17 Unique Gifts and Souvenirs from Malaga
Do you love Malaga or know someone who loves Picasso’s city? There are plenty of souvenirs and gifts that can bring you good memories of your trip to Malaga, or maybe you want to inspire someone to visit your favourite city by getting them a little something.
It doesn’t always have to be the typical cheap magnet that you come across in all the shops; it can be more meaningful and unique. Some items that come to mind are the biznagas, Malaga sweet wine or pottery from Mijas Pueblo.
In this guide, I cover all the traditional souvenirs from Malaga, but also those beyond the postcards and magnets.
Whether you love food, art or history, there’s a gift for you.
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Typical souvenirs from Malaga
1. Biznaga
One of the most traditional things in Malaga is the Biznaga. It looks like a flower, but it isn’t, and not even a plant. It consists of a bunch of jasmine flowers put together. It’s an artwork as each flower is individually placed into this bamboo branch.
Although it’s mainly a decorative item today, it was once used to repel mosquitoes and as a freshener.
The ones made out of real jasmine flowers are easy to spot during the Malaga Fair, and these are sold by biznagueros, which refers to the people who create biznagas.
While the real biznagas are beautiful and the jasmine scent is delightful, the clay-made recreation of biznagas makes a great gift or souvenir that will last forever.
Rincón de la Biznagas is one of the shops where you can get this beautiful creation and other traditional items.
2. Ceramics and pottery
Ceramics and pottery are traditional in Malaga and across the south of Spain. Whether you want a souvenir you will give it a use in the kitchen or simply decorate the front of your house, you are spoilt for choice.
I especially love the number tiles and small, colourful decorative pottery that shine on their own. They give your facade a Spanish vibe and make it unique.
My favourite place to purchase ceramics and pottery is Mijas Pueblo. There are quite a few shops to choose from for your favourite items.
3. Tortas locas
One of my favourite souvenirs, which I love gifting to friends and family members who aren’t from Malaga and have a sweet tooth, is tortas locas.
It’s the number one pastry in the city; every Malagueño has eaten it at least once in their life. It consists of two rounded pieces of pastry filled with custard and topped with an orange-like frosting. The best ones will melt in your mouth.
My recommendation is to buy these at a bakery as they’re fresher and tastier. La Canasta Bakery is one of those places.
4. Picasso prints
For anyone who has an artistic side and loves the works of Picasso, buying a Picasso print is a great choice. My advice is to visit the Picasso Museum and purchase one of the prints or Picasso-related souvenirs at the official shop, which you’ll access at the end of your visit.
Near the museum, you also have a wide range of independent shops selling Picasso items. I love the dachshund picture drawn by Picasso. There are even small postcards of it.
5. Vino de Malaga
I’m not a wine connoisseur, but I have a bit of knowledge of Malaga wines after going to a few wine tours and learning about them at the Malaga Wine Museum, and if there’s one type of wine you must try, it’s Malaga sweet wine.
The thing is that you don’t need to visit a winery to try it, you can do so in many places across the city, including the emblematic Casa del Guardia and Pimpi bar and restaurant.
Unlike many wines, which you pair with meat or fish, this particular wine is ideal for dessert, and you don’t want a big glass but a shot glass, as it’s very sweet.
If it’s to your liking, you can buy it from many souvenir shops around the old town.
6. Salchichon de Malaga
Do you like cured meats? If the answer is yes, you must try salchichon de Malaga. It’s a sausage with a similar texture to the famous chorizo, but the flavours are entirely different. While chorizo has a very smoky flavour from paprika, salchichon doesn’t; I would say it’s more peppery.
And if you wonder what makes this salchichon different from others, it’s that it’s softer. This is why you can find a tartar made with this sausage in some local restaurants. I highly recommend trying it.
You can purchase Malaga sausage in many supermarkets across the city.
7. Sugar cane honey
If you’re looking for unique food souvenirs, sugar cane honey is the answer. This type of honey doesn’t come from bees but sugar cane, and the biggest production of sugar cane honey in Europe is in the picturesque town of Frigiliana, located a one-hour drive from the city.
Sugar cane honey is widely used in our gastronomy, and one of my favourite dishes, which you can try in El Pimpi as well as many tapa bars, is berenjenas con miel. It consists of fried slices of aubergines drizzled with sugar cane honey. The combination might sound odd, but I guarantee it’s delicious.
The best brand is Nuestra Señora del Carmen, which you can find in many bakeries and supermarkets.
8. Malaga Football Club merchandising
If you love or know someone who is passionate about football, why not gift them a football-related present? The city’s team is the Malaga Football Club, and there is plenty of merchandise you can buy, from t-shirts and jackets to hats and pens.
You can always buy some Malaga FC items from the shop in La Rosaleda, Malaga Stadium or at the shop behind El Pimpi in the city centre.
9. Hand-painted fan
One of the most unique gifts from Malaga for women is a hand-painted fan. These are also found across Southern Spain, but you can find fans with items, buildings and scenes from Malaga.
Fans can be a decorative item in a room, but you can make good use of them while travelling around Malaga and the rest of the Costa del Sol in summer.
10. Raisins
A star product of Malaga, especially from the Axarquia region, is the raisin. We even have the day of the raisin, in which you can try raisins, see traditional dances, taste wine and more.
They’re sweet, meaty, and so good. I’m pretty sure I haven’t tried raisins like these ones, especially those that have just been harvested.
One of the best places to get high-quality raisins is the Atarazanas Market.
11. A traditional magnet
Magnets are always a good option, whether you collect them or your mum does. They’re usually under 5 euros, and you don’t need to worry about taking too much space in your bag.
As happens with postcards, you can be overwhelmed by choice. However, if you don’t want the average magnet, I suggest going after one with the traditional espetos (sardine skewers slowly roasted in a barbecue style at beach restaurants), or a landmark or viewpoint in Malaga like Gibralfaro.
12. Larios Gin
Besides Malaga wine, Malaga has another famous boozy drink, and that is Larios gin. If you love gin, I don’t see why you or your loved one wouldn’t enjoy this one, but you might want to have a sip before buying a bottle.
If you travel with your 10 kg suitcase, you can buy a small bottle at supermarkets or wait until you get to the duty-free area at Malaga Airport to purchase a big bottle, as there’s a full stall with Larios gin.
13. Almonds
We love snacking, and one of those healthy snacks that are typical of Malaga is fried almonds. You’ll find some stalls selling Malaga almonds across the city centre. They’re salty, crunchy, and so good.
14. Malaga postcard
A classic souvenir that’s easy to pack is a postcard. Not only are they cheap, but some are so pretty that they can end up in your friend’s or family member’s fridge or board in the office. That’s exactly what I’ve done with some postcards. In fact, I’ve bought postcards for myself.
So what makes these postcards Malagasy? The painting of a historical building like the Alcazaba or Cathedral, food like sardines, flowers like jasmines or a Picasso-related painting.
15. Malaga posters
While you can get some posters of Malaga during your trip, it’s one of those types of gifts that you can buy without having to visit the city. In fact, I would order it online to save some luggage space, especially if you travel with only a bag or a small suitcase.
Etsy has beautiful prints and posters about Malaga, and you can also find cute canvas like this on Amazon.
16. Goat cheese
Are you a cheese lover? If so, I’m pretty sure you’ve tried Manchego as it’s the most famous cheese in Spain. However, if you want to taste a Malaga cheese, you definitely should eat queso de cabra (goat cheese).
Places like La Pecha in SoHo have this cheese, which is usually served with small breadsticks or on a meat board.
One of my friends loved it and couldn’t resist buying one to take home.
17. Olives from Alora
First of all, I really dislike olives and have always done, so I’m not the best person to ask for the best olives in Malaga, but based on my family, who thoroughly enjoy eating them, you need to make yourself a jar of olives from Alora or those that are referred to as aceitunas de la abuela.
You pay more for them, but the quality and flavour are much better. So, this time the ones from Mercadona (a widely known supermarket if you haven’t heard of it) aren’t a good idea!
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