Souvenirs Shopping Tour (Self Guided), Madrid
Shopping for souvenirs in Madrid is an exciting and delightful experience for anyone visiting the vibrant Spanish capital. Indeed, it would be a pity to leave Madrid without having explored its specialty shops and bringing home something truly original. With this in mind, we've compiled a list of must-visit locations where you can find souvenirs, which are unique to Madrid and make for perfect keepsakes and gifts.
Casa Hernanz, a renowned shoe store, is a great place to start your shopping journey. They specialize in authentic Spanish espadrilles (or alpargatas, as the locals call them), which are not only stylish but also comfortable and durable – a true symbol of Spanish craftsmanship and fashion.
Gritos de Madrid, a charming gift shop, is another great stop. Here, you can find an array of souvenirs, such as keychains, magnets, and postcards, featuring iconic Madrid landmarks and designs that capture the city's essence.
If you're interested in traditional Spanish hats, head to La Favorita Casa Enguita. They offer a wide selection of high-quality hats, including the famous Spanish flamenco hats and fedoras, perfect for adding a touch of Spanish flair to your wardrobe.
For unique handicrafts and artisanal goods, Borca is the place to be. You can discover beautifully crafted ceramics, textiles, and jewelry that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Spain.
Casa de Diego is a fashion accessories store that offers a variety of items, including fans, shawls, and umbrellas. These accessories are not only stylish but also practical for adding a Spanish touch to your everyday look.
Finally, don't forget to satisfy your sweet tooth at La Violeta, a charming candy shop. Here, you can indulge in traditional Spanish violet candies and other delicious confections.
Together, these shops will have you covered for a wide range of items that you might like to purchase to reflect your visit. So, don't miss the opportunity to bring a piece of Madrid home with you and cherish the memories of your visit to this beautiful city. Happy shopping!
Casa Hernanz, a renowned shoe store, is a great place to start your shopping journey. They specialize in authentic Spanish espadrilles (or alpargatas, as the locals call them), which are not only stylish but also comfortable and durable – a true symbol of Spanish craftsmanship and fashion.
Gritos de Madrid, a charming gift shop, is another great stop. Here, you can find an array of souvenirs, such as keychains, magnets, and postcards, featuring iconic Madrid landmarks and designs that capture the city's essence.
If you're interested in traditional Spanish hats, head to La Favorita Casa Enguita. They offer a wide selection of high-quality hats, including the famous Spanish flamenco hats and fedoras, perfect for adding a touch of Spanish flair to your wardrobe.
For unique handicrafts and artisanal goods, Borca is the place to be. You can discover beautifully crafted ceramics, textiles, and jewelry that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Spain.
Casa de Diego is a fashion accessories store that offers a variety of items, including fans, shawls, and umbrellas. These accessories are not only stylish but also practical for adding a Spanish touch to your everyday look.
Finally, don't forget to satisfy your sweet tooth at La Violeta, a charming candy shop. Here, you can indulge in traditional Spanish violet candies and other delicious confections.
Together, these shops will have you covered for a wide range of items that you might like to purchase to reflect your visit. So, don't miss the opportunity to bring a piece of Madrid home with you and cherish the memories of your visit to this beautiful city. Happy shopping!
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Souvenirs Shopping Tour Map
Guide Name: Souvenirs Shopping Tour
Guide Location: Spain » Madrid (See other walking tours in Madrid)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 6
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Author: Daniel
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Spain » Madrid (See other walking tours in Madrid)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 6
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Author: Daniel
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Casa Hernanz (shoe store)
- Gritos de Madrid (gift shop)
- La Favorita Casa Enguita (hat shop)
- Borca (handicraft shop)
- Casa de Diego (fashion accessories store)
- La Violeta (candy shop)
1) Casa Hernanz (shoe store)
As spring arrives, a long line forms outside Casa Hernanz, stretching beyond the entrance. Both locals and tourists gather eagerly to acquire Spain's beloved summer footwear – the alpargata. Crafted from rope and fabric, these shoes have become an essential part of Spanish summer fashion, especially for beach outings.
Beyond their charmingly relaxed and rustic appearance, alpargatas are available in an impressive range of 32 colors, ranging from candy-apple red to lime green and lavender purple. What's even more enticing is their affordable price, starting at just a few euros per pair. Since they typically last for about one season, locals often stock up annually, purchasing multiple pairs in their preferred colors.
While alpargatas can be found in various places, the renowned Casa Hernanz stands out as a world-famous establishment. Nestled behind the bustling Town Square, known as Plaza Mayor, this store has been a prominent figure in the shoe industry for over 150 years, offering an astonishing assortment of products made from rope.
Tip:
If you plan to buy alpargatas as gifts for friends back home, it's wise to come prepared with both your European shoe size and those of your intended recipients.
Beyond their charmingly relaxed and rustic appearance, alpargatas are available in an impressive range of 32 colors, ranging from candy-apple red to lime green and lavender purple. What's even more enticing is their affordable price, starting at just a few euros per pair. Since they typically last for about one season, locals often stock up annually, purchasing multiple pairs in their preferred colors.
While alpargatas can be found in various places, the renowned Casa Hernanz stands out as a world-famous establishment. Nestled behind the bustling Town Square, known as Plaza Mayor, this store has been a prominent figure in the shoe industry for over 150 years, offering an astonishing assortment of products made from rope.
Tip:
If you plan to buy alpargatas as gifts for friends back home, it's wise to come prepared with both your European shoe size and those of your intended recipients.
2) Gritos de Madrid (gift shop)
There are typically two camps when it comes to thimble collecting: those who find it fascinating and those who dismiss it as trivial. If you consider yourself part of the latter group, a visit to Gritos de Madrid might just change your mind. Unlike most tourist shops that offer poorly made thimbles, Gritos specializes in exquisite, handcrafted thimbles that cater to collectors. Whether you have a fondness for a particular animal or a favorite cartoon character, chances are they have a thimble that will capture your interest.
With a vast selection of porcelain, ceramic, and metal miniatures, you're bound to find a thimble that surprises and speaks to you. Located in the bustling Town Square ("Plaza Mayor"), a visit to Gritos is worthwhile even if just to admire their cute and affordable collection. And with such a variety, it's likely that at least one person in your family will be thrilled to receive one as a gift.
Gritos is a unique destination known for its exceptional merchandise and excellent customer service. Aside from thimbles, they offer personalized mugs, ceramics, keychains, and more, making it a great place to find special gifts and souvenirs. Additionally, they provide specially designed packaging for travelers.
With a vast selection of porcelain, ceramic, and metal miniatures, you're bound to find a thimble that surprises and speaks to you. Located in the bustling Town Square ("Plaza Mayor"), a visit to Gritos is worthwhile even if just to admire their cute and affordable collection. And with such a variety, it's likely that at least one person in your family will be thrilled to receive one as a gift.
Gritos is a unique destination known for its exceptional merchandise and excellent customer service. Aside from thimbles, they offer personalized mugs, ceramics, keychains, and more, making it a great place to find special gifts and souvenirs. Additionally, they provide specially designed packaging for travelers.
3) La Favorita Casa Enguita (hat shop)
While exploring the streets of Madrid, you may notice a common sight among many Spanish grandfathers – their hats. Although it's rare to see Spanish men under the age of 50 donning such headwear, foreigners may be more inclined to embrace the style.
For your own Spanish hat, whether it's for your grandfather, father, or even yourself, look no further than La Favorita. As the oldest hat shop in Madrid, it boasts an impressive selection of hats at prices to suit every budget, conveniently located right in the heart of Plaza Mayor. Established in 1894 and still run by a family, you'll find a variety of styles including "gorras" (messenger caps), traditional "sombreros" (straw hats), and "boinas" (resembling berets).
Gorras are typically worn during the chilly winter months, while sombreros are a popular choice for the summer season. So, if a flamenco outfit, fan, or embroidered shawl doesn't quite fit the bill as a gift for your brother/dad, now you have the perfect alternative in mind.
For your own Spanish hat, whether it's for your grandfather, father, or even yourself, look no further than La Favorita. As the oldest hat shop in Madrid, it boasts an impressive selection of hats at prices to suit every budget, conveniently located right in the heart of Plaza Mayor. Established in 1894 and still run by a family, you'll find a variety of styles including "gorras" (messenger caps), traditional "sombreros" (straw hats), and "boinas" (resembling berets).
Gorras are typically worn during the chilly winter months, while sombreros are a popular choice for the summer season. So, if a flamenco outfit, fan, or embroidered shawl doesn't quite fit the bill as a gift for your brother/dad, now you have the perfect alternative in mind.
4) Borca (handicraft shop)
There is a certain allure and opulence associated with exquisitely embroidered shawls. Known as "mantones de manila," these traditional Spanish shawls derive their name from the port in the Philippines where the Spanish colony traded goods from the Far East.
Located in the heart of Madrid's most traditional area, Borca offers a captivating array of hand-embroidered linens for the home, including stunning manila shawls crafted from natural silk. These shawls come in a wide range of designs, sizes, and colors, ensuring there is something for every taste.
The shop's origins can be traced back to 1961, when Augusto González Lázaro and his wife settled in Madrid and established a small business on Gran Vía, specializing in embroidered items such as shawls from Granada, traditional tablecloths from Lagartera, intricate bobbin lace, handcrafted pieces from the Canary Islands, Valencian fans, and more.
Over the years, both the family and the business flourished. The Borca brand was established, and in 1976, they relocated to their current premises. Since then, the store has been renowned for its exquisite linens, offering tablecloths for every occasion, hand-embroidered or adorned with delicate bobbin lace, as well as breathtaking manila shawls and bridal veils. The remarkable craftsmanship of these handmade items is truly impressive.
For those seeking an authentic piece of Spain to bring home, a visit to this shop is a must. While not necessarily inexpensive, the quality and beauty of the products make it a worthwhile investment.
Located in the heart of Madrid's most traditional area, Borca offers a captivating array of hand-embroidered linens for the home, including stunning manila shawls crafted from natural silk. These shawls come in a wide range of designs, sizes, and colors, ensuring there is something for every taste.
The shop's origins can be traced back to 1961, when Augusto González Lázaro and his wife settled in Madrid and established a small business on Gran Vía, specializing in embroidered items such as shawls from Granada, traditional tablecloths from Lagartera, intricate bobbin lace, handcrafted pieces from the Canary Islands, Valencian fans, and more.
Over the years, both the family and the business flourished. The Borca brand was established, and in 1976, they relocated to their current premises. Since then, the store has been renowned for its exquisite linens, offering tablecloths for every occasion, hand-embroidered or adorned with delicate bobbin lace, as well as breathtaking manila shawls and bridal veils. The remarkable craftsmanship of these handmade items is truly impressive.
For those seeking an authentic piece of Spain to bring home, a visit to this shop is a must. While not necessarily inexpensive, the quality and beauty of the products make it a worthwhile investment.
5) Casa de Diego (fashion accessories store)
The tourist-oriented shops in Madrid are overflowing with fans of various shapes, sizes, and colors. However, while the selection may be extensive, the quality often falls short. But what if you're in search of something more authentic?
Make a stop at the historic Casa de Diego shop, located at the renowned Gate of the Sun ("Puerto del Sol"), where three generations of the same family have been producing and selling traditional Spanish fans. Whether adorned with flowers, lace, or intricately painted images, they offer an impressive range of fans, all crafted right there in the store in the heart of Madrid.
From affordable options priced under €12 to exquisitely handcrafted works of art that can reach up to €1500, these handmade fans make for exceptional gifts. Alongside fans, Casa de Diego also offers shawls, umbrellas, and other essential pieces of Spanish couture.
Tip:
If authenticity is not your priority and you're more interested in quantity or price, head to Madrid's renowned outdoor market, the Rastro. Every Sunday, the vibrant streets of the La Latina neighborhood transform into a bustling market. Here, you can haggle your way to finding a fan that suits your needs. While they may not have the same level of sophistication, basic fans can be found for around €2, making them a suitable choice when shopping for a large number of people.
Make a stop at the historic Casa de Diego shop, located at the renowned Gate of the Sun ("Puerto del Sol"), where three generations of the same family have been producing and selling traditional Spanish fans. Whether adorned with flowers, lace, or intricately painted images, they offer an impressive range of fans, all crafted right there in the store in the heart of Madrid.
From affordable options priced under €12 to exquisitely handcrafted works of art that can reach up to €1500, these handmade fans make for exceptional gifts. Alongside fans, Casa de Diego also offers shawls, umbrellas, and other essential pieces of Spanish couture.
Tip:
If authenticity is not your priority and you're more interested in quantity or price, head to Madrid's renowned outdoor market, the Rastro. Every Sunday, the vibrant streets of the La Latina neighborhood transform into a bustling market. Here, you can haggle your way to finding a fan that suits your needs. While they may not have the same level of sophistication, basic fans can be found for around €2, making them a suitable choice when shopping for a large number of people.
6) La Violeta (candy shop)
Nearly a century ago, a charming shop emerged, offering an array of candies and delectable delights. Over time, one particular confection stood out above the rest: "las violetas" – candied violets that soon became a cherished gift for special occasions.
Today, this very same shop is now under the stewardship of the family's third generation, faithfully continuing the tradition of crafting and selling these renowned Madrid treats that have captivated hearts for decades. Step inside and discover a wide selection of quantities and containers, carefully prepared for you and elegantly adorned with a distinctive purple ribbon.
For nostalgic Madrileños, the taste of these beloved candies evokes cherished memories of their childhood. And for gift-givers, presenting a box of these delicacies guarantees a warm and appreciative reception. These petite sweets, shaped like their namesake flower and donning a captivating shade of purple, are infused with the essence of the bloom, resulting in a subtle floral flavor. Their small size, elegant floral design, and delicate packaging make them an ideal keepsake from Madrid.
Today, this very same shop is now under the stewardship of the family's third generation, faithfully continuing the tradition of crafting and selling these renowned Madrid treats that have captivated hearts for decades. Step inside and discover a wide selection of quantities and containers, carefully prepared for you and elegantly adorned with a distinctive purple ribbon.
For nostalgic Madrileños, the taste of these beloved candies evokes cherished memories of their childhood. And for gift-givers, presenting a box of these delicacies guarantees a warm and appreciative reception. These petite sweets, shaped like their namesake flower and donning a captivating shade of purple, are infused with the essence of the bloom, resulting in a subtle floral flavor. Their small size, elegant floral design, and delicate packaging make them an ideal keepsake from Madrid.
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