Detail of a craftsman embellishing a piece using the damascene technique

Discover the rich world of handicrafts in Spain - you’ll want to buy everything!

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If shopping is your passion, or you like to take a little something back with you as a souvenir when you travel, now is a good time to support local shops. A wide range of handicrafts are available in Spain, high quality items that are a part of our tradition and culture. When you arrive, you’ll see that towns and cities all over the country are characterised by a particular type of handicraft. Start your trip to Spain exploring the many handicrafts on offer!

You’ll find decorative pottery in Talavera de la Reina (Castile-La Mancha) where the tradition goes back centuries; in Sargaledos (Galicia) the ceramics are generally decorated with floral designs; in Llamas de Mouro (Asturias) you’ll see that black is the dominant colour, and the pottery produced in Manises (Region of Valencia) and La Bisbal de l’Empordà (Catalonia) is protected by a registered trademark and recognised by the European Union for their high patrimonial value. Are you looking for unusual craft items? If so, then head for Toledo (Castile-La Mancha) to discover their damascening, intricate work that involves using the inlay of gold and silver thread, and silver and gold leaf on steel or iron to form figures and designs. Or to Granada (Andalusia), where you’ll learn about the art of intarsia, dating from Mozarabic times, in which stars and other shapes are inlaid on wood.

If you want to buy basketwork, all you need to do is head to Mallorca (the Balearic Islands) or Lanzarote (the Canary Islands), in both places they work with native species of palm trees. And in Cáceres the baskets are made using wicker.  Other types of handicrafts you’ll find are embroidery, lace and woven fabrics, which are very typical in Galicia, Cádiz (Andalusia) and Castile and Leon, objects made from boxwood in Navarra, and blown glass, an ancient technique that you can watch being done at La Granja de San Ildefonso (Castile and Leon). Wandering around the streets you’ll find lots of little shops with all sorts of handmade items. And don’t forget to check before you travel to see if there are any craft fairs or craft markets that coincide with your dates. 

Detail of a wicker basket
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