The city of Barcelona is a true treasure trove of unique things to buy. The local economy thrives on small, independent businesses that provide goods from women’s leather bags to children’s clothing and everything in between.
With so many options, here are just a few unique items to bring back home when visiting this enchanting city.
Best Things to Buy in Barcelona
1. Espardenyes
Espardenyes are a traditional Catalan-style flip-flop and one of the best things to buy in Barcelona. The soles have a good texture for traction; these also have a good lining to provide warmth for colder months.
You’ll see espardenyes, the rope-soled sandals also known as espadrilles or alpargatas, on the feet of fashionable beachgoers from Martha’s Vineyard to the Maldives, but to take home a pair of the originals, you’ll need to travel to Catalonia, where locals have worn them since at least the 14th century.
La Manual, established in 1941 in the Gothic Quarter, has long been Barcelona’s preferred espardenya supplier, owing to the shop’s extensive selection of styles, colors, and patterns.
2. Vermouth
Barcelona is the home of cava, a Spanish sparkling wine that tastes similar to champagne. Spain, especially Catalonia, is also famous for vermouth. Vermouth is a fortified wine laced with herbs, roots, and barks.
There are several vermouth brands from Spain, and there are many unique versions to taste. A glass of Vermut I Taronja (Vermouth with Orange) or Vermut Rosat (Vermouth with Strawberry) is necessary when visiting Barcelona.
3. Cheese
The Pyrenees mountains, located just north of Barcelona, are famed for soft, flavorful, and creamy cheeses production.
The most representative of all Catalonia Pyrenees cheeses is ‘Tupi,’ a fermented goat cheese with powerful characteristics ideal for cheese and biscuits after dinner.
Alt Urgell from the Cerdanya valley is another well-known Catalan cheese; its smooth, creamy texture and fruity tastes make it the ideal accompaniment to Penèdes or rose wine. Val d’Aran is a mature cheese created with cow milk that has been semi-cured to impart a robust, rich flavor that pairs perfectly with a glass of Penèdes reserve red wine.
You can buy this cheese at La Boqueria. Also, these cheeses and more traditional dairy products from Catalonia are available in the gourmet food hall in L’illa.
4. Porcelain Figures
Porcelain figurines have a long history in Spain, extending back to the 14th century during the Arab conquest.
This beautiful art is a well-kept family secret that has developed with businesses and workshops. They often make the figurines with hard-paste porcelain with a trade secret glaze finish.
Take a trip to Barcelona, and you will find many things as unique as the city itself; one of those things is porcelain figures. The city is known for manufacturing high-quality porcelain figurines. They are trendy in Barcelona, and most stores sell them. They are also often sold at tourist shops where they are cheaper than in the shops themselves, making this product one of the best things to buy in Barcelona.
5. Penedès Wine
The Penedès wine region has some of the country’s oldest vineyards, and they considered its wines to be some of the best produced. It has a Mediterranean climate with a lot of sunshine, little rain, and fresh air. This makes it ideal for grape cultivation.
Most vineyards are found south of Barcelona in the Penedès (region). During trips to Barcelona, do not miss the chance to visit one of these vineyards and take some bottles of Penedès wine back home with you. A bottle of Penedès is definitely one the best things to buy in Barcelona.
6. A Bota
Were you even in Spain if you didn’t purchase a bota? A bota, or wineskin, is a classic leather drinking vessel popular in Spain. This sack-like device resembles a hip flask you carry across your shoulder like a purse.
Locals drink from the bota by angling the vessel in such a manner that the liquid shoots out into the drinker’s lips without the drinker having to contact the bota’s rim with their tongues. In this way, a group can share drinks from the same bota. This kind of drinking vessel is only found in Catalonia, which is why is on our list of the best things to buy in Barcelona.
7. Flamenco Costumes
Flamenco is one of the trademarks of Barcelona. The performers always wear the legendary traditional flamenco costumes in the shows and sell them separately. They come in a vast collection of styles, from traditional Spanish dresses to flashy Mexican costumes.
Purchase a flamenco dress, shawl, or shoes on your Spanish holiday and bring a piece of classic Spanish culture home with you. If the outfit is a little too large for your bag, you can buy castanets. These are the spherical wooden shells held in dancers’ hands and clapped together to create a percussion rhythm.
8. Firewater
The Spanish take pride in their sherry and firewater. They make this drink by distilling the wine for an extended time, resulting in a highly potent drink of up to 50% alcohol.
Although it is not a wine, it has all the properties of one; it only has more color, aroma, and strength. Order a glass of this fiery spirit at any tapas restaurant during your trip to Barcelona and enjoy the delicious tangy taste.
9. Barcelona Souvenirs
Think of Barcelona, and you’ll probably think of its amazing beaches, architecture, music, and street art. Barcelona has also been known for making its mark on foreign visitors.
You can take home a piece of the city in the form of souvenirs such as Catalan ceramic tiles, traditionally handcrafted bookbinding boxes, silver jewelry, or tapestry replicas.
Related: Getting Around Barcelona, Hidden Gems in Barcelona, Historical Sites in Barcelona
Barcelona Souvenirs Found Only in Spain
1. Mosaic Lizard
If you want to take a bit of Barcelona’s inventiveness home with you, look no further than mosaic lizards. These iconic works pay homage to Antoni Gaudi’s famous full-scale mosaic “El Drac,” or dragon, which he created inside Barcelona’s Parc Güell.
Take one of these objects home as a reminder of the magnificent art surrounding Barcelona’s streets.
2. Barcelona Souvenirs from Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia is one of those must-visit places in Barcelona. If you get the opportunity to view Gaudi’s unfinished masterwork, there are several keepsakes to take home.
Even if you prefer non-touristy gifts, it might be challenging to pass up an awe-inspiring commemorative item, whether it’s a three-dimensional puzzle, snow globe, or small model.
3. Barcelona famous sauce
Take one of the region’s famed sauces home with you. Their use of peppers and almonds distinguishes Barcelona sauces. Try the aioli sauce, which is garlicky mayonnaise that contains egg yolk. This sauce is the perfect combo for fresh vegetables, seafood, and meats. You can find unopened jars and precooked food to bring back on board.
4. El Porron
If you’re searching for something different to buy in Barcelona, the porron is a good option. A porron is a drinking vessel that originated in medieval Catalonia.
It’s a strangely formed glass pitcher with a funnel and spout to drink from. They sometimes use it to serve wine and preserve olive oil in some Spanish restaurants.
5. Soccer related memorabilia
If you’re a Football (or Soccer for Americans) fan, you’re well aware of the sport’s importance in Barcelona. Barcelona is home to one of the world’s most famous clubs, and Barcelona inhabitants have a long history of devotion to the game, which is referred to as Fútbol in Spain.
Barcelona and Spain as a whole have a long-standing commitment to the sport. If you take a tour of the team’s stadium, you’ll most certainly find all types of memorabilia stuff, such as jerseys, scarves, and autographed souvenirs. Also, you can find these souvenirs at just about every souvenir store in town.
6. Perfume
Are you looking for a fresh and exotic scent to wear? Look no further. Barcelona is home to a thriving community of small boutique perfumeries that sell delectable smells.
They have a variety of fresh floral and fruity scents that will make everyone back at home envious of your Barcelona fragrance.
7. Gourmet Chocolate
In Spain, chocolate is an essential part of the culture and cuisine. This is especially true in Barcelona, known as the city that first introduced chocolate to the rest of Europe.
This is one reason you can find the best chocolate in Spain in Barcelona’s shops and markets.
Author’s Note
What will you buy when you arrive in Barcelona? Keep the city’s charm close to your heart with one of their many souvenirs. Barcelona is a true gem for finding a souvenir to take home. They have food, clothes, and gifts that make you think of Barcelona every time you use them.
There’s something for anybody in this vibrant city. Where will you find your favorite souvenir in Barcelona? Let us know in the comment section below!
