25 Unique Souvenirs from Madrid You’ll Love to Bring Home
Shopping for souvenirs is always one of my favorite parts of traveling, and Madrid has so many fun things to bring home.
I live in Spain and have visited Madrid many times, so I’m always keeping an eye out for cute shops and unique finds whenever I’m in the city.
From traditional sweets and locally made ceramics to Spanish fashion and Madrid-specific gifts, there are lots of souvenirs from Madrid that are actually worth making room for in your suitcase.
Here are 25 of my favorite ideas for what to buy in Madrid, plus some of the best places to find them.
Best Souvenirs from Madrid Spain
Here are some of the best things to buy in Madrid, from traditional Spanish foods to locally made gifts and unique finds.
1. Violet Sweets
Violet sweets are one of the most traditional souvenirs to buy in Madrid, with a history that dates back more than a century and were even favored by Spanish royalty.
The best place to buy them is La Violeta, a tiny historic candy shop that has been selling its famous violet-flavored sweets since 1915.
The shop is decked out in purple, and you’ll find the candies in all different sizes, boxes, and designs, with a range of prices depending on how much you want to spend.
The packaging and gift wrapping are really cute, so they’re especially good for bringing home as a gift.
And just FYI, these are hard candies shaped like little violet flowers (not gummies) with a sweet floral flavor.
I picked up a box on my last trip to Madrid and was pleasantly surprised by the flavor!
Where to Buy: La Violeta
2. Historic Candies
Another historic candy shop worth visiting in Madrid is La Pajarita, which has been around since 1852 and is located in the Salamanca neighborhood.
The shop is extremely cute inside and decked out in turquoise, with all sorts of candies and sweets to choose from.
One of the most popular options is their jars of hard candies, which are similar to the violet sweets but come in lots of different flavors.
Just choose your flavor and box size, and they’ll package everything up for you in their super cute boxes and gift bags.
I actually bought a box thinking they were gummies, but FYI, these are hard candies too!
Where to Buy: La Pajarita
3. Espadrilles
Espadrilles are a classic Spanish shoe traditionally made with canvas or rope, with a history that goes back centuries.
One of the best places to buy espadrilles in Madrid is Casa Hernanz, a historic family-run shop that has been selling them since 1845.
They have tons of different colors and styles to choose from, and you can even customize your own pair.
There’s usually a line outside, so be prepared to wait a bit.
I’d recommend looking at the shoes in the window beforehand and taking a picture of the style you want so you know exactly what to ask for once you get inside.
Where to Buy: Casa Hernanz
4. Ceramic Tiles
You’ll probably notice the decorative ceramic street signs all around Madrid, and you can bring home your own version from Gritos de Madrid.
This small shop in Plaza Mayor sells ceramic tiles inspired by Madrid’s street signs, along with designs featuring some of the city’s most recognizable sights.
They’re a really unique piece of decor and feel much more specific to Madrid than a typical souvenir.
They also sell smaller ceramic magnets if you want something that takes up less room in your suitcase.
Where to Buy: Gritos de Madrid
5. Olive Oil
Spain is the world’s largest producer of olive oil, so a good bottle is definitely one of the best souvenirs from Spain to bring home.
You’ll find Spanish olive oil at local markets and specialty food stores all around Madrid, with options at pretty much every price point.
One good place to shop is La Chinata, which specializes in extra virgin olive oil along with other olive-based products.
The more expensive bottles are more for dipping and drizzling rather than for cooking.
Where to Buy: La Chinata
6. Velvet Slippers
For a more stylish souvenir, stop by Cayumas in Madrid’s Salamanca neighborhood for a pair of their super cute slippers or flats.
The Spanish brand is known for its velvet slippers, but you’ll find lots of other materials, colors, patterns, and styles too.
It’s very similar to Flabelus (a local Barcelona brand).
Cayumas is a Spanish brand, but the shoes are actually handmade in Italy using traditional techniques.
The Madrid store is really cute inside, and the staff were super friendly and helpful when I visited.
Where to Buy: Cayumas
7. Leather Goods
You’ll find lots of leather shops around Madrid, so a handmade leather item is another great souvenir to bring home.
One of the best shops I’ve found is Taller Puntera, which is just around the corner from Mercado de San Miguel.
They sell real leather bags, wallets, backpacks, journals, and all kinds of other leather goods, and the prices are pretty reasonable for the quality.
You can even have your initials embossed onto one of their leather journals while you’re in the store for a more personalized souvenir.
Where to Buy: Taller Puntera
8. Spanish Hand Fan
A Spanish hand fan (or “abanico”), is another classic souvenir that’s both pretty and practical, especially during Madrid’s hot summers.
One of the best places to buy one is Casa de Diego at Puerta del Sol, a historic shop that has been selling traditional Spanish fans since 1858.
They have fans in all kinds of colors, designs, and price points, including some beautifully detailed ones that can get extremely pricey.
It’s more of a counter-service shop, so take a look at the fans displayed in the windows first to see what catches your eye, then let the staff know what you’re looking for.
Where to Buy: Casa de Diego
9. Ceramics
Colorful Spanish ceramics are another fun souvenir from Madrid, especially if you want something you can actually use at home.
You’ll find hand-painted plates, bowls, serving dishes, olive oil dispensers, and even colorful glassware in shops around the city.
One cute place to check out is Morueco, which has lots of different designs and styles to choose from.
Just be sure to pack anything breakable carefully in your carry-on for the trip home!
Where to Buy: Morueco
10. Madroño Liquor
Madroño liquor is a sweet liqueur made from the fruit of the strawberry tree, or “madroño”, which you might recognize from Madrid’s famous bear and strawberry tree symbol.
It has a fruity, slightly sweet flavor and is a fun souvenir if you want to bring home a bottle of something with a connection to Madrid.
A good place to buy it is Mariano Madrueño, a historic wine and spirits shop in central Madrid with a huge selection of Spanish wines and liquors.
Where to Buy: Mariano Madrueño
11. Madrid Postcards
For a small and inexpensive souvenir, I found a really cute print shop called Postal y Tinta that sells Madrid postcards along with Madrid and Spain-inspired prints in all different sizes.
The designs are created by local artists and feature everything from famous Madrid landmarks to Spanish foods and other fun illustrations.
One of the coolest things is that you can actually write and mail your postcard directly from the shop, so it’s a fun souvenir to send home while you’re still in Madrid.
Another similar shop to check out is La Postalera.
Where to Buy: Postal y Tinta or La Postalera
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12. Turrón
Turrón is one of the most famous foods from Spain and a classic sweet made primarily from almonds, honey, sugar, and egg whites.
One of the most historic places to buy it in Madrid is Casa Mira, which has been specializing in turrón and other traditional Spanish sweets since 1842.
Torrons Vicens is another popular option, with locations in Madrid and most other major cities around Spain.
You’ll find turrón in all different flavors and sizes, along with cute gift sets, and you can usually sample a few varieties before deciding which ones to buy.
Where to Buy: Casa Mira or Torrons Vicens
13. Designer Handbags
If you’re in the market for a new handbag, you’ll definitely want to do some shopping while you’re in Madrid.
A couple of my favorite Spanish brands are Paris/64 and Carnevale Madrid, which both have stores in the Salamanca neighborhood.
The bags are a little more expensive than your typical souvenir, but they’re really good quality and have some really cute and fashionable designs.
Plus, a handbag from a Spanish brand is something you’ll actually use long after your trip is over.
Where to Buy: Paris/64 or Carnevale
14. Wine
A bottle of Spanish wine is another great souvenir, especially if you discover a new favorite while you’re in Madrid.
You’ll find wines from regions all around Spain, including Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Rías Baixas, and even wines produced right here in the Madrid region.
One of the best places to shop is Mariano Madrueño, a historic wine and spirits store in central Madrid with a huge selection at different price points.
The staff can also help you pick out a bottle based on what you like and how much you want to spend.
Where to Buy: Mariano Madrueño
15. Madrid Metro Gifts
This is definitely a more niche souvenir, but Madrid’s Ópera metro station has a gift shop dedicated to the city’s Metro system.
You’ll find all kinds of Madrid Metro-inspired gifts, including coffee mugs, umbrellas, T-shirts, pens, and other items featuring the iconic Metro logo and Madrid Metro map.
It’s a fun option if you love public transportation or just want something a little different that’s very specific to Madrid.
Plus, the shop is right inside the Ópera station, so it’s an easy stop while you’re sightseeing in central Madrid.
Where to Buy: Ópera Metro Station
16. Saffron
Saffron (or “azafrán” in Spanish) is a popular Spanish spice known for its distinctive flavor, and it’s one of the key ingredients used in paella.
It can be pretty pricey, but you only need a small amount when cooking.
One of the best places to buy saffron in Madrid is La Melguiza, a specialty shop dedicated to Spanish saffron and saffron-based products.
It’s a great souvenir if you want to try recreating paella at home after your trip.
Where to Buy: La Melguiza
17. Secret Nun Cookies
For one of the more unique Madrid souvenirs, there’s a convent near Mercado de San Miguel where you can buy traditional cookies and sweets handmade by cloistered nuns.
The cookies are pretty simple, similar to shortbread, and come in flavors like lemon, orange, and almond, typically sold in larger quantities like a half kilo or full kilo.
To buy them, ring the doorbell, order from the menu, and then use a turntable to exchange your payment for the cookies without ever seeing the nun on the other side.
Just make sure to bring cash because cards aren’t accepted!
Where to Buy: Nun Shop
18. Real Madrid Jersey
For the soccer fans, a Real Madrid jersey is a great souvenir, especially if you need a gift for your husband, brother, kids, or any other soccer lover in your life.
The best place to buy one is an official Real Madrid store, and there’s a convenient location near Puerta del Sol in central Madrid.
Official jerseys are definitely more expensive, but you’ll get the real thing and can choose from different players and styles.
If you’re looking for something less expensive, you’ll also see knockoff versions at souvenir shops all around Madrid.
Where to Buy: Real Madrid Official Store
19. Grater Plates
Ceramic grater plates are pretty popular all around Spain and are a fun souvenir that’s actually useful in the kitchen.
The small plates have a textured grater built into the center that you can use for tomatoes, garlic, onions, ginger, chocolate, and more.
You’ll find inexpensive versions in souvenir shops all around Madrid, usually in colorful Spanish-inspired designs.
For something a little nicer, look for a handmade version at one of Madrid’s specialty ceramic shops.
Where to Buy: Morueco
20. Customized Sneakers
HOFF is a Spanish sneaker brand known for its colorful and fashionable shoes.
Their store in Madrid’s Salamanca neighborhood has a fun charm bar in the back where you can choose different charms for the laces and customize your sneakers to your liking.
There are lots of different shoe styles and color combinations to choose from, so you can create a pair that feels a little more personal.
Where to Buy: HOFF
21. Madrid Prints & Gifts
A colorful print of your favorite Madrid landmark or building is another cute souvenir that’s easy to bring home.
One shop I really like is La Peseta, which has lots of fun Madrid-inspired prints along with jewelry, clothing, accessories, and other gifts.
The designs are colorful and unique, with lots of options that feel more special than what you’ll find in a typical souvenir shop.
Where to Buy: La Peseta or Madrid al Cubo
22. Gourmet Foods
If you want to bring home a few different Spanish foods, Real Fábrica is a really cute shop to check out in Madrid.
It’s basically an upscale Spanish souvenir store where you can find olive oil, chocolates, dried tomatoes, turrón, candies, and lots of other gourmet products.
They also sell lots of non-food souvenirs, so it’s a good place to browse if you’re shopping for several people at once.
The packaging is really cute too, especially if you’re looking for gifts to bring home.
Where to Buy: Real Fabrica
23. Traditional Chulapo Hat
For something that’s uniquely Madrid, look for a traditional “parpusa”, the black-and-white checkered cap worn as part of the classic chulapo outfit.
Chulapos and chulapas are Madrileños dressed in traditional clothing inspired by the city’s working-class style from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
You’ll especially see these outfits during Madrid’s San Isidro celebrations in May, when locals dress up for festivals, dancing, and other events around the city.
One of the best places to buy a traditional hat is Sombrerería Medrano, a historic shop near Plaza Mayor that dates back to 1832 and is considered the oldest operating hat shop in Spain.
Where to Buy: Sombrerería Medrano
24. Gato Gifts
You might notice quite a few cat-themed souvenirs while shopping in Madrid, and there’s actually a reason behind it.
People from Madrid are sometimes nicknamed “gatos”, or cats, and traditionally the term is used for someone whose family has been Madrid-born for several generations.
Because of this, cats have become a fun symbol of the city, and you’ll find cat-themed prints, magnets, jewelry, tote bags, and other gifts around Madrid.
It’s a cute souvenir that has a little more meaning behind it once you know the connection.
Where to Buy: Gracias Mamá
25. Barquillos
Barquillos are a traditional Madrid sweet made from thin, crispy rolled wafers with the end sometimes dipped in chocolate.
They were traditionally sold on the streets by “barquilleros”, who carried colorful tins filled with the wafers, and you can still spot them during festivals like San Isidro.
You can also sometimes find them being sold around Plaza Mayor, Retiro Park, or El Rastro.
Where to Buy: Barquilleros de Madrid
Final Thoughts: What to Buy in Madrid Spain
Madrid has so many great souvenirs beyond the typical magnets and T-shirts, especially if you take the time to visit some of the city’s historic and specialty shops.
For something uniquely Madrid, I’d look for violet sweets from La Violeta, espadrilles from Casa Hernanz, or one of the Madrid-inspired prints or ceramic pieces found around the city.
If you’re short on time, the areas around Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and Mercado de San Miguel are especially convenient for souvenir shopping, while Salamanca is worth visiting for Spanish fashion and accessories.
Just leave a little extra room in your suitcase because you’ll probably end up bringing home more than you planned!
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