If you are planning your trip to southern Spain, you will also need to anticipate something almost obligatory before returning home: buying a nice souvenir of your stay for yourself or for your loved ones. Therefore, in this post, we tell you about some typical gifts from Andalusia, which you will find in many shops in tourist areas. These are characteristic items that fall within the main traditions of the region: flamenco, handicrafts, gastronomy… Look here for inspiration and let your feelings guide you when it’s time to decide.
Flamenco dress, ideal for girls
Let’s start with one you’ll find everywhere: the flamenco dress. Its vibrant colors and ruffles will dazzle the little ones, as well as teenagers and adults. It usually fits snugly at the waist, with a neckline and part of the back exposed. But there are many variations, depending on its design: floral, polka-dotted, solid-colored, etc.
Mantón de Manila, the dress accessory
The Mantón de Manila (Manila shawl) is one of the usual accessories for the flamenco dress, and it is also one of the typical gifts from Andalusia, as you will see in the shops. Of Asian origin, it is used in dances as an aesthetic resource but also to add elegance to an Andalusian look, worn over the shoulders or even at the waist.
Fan: decorative and useful
The fan is another of those typical gifts from Andalusia that you will find in all cities and provinces. They are interesting for decorating a room or as an aesthetic resource in flamenco dances, similar to the shawl. But we cannot forget its utility: in southern Spain, it gets very hot in summer, and this object is often more practical than air conditioning!
Wine bota (wineskin), made of goatskin
It is an object widely used decades ago by our parents and grandparents, and it remains partly thanks to being frequently bought as a souvenir. Whether in a drop or tear shape, its exterior is made of natural goatskin, while the interior is usually made of a wood resin derivative or latex. Its characteristic bakelite spout facilitates the stream of wine, mastering which is an art in itself.
Other typical gifts from Andalusia
In addition to those mentioned, there are many other typical gifts from Andalusia. The list becomes very extensive if we analyze the specific proposals of each city and province. Therefore, here we mention just a few examples:
- Cordoban filigree, common in the Jewish Quarter. These are jewels made of silver with alpaca
- Ceramics, very common in both Cordoba and Seville and in numerous towns in rural areas
- The Silver Pomegranates (Granadas de Plata), another silver jewelry proposal, in this case in the city of Granada. Different colored stones are added, especially garnets, as a nod to the fruit that gives the city its name
- Taracea, a typical handicraft from Granada, with mosaics of different materials used to decorate chests, doors, and other wooden objects
- Gastronomic products, as we mentioned in another post. Iberian ham in Huelva and Cordoba, olive oil in Jaén, preserves from Cadiz, Jerez wine…