Photo: Contiki
When you bring home a souvenir, you’re capturing the magic of your trip in a trinket you can admire for years to come.
The most meaningful souvenirs aren’t knick-knacks you quickly grab at the airport gift shop while running to your gate. They’re the ones you pick up from the market you stumbled into while wandering down historic streets.
Thankfully, you are spoiled for choice if you’re trying to figure out what to buy in Italy. Long after your trip ends, a drizzle of olive oil over fresh bread or the scent of a handmade leather wallet from Florence can transport you right back to your favourite cities.
If you’re ready to fill your suitcase with something more unique than glossy postcards, consider some of the best souvenirs from Italy to bring home to remember your next trip.
1. Italian leather goods
If you’re searching for the best souvenirs from Italy, one of the first ideas to consider are Italian leather goods.
Florence, particularly around the historic Santa Croce neighborhood, is the most famous historic leather district in the country. Even today, this neighborhood is still known for its high-quality leather handbags, belts, gloves, and shoes.
On a European Contiki trip, you’ll visit an authentic boutique in Florence’s leather district, learn more about this historic art form, and find leather products like belts, purses, and wallets. Travellers on our Tuscan Escape trip even have an opportunity to make their own leather belts in a workshop at the store.
2. Venetian masks
Handcrafted with precision using materials like papier-mâché, sequins, feathers, and rhinestones, Venetian masks are a wonderful, albeit delicate, souvenir.
These masks have added mystery to the Carnevale celebrations in the historic city center since the 13th century when they were used to hide the identity of debaucherous Venetian nobles.
While cheap, plastic versions of these masks are available in souvenir shops throughout Venice, authenticity is key. Shop from skilled artisan mask-makers to ensure you’re getting a real piece of Venetian artistry.
3. Murano glass
Another artistic must-have from Venice is Murano Glass.
Masters on the island of Murano in the Venetian Lagoon have been making these luxury pieces of glass for hundreds of years. These are highly skilled glassmakers who have perfected their craft over many years. The art form is traditionally passed down from father to son, and apprentices must work for over a decade before they’re considered true masters themselves.
You’ll find historic chandeliers made from Murano glass in palazzi, like hidden gems all around the city. Since they’re handmade, no two pieces are identical, and they come with the “Vetro Artistico Murano” trademark to verify authenticity.
Purchasing Murano Glass even supports the local economy. Although the larger pieces are expensive, smaller vases, glasses, bottle stoppers, and jewellery are less pricey Italian souvenirs to bring home.
4. Ceramics
Ceramics also make great gifts from Italy.
You can find beautiful ceramic pieces all over the country, from Faenza in Emilia-Romagna to Vietri sul Mare on the Amalfi Coast.
However, the Umbrian city of Deruta is the most famous for its hand-painted dishware, with its practice dating back to the 1500s.
To ensure authenticity, always look for the ‘dipinto a mano’ (hand-painted) designation and the town or artist’s name on the base.
5. Cornicello
The cornicello, also known as the Italian horn, is an iconic superstitious symbol to southern Italians.
Crafted from materials like gold, silver, or red coral, the cornicello brings good luck and protects against evil. But there’s a little twist to acquiring one.
According to Italian superstition, you should not buy a cornicello for yourself. It’s meant to be received as a gift, ideally from someone who wishes you well.
So, as you’re out exploring with your fellow Contiki travellers, let a friend know you’d love one as a little keepsake. That way, you can enjoy the protection of this souvenir without tempting fate!
6. Sicilian pupi
With a wooden structure dressed in delicate metal and fabric, Sicilian pupi are intricate, masterfully handcrafted puppets.
The Opera dei Pupi in Palermo is central to this tradition. The theater’s puppets bring tales of epic wars and chivalry to life.
During your free time in Palermo on our Real Sicily trip, you can visit the Museo Internazionale delle Marionette Antonio Pasqualino and buy your own pupi from the gift shop.
7. Olive oil
Why is Italian olive oil so renowned?
With over 650 different types of olive trees in Italy, Italy’s olive oils are as diverse as the trees themselves. Sunlight, rainfall, and olive ripeness all contribute to the taste of the final olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil, or EVOO, is both high quality and the most expensive.
While it might not be the cheapest souvenir, you can find bottles to bring home in any grocery store.
Image source:Contiki
8. Balsamic vinegar
Another expensive Italian condiment is balsamic vinegar from the Emilia Romagna region.
Traditional balsamic vinegar is aged for years in a series of nesting oak casks. It’s so valuable that it was historically used as a marriage dowry.
The only balsamic vinegar truly worth purchasing is the balsamic vinegar produced in the city of Modena, or Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena, DOP.
Although even a small bottle of the good stuff isn’t cheap, it’s well worth the purchase. Since it’s aged for so long, it doesn’t have the tart tang you taste with other vinegars. It’s thick like honey and just as sweet.
And just a little goes a long way; drizzle it over a fresh Caprese salad or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling bold.
9. Italian wines
You have definitely tried an Italian wine or two. With hundreds of native grape varieties, Italian wine captures the country in a bottle.
Each of the country’s 20 regions produces its own distinct wines, everything from rich reds in the Tuscan hills to the light and bubbly white Prosecco in the Veneto.
Even if you’re not usually a wine drinker, there’s an Italian wine for your tastebuds.
If you’re interested in trying Italian wines for yourself, our Italian Espresso itinerary offers a wine tasting in Lucca, where you can try several Italian wines surrounded by the Tuscan countryside.
Image source:Contiki
10. Limoncello
Limoncello: the zesty, sunny embodiment of Italian summer in a bottle. This liquor comes from the Amalfi Coast, where the sweet Sfusato Amalfitano lemons grow.
For the limoncello aficionado (or anyone who just loves lemons), the real magic happens when you purchase directly from local producers in Amalfi.
On our Italian Escape, we visit the Amalfi Lemon Experience, a coastal lemon farm, to learn all about how this high-quality liquor is made, and of course, it comes with a tasting.
11. Italian pasta
Forget those boring supermarket pasta boxes back home! Italian pasta is held to higher quality standards, resulting in a healthier, higher-protein product that is lower in sugar.
When you’re souvenir shopping for dried pasta, look for regional shapes like orecchiette from Puglia or trofie from Liguria.
At local markets and specialty food shops, you can find colourful pasta dyed with natural ingredients, truffle-infused specialty pasta, and artisanal dried pasta.
On our last night of the Simply Italy trip, we learn how to make fresh pasta by hand and enjoy a last meal together as our farewell dinner.
Image source:Contiki
12. Cured meats
Italian cured meats are savory Italian souvenirs you’ll want to make room for in your luggage.
The undisputed star has to be Prosciutto di Parma, dried ham that has been aged to perfection. You’ll also want some spicy ‘Nduja from Calabria or mortadella from Bologna, one of the best places to visit in Italy.
Your best bet for finding quality cured meats is to visit local salumerias (Italian delis) or grocery stores and look for DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) labels.
13. Artisanal chocolates
Italy’s chocolate-making tradition has been simmering and sweetening for centuries.
When planning a trip to Italy, indulging in chocolate brands like Baci, Ferrero Rocher, and, of course, Nutella is a must.
Since the Italian word baci literally translates to “kiss,” Baci Perugina is most known for its chocolate kisses filled with hazelnut cream.
Ferrero Rocher started in Alba, a little town in the Piedmont region. Each sphere perfectly combines chocolate, hazelnut, and a signature wafer shell.
Ferrero is the same company that created Nutella, the world-famous chocolate hazelnut spread. Since hazelnuts are grown in the northwest Piedmont region, it was the perfect place for the creation of gianduia, the spread that Nutella is based on.
Although these chocolates have become famous worldwide, grabbing them from their homeland feels extra special. Plus, the prices in Italy are often better than what you’ll find back home.
Looking for exclusive flavours that aren’t available in other countries is a fantastic activity while you’re in Italy.
14. Italian cheeses
Italy’s cheese-making traditions go back centuries.
Parmigiano Reggiano from Emilia-Romagna is a staple in Italian cuisine. You can buy pieces vacuum-sealed for travel, and different aging periods (12, 24, or 36+ months) offer different flavour intensities. Look for the DOP label, which guarantees adherence to traditional production methods.
Mozzarella and ricotta are excellent, but since they’re fresh cheeses, they’re not ideal souvenirs to bring home. Instead, focus on aged hard cheeses that travel well.
Please remember to check customs regulations before loading up your suitcase with any food souvenirs. Your country’s restrictions on what products you can bring home and what you should leave behind must also be checked. Also, make sure the food is well-packaged and protected in your checked luggage.
15. Italian cookbooks
After you finish your Ultimate Italy trip, travelling to 8 of Italy’s distinct regions, a cookbook is the best way to relive the flavours you fell in love with without the jet lag.
Consider picking up a cookbook by renowned chefs like Massimo Bottura with his modern twist on tradition, or dive into the endearing stories and recipes of the Pasta Grannies.
You can find cookbooks in both English and Italian in bookstores throughout the country.
What is worth buying in Rome?
Since Rome has some of Italy’s most famous landmarks, it makes sense that you can find many souvenirs of these sites here, too. There are tourist shops all over the city selling magnets, keychains, and novelty shirts with the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain printed on the front.
Rome is a great city for specialty foods like olive oil, Italian chocolates, and cured meats.
Since Deruta is just an hour and a half north of the capital, you’re sure to find some stunning hand-painted ceramics in the city centre, too.
There are also tons of bookshops throughout the city center where you can find a cookbook that inspires you.
What are some cheap things to buy in Italy?
You don’t need to break the bank to bring home presents from Italy!
Traditional dried pasta makes affordable and authentic souvenirs. You can find packages in most street markets and artisan shops for just a few euros each.
Local art prints from street artists make wonderful mementos. Many sell smaller pieces for €5-15, and they’re unique souvenirs you won’t find anywhere else.
In general, street markets are your best friend for finding deals. Keep an eye out for vendors selling small magnets, postcards, and keychains featuring landmarks.
Remember to check supermarkets for foods like olive oil, cured meats, and chocolates. They’re much cheaper than tourist shops and just as authentic if you’re exploring Italy on a budget.
As you travel this beautiful country, take the time to find souvenirs that speak to you. The best souvenirs from Italy will keep the magic of your adventure alive long after your trip ends.
