What's your favorite thing to buy in Spain?
 

We will be in Spain starting next week. What are your favorite things to buy in Spain?

I want to know what the special things are that are in Spain.

We will be in Barcelona, Girona, Granada, Seville, Cordoba, Toledo and Madrid

I love to buy things that are special to the area.

Thanks,




Debby

Seville has super cheap and really nice shoes!!

I love Spanish almonds.

I have bought leather goods in Toledo and Madrid, I am sorry I am being so general. I have been to Spain several times and usually don't shop.

Enjoy your trip - Make sure you sample the various foods from each region. They are different.

Saffron, castenets, and fans.

Damasquinado jewerly (Toledo), Christmas Linens (store at Calle Preciados in Madrid), kitchen ceramics (go to upstairs level at the store in Paseo del Prado, 10), fans. I agree with leather shoes in Seville.

it's been 40 years but gold/silver inlaid jewelry in Toledo is nice. In Grenada inlaid wood items

Wine (take your pick) and jamón ibérico de bellota. What else is there?

oh Yes - jamón ibérico - nothing else compares!!!

Piménton, smoked paprika.

Look for Pimentón de la Vera, which only comes from La Vera in Extremadura. It's the best.

jamón ibérico, jamón ibérico de bellota, and chorizo. i pay to have it imported from Spain and it's worth every penny

Last year, I picked up a can of olive oil in El Corte Ingles' supermarket. Didn't know a thing about the brand, Fuenroble. But, loved it when I got it home. I'm currently in Spain and going to buy more to take home when I reach my last stop, Madrid.

Olives and Wine I pickup, nothing like being some Spain back with you.

Many great wines and liquors that might be hard to get elsewhere. These ones are not exactly from the cities you're visiting, but fabulous produce and available in most of "your" cities. Perhaps the three best things I drink:

The very dry Manzanilla (sherry) from Sanlúcar de Barrameda is the perfect aperitif, and it's excellent with Jamón ibérico de bellota - the best cured ham in the world - and shellfish. http://www.wine-searcher.com/regions...r+de+barrameda

The blackthorn liqour Pacharán/Patxaran from Navarra. No everyday meal in The Basque Country and Navarra is complete without a Pacharán to round it off. Now very popular all over Spain: http://spanishfood.about.com/od/drinks/a/pacharan.htm

And the divine Gran Duque de Alba Solera brandy from Jerez: http://www.kindredspiritsusa.com/granduque.html

If you are from the US, I do not think you can bring meat into the country, so that might make the jamon iberico and chorizo a bad idea. Unless the customs regulations have changed since I last checked, which is always possible.

Manzanilla, Gran Duque de Alba and some brands of Patxaran are available in the States, as are some decent Spanish olives (The Spanish Table). Great olive oil is another matter. What you can purchase online is limited, so if you happen to come across some Alfar La Maja or Alhema d Queiles (both from Navarra), you might want to pick some up.

The jamón ibérico de bellota is now available (La Tienda and The Spanish Table) is pricy, but worth the money, unless you can slip some through customs.

A small can (4 oz) of 'Bonito del Norte', from Cantabria, the best tuna in the world, goes for nearly $10, but you can pick one in a local grocery store for around $4.

Something as simple as Ali Oli by Arte Oliva sells for around $8 for a 3 pack, which I buy in Spain for $2 and always bring back a few packages. Great on several dishes.

One other thing we always bring back are Fabina Verde beans (Asturias), which always confuses the people in customs. The price difference is amazing, $38/kilo in the States, €8/kilo in Madrid, cheaper in Asturias.

Souvenirs from El Arco artesania on a corner of Plaza Mayor in Madrid. They have outstanding hand painted fans from an artist from Barcelona.

Sweets from the nuns in the convents.

Damascene from Toledo, ceramic tiles from Sevilla, handmade wood inlays from Granada.

Thanks for all of your help. I like to buy things that are authentic for the area, and you all have helped me do that.

I am going to see the sites, but I will bring back some gifts so I want them to be special for the area.

Thanks

teach905

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¡Turrón!
Especially the handmade from local shops.
Travels easily, no breaking or leaking.
I just forgot what turrón translates to in English :-)

<< ¡Turrón! >>

Almond nougat?

<i> What are your favorite things to buy in Spain?</i>

Beer, tapas, ham, churros and chocolate, and hookers.

joannyc.. yes, that's it.. thanks.

If you like patatas brava you can buy the sauce in groc. stores. Saffron is also a small and choice item as are dried mushrooms.