A holiday on the Costa Blanca doesn’t have to end with a suitcase full of fridge magnets and mass-produced souvenirs.

One of the nicest ways to remember your time here is to take home something that actually belongs to the region: a bottle of local wine, a beautiful handmade basket, a piece of pottery, some excellent olive oil or a few Spanish delicacies to enjoy when you’re back home.

The Marina Alta is particularly good for this. Around Jalón, Benissa, Moraira, Jávea and Gata de Gorgos, you’ll find independent shops, bodegas, delicatessens and traditional artisans where you can discover something genuinely local.

Here are some of our favourite places to look.

🍷 Jalón – wine, mistela and Mediterranean flavours

If you’re looking for a bottle of something local to take home, Jalón (Xaló) should be high on your list. The Jalón Valley has a long wine-making tradition, particularly with Moscatel, and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to discover wines from small local producers.

• Bodegas Xaló. A classic stop for anyone interested in the wines of the valley. This cooperative winery has a large selection of local wines and is a good place to discover the flavours of the area.
• Bouquet Xaló. A more boutique wine-shopping experience. Bouquet Xaló specialises in wines from small producers, including local varieties such as Giró, Moscatel and Monastrell. They also have a gourmet section with olive oil, preserves, sweets, nuts and other products — perfect if you’re putting together a little Mediterranean food hamper.
• El racó de lo nostre. A gourmet shop with local products and wines
• L’Abella Mel. The local honey store
• The Saturday Rastro & Market. Jalón’s famous Saturday market is worth a visit even if you’re not specifically looking for souvenirs. Browse the stalls, look for local produce and artisan goods, and combine it with a visit to one of the local bodegas.

Our tip: take home a bottle of Moscatel or mistela. It’s one of the easiest ways to bring the flavour of the Marina Alta home with you.

🫒 Benissa – local food, wine and traditional flavours

Benissa is a lovely town to explore on foot, and its historic centre is dotted with small local businesses. The town’s tourism office specifically highlights its local wines, traditional cocas, cured meats, bakeries, bodegas and weekly market.

• Botiga SARVÍ. A specialist wine shop in the centre of Benissa and a good place to look for bottles to take home.
• Celler Joan de la Casa. This local winery produces its own wines in Benissa, and you can buy them from its sales point on Carrer Sant Josep. It’s a particularly nice option if you want a bottle with a genuine connection to the area.
• The Saturday Market. Don’t overlook the traditional Saturday market. You’ll find seasonal fruit and vegetables, pickles, plants, clothing, shoes and artisan products. It’s less about buying a classic “souvenir” and more about experiencing the everyday local life of Benissa — which is exactly what makes it interesting.

Our tip: combine your shopping trip with a wander through the old town and stop for a traditional coca or pastry along the way.

🍷 Moraira – gourmet treats and beautiful gifts

Moraira is the place to go if you like your souvenirs a little more gourmet.

• Bodega Vinos. For wine lovers, this specialist wine shop on the Moraira–Calpe road is worth a stop. Browse the selection and ask for a recommendation from the Alicante region.
• Barraca33. This shop is a lovely option for ceramics, bags and local delicacies. A small piece of ceramics can be much more meaningful than something bought from a typical tourist shop — and it looks rather good at home too.

Our tip: buy something you can actually use. A bottle of wine, a beautiful bowl or some excellent olive oil will bring back holiday memories every time you use it.

🏺 Jávea – wine, ceramics and independent artisans

Jávea (Xàbia) is particularly good for combining food shopping with a little bit of browsing through independent shops.

• El Celler de La Fontana. A specialist wine shop with a broad selection. It’s a good place to discover wines from Alicante and further afield, and to ask for something local that you may not have encountered during your holiday.
• Paraíso Prints. Located on Carrer Major in the old town, this independent artisan shop is a nice alternative to conventional souvenir stores. Look for locally inspired prints and handmade pieces that are easy to pack into your suitcase.
• Old town market and streets

Our tip: spend some time wandering through the old town around Carrer Major. Some of the nicest souvenirs are found when you’re not actually looking for them. Also the covered market is a good option.

🧺 Gata de Gorgos – the Costa Blanca’s craft capital

If you only have time for one town specifically for traditional crafts, make it Gata de Gorgos. The town has a long artisan tradition, particularly in esparto, wicker, palm and leather. Baskets, bags, hats and other woven products are still an important part of its identity. Esparto and wicker products from Gata are also highlighted as classic Costa Blanca souvenirs.

• Oli Gata. The shop for local delicacies, their own olive oil and lovely souvenirs.
• Art.CasellesA traditional artisan business where you’ll find handmade products made from natural fibres. Think baskets, bags and other beautiful, practical pieces that bring a little Mediterranean character into your home.
• Art. Maruja. Another lovely stop for traditional Gata craftsmanship, particularly if you’re looking for esparto, wicker and palm products.
• La Magatzem. For something edible, head here. La Magatzem combines wine and local gourmet products, making it a good place to pick up something delicious to take home.

Our tip: don’t leave Gata without looking at the woven baskets and bags. They’re practical, lightweight and genuinely connected to the area’s traditional crafts — making them one of our favourite Costa Blanca souvenirs.

What should you take home?

If you’re still wondering what to put in your suitcase, here are a few of our favourites:

🍷 A bottle of local wine or Moscatel from Jalón or Benissa
🫒 A good bottle of extra virgin olive oil
🧺 A handmade esparto or wicker basket from Gata de Gorgos
🏺 A piece of Mediterranean ceramics from Jávea or Moraira
🍯 Local honey, preserves or other delicacies
🥓 Spanish cheeses and cured meats
🍫 Something sweet, such as turrón or traditional almond sweets

The best souvenirs aren’t necessarily the ones that say Costa Blanca on them.bThey’re the ones that taste, smell or feel like your holiday — the bottle you open with friends at home, the basket you use every day, or the handmade bowl that reminds you of sunny mornings in Spain.

So leave a little space in your suitcase. You might just find something worth taking home. 🌞