Forget postcards and fridge magnets – modern travelers are coming home with unusual souvenirs so strange, they could be museum exhibits. We’re talking canned air from Mount Fuji, coin purses made from cane toad skin, perfume made from fossilized animal waste, and kangaroo-scrotum bottle openers.
And yes, I am writing this article and sharing this with you while I have a big collection of fridge magnets, mugs, and pens! All classic souvenirs! Plus some postcards and keychains!
If you’ve ever searched for weird souvenirs, weirdest souvenirs, unique souvenirs from around the world, or funny travel souvenirs because you’re tired of the same old keepsakes, this is your ultimate guide. We’ve rounded up 50+ of the most unusual, weirdest, and quirky souvenirs from around the globe – items that real tourists actually buy (and love), complete with fun facts, cultural insights, and tips on where to find them.
Bookmark this for your next trip, tag your travel buddy, and share it with that friend who always brings home the weirdest souvenirs. By the end, you might be ready to skip the snow globes and start your own quirky souvenir collection.
As a note, I discovered that some of these weird souvenirs are common to various areas – so I am grouping several destination souvenirs under the specific type. You will see
Also, when you travel, I am inviting you to try and find out the story behind each item – as you will learn more about that city/destination!
Unusual & Weirdest Canned Air Souvenirs
These quirky keepsakes literally bottle the atmosphere of a destination. Some are gag gifts, others are surprisingly collectible.
Oh, and yes, in my country there was a big Facebook debate on one of the canned air places – people did not believe that it was sold.
- Mount Fuji / Tokyo, Japan – Cans of fresh mountain air or “urban blend” Tokyo air with fun labels naming famous sites.
- Zermatt, Switzerland – Hand-sealed cans of crisp Alpine air.
- Geneva / Zurich, Switzerland – Region-specific canned air for a “breathe Switzerland again” experience.
- Swiss Mountain Air – Bottled with coordinates, sold as a wellness-inspired travel memento. Yes, different than Zermatt.
- Icelandic Fresh Mountain Air – Budget-friendly novelty cans capturing Iceland’s outdoors.
- Sydney, Australia – “Air of Sydney” cans humorously labeled with Bondi Beach and Darling Harbour.
- Norway – Viking-themed cans boasting “Viking Sweat from Trolltunga.”
- New York City – yes, air from everywhere!
- Paris – and the list goes on and on!
Basically, it is almost air from everywhere! And, while these are unusual souvenirs, they may also be the only way many people get a sense of what it is like somewhere in the world.
Weirdest Australian Souvenirs: Cane Toad Creations
By avlxyz – https://www.flickr.com/photos/avlxyz/84327510/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2458872
What began as pest control became one of the strangest and weirdest souvenir niches in the world.
- Taxidermied Cane Toads – Mounted in humorous poses, sometimes holding miniature beer bottles.
- Cane Toad Leather Goods – Coin purses, wallets, and handbags crafted from cane toad skin.
- Miniature Toad Accessories – Bow ties, keychains, and small trinkets made from this invasive species.
Poop & Bathroom Humor Souvenirs
Di Y k izumi. – Opera propria, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7790316
Eco-friendly, shock-value, and unforgettable. And fun for kids – and many adults (my son laughed and said he would definitely buy some of these.)
Hyraceum on display at the Aftel Archive of Curious Scents in Berkeley, California, United States.
Public Domain photo from Wikipedia. Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.
- Elephant Dung Paper Products – Sustainable notebooks, frames, and greeting cards from processed elephant waste.
- Multi-Animal Dung Stationery – Cow, horse, and donkey droppings transformed into paper.
- Hyraceum Perfume – Fragrance derived from fossilized hyrax waste, prized in niche perfumery.
- Poo-Pourri Bathroom Spray – Gag gift that’s surprisingly useful.
Quirky Animal-in-a-Can Souvenirs
Plush toys sealed in cans for a fun unboxing moment.
- Plush Koala, Kangaroo, Wombat, Platypus, Echidna, Crocodile, Penguin, Tree Frog, Dolphin, Kookaburra – Each sealed with a themed label.
Bizarre & Weirdest Edible & Drinkable Souvenirs
Not your typical snacks. But memorable and great surprise gifts for family and friends. Who will dare to actually eat/drink them?
ID 173152995 ©44Photography | Dreamstime.com
- Scorpion Lollipops – Hard candy with a real scorpion inside.
Liquor bottle with snakes and scorpions inside in North Vietnam
ID 321154815 ©Fr�d�ric Araujo | Dreamstime.com
- Snake Wine – Rice wine infused with snakes, sold in Vietnam and Thailand. It is used in traditional medicine.
Kopi Luwak Coffee – Beans eaten and excreted by civets, then brewed into expensive coffee
ID 123527652 ©Yulia Drazdovich | Dreamstime.com
- Kopi Luwak Coffee – Beans eaten and excreted by civets, then brewed into expensive coffee. Ok, I do not find that unusual. In fact, I bought myself a bag of these beans as a present for when I turned 40. The coffee is great!
- Japan-Only Green Tea KitKats – A cult favorite, exclusive to Japan.
- Deep-Ocean Water from Hawaii – Mineral-rich water from 3,000 feet below sea level. thought you can only buy air?
Odd Money & Historical Souvenirs
A mix of novelty and nostalgia.
3 Dollars Banknote of the Cook Islands with the image of Carving of Tangaroa (God of the sea) and a man and his canoe.
ID 385230401 ©Sergii Zysko | Dreamstime.com
- Cook Islands $3 Bill – A rare denomination and collector’s favorite.
- Pieces of the Berlin Wall – Certified fragments, sometimes with graffiti. As to how real they are…
- Lava rocks – from different volcanoes.
- Stone statues souvenirs from Jeju Island in South Korea.
Stone statues souvenirs from Jeju Island in South Korea.
ID 161964399 ©Mavririna2017 | Dreamstime.com
Strange Wearables & Animal-Derived Oddities
Functional yet jaw-dropping.
- New Zealand Possum-Merino Knitwear – Warm, soft, and unique to NZ.
Kangaroo-Scrotum pouch
ID 310147575 © Sue Martin | Dreamstime.com
- Kangaroo-Scrotum Bottle Openers – Both practical and a guaranteed conversation starter. There are also pouches with the same theme.
Ancient & Occult Souvenirs
Carrying centuries-old symbolism.
- Pompeii Winged Phallus Amulets – Reproductions of ancient good-luck charms.
- New Orleans Voodoo Dolls – Handmade dolls sometimes paired with tiny “spells.”
Pop-Culture Souvenirs
When global events inspire weirdest collectibles.
- Royal Wedding Condoms – Playful commemoratives for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding.
- Royal Carriage Model Kit – DIY souvenir celebrating the nuptials.
- Royal Wedding-Themed Food – Limited-edition sausages, doughnuts, and teas. (bought in the past)
- Willy Wonka Glasgow Experience Merch – From a famously disastrous event.
- Celebrity Memorabilia – John Lennon’s tooth, “celebrity air” vials, and more.
Souvenir Experiences
When the keepsake is permanent.
- Times Square Tattoos – Tourists getting NYC-themed tattoos as a memory.
Oversized & Awkward Souvenirs
Big purchases, bigger packing problems.
- Giant Mexican Sombrero – Fun, festive, and nearly impossible to fit in luggage.
- Massive Birdcage from Hong Kong – Beautiful but impractical.
Regional Items
Rooted in local culture.
- Norwegian Troll Figurines – Whimsical trolls sold across Scandinavia.
- DMZ Souvenirs from South Korea – Military-themed items and locally produced honey.
- Traditional dolls – can be purchased from anywhere in the world and they are interesting because they will have features and clothes specific to the area you are buying them from.
Classic but Memorable Souvenirs
Not the weirdest souvenirs, but still special.
- Himba Baskets (Namibia) – Palm-leaf baskets handcrafted by the Himba tribe.
- Grocery-Store Snacks – Everyday foods turned edible mementos.
- Destination Holiday Ornaments – Annual decorations with travel memories. I am guilty of purchasing these!
- Bone Poker-Chip Necklaces (Uruguay) – Antique poker chips made wearable.
Conclusion
From canned air souvenirs to kangaroo-scrotum bottle openers, the world is full of unusual keepsakes and the weirdest souvenirs you can imagine. Whether you’re after something funny, shocking, or steeped in tradition, these quirky souvenirs are the ultimate way to remember your travels.
Also, what for some are bizarre souvenirs, for others may be common things. It is always useful to keep an open mind!
So next time you pack for a trip, leave some room in your bag – you never know what strange treasure you’ll find.
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