Last updated on January 15, 2019
Fallen in love with Barcelona? Want to invest in something special to take home and remind you of your time in the Catalan capita? I’m not at all surprised to hear it.
From travel-friendly foods and gluggable gifts to personalised arts and crafts, these are the best souvenirs you can buy in Barcelona whilesustainablysupporting small local businesses and artisans in the process.
Vermouth (and Vino) from a Dusty Old Bodega
The Catalans love nothing more than meeting with friends and family for a midday ‘vermút aperitif’ to get their appetites going before lunch, so why not take the tradition home with you.
My personal recommendation would be to visit a local wine bodega and get a few bottles filled directly from the barrel to take home with you (and get some wine while you’re at it).
You’ll find vermouth/vino at any bodega or wine shop in Barcelona, but I would recommended visiting the friendly and knowledgable team at Bodega Maestrazgo in the historic Born barrio.
Carrer de Sant Pere Més Baix, 90 / www.bodegamaestrazgo.com
Paint Your Own Masterpiece at Arte Bar
Unleash your inner Picasso or Dalí at one of Arte Bar’s fun painting workshops. They’ll even uncork a few bottles of Spanish vino to help get your creative juices flowing!
Carrer de Roger de Flor, 135 / www.artebar.es
Turrón from Turronería Sirvent
The Spanish love chomping away on chewy nougat turrón, especially around Christmas, but it’s a treat at any time of year (and it’ll travel nicely in your suitcase). Torrons Vicens is one of the most well-known turrón companies in Barcelona, but I would recommend getting yours at Turronería Sirvent in my beloved Sant Antoni barrio.
Dating back to 1920, this family-run business is one of the oldest in Barcelona and crafts artisanal slabs of turrón with toasted almonds, honey, sugar and egg-whites. More modern recipes also feature ingredients like pralines, candied fruits, coconut, chocolate and even boozy liquors.
Tip: Pop across the road afterwards for home-brewed craft beers and creative tapas at Barna Brew.
Carrer del Parlament, 56 / www.turronessirvent.com
Espardenyes Mediterranean “Rope Shoes”
Timeless fashion icons of the Mediterranean, espardenyes are a sort of canvas shoe made with jute rope, and it’s thought that they were first made by peasants in the Pyrenees mountains in the 14th century.
Get yours at the historic Manuela Apalagatera or at Toni Pons, which opened in 1957 and is still run by the second generation of the same family. Collections change with the seasons and offer all sorts of styles, colours and fabrics for men, women and children. Prices start at just €19, making this an exceptionally affordable place to treat your feet.
Tip: If you buy a traditional pair with the long laces, be sure to ask a member of staff for a quick lesson on how to tie them up properly.
Delicious ‘Conservas’ (Canned Delights) from a Local Colmado
If you’re anything like me then the main thing you’ll want to take home with you from Barcelona is the food, but, alas, this isn’t always that easy.
The good news, though, is that the Catalans love their conserved foods (different foods preserved in cans and jars), especially mussels and cockles and sardines and anchovies and artichokes and the like. And they travel beautifully (they were actually invented as a way to keep French troops alive and well-fed during the war).
You can buy ‘conservas’ at pretty much any supermarket or deli, but be sure to visit traditional ‘colmados’ (specialist stores) like Colmado Quilez on La Rambla de Catalunya, as well as Mantequeria Lasierra and Colmado Múrria in Eixample.
Gourmet Catalan Chocolate
That’s right, the Catalans love their chocolate. The most obvious place to buy your cocoa keepsakes is at the stunning Casa Amatller, one of the iconic Modernist buildings that lines Passeig de Gràcia (literally next door to Gaudí’s Casa Batlló).
This historic house belonged to the wealthy Amatller family, who made the fortune crafting artisan chocolate (starting in 1797). The quality of the chocolate paired with the beautiful packaging makes this a beautiful souvenir or gift. I suggest doing a tour of this handsome property followed by a chocolate tasting session before ransacking the chocolate shop.
Chocolatier Tip: For a truly unique and local experience, head to the historic Bomboneria Pons chocolate shop and factory. Hidden down an unassuming side street in the workaday Sants barrio, this artisanal chocolate haven is the stuff of Willy Wonka’s dreams. Today it is run by the third generation of the Pons family, who hand-make each and every one of the creamy cocoa creations on the property (visible from the little shop). The giant chocolate monkeys are something of local legend!
Carrer Olzinelles, 78 / www.bomboneriapons.com
A-Grade Spanish Olive Oil
This Christmas Rosana’s family gifted me with a giant bottle of extra virgin olive oil – a first for me, but easily one of the coolest foodie gifts I’ve ever received. And with Spain being the world’s largest producer of extra virgin olive oil (yes, even more so than Italy), this really is the perfect Barcelona souvenir.
Again, you can buy Spanish olive oil everywhere and anywhere in Barcelona, but be sure to check out Oli Sal in Gracia, and Olis Oliva in the Santa Caterina market to taste and learn about the different variations before making your selection.
Make Your Own Gaudí-style Mosaics
If you’re inspired by the psychedelic shapes and colours of Antoni Gaudi’s Park Güell then why not join a Mosaiccos workshop and make your very own mosaic masterpiece to take home with you. A fun activity for people of all ages.
Carrer dels Assaonadors, 10 / www.mosaiccos.com
Make Your Own Personalised Sweets at Papabubble
A fun one for travelling families, at Papabubble you can craft your own sugary souvenirs and customise artisan ‘caramelos’ with everything from names and initials to wedding dates and birthdays.
Carrer Ample, 2 / www.papabubble.com
Make Your Own Cava at Artcava
Make your very own bottle (or three) of customised Catalan Cava and take home a little bit of Spanish sparkle.
Located in the renowned Penedès wine region, just outside Barcelona, this boutique bodega makes for a fun day out and will leave you with something special to take home with you as well as some happy memories.
Masia Can Batlle, Penedès / www.artcava.com
Art Prints from the Picasso Museum
Pablo Picasso studied fine art in Barcelona when he was just 14 and many of his iconic works depict scenes and people he encountered here.
A visit to the Museo Picasso is an absolute must, whether you’re really into art or not, and the gift shop is a fantastic place to shop for prints and books to take home with you.
Tip: For more contemporary art prints and books, be sure to visit the gift shops of the CCCB and MNAC cultural centres.
Carrer Montcada, 15-23 / www.museupicasso.bcn.cat
My Barcelona Book!
I almost forgot… Not so very long ago I published my second book on Barcelona, Barcelona Precincts. Find out more about it here.
Original Artwork and Prints from Local Artists at Miscelanea
If you want to treat yourself to a souvenir that will eternally remind you of your time in Barcelona, the Miscelanea gallery/shop is just the ticket. Here you can shop for original art work, copies and prints, related literature, clothing, gifts and accessories.
And if you want to stay a little longer to revel in your new found artistic liberation, do as I do and sneak into the cosy onsite cafe to mingle with local artists and discuss the world of art over a coffee or glass of vino.
Carrer de Guàrdia, 10 / www.miscelanea.info
Print Your Own Photos
As a photographer myself, I simply adore seeing my favourite image of each destination blown up on a beautiful canvas print and hung on my wall at home. Not only are they great conversation starters when you have visitors, but they’re also an easy way to fill your house with a little bit of magic from your time away.
Barcelona FCB Football Shirt from Camp Nou
Arguably the most in-demand Barcelona souvenir out there, picking up the latest Barcelona football shirt is a must for all footy fanatics. But if you’re going to do it, then be sure to do it right and buy your shirt at the Barcelona’s fabled Camp Nou stadium.
Do the full tour before heading into the multi-story gift shop to buy your piece of official merch… or choose from something from the unimaginable selection of Barca FC paraphernalia displayed here.
Carrer d’Aristides Maillol, 12 / More info
Make Your Own Perfume at Moss Olfactory Lab
Visit this elegant micro-perfumery to discover your personal scent profile and create your very own signature fragrance. What better way to evoke memories of your time in beautiful Barcelona.
Carrer dels Mirallers, 7 / www.mossolfactorylab.com
More Recommended Gift/Souvenir Shops in Barcelona
Grey Street
This gorgeous hidden gem of a gift shop is tucked away on a quiet side street in the thick of Raval and has preserved the premises’ original façade, including a sign that reads ‘Novedades Perfumería’ – a nod to the property’s previous incarnation as a perfumerie.
But inside, Grey Street is a colourful Aladdin’s cave of creativity and design. Australian owner and head curator Amy Cocker stocks artsy gifts and precious items from local designers and international artisans. Whether it’s luxurious stationary, contemporary Spanish pottery, art prints or handmade jewellery, you’ll have no trouble finding a unique gift or two from your time in the Catalan capital of cool.
Carrer del Peu de la Creu, 25 / www.greystreetbarcelona.com
Les Topettes
Nestled away on bustling and dynamic Carrer Joaquin Costa, Les Topettes is a shrine to the joys of artisanal soap and perfume. The brainchild of couple Lucía Laurín and Oriol Montañés, a journalist and interior designer who combined their passions for design and personal grooming, it brings a sense of independent spirit to Barcelona’s otherwise mainstream smellies scene.
Carrer de Joaquín Costa, 33 / www.lestopettes.com
Galeria Rubén Torres
This handsome stone façade harbours “products and objects with authentic stories” crafted by Barcelona’s emerging artists and artisans.
Pieces range from hand-carved fruit bowls made from olive wood to eco-friendly leather bags and hand-finished jewellery crafted from tourmalinated quartz and ruby. If you’re looking for something truly unique and special to remind you of your Barcelona story, this is a damn good place to start…
Sagristans, 9 / www.galeriarubentorres.com
