Spain is a diverse country and as different as it is across the regions so are the items you can buy there. When you’re looking at what to buy in Spain there are so many options. Whether you’re visiting with kids or not. When you’re in Spain souvenirs are plentiful, from service stations that can have some surprisingly interesting finds to specialist shops up and down the country. We have rounded up the best gifts from Spain, from the must have buys to the ideas you might not have thought of. Wherever you’re visiting in this beautiful country all the different things to buy in Spain will leave you wishing you had more space in your suitcase.
Read more: Our ultimate guide to Spain with kids
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Take home a Spanish Fan
Fans have been used in Spain since at least the 14th Century. Possibly brought to the country from north Africa.
Through history they have been used in various ways, including at one time by upper class girls who would use them to convey secret messages to their admirers.
Today the fans have a number of uses, from decorative, as part of Spanish dance and also simply being very practical in the heat of the Spanish sun.
Fans can be picked up all across the country from cheap souvenir stands to designer shops. It’s a really lightweight and compact souvenir from Spain to take home too.
Traditional water bottles / bags
A bota bag is usually made from leather and traditionally used as a carrier for wine.
Today these bags make wonderful water bottles and can be used by all ages so make a great Spanish souvenir.
In centuries past they would have been made using goat’s skin and often contained a goat’s bladder for the liner to hold the liquid.
Today they are made using modern techniques and vegan versions can also be found. There are everything from colourful, modern designs to very traditional versions, particularly found out in the countryside around Toledo.
Chocolate the perfect Spain souvenir
Spanish chocolate is delicious. One of the best things about it is you can eat it on its own or even better you can turn it into hot chocolate for drinking or dunking churros into.
It’s one of the great Spain souvenirs to bring home (if you don’t eat it before you get there).
There are some amazing chocolate shops across Spain to pick up specialist drinking chocolate or bars of chocolate from.
You can also find the Spanish chocolate brand, Valor, in nearly every supermarket. And this makes a great item when you’re looking for what to buy in Spain.
What to buy in Spain – Castanets
Castanets are well associated with Spanish music and dance.
They are particularly used in the south of the country, around Seville, and are used in Flamenco dancing.
Known for their distinctive knocking sound they are a simple but evocative souvenir from Spain. They’re also really easy to pack away in a bag and not worry about them breaking on the way home.
Delicious Spanish olive oil – Spain souvenirs
Spanish olive oil is some of the best in the world.
Many trips across the country, particularly through the middle regions of mainland Spain will see an abundance of olive groves.
The twisted, gnarled olive tree is a real symbol of the country and olive oil is served with bread at many meals.
Taking home a bottle of authentic Spanish olive oil is a real treat. It’s such an evocative reminder of the warmth of the country.
Cork products – a great Spanish souvenir
Cork is found extensively across southern Spain and Portugal.
This malleable material is very soft to the touch and is made into a whole range of products, from bags and wallets to baseball caps and jewellery.
Cork leather is a beautiful gift from Spain and is usually printed with gorgeous patterns on it. You won’t believe it’s made from cork when you feel how soft and durable it is and how well it washes and wipes clean.
Paella pans – the perfect gift from Spain
The delicious rice dish of paella was first invented in the Valencian region.
This rice producing area of Spain fashioned the grain into the perfect labourer’s meal. Rice, snails, tomatoes and whatever was growing in the fields at the time.
Eaten from the pan cooked over fire, often as a shared meal, this was the perfect quick dish that was filling and hearty.
Today enjoying Spanish paella is one of the great experiences in Spain and vegetarian and vegan versions have joined the multitude of variations of this dish.
You can pick up paella pans all across the country and it’s a lovely place to buy it and take home to perfect your own recipe.
Spanish Ceramics make a great souvenir
Spanish ceramics are another wonderful gift to take home from the country.
There are many regional techniques and so many beautiful patterns to choose from up and down the country.
A Spanish fruit bowl can really look beautiful in a kitchen. Ad while it’s trickier to get home a signature piece brought back from Spain will always be worth the struggle to carry it in hand luggage.
Shop for Sangria in Spain – Spain souvenirs
Sangria is the typical Spanish drink which packs a real punch.
A fruity, red wine this is such a refreshing drink and a great souvenir to take home from Spain.
Sangria varies within regions (it can only be called Sangria in Spain or Portugal) and even between establishments selling it so it’s worth doing some research to find your favourite version.
Spanish dress, the perfect Spain souvenirs
Spanish flamenco style dresses are an amazing Spanish souvenir to take home with you.
They come in all sizes, particularly for children but adult versions are also available.
They are found all across the country from specialist stores to tourist shops and they’re easy to pack and carry on. A great souvenir from Spain.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our roundup of what to buy in Spain souvenirs to love. Why not check out our complete guide to Spain with kids for so much more on this beautiful country. Why not sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear all the latest travel news.
