Coming home from a trip with a well-chosen keepsake has something special about it. Gran Canaria offers plenty of options for taking a piece of the island home with you: food products, handmade pieces, jewellery made with volcanic materials, decorative objects and simpler souvenirs, such as T-shirts, keyrings or magnets with Canarian motifs.
If you are thinking of buying a souvenir from Gran Canaria, start by considering what kind of keepsake you want to find. It might be something to give as a gift, a typical product to try at home or a small item that reminds you of the trip. On the island, you will find specialist shops, shopping areas, markets and street markets where you can buy Gran Canaria souvenirs in very different styles.
What to buy in Gran Canaria if you are looking for a local keepsake
Gran Canaria has an artisan and food tradition closely linked to its history, volcanic origin and everyday life in its towns and villages. That is why choosing a souvenir does not have to be limited to the typical tourist object: you can also buy local products, handmade pieces or items related to some of the island’s most recognisable symbols.
Among the most common options are Canarian mojos, bienmesabe, island wines, ceramic crafts, jewellery with olivine, leather or wooden objects and souvenirs featuring motifs such as pintaderas, Roque Nublo, the Maspalomas dunes or the historic district of Vegueta.
You will find a mix of traditional products and more commercial souvenirs. The key is choosing the right place to buy them: a specialist shop, a local market or a craft market may offer more carefully selected options than sales points designed purely for quick purchases.
Canarian food souvenirs
Food is one of the simplest ways to take home a useful souvenir that is easy to share. Gran Canaria has long-standing traditional products that you can buy during your trip and enjoy later at home, whether you are looking for a small gift or want to prepare a meal with flavours from the island.
Bienmesabe, mojos and Canarian wines are three very common options because they represent local cuisine well and are easy to find in shops selling typical products, supermarkets and markets. They also make convenient gifts for family or friends, provided you check the format, packaging and transport conditions if you are travelling by plane.
Bienmesabe
Bienmesabe is one of the best-known sweets in the Canary Islands. It is mainly made with almonds, honey, sugar, egg and lemon, although recipes can vary. Its dense texture and sweet flavour make it a very recognisable product within the islands’ traditional confectionery.
In Gran Canaria, it is common to find it in local product shops and some markets. It can be eaten on its own, with ice cream, with yoghurt or as an accompaniment to other desserts. If you want to buy a food souvenir from Gran Canaria that is easy to associate with the island, bienmesabe is a safe choice.
Canarian wines
Canarian wines are also an interesting option as a travel souvenir. The volcanic origin of the soil, the climate and the winemaking tradition of the archipelago have produced wines with their own character, including whites, reds and sweet wines.
In Gran Canaria, you can find wines from different parts of the island, as well as labels from other islands in the archipelago. If you are looking for a more considered gift, a bottle of Canarian wine can work very well, especially if you buy it in a specialist shop where they can advise you on varieties, wineries and pairings.
Canarian mojos
Mojos are another classic among Canarian souvenirs. Green mojo and mojo picón are the best known, although there are many versions depending on the ingredients and the area. They are used to accompany wrinkled potatoes, meat, fish or even simple dishes at home.
You can buy jars of mojo in supermarkets, local product shops and markets. It is a practical souvenir, easy to transport and closely linked to everyday cooking on the islands. It also takes up very little space in your suitcase and helps extend the trip a little once you are back home.
Crafts and typical objects from Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria’s crafts offer souvenirs with more personality than mass-produced products. On the island, you will find ceramics, leather, wood, jewellery, decorative objects and small items inspired by Canarian symbols, many of them connected to the history, landscape or ancient inhabitants of the archipelago.
These objects can be found in street markets, craft shops, local fairs and some cultural spaces. If you want to buy something with more value than a simple tourist item, this type of piece is a good fit.
Jewellery, olivine and handmade pieces
Handmade jewellery is an interesting option if you are looking for a small souvenir that is easy to carry and directly connected to the territory. In the Canary Islands, it is common to find pieces made with olivine or peridot, a green-toned stone associated with the volcanic origin of the islands.
You can also find earrings, necklaces, bracelets or rings made by local artisans, with designs inspired by nature, Indigenous Canarian geometry or the colours of the Canarian landscape. Not all pieces have the same origin or level of craftsmanship, so it is worth checking the product information and asking whether it is locally made.
T-shirts, keyrings and magnets with Canarian motifs
Classic souvenirs still have their place, especially if you are looking for simple gifts. T-shirts, keyrings, mugs, magnets and bags with motifs from Gran Canaria are easy to find in tourist areas, souvenir shops and shopping areas.
Among the most common motifs are Canarian pintaderas, the Presa Canario dog, Roque Nublo, the Maspalomas dunes, Vegueta and coastal landscapes from the island. They are simpler options, but they can work well if you want to take home several souvenirs without using too much space or spending a lot.
Where to buy souvenirs in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria has many areas where you can buy souvenirs, both in tourist areas and in historic districts and local markets. If you are looking for souvenir shops in Gran Canaria, you will find them mainly in the busiest tourist areas, on seafront promenades, in shopping centres and in streets close to the main hotels.
In the south of the island, Maspalomas is one of the most practical areas for buying this type of souvenir. In its shops and shopping areas, it is common to find magnets, T-shirts, decorative objects, packaged food products and items related to the dunes, the lighthouse or the coast. If you are looking for souvenirs in Maspalomas, this area concentrates many convenient options during a stay in the south.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria offers a somewhat more varied shopping experience, especially in neighbourhoods such as Vegueta or Triana and around markets and cultural spaces. There, you can find local products, bookshops, craft shops and stores with souvenirs more closely linked to the island’s history, urban life and cultural identity.
Gran Canaria street markets for finding original souvenirs
Gran Canaria’s street markets are a good option if you prefer to buy souvenirs with more variety and a more local atmosphere. There, you can find food products, crafts, decorative objects, leather, wood, ceramics, jewellery and small handmade items.
Some well-known markets and street markets, such as the Vegueta Craft and Culture Market or the Teror Market, bring together traditional products and souvenirs that fit well with a visit to the island. They can also be a good stop if you want to combine shopping, a walk and local food in the same morning.
Choosing the right accommodation in Gran Canaria can help you organise your shopping and visits more easily during your trip. The island has very practical areas for getting around, visiting markets, going to shopping areas and setting aside time for the beach, food or inland villages.
Lopesan has hotels in some of the main tourist destinations in Gran Canaria, especially in the south of the island. Staying in areas such as Meloneras, Maspalomas or Playa del Inglés makes it easier to access shops, promenades, leisure spaces and routes to other points of interest.
