Part of our Spain guide.
Places and guides from our Spanish coverage, gathered into one page.
Related travel guides: Spanish Cruise Ports In Spain, Menorca Travel Guide, Granada Travel Guide, and Bilbao To San Sebastian: A Spanish Road Trip.
How To Say "Sightseeing" In Spanish
The Spanish word for "sightseeing" is turismo (masculine noun) or, more specifically, hacer turismo (to go sightseeing). You can also say visita turística for a sightseeing tour. These terms are used across all of Spain’s core regions — from Madrid and Barcelona to Andalusia and the islands — so you can use them whether you’re exploring the Alhambra in Granada or strolling Las Ramblas in Barcelona. Learning this phrase helps you connect with locals when asking about routes between cities or the top things to do in Spain.
What Do They Call Souvenir Shops In Spanish
Souvenir shops are called tiendas de recuerdos (literally “shops of memories”) or tiendas de souvenirs. In markets and tourist areas you may also see tiendas de regalos (gift shops). These shops are common in every major destination, including Madrid’s Plaza Mayor, Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, and the coastal towns of Andalusia. Prices for a typical magnet or keychain range from €3 to €8 (as of 2023–2024). If you have a 4-hour layover in Barcelona, you can find these shops near the cathedral or along La Rambla — just ask for a tienda de recuerdos.
More about Spanish
Key Phrases for Travelers
- Hacer turismo – to go sightseeing
- Visita turística – sightseeing tour
- Tienda de recuerdos – souvenir shop
- ¿Dónde está la tienda de recuerdos? – Where is the souvenir shop?
Practical Tips
When exploring Spain’s lesser-known destinations, such as the white villages of Andalusia or the Basque Country’s coastal trails, use hacer turismo to ask locals for hidden gems. Spain consistently ranks among the world’s top three most-visited countries, with over 85 million international visitors in 2023. If you’re visiting Spanish cruise ports, like Barcelona, Málaga, or Valencia, you’ll find tiendas de recuerdos within a 10-minute walk of the terminal. For a deeper dive, see our guide to exploring Spain’s lesser-known destinations and the beginner’s guide to the running of the bulls in Pamplona.
