only the bottles labeled Cava are actually veritable Cavas.

Catànies: A typical Catalan sweet composed of almonds, caramel, white chocolate and cacao and which is quite often used as a gift by locals themselves.

Dont’s! What kind of souvenir you should never ever buy in Barcelona

There are some things that you definitely shouldn’t get as a souvenir in Barcelona! Catalan people are pretty proud of their culture and don’t like to be juggled with the Spanish. This is why we recommend you not to purchase anything showing the Spanish flag or symbolizing the Spanish culture.

The bull: This animal has become the national emblem of the Spanish population; you will often find it stuck on their cars. However, the Catalan associate the bull with the oppression of the Franco Regime. So if you really want to get a sticker from Barcelona for your car, better get a donkey. This mulish but amiable animal is the Catalans favorite.

The Mexican hat: As you can tell from its name, this hat has nothing to do with the Spanish or even Catalan culture. A real mispurchase! If you really want a headpiece from Catalonia, better get a ‚Barretina.‘

Flamenco: While the Flamenco is widespread in Spain, the Catalan have their own national dance: the Sardana. So Flamenco dancing dolls, music or any other item related to this dance is a no-go Barcelona souvenir.

Our hint:

If you are travelling on a tight budget, just bring something self-made! Collect some sea shells at the beach or make a collage out of the pictures you took during your holidays. Anyways, we’re pretty sure that your grandma will even be happy about a new postcard for her collection on the fridge.