Spain seems made for buying gifts, souvenirs, treats, and divine drinks. Therefore, even before your departure, it’s important to think about how to maximize your luggage space for souvenirs and other pleasant purchases.
Wine and Delicacies
It’s well known that Spanish wines have earned the recognition and high praise of experts worldwide. Therefore, a gift of wine from sunny Spain is an ideal choice for connoisseurs of the unique flavors of the finest Spanish varieties. Local sparkling wine is also worth mentioning. This distinctive Spanish champagne is traditionally opened on New Year’s Eve to the sound of the ancient clock in the main square.
The famous Spanish delicacy, ham, a cured pork, pairs perfectly with wine. It is made according to traditional methods passed down from generation to generation. Ham, hanging from the ceiling, is an essential attribute of every self-respecting local bar or shop. There are several types of ham, but the most popular and prized are serrano ham, or mountain ham, and ibérico ham, also known as “black leg.”
If you visit Mallorca, be sure to pick up a local delicacy, “ensaimada,” filled with apricots, sweet cream, chocolate, or “angel hair”—sugar threads made from pumpkin entrails. In Madrid, candied violets are worth a look.
Souvenirs and Trinkets
Symbols of Spain, including figurines of flamenco dancers in red traditional costumes, images of young bulls, and bullfighters, are excellent souvenirs. If you’re in Castile, the birthplace of Cervantes, you can buy figurines of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
If you’re looking for an unusual souvenir, consider purchasing a bull’s tail from a bullfight. This souvenir can only be purchased from the owner of the Casa Toribio restaurant, located near the Plaza de Toros on Cardenal Belluga.
For more traditional souvenirs, consider Spanish ceramics from various regions, such as Toledo, Valencia, Catalonia, and Andalusia, as well as superb Valencian porcelain from Madrid. You can also find colorful blankets or hand-decorated rugs from Cadiz, Salamanca, and the Alpujarra, baskets, hats, and mats from the Mediterranean coast and the Balearic Islands, and lace typical of Galicia.
