There’s so much to visit in Madrid that there will be no end of things on your to-do list that you’ll have to leave for your next trip. But one thing you won’t be forgiven for not doing is finding a memento to take back to your friends and family so they know just how much you missed them while you were away.

If you’re looking for something a little different to your typical Osborne bull magnet, a mug with a picture of the Puerta de Alcalá, or a key ring that says Puerta del Sol, check out our list of original gifts that we assure you won’t end up in a charity shop.

1. An illustrated map of Madrid

At number 30, Calle León, you´ll find Walk With Me selling fantastic selection of guides and maps of Madrid’s neighbourhoods, designed by illustrators like Relajaelcoco and Ricardo Cavolo. They are all made from recycled paper and ecological inks.

2. A set of original Madrid postcards

“Mi Madrid para ti” is a set of 15 postcards designed by Bia Melo, a Brazilian illustrator who loves our city and whose work beautifully captures our people and culture. Bound with a cloth spine and held together with glue so they can be easily pulled out, the postcards feature messages like “Gracias por tu visita” (“Thank you for your visit”), which decorate serviettes found in the most traditional bars. You can purchase them from some shops like El Moderno (Corredera Baja de San Pablo, 19) or from the artist’s website.

3. Original paintings of Madrid

If you’re looking to invest in art, head to Cuadros guapos (Carlos Arniches, 32), a curious shop situated in the heart of the Rastro – a meeting point for artisans, painters and illustrators in the area of Embajadores.

The paintings depict some of the city’s most emblematic scenes, from skylines, landmarks, and sunsets to the Metro, Gran Vía avenue and Madrid at night. The store’s collection, which primarily features colourful pop art, includes prints and illustrations by the likes of José G Alcalá and Martha Ulloa.

Another good gift option is one of the illustrations by the artist from Galicia, Polinho Trapalleiro which are based on typical places around Madrid.

4. A little museum gem

On the Art Walk, one of the places in the world with the highest concentration of beauty, you can find the Prado Museum, the National Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofía Museum.

The Prado Museum shop offers small gems related to the most emblematic collections at an affordable price. Here are some options: you can buy pendants with the silhouette of a Maid of Honour or with the dog from Velázquez’s most famous painting or a bracelet with a hedgehog from The Garden of Earthly Delights. The shop also offers a customised printing service, on paper or canvas, with high resolution reproductions of masterpieces from the Prado Museum’s permanent collection.

The Thyssen-Bornemisza shop offers a selection of catalogues, reproductions, books and exclusive designs. It is an essential gift shop where you can find products products and publications related to the collection and the temporary exhibitions and which also offers a customised printing service. 

On completing a visit to the Reina Sofía Museum, those interested can visit the Reina Shop which has numerous products, including guides and catalogues, gifts for adults and or children, as well as printed material, such as  posters, post cards, laminates, bookmarks. They are all related to the centre’s exhibitions and great artists like Salvador Dalí, Juan Gris, Joan Miró and Pablo Picasso, among many others.

5. Madroño liqueur

Everyone knows that the bear nuzzling the strawberry tree are part of the city’s coat of arms, but what many don’t know is that the strawberry tree produces a wonderful berry used to make the Madroño liqueur. You can purchase it from a number of stores around the city, but for a particularly traditional bottle, head to Mariano Madrueño (Calatrava, 19) in the Lavapiés neighbourhood.

6. Football memorabilia

Madrid is filled with stores selling official team merchandise, where you anything from a t-shirt and a ball to a scarf and a baseball cap.

7. Madrid Metro Souvenir

Metro de Madrid, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019, has the Metro Shop which boasts a full catalogue of souvenirs. Visitors can buy souvenirs like key rings, agendas, notebooks, bags, pencils, T-shirts, etc.

8. Violet sweets

At number 6, Plaza de Canalejas, right next to the Puerta del Sol, stands La Violeta, one of Madrid’s best-known sweetshops. Founded in 1915, this family shop – which still preserves the original counter top, display cases and glass and ceramic containers – sells sweets shaped and tasting like violets.

9. Saffron

Although originally from La Mancha, saffron is an original gift that won’t disappoint. In La Melguiza (a delightful shop located at number 12, Calle de Santiago), you’ll find all kinds of products made from saffron, including sweets, marmalade and paté. They also sell ecological saffron, salt flakes, olive oils and honeys.

10. Turrones Casa Mira

Si vous faites partie de ceux qui préfèrent ramener un souvenir sucré, vous pouvez vous rendre à la confiserie Casa Mira , située au cœur de Madrid des Habsbourg. Fondée en 1842, elle fabrique un nougat artisanal de grande renommée qui est considéré comme le "meilleur nougat d'Espagne", artisanal et traditionnel. On y trouve également d'autres types de friandises comme le massepain, les polvorones ou les fruits confits. Une excellente adresse à ne pas rater si vous visitez Madrid à Noël.

11. T-shirts design avec typographie

Sur la Plaza de Canalejas, vous trouverez une autre idée de cadeau originale. La boutique Typographia propose une très belle sélection de t-shirts au design graphique soigné, moderne et original. Même si le motif des dessins est essentiellement inspiré d'animaux, de lettres et de symboles géométriques, une partie de la collection est consacrée à la ville de Madrid.

12. Typical artisanal products

In La Latina quarter, you can find Casa Hernanz which has specialised in the production of espadrilles for more than a century.  This footwear has made room for itself in today’s fashion and will undoubtedly be a great keepsake of your visit to the city.

On the other hand, at Puerta del Sol you can find the centenary shopping centre, Casa de Diego, where you can purchase typical products, such as Manila shawls, veils, shawls, ornamental hair combs, castanets  or parasols. This establishment has been making all types of fans (without fabric, with embroidery, plain, hand painted with flowers...) for more than 100 years, a perfect gift that is also an ally on hot, summer days.

In Madrid, you can find several shops stocking Designation of Origin products, undoubtedly a great option for food lovers. The gastronomic multi-space, Gourmet Experience Goya has a wide selection of products, as well as the San Miguel Market where you can take away olives, extra virgin oil and wines. If you are looking for ham and Iberian products, a good option is to visit Enrique Tomás. This is a store where you can purchase Iberian goods from Extremadura, Valle de los Pedroches, Guijuelo and Jabugo, the four designations with which it works.