Barcelona is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe. Home to some of Spain’s best beaches, it also has an incredible food scene and some amazing historical and cultural landmarks. Whilst many people consider Barcelona a summer destination, it’s also the ideal place to visit at Christmas.
So, what are the best things to do at Christmas in Barcelona? Does Christmas in Catalonia differ from the rest of Spain? And what’s traditional to eat?
This is a list of the 10 best things to do in Barcelona at Christmas. From the best Christmas markets to unique traditions, Catalonia’s capital is the perfect city to enjoy the holidays.
The Top 10 Things to Do at Christmas in Barcelona
1. Visit the Christmas Markets
Christmas markets in Barcelona are incredible and there are loads to choose from. You can find traditional styles as well as artisanal and modern markets for buying gifts and decorations.
Some of the best markets in Barcelona are:
- Fira de Santa Llúcia: This is Barcelona’s main Christmas market that has been going for over 200 years! It’s located right in front of Barcelona’s gothic cathedral, so it has a pretty spectacular backdrop. You can find the usual Christmas decorations and handmade gifts including stalls selling the iconic caganer – a pooping figure that people hide in their nativity scenes which is famous in Barcelona and Valencia at Christmas.
- Fira de Nadal de la Sagrada Familia: Of course, Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia has a beautiful Christmas market too. It’s the perfect place to do some Christmas shopping in front of one of Barcelona’s most famous buildings.
- Port Vell Fair: This is one of Barcelona’s newest markets that takes place at the foot of the Christopher Columbus statue on the Rambla de Mar. You can see Barcelona’s tallest Christmas tree as well as go ice skating or take the Ferris wheel for a beautiful view over the city. Because it’s by the ocean, there’s also a stunning floating nativity scene that’s lit up at night.
- Artisans Food Market: Do you need to buy stocking fillers for a foodie? Then this market in Plaça Santa Maria de Pi is ideal. You can try lots of local Christmas treats, as well as cheeses, cured meat, and wines. Rather than being a fixed feature throughout December, it’s a pop-up market that appears on weekends and some weekdays.
- Poble Español: This is an amazing, traditional Catalan Christmas fair where you can buy nativity figures, gifts, and Christmas treats. The atmosphere at this Christmas market in Barcelona is amazing, as kids go to Santa’s grotto or the Three Kings room to hand in their Christmas letters. There’s also live music and caroling.
Exploring Barcelona at any time of year is a blast, but it is particularly fun at Christmas time.
2. Enjoy the Christmas Lights
Every year, Barcelona transforms into a city covered in beautiful festive lights. The Christmas lights in Barcelona are usually turned on at the end of November and last until after El Dia de Los Reyes (January 6). They’re turned on at 400 different points throughout the city and it’s worth wandering around to see the best of them. Two popular spots are Plaça de Catalunya and Carrer d’Aragó.
But, one of the most amazing places to see Christmas lights is Sant Pau. Els Llums de Sant Pau, as it’s called, is made up of projections and decorations that bring the already beautiful building to life. It’s the perfect family-friendly thing to do at Christmas in Barcelona.
3. Go Ice Skating
Ice rinks pop up all around the city in December and they’re a fun and festive activity to do with kids. Some of the most popular ice rinks include:
Plaça dels Somnis, Tibidabo. This ice rink opens up at the end of November and lasts until January 5. You can go to the ice rink as part of a park ticket or buy a separate ticket just to go skating.
Sant Pau. In addition to looking at the Christmas lights, it’s worth going ice skating in this beautiful building.
Port Vell Christmas Market. It might feel weird to be ice skating next to the Mediterranean but this ice rink is amazing! It’s not open every day, so make sure you check in advance before turning up.
4. Visit the Best Nativity Scenes
Nativity scenes, or beléns in Spanish, are a very important part of Christmas in Spain. They’re put up in homes around the country and are much more elaborate than the typical ones we’re used to. Many people buy figures to add to their nativity scene every year and they sometimes show an entire village rather than just the stable. Some even have running water!
You can find nativity scenes all over the city and most Christmas markets in Barcelona will have one. The most famous in the city is in Plaça Sant Jaume. It changes every year and is often very modern, incorporating lights, actors, and immersive art.
Winter in Barcelona is certainly milder than parts of northern Europe, but it is not tropical. Be sure to pack well for your trip!
5. Enjoy a Christmas Concert
The Palau de la Música Catalana is one of the most beautiful buildings in Barcelona and the perfect place to enjoy a Christmas concert. They put on several concerts in the run-up to Christmas which include traditional music as well as modern artists.
6. Look Out for the Tió de Nadal
You can’t spend Christmas in Barcelona without seeing the adorable Tió de Nadal. He’s in every Christmas market and all of the shops. He’s a cute little log with a smiley face and a red hat and is a traditional part of Christmas in Catalonia.
He’s put to bed at the beginning of December and fed with candy and presents which he then poops out on Christmas Eve!
7. Eat Traditional Food
Food has a very important role at Christmas in Barcelona. Unlike other cities in Spain at Christmas, there’s more of a set menu for Christmas dinner in Barcelona.
Of course, many people still eat seafood, cured meats, cheeses, and roasted meat on Christmas Day but the escudella i carn d’olla is the real star of the show for most Catalans. It’s a type of broth with vegetables, meat, and large pasta shells called galets.
On December 26, it’s common to eat cannelloni – filled pasta covered in bechamel sauce. They’re usually served as the main course at lunch and are a way of using all the leftovers from the day before!
For many, Christmas dinner in Barcelona is accompanied by cava, a Catalan sparkling wine.
The weather is still clear on some days during the winter months in Barcelona, which means you can still enjoy some of the outdoor adventures around the city. You just won’t be doing any beach hopping!
8. Participate in (or Just Watch!) the Copa de Nadal
On Christmas Day in Barcelona, hundreds of people jump into the ocean in Port Vell (old port). It’s an open water race covering 200m and is a really fun way to start Christmas Day!
9. Enjoy New Year’s Eve
Barcelona is an amazing place to spend the end of the year. Like other places in Spain on New Year’s Eve, Barcelona has brilliant street parties and fireworks displays. The biggest display happens at the Magic Fountain, near Plaça Espanya. There are always really big crowds, so make sure you go early!
As in the rest of Spain, you can expect to see people walking the streets with a bag of grapes. Spaniards eat 12 grapes on the 12 chimes before midnight to bring good luck for the new year.
10. Watch the Three Kings Parade
January 6 is one of the most important days in a Spaniard’s Christmas calendar. It’s when kids get presents and it’s a national holiday. On January 5, the Three Kings arrive in cities around the country, ready to be paraded through the streets.
In Barcelona, the Kings arrive by boat at the port. There, they’re met by the giants of Barcelona and the mayor, who gives them the keys to the city so they can enter everyone’s homes to deliver the gifts. From the port, the Kings are accompanied by dancers, musicians, and actors as they parade along the streets, throwing candy to the packed crowds. The parade ends at around 9 pm at Av Reina Maria Cristina. It’s a really fun event and a must if you’re in Barcelona at Christmas.
All of the museums are still open most days during the holidays, so you can still explore the things to do in Barcelona while you are visiting at Christmas.
Christmas in Barcelona – Frequently Asked Questions
When Do People Celebrate Christmas in Barcelona?
People in Barcelona celebrate Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Just like in many other countries in Europe, Christmas Eve is a bigger celebration than Christmas Day and it’s when some families exchange gifts. Many people, however, exchange gifts on January 6, when the Kings (not Santa Claus) deliver presents.
What’s the Weather Like in Barcelona at Christmas?
Barcelona is warmer than Madrid at Christmas, with temperatures ranging from 45°F to 60°F. Because Barcelona is on the coast, it can be humid and breezy, which makes it feel colder.
What’s Open in Barcelona at Christmas?
Shops, bars, cafes, tourist attractions, and many restaurants close on the afternoon of December 24 and remain closed on Christmas Day. You can find some restaurants serving Christmas menus on the holiday days but you’ll need to book way in advance if you want to eat there. Because Boxing Day isn’t celebrated in Spain, and because it’s not a national holiday, things go back to normal on December 26.
January 6 is a national holiday so, again, businesses will be closed and many either close or have reduced hours on January 5 too.
Are Hotels Expensive in Barcelona at Christmas?
Summer is the peak season in Barcelona and when the city is the most expensive. Christmas is a little more expensive than the low season but not nearly as expensive as in June-September. Here are some great choices for hotels in the city.
- Luxury: Ohla Barcelona
- Mid-Range: Gaudi Hotel
- Budget: Generator Barcelona
Be sure to visit the churches to explore the large and extravagant nativity scenes around Barcelona.
Should You Spend Christmas in Barcelona This Year?
Barcelona is an incredible city at any time of year but it’s especially magical at Christmas. There are so many great things to do in Barcelona that are made even more magical at this time of year.
The city comes alive with sparkling lights, festive markets, and amazing traditional food to try. If you can, it’s best to stay in Barcelona for the Three Kings Parade. It’s amazing to see and is the perfect way to round off your holiday!