Our guide on what souvenirs to avoid buying in Europe and what souvenirs to buy instead.
When traveling across Europe, souvenir shopping can be an exciting way to bring home a piece of your experience. However, not all souvenirs are worth your time and money. Some are mass-produced or lack cultural significance, while others are unique and authentic representations of the local culture.
When shopping for souvenirs in Europe, opt for locally made, authentic products that reflect the region’s heritage and craftsmanship. Avoid mass-produced items like plastic trinkets, T-shirts, and generic goods, and instead, focus on items with cultural or artisanal value, such as handmade ceramics, local textiles, or authentic wines. By choosing authentic souvenirs, you’ll bring home a piece of Europe that’s meaningful, unique, and memorable.
Here’s a travel guide on souvenirs to avoid buying in Europe and what to buy instead.
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Souvenirs to Avoid in Europe
1. Mass-Produced “I Love [City]” T-Shirts and Mugs
Why Avoid: These are generic and can be found in almost every tourist destination in Europe. They’re often poor-quality, mass-produced items that lack local craftsmanship or cultural value.
What to Buy Instead: Opt for locally made textiles or clothing that reflect the region’s heritage, such as a scarf or tie with traditional patterns from Scotland or Portugal, or a well-made leather wallet from Italy.
2. Snow Globes
Why Avoid: Snow globes are common, mass-produced trinkets that can be found in most tourist shops, and they rarely reflect the true essence of the place you’re visiting.
What to Buy Instead: Choose a handcrafted local item, such as ceramics from Portugal, glassware from Venice, or wooden carvings from Germany, which offer more cultural depth.
3. Cheap Plastic Souvenirs (Keychains, Magnets)
Why Avoid: These items are often produced cheaply in bulk, often outside the country you’re visiting, and lack authenticity.
What to Buy Instead: Opt for a more meaningful keepsake like local artisan jewelry, handmade soaps from France, or artisan leather goods from Spain.
4. Fake Designer Goods
Why Avoid: Not only is purchasing counterfeit designer goods illegal in many countries, but it also supports unethical production practices and dilutes the quality of the experience.
What to Buy Instead: Invest in authentic local crafts like a luxury silk scarf from Italy or handcrafted shoes from Spain.
5. Replicas of Famous Monuments (Eiffel Towers, Big Ben, Colosseum Statues)
Why Avoid: These are mass-produced and can be found in every major tourist city. They are often poorly made and lack any personal or cultural significance.
What to Buy Instead: Opt for local artwork like a sketch or painting of the monument by a local artist, or photographs that showcase the city’s architecture.
6. Plastic Venetian Masks
Why Avoid: Many Venetian masks sold in tourist-heavy areas are mass-produced and made of plastic, lacking the craftsmanship and tradition of authentic Venetian masks.
What to Buy Instead: If you’re visiting Venice, buy a handmade papier-mâché mask from a local artisan. These masks are traditionally crafted and reflect the city’s rich cultural history.
7. Shot Glasses
Why Avoid: Shot glasses with the name of a city or country are mass-produced and can feel generic, making them less memorable.
What to Buy Instead: Choose a traditional drinking vessel specific to the region, such as a German beer stein, Spanish wine goblet, or Czech crystal glass.
8. Cheap Knockoffs of Murano Glass (Venice)
Why Avoid: Many shops in Venice sell mass-produced glass marketed as “Murano glass,” but these items are often made cheaply and outside of Italy, lacking the craftsmanship of genuine Murano pieces.
What to Buy Instead: Purchase certified Murano glass from reputable stores or directly from glassmakers on Murano Island. Look for items with a certificate of authenticity.
9. Plastic Russian Matryoshka Dolls
Why Avoid: Many matryoshka dolls sold in tourist shops are cheap, mass-produced, and lack the artistic quality of authentic Russian nesting dolls.
What to Buy Instead: Look for hand-painted Matryoshka dolls crafted by local artisans. These are often more expensive but are beautifully made and reflect traditional craftsmanship.
10. Plastic Cuckoo Clocks (Germany and Switzerland)
Why Avoid: Cheap cuckoo clocks sold in tourist shops are often plastic and lack the intricate craftsmanship of traditional ones.
What to Buy Instead: Invest in a traditional wooden cuckoo clock made by local artisans in Germany’s Black Forest region or Switzerland. Authentic cuckoo clocks are intricate, beautiful, and a genuine representation of local craftsmanship.
What Souvenirs to Buy in Europe Instead
1. Handmade Leather Goods (Italy, Spain, Portugal)
Why Buy: Europe is home to some of the best leather artisans in the world, especially in Italy, Spain, and Portugal. These items are often high-quality, durable, and uniquely designed.
Examples: Leather handbags, belts, wallets, and shoes made in Florence (Italy), Madrid (Spain), or Lisbon (Portugal).
2. Local Ceramics (Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Why Buy: Many European countries have a long tradition of handmade ceramics. These pieces are unique, colorful, and often reflect the local culture and history.
Examples: Azulejos tiles from Portugal, Talavera pottery from Spain, and majolica from Italy.
3. Handmade Woolen Goods (Scotland, Ireland, Norway)
Why Buy: Woolen goods from northern Europe are made with local materials and reflect the traditional craftsmanship of the region.
Examples: Tartan scarves or blankets from Scotland, Aran sweaters from Ireland, and Norwegian wool sweaters.
4. Wine and Local Spirits (France, Italy, Spain, Portugal)
Why Buy: Europe is famous for its wines and spirits, many of which you can only find locally. Bringing home a bottle allows you to relive your experience.
Examples: Port wine from Portugal, Chianti from Italy, Champagne from France, or Sherry from Spain.
5. Hand-Blown Glass (Venice, Czech Republic)
Why Buy: Hand-blown glassware from Venice or the Czech Republic is known for its intricate designs and craftsmanship.
Examples: Authentic Murano glass from Venice or Bohemian crystal from the Czech Republic.
6. Traditional Jewelry (Greece, Turkey, Spain)
Why Buy: Local jewelry often reflects centuries of tradition and craftsmanship. Many regions have their own unique designs and materials.
Examples: Evil eye jewelry from Greece and Turkey, Filigree jewelry from Portugal, and silver from Spain.
7. Linen and Lace (Belgium, Ireland, Portugal)
Why Buy: Europe, particularly Belgium and Ireland, is renowned for its high-quality lace and linens, which are often handmade.
Examples: Lace from Bruges in Belgium or linen tablecloths and napkins from Ireland or Portugal.
8. Local Food Products
Why Buy: Europe offers a range of regional food products that are unique and often unavailable elsewhere. These items make excellent gifts or personal treats.
Examples: Olive oil from Spain or Italy, truffle products from Italy, French macarons, or Belgian chocolates.
9. Artisan Soaps and Perfumes (France, Greece, Spain)
Why Buy: Many European countries have a tradition of producing high-quality, natural soaps and perfumes.
Examples: Soaps from Marseille, lavender products from Provence, and olive oil soaps from Greece.
10. Local Artwork and Prints (France, Italy, Spain)
Why Buy: Instead of mass-produced knick-knacks, purchase a local artist’s painting, print, or sketch that captures the essence of the place.
Examples: Street art from Paris, watercolor prints from Rome, or photography from Barcelona.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.