Whether you want to decorate your home or find the perfect token to remember a trip to Barcelona, souvenirs are a great way to get the memories flowing. Barcelona has a rich history of art and architecture. Several of the city’s greatest icons are famous worldwide. Barcelona’s walkable streets are filled with numerous local shops selling all kinds of products you won’t find anywhere else. Because there are so many options for those eager to look for a unique memento of the city, it can be overwhelming to have so many choices. Follow this guide to find some of the best souvenirs to remember the city.
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5 best souvenirs in Barcelona
From simple fridge magnets of La Sagrada Família to intricate mosaics of famous Catalan designs, there are a wide range of possibilities when looking for a great souvenir or decoration. Barcelona has distinct traditions and icons that are well-loved and recognized worldwide. To find some of the best ways to bring Barcelona’s culture home, check out these 5 souvenirs that bring the city’s culture to life.
Gaudí mosaics and ceramics
Many of Spain’s most famous icons all stem from the same architect, Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí is responsible for La Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, Park Güell, and he has inspired many other artists. It’s quite common to find fridge magnets or simple depictions of Gaudí’s work at gift shops throughout the city. However, if you want a more artistic depiction of Gaudí’s work, ceramics and mosaics are the way to go. Gaudí was famous for his intricate nature-inspired mosaics, and these are much more beautiful souvenirs than the generic trinkets you can find at every store. Stores like Cerámica Villegas have a wide variety of original and Gaudí inspired work from local artists, and it’ll be sure to give you lasting memories with beautiful artwork.
Wine 'porróns'
This one is a great conversation starter! Wine porróns are a traditional symbol of Catalunya, and they’re meant for drinking wine without ever needing to have your lips touch the glass. This allows them to be easily passed between friends for sharing drinks. Spanish cava and sangria are a perfect pair for porróns to get the full Spanish experience. The unusual shape of the porró and its unique practical application make it a perfect reminder of Barcelona and a fun souvenir to show off at a party.
Official Barça merch
Barça's jerseys are the perfect souvenir for any sports fan! Futbol Club Barcelona is a huge source of pride for Catalunya. Everywhere you go, you’ll see fans sporting Barça jerseys. The team also has a huge amount of international fame and success, so a Barça jersey from one of Barcelona’s official stores is a hot commodity around the world. The official Barça stores have huge selections of gear, jerseys, and football merch.
Spanish clothing, jewellery, and shoes
Barcelona has a unique fashion sense that opens the door to many interesting souvenirs. For example, Catalan espadrilles are shoes that use coiled ropes to form the shoe’s sole, and they’re usually homemade and painted with original designs. Catalan Jewellery has a history of using emeralds since their prominence in imperial Spain. Barcelona is also known for its trendy boutiques and vintage clothing stores, which will offer cheaper clothing compared to Spain’s bigger name brands. There are many great options in Spanish fashion, so it’s definitely worth exploring if fashion is a big interest.
'Caganers'
The caganer is certainly a weird souvenir, but it is part of one of Catalunya’s strangest traditions. The word caganer simply translates to "pooper", so if you see a depiction of some figure with their pants half down pooping in a gift shop, that’s a caganer! Caganers originate from the Catalan nativity scene, which typically has a huge depiction of the surrounding area, not just the manger. It’s a tradition that the caganer is hidden somewhere in the far corners of the bucolic scene, and sometimes children are given a gift for finding him. Caganers have become incredibly popular, and there are caganers for pretty much every celebrity or superhero. You won’t find caganers anywhere else, and they’re a really fun conversation starter!