This blog post was originally posted on December 3, 2014 and was updated on November 10, 2017.
The holiday season is upon us, and Barcelona has come alive with colorful lights, Christmas markets, and holiday cheer. It’s time to show you the best Christmas gifts from Barcelona!
It’s time of year when we all start thinking about buying gifts for friends and family! We all put a lot of thought into finding the perfect present. But what better present could there be than something you have found on your travels? Here are some tips and ideas for awesome Christmas gifts from Barcelona that won’t disappoint!
Food and Drink
Edible souvenirs are obviously our favorite type of gift! Furthermore, Spain—the land of fabulous food and wonderful wines, is a fantastic place to get them. Here are some of our favorite foodie Christmas gifts from Barcelona.
- Spanish and Catalan wines from Bodega Maestrazgo.
- Extra virgin olive oil from OliSal.
- Vermouth from Casa Mariol.
- Turrón from Pastisseria Ideal or Torrons Vicens.
- Embotits, or cured meats and sausages like Iberian ham, Catalan sausage and chorizo, from La Botifarreria de Santa Maria or La Trobada del Gourmet.
- Anchovies and other gourmet products at Colmado Quilez (we recommend the famous l’Escala anchovies from Catalonia’s Costa Brava!)
- Chocolate from Fargas, Barcelona’s oldest and most charming chocolate maker!
Leather Goods
Spanish leather is something even Janis Joplin can appreciate. This also means that leather goods from Spain could be the perfect gift for someone you know! Here are a few suggestions to find everything from classic gloves to funky bags and also everything in between.
- Head to Alexis Fasoli in the Born for a true leather atelier, where each beautiful piece is made by Alexis by hand
- Alonso is the place to go for heavenly leather gloves and exquisite silky scarves
- Lupo specializes in very original leather bags that are funky in shape, size and color
Modernist Marvels
While Gaudí and his monuments are the most famous icons of the Modernism period, Modernist design and architecture is an integral part of Barcelona’s identity as a whole. Here are a few ideas to take a piece of it home.
- A great coffee table book of the beautifully intricate modernist tile designs of Barcelona. Find it at most of the museum gift shops or on Amazon.
- Barcelona is dotted with traditional Spanish ceramics stores. But try Ceramiques Pahissa for a great variety including plenty of classics as well as modernist designs.
Spanish and Catalan Cookbooks
The culinary world would be nothing without the Spanish and Catalan cuisine. Decide from the Mediterranean influence to the deeply rooted traditions of the Iberian peninsula. A good cook knows the basics of good Spanish cooking. Oh, and they also make awesome gifts from Barcelona even if you can’t quite make it here in time, as you can conveniently order them on Amazon!
- Catalan Cuisine: Europe’s Last Great Culinary Secret
- Roots: Essential Catalan Cuisine According to El Celler de Can Roca
- Essential Mediterranean Cookbook
- The Food of Spain
Made in Spain
Barcelona is a city where creative and modern meet traditional and old school. Here are some great gifts made-in-Barcelona, with a little something for all tastes.
- Alternative and independent designer Christmas markets are a one-stop-shop for unique Christmas gifts from Barcelona.
- Espardenyes, or espadrilles, and menorquinas are both typical men and women’s footwear on this side of the Mediterranean. Find the first at the traditional shop La Manual Alpargatera and for the latter, Castell.
- Timeless black and white framed photographs and posters are the specialties at 4Photos Studio in the Born. Reasonable prices plus lots of other fun gifts like tote bags, mugs and photography trinkets.
- Vaho Gallery is a shop in Barcelona (with various locations) that makes unique bags and wallets out of recycled material.
- Head to the picturesque Plaça del Pi in the Gothic on Saturdays for a quaint market where local artists set up shop and sell their big and small pieces of work.
- Cereria Subirá is an artisan candle and wax shop, as well as one of Barcelona’s oldest establishments, that does some of the most impressive and creative candles around.
- Check out some of Barcelona’s traditional Christmas markets to find artisan toys, Christmas decorations and the like.
Good Reads
For the bookworms and literature lovers, there are dozens of fantastic novels that will transport readers to Barcelona in different eras of its long and enthralling history.
- Cathedral of the Sea is by far one of the biggest best sellers in its category as it follows the construction of the Santa Maria Basilica in the Born. Think Pillars of the Earth, Catalan style.
- Victus is an enthralling, epic adventure through one of the darkest times of Catalan history.
- The Shadow of the Wind is another Spanish bestseller, known for the author’s hand at mystery and intrigue.
- Eduardo Mendoza is one of Barcelona’s most prized authors, and his book, The City of Marvels, is a hilarious account of Barcelona during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as the city grew, expanded and hosted two world expositions.
On The Way to Barcelona
Perhaps you know someone coming to Barcelona on vacation, honeymoon or time abroad? Here are some great ways to treat them to something in the city so they can have an experience they will never forget!
- Aire de Barcelona is a beautiful Arab bathhouse, utilizing real ruins from the historic Born district. They offer all sorts of deals, from the basic spa and bathhouse experience to more luxurious massage and relaxation packages.
- The wonderful Moleskin notebook company makes city-specific agendas, complete with maps, useful info and plenty of space for travel-inspired note-taking.
