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Top 10 Souvenirs to Bring Back From Madrid

The capital of Madrid is both a shopping haven and a great place to buy souvenirs. Whether you want to know which are the coolest items you can gather in Spain before heading back home or you are looking for something nice to bring back to your friends and family, there is something to be found in Madrid’s souvenir shops.

You will find great items in a wide range of places, from traditional souvenir shops to high-end boutique stores that sell things like clothing, jewelry, and ceramics. This way, both generic toys that represent the city of Madrid and more handmade valuables that reflect the culture can be purchased to commemorate your visit.

Other items are best found at specific markets, like El Rastro or Mercado de San Miguel. Madrid’s amazing food scene is reflected in the gifts that are available for you to bring back home. From alcoholic beverages to cooking aids, you can even make a traditional Spanish meal with the souvenirs you bring back from Madrid.

Ceramics

Photo sourced from madridsensations.com

There are many Spanish citizens who wake up every morning to work on the craft of ceramics. The treasures are hand-painted and then sold to people like you. Throughout Madrid, you will find several small shops filled with nothing but lovely ceramics.

From serving dishes to decorative plates, there are numerous ceramic items that one can choose to bring back as a souvenir. The delicate items also make great gifts by giving the people you love a piece of authentic Spanish art.

When in Spain, some people like to collect handmade plates and hang them on their kitchen walls at home. But more ambiguous is how to safely transport them in a suitcase. Another thing to be careful about when buying ceramics in Spain is not to let them sit in a bag that might be hit by the short curbside poles that line the city’s streets.

Mallorcan Pearls

Photo sourced from tissu.cat

Those who are in-the-know go jewelry shopping in Spain. A lesser-known detail of the country is its pearl-producing industry in Mallorca. The stunning island is home to imitation pearl manufacturers that make raw-shaped pearls out of beach material like sand and shells.

Mallorca was the first region to master the artificial pearl business and in this way, Spain has since become a great place to purchase jewelry.  Companies like Perlas Majórica and Perlas Orquídea produce the majority of the Spanish pearls you’ll find in Madrid.

In Madrid, pearls can be found in El Corte Inglés shopping center,at a store called Majorica. This is an example of a local spot that sells imitation pearls from Mallorca so that you can take them home as souvenirs.

Sangria

Photo sourced from vinetur.com

Sangria is a Spanish alcoholic beverage made of a mixture of red wine, sugar, spices, and fresh fruits. It’s a popular summer drink and is the perfect refreshment when you need a cold sip.

Though some Spanish people like to tell foreigners that sangria is only consumed by tourists, it’s not completely true. Sangria is often served by the Spanish in a jar and passed around during lunch and dinner. The sister version, tinto de verano, is also widely popular among locals as a daily drink, and usually consists of red wine and lemon soda.

Due to the way sangria has become ingrained in Madrid’s culture, the beverage can be purchased as a souvenir from gift shops. It is sometimes packaged in fun shapes like the fighting bull or a guitar. Sangria is the perfect souvenir to bring back home for someone who loves wine.

Figurines

Photo sourced from gaudibarcelonashop.com

One of the cutest souvenir options that Madrid has on sale is the ceramic figurines that mock Gaudi style architecture. Almost every animal imaginable can be bought with this tile mosaic, and various sizes are available.

While most of Gaudi’s work and influence exist in Barcelona, the style bled into Madrid’s artistic customs as well. You will even see Madrid’s popular flamenco dancing ladies made with this style.

As the souvenirs are handmade, they are not the cheapest item on this list. However, they are worth the price, and they make for a thoughtful gift. Alternatively, this souvenir can become your newest collectible item to remind you of your time in Spain.

Olive oil

Photo sourced from lachinata.es

There are over 200 olive varieties grown in Spain, making the country the largest producer of olive oil. As a result, there are a wide range of flavor profiles and distinct products to be purchased in Madrid. Moreover, the ingredient’s prominence in Spain means that there is plenty of related items like soaps and skincare that use olive oil to give you more quality and pleasure for personal care.

Fans of the olive and its commodities should be sure to stop by , a store in Salamanca that sells great olive products. Salamanca is one of the nicest districts in Madrid, and it’s known for its excellent shopping. The above photo shows La Chinata gourmet olive oil, which comes in four distinct flavors for cooking and is conveniently packaged for easy transport in a suitcase.

Whether olive products appeal to you or someone you know, they make for great souvenirs. Visit either a specialty store to find quality olive oil or pick up a nice bar of olive oil soap in a gift shop that you visit for all your souvenir shopping.

Alpargatas

Photo sourced from casahernanz.es

Perhaps the perfect thing to bring home from your time in Madrid is their traditional sandals, alpargatas. These handmade shoes are stylish and comfortable and sometimes sold by designer brands at high prices.

When shopping for alpargatas in Madrid, you can be sure that you will pay the right price. Buy your newest pair of everyday shoes at boutique stores like Casa Hernanz on Calle de Toledo, 18. This authentic shop is located just outside of Plaza Mayor, and it’s so popular that it often has a line out the door.

Show up during opening hours and wait for your turn to claim a pair of functional, stylish sandals for under 50 euros. There are several stores throughout Madrid that sell the style, and back home people will be asking where you found the amazing accessory.

Fans

Photo sourced from Marie Theuns

Marzipan

Photo sourced from Melbury & Appleton

Sometimes the best souvenir is just a little something sweet. In that regard, Madrid has you covered. Though mazapán has been adapted by many countries around the world, the Spanish version, La Rioja Calidad,  is considered to be the most famous among others like Germany, Italy, and France.

Mazapán was one of the Top 10 Spanish Desserts mentioned in our article, and that’s because it’s very tasty. With simple ingredients yet rich flavor, marzipan is the perfect sweet snack to take back home in a suitcase. Actually, the Spanish incorporate the traditional dessert in their Christmas celebrations, but it can still be purchased and eaten year-round.

Usually made of just almonds, sugar, and eggs, marzipan is sold in boxes at many souvenir shops. Otherwise, you will find boutiques dedicated to selling different types and are sure to find a box you want to take home with you.

Paella Kit

Photo sourced from jamon.de

The paella kit may be one of the most desirable souvenirs on this list for those who are into food. The paella served at Madrid’s restaurants is often one of the main things tourists remember fondly about their visit. Paella is a large shared dish filled with rice, seasoning, and add-ins like vegetables and seafood.

Of course, the kit doesn’t come with the seafood, so some parts of the meal will need to be purchased just before preparation. Still, sets usually include the traditional pan, rice, spices, and more.

Saffron is the name of the spice that comes from a purple flower and is used by the Spanish to give paella its rich flavor and yellow color. The ingredient is much more expensive outside of Spain, so it makes a great gift for someone who is a fan of Spanish cuisine.

If you are buying souvenirs just before Christmas, this may be just the thing to get. Once again, the product can be found in Madrid’s department store, El Corte Inglés, for a low price. Whether you just bring back the special pan or the entire package, it’s a valuable and culturally-rich souvenir.

Football Jerseys

Photo sourced from World Soccer Shop

Since young boys may not be too excited to bring back quality olive oil or paella kits in their suitcases, thankfully there is something for them too. Football jerseys can be bought in official team shops, and knock-offs are often sold on the street. Consider buying from street vendors in touristic areas if you want to find jerseys from international teams other than Madrid’s.

To get an authentic jersey, it’s best to visit the official shops of Madrid’s teams. The busy shopping street of Gran Vía is home to the fan shop of the Atlético de Madrid team. For the Real Madrid team, the official shop is located by the Bernabéu stadium. These shops will often customize your jersey by adding your own name on the back.

Jersey quality ranges from cheap knock-offs of the street to 100% authentic jerseys like the ones worn by the pros. The most expensive store-bought jerseys are the official ones that are made of the same material as that of pros, whereas lower priced authentic ones are certified real but not made of the same material as what’s worn by the athletes.

These official sports shops also sell items like footballs and team bags, so that you can be completely decked out in the gear of your favorite team, or shower your favorite nephew in new merch. This souvenir is a great option for sports lovers, and a great way to commemorate your time in Madrid.

Your friends and family are going to be thrilled that you chose to read this article, as you are now an expert on all things souvenirs and gifts in Spain. Travel from local markets to brand department stores to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Just the items on this list make it evident that there are plenty of splendid souvenirs to buy in Madrid. Once actually shopping, you will see that there is much more than meets the eye. The capital of Spain offers a trinket for every member of your family.

Bring your mother a paella kit so that she can cook like the Spanish and enjoy their unique cuisine. For the younger ones, souvenirs like sports jerseys and alpargata shoes can work just right. And for yourself, maybe a bottle of sangria would be the perfect way to capture Madrid in a bottle and bring it back for enjoying on a special occasion.

Thankfully, you don’t have to travel to a specific part of town to find something nice, as various items are found all throughout the city. This article provides you with a comprehensive guide to which Spanish souvenirs are the most popular and where they are typically found in Madrid. Happy shopping!