Planning a trip to Barcelona this Christmas? Or wondering what to do for Christmas in Barcelona? Barcelona is a fantastic destination for a winter vacation and in this post, I’ll share why you should visit Barcelona for Christmas, what to expect from winter weather in Barcelona, what to wear, where to stay and the best things to do in Barcelona at Christmas – as well as everything else you might need to enjoy your Barcelona Christmas vacation!
Why Spend Christmas in Barcelona
Barcelona is a great city to explore at almost any time of year, but Barcelona celebrates Christmas in style. There are lots of festive activities in Barcelona to enjoy, as well as the usual epic things to do in Barcelona all year round.
Christmas markets pop up around the city, and the streets are filled with colourful lights. There are some more unusual Christmas traditions in Barcelona that you can experience too, like building a nativity scene with a pooping man and hitting a wooden log until it poops presents. Seriously, I’m not making this up!
And of course, not only that, but if you visit Barcelona in winter you’ll find fewer crowds, cheaper prices and, more often than not, very pleasant weather!
Whatever you are into, you’ll find it in Barcelona – from sandy beaches to mountain hikes, delicious food, incredible museums, stunning architecture and fabulous nightlife, Barcelona really does have it all. Whether you’re looking for a weekend city break or a week-long Christmas vacation, you certainly won’t be disappointed in Barcelona.
There is plenty to discover in the area around Barcelona too, and the region of Catalonia has much more to offer than just the city. You can take day trips from Barcelona to the popular destinations of Montserrat, Girona and Sitges, or take the train to Cava country or any number of smaller Catalan towns and villages.
If you want a white Christmas in Barcelona, then head to the hills for skiing in the resorts near Barcelona. La Molina, La Masella and Port del Comte ski resorts are only 2 hours by car or train from Barcelona and would make fantastic day trips.
Christmas in Barcelona
While the Christmas decorations in Barcelona usually are up from the end of November through to the start of January, Christmas Eve in Barcelona is more important than Christmas Day – it’s the 24th when most families get together for the big meal.
Gifts on the other hand are traditionally saved for January 6th, when the Three Kings bring all the presents in a fantastical parade the evening of January 5th. The parade begins when the three Kings arrive by boat into Port Vell and move through the streets of Barcelona, throwing sweets to the watching children as they pass by.
There are lots of Christmas activities and festive things to do in Barcelona during the Christmas period, beginning at the end of November, through the whole of December and into the beginning of January too.
Barcelona Christmas Lights
I love walking around and looking at the pretty Christmas lights that appear all around Barcelona at the end of November. They light up the streets with beautiful patterns and colours until they’re taken down after Kings Day on January 6th.
Barcelona’s Christmas lights are usually turned on the Thursday before the last weekend of November and are in place until 6 January. This year, they came on a few days early due to the Mayor’s hectic travel schedule, but no one was upset when the official switch-on happened on Saturday 22nd November!
The official ceremony to turn on the lights is on Passeig de Gracia at the corner of Carrer de Casp, close to Plaça de Catalunya, and the lights all over the city will switch on at the same time. It gets extremely crowded!
The Christmas lights in Barcelona are illuminated from Sundays to Thursdays from 5.30 pm to 10 pm, and Fridays and Saturdays until 11 pm with special hours for New Year’s Eve and Twelfth Night until 1am.
Starting at Plaça de Catalunya, the walk up Passeig de Gracia is another wonderful place to see the decorations, wandering up the wide avenue past some of the most iconic buildings in Barcelona such as Gaudí’s Casa Batlló and La Pedrera.
The main shopping street of Avda. del Portal de l’Angel is decorated, as is Plaça de Catalunya. The large El Corte Ingles store on Plaça Catalunya also has Christmas lights and decorations, and La Rambla is lit up too.
Barcelona Christmas Bus Tour
You can book a Christmas Lights tour of Barcelona by bus which will take you to some of Barcelona’s most iconic sites that are beautifully decked out for Christmas, including The Sagrada Família, the Arc del Triomf and Passeig de Gràcia.
There are only certain dates available with an English-speaking guide if you want to listen to the commentary, or just enjoy the lights. The tour begins and ends in Plaça Catalunya. ➡️Click here for more information and tickets.
Other Christmas Lights Tours
If you prefer something a bit different, you can also book a walking tour to visit some of the most beautifully decorated spots, or hire an eco-friendly tuk tuk to do a similar route to the Christmas lights bus tour, perfect for a private tour for up to 4 people.
Christmas Markets in Barcelona
The Christmas Markets in Barcelona are the best place to find unique souvenirs from Barcelona in the wintertime. There are craft stalls where local artisans sell their wares, such as handmade jewellery, leather goods and woodwork, as well as traditional Christmas stalls selling nativity scenes, Christmas trees, decorations and caganers (more on that below).
One thing that might surprise you about Barcelona Christmas Markets is that there is no mulled wine to drink! Some Christmas markets have a few stalls selling food, but the main focus is on decorations and gifts.
La Fira de Santa Llúcia
Open from 28th November to 23rd December 2025 (inclusive), from 10am to 9pm every day.
The Fira de Santa Llúcia in the square in front of the Gothic Cathedral is the oldest Christmas market in Barcelona, and first started in 1786. There are stalls selling Christmas trees and decorations, with several selling caganers. It is also a nice place to shop for Christmas gifts and souvenirs, with plenty of stalls selling unique, handmade items.
There are no food stalls here, although there are plenty of bars and restaurants in the Gothic Quarter where you can go for something to eat and drink.
La Fira de la Sagrada Familia
Open from the 22nd November until the 23rd of December (inclusive), from 10am to 9pm, or until 10pm on weekends and holidays.
As the name suggests, the Sagrada Familia Christmas Market is held around the Plaça de la Sagrada Familia. It is a great place to come for Christmas trees and decorations, and the smell of pine and eucalyptus fills the air.
There are stalls selling decorations lined up all along the street around the square, and there are some stalls selling gifts, which are mostly found in the centre of the square.
There are a few food stalls too, mainly selling sweet treats like churros (long donuts) and hot chocolate, pancakes and candy floss – perfect if you have a sweet tooth!
El Mercat de Nadal al Port del Moll de la Fusta
Open from the 28th November until the closing day on 6th of January, from 11am to 11pm.
This is the biggest Christmas Market in Barcelona, and as well as stalls selling decorations and gifts, there are more food stands here as well as a beer stall – although I still haven’t found any mulled wine!
There are also fairground rides like a carousel and Ferris wheel, live music performances and lots of kids’ activities, including a 400m2 synthetic, eco-friendly ice-rink.
La Fira de Reis Gran Vía
Open from the 13th of December 2025 until 6th of January, from 10am to 10pm during the week and until midnight on weekends and holidays
The Three Kings Fair will be open on the pavements of Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, between the streets of Muntaner and Rocafort, where you can find a variety of stalls selling Christmas gifts, toys and crafts, as well as some churro donut stands.
Responsible Consumption and Social and Solidarity Economy Fair in Plaça de Catalunya
Open from 19th to 30th December 2025 (closed on Christmas Day & Boxing Day), from 11 am 8.30 pm, closing at 6pm on Christmas Eve
If you’re looking for sustainable Christmas gifts or some ideas on how to be more sustainable at Christmas and throughout the year, then this is the fair for you. There will be 50 stalls on the outer circle of Plaça de Catalunya selling sustainable craft products, clothing and textiles, books, cosmetics, games and more.
Barcelona Nativity Scenes
Religion still plays a major part in the Christmas festivities, and you can find intricate nativity scenes for sale at all of the Christmas markets. Nativity scenes aren’t just for the Holy Family; there is often a whole countryside scene. The care and detail that go into the nativities are remarkable, including things like windmills with moving sails, running water features and a range of people and animals to decorate the scenes.
There are also public displays of large nativity scenes that you can visit. These often have specific themes with elaborate designs – and you can always find a caganer somewhere!
Plaça Sant Jaume
The largest nativity is usually at Plaça Sant Jaume in the Gothic Quarter, inside the Town Hall. Decorations used to be set up in the middle of the square, but for the past couple of years, the nativity scene has moved into the ground floor of the Town Hall.
This year the display is on show from 13 December to 5th January (except when it is closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Opening times vary, from 11am to 2pm and from 4pm to 8pm during the week, from 11am to 8pm on weekends, and from 11am to 4pm on Christmas Eve. There is free entry, but it can get busy in the evenings and weekends.
Museu Frederic Marès
The Museu Frederic Marès, next to the cathedral, always has a traditional nativity scene, which is free to view during the opening hours.
Barcelona Cathedral
The Cathedral in the Gothic Quarter also sets up a nativity scene in the cloister. There is free entrance to the nativity, which you have to access through the side door on Carrer del Bisbe, opposite Placa de Garriga i Bachs. Staff are on hand to make sure you don’t wander into the main Cathedral building – there is a fee for that!
Bizarre Catalan Christmas Traditions in Barcelona
One of the more bizarre and fun parts of Christmas in Barcelona is experiencing the Catalan obsession with poo. Yes poo. Definitely a bit odd, but great fun – and a definite conversation starter when you bring a souvenir back home!
Caganers – Pooping People
In each nativity scene where Mary and Joseph are tending to the baby Jesus, somewhere hidden away will be a model of someone with their trousers around their ankles and pooping. While they are never in view of Jesus (that would be disrespectful), the caganer pooping man is always there somewhere on the edge of the scene.
Caganers are traditionally dressed in the Catalan outfit of white trousers and shirt with a red belt and cap, and the tradition is thought to have come from when farmers fertilised their own fields before having access to toilet facilities. The caganer now signifies good luck, joy and prosperity for the coming year.
These days you can find caganers of all shapes and sizes – including famous football players, pop stars and movie characters. Your life will never be the same once you’ve seen Dracula, Madonna and Superman doing their business next to each other, I assure you!
Caga Tió – Uncle Crapper
Even more bizarre is the pooping log known as Caga Tió. Made from a chunk of tree log, with the addition of a smiling face and jaunty cap, Caga Tió is filled with sweets and then beaten by children with sticks until he poops out his sweet presents. Merry Pooping Christmas to you too!
Other Christmas Events in Barcelona
Christmas Festival in Plaça Catalunya
Open from 20th to 30th December, from 11 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 8.30 pm
The Christmas Festival is an extensive programme of street art, music, installations and digital arts in Plaça Catalunya and Plaça Universitat. The mornings are dedicated to family activities, with the afternoons focusing on music and street arts; and at night, it will be time for large format activities.
Els Llums de Sant Pau
Els Llums de Sant Pau (Sant Pau Lights) transform the Hospital de Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site into a spectacular winter wonderland full of Christmas lights. There are audiovisual installations as well as the more usual festive lights, as you wander around the Art Nouveau architecture.
This year, the shows begin from November 20th and run through until January 11 2026. Check the website for details and entry tickets.
Casa Batlló Christmas Light Show
Every evening from November 22 to January 6, Casa Batlló has a visual show of light and music on its façade during the Christmas and winter seasons. To coincide with the switching on of Barcelona’s Christmas lights, the first show begins on Saturday, November 22nd at 7:00 p.m, and then the usual show times are every 30 minutes from 6:30pm to 9:30pm.
The 3-minute light and music show brings this iconic Barcelona façade to life, which is free for everyone to enjoy. You can also buy tickets to A Winter Night visit to go inside Casa Batlló to see one of Gaudí’s most famous works up close, with special light and music projections.
The Best Hotels for Christmas in Barcelona
Hotel El Palace
If you’re looking for a luxurious hotel in Barcelona this Christmas, Hotel El Palace is THE place to stay. This 5* hotel goes all out for Christmas, with beautiful decorations, themed dinners with carol concerts and a cinema on the rooftop. ➡️Book your Stay
Hotel Casa Fuster G.L Monumento
Another 5* option, this beautiful hotel on the edge of Gracia and Eixample neighbourhoods was designed by Modernist architect, Lluis Domènech i Montaner, and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site along with his other works in the city.
They host a Christmas Buffet Lunch which includes traditional Catalan dishes like “escudella” y “carn d`olla” and canelloni, along with a variety of other delights from fresh oysters to beef wellington. There is also a great view of Passeig de Gracia and Christmas Lights switch on from the rooftop terrace. ➡️Check availability
Hotel Lamaro Barcelona
The 4* Hotel Lamaro (formerly the Hotel Colon) is in a fantastic location opposite the Cathedral, with a rooftop terrace overlooking the cathedral and the Christmas market. It’s a short walk from Plaça de Catalunya and the shopping street of Avda. del Portal de l’Angel, and close to the restaurants and bars in the Gothic Quarter. ➡️Check availability
What to Eat in Barcelona at Christmas
In Barcelona, as in many parts of Spain, Christmas is celebrated with a variety of traditional foods. As well as the usual delicious food in Barcelona, some popular dishes and treats you will find during the Christmas season include:
Escudella i Carn d’Olla
This is a traditional Catalan Christmas dish, which is a broth with a variety of meats and vegetables. It’s often served with large pasta shapes called “galets” and is a festive staple in many households. You can either eat it all at once or have the meat and vegetables as one dish, and the broth with the pasta (known as sopa de galets) separately.
Rostit de Nadal
The Christmas Roast is another typical Catalan dish, which is usually a roast chicken or duck, stuffed with dried fruits such as prunes, raisins, apricots and pine nuts.
Seafood
In Barcelona, it’s also common to enjoy seafood during Christmas. Prawns, lobster, and other seafood dishes like bacalao (salted cod) and suquet de peix (fish stew) may be featured in festive meals.
Canelons
In Catalonia, it’s a tradition to serve canelons (cannelloni) on December 26th, known as Saint Stephen’s Day, although you can now find them all year round in many Catalan restaurants. These pasta tubes are stuffed with the leftover meat from the previous day’s escudella or roast, and served baked in a bechamel sauce.
Polvorones and Mantecados
These are crumbly and sweet shortbread-like cookies that are often enjoyed during the Christmas season. They come in various flavours and can be found in bakeries and supermarkets.
Turrones
Turron is a nougat confection made with almonds and honey, and you’ll find a variety of turrones (different types of nougat) and marzipan during the holiday season. These sweets are often enjoyed after meals or as snacks.
You can find a variety of flavours like chocolate and nuts or crema catalana in shops all over the city, but my favourite is Torrons i dolços La Campana on Carrer de la Princesa which has been serving up sweet treats since 1890.
Neules
These rolled wafer biscuits are another sweet treat to enjoy after dinner. It’s common to have them with a glass of cava, on their own, or even with some Crema Catalana dessert.
Tortell de Reis
While this is more associated with the celebration of Epiphany (January 6th), the Tortell de Reis, a sweet, ring-shaped bread adorned with candied fruits and sometimes filled with cream or other sweet fillings, is often enjoyed throughout the holiday season.
Spanish & Catalan Wines and Cava
Spain is famous for its wines, and Catalonia has some incredible wines that you can try during Christmas or at any time! A glass of Cava (Spanish sparkling wine) is a popular way to accompany festive meals and celebrations, but try the red wines from Priorat or Montsant, and white wines from Penedes or Alella. Another of my favourites is Picapoll grapes from Pla de Bages wine region – there is so much to choose from!
Where to Have Christmas Dinner in Barcelona
Christmas Eve is the traditional big dinner day in Spain, when people usually gather with their families. Some restaurants will be closed, so if you’re eating out on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day in Barcelona you’ll need to book a table. That way you can be sure your chosen restaurant will be open and you won’t be disappointed!
The Fork is a good place to check if a restaurant is open, but some places will require booking by phone or email. Hotels are a good bet to be open and often have more information on their websites about opening times and available menus.
If you’ve never used The Fork before then you can get 2000 Yums (loyalty points which convert to €50 discount) if you use my referral code 85187BDD
If you plan to prepare your own Christmas meal in your accommodation, most supermarkets will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day and will have shorter opening hours on the 24th. Some smaller corner shops and convenience stores will be open for basic supplies.
I haven’t eaten Christmas Dinner at a restaurant in Barcelona as I’m usually at home or with friends. From checking the Fork and looking on websites these are a few places I’ve picked out that either have good reputation or friends have recommended them to me. The list is not exhaustive but most restaurants don’t make their Christmas menus easy to find!! If you have any more recommendations please let me know!
Hotel Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in Barcelona
El Palace Barcelona
The fabulously festive El Palace Hotel is famed for its decorations and Christmas events. They have festive meals available on the 24th, 25th and 26th December, with Christmas Lunch served in the Gran Via Ballroom, accompanied by live music.
Christmas Day menu is €155 per person, including wine pairings, you can check the menu and make a reservation here.
Hotel Casa Fuster G.L Monumento
This gorgeous 5* Hotel hosts a Christmas Buffet Lunch on 25th December which includes traditional Catalan dishes like escudella i carn d`olla and canelloni, along with a wide variety of other delights from fresh oysters to beef wellington.
€120 per adult, or or €60 for children under 12. The menu includes a selection of wine and cava, and it’s the perfect place for a luxurious Christmas lunch. There is one set lunch time from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Check the menu and details to book a table on their website here.
Veraz – Hotel Edition
Veraz restaurant in the Born neighbourhood is offering festive menus over the Christmas period, with most including live music as you dine.
Christmas day lunch is priced at €75 per person, including a glass of cava, soft drinks and water. The menu includes Catalan classics like escudella soup and a surf and turf with braised lamb and and grilled langoustine. Check the menu & make a booking here.
SOLC – Hotel Majestic
The Majestic Hotel and Spa is an exclusive 5-star hotel on the iconic Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona, just a block away from Gaudí’s Casa Batllo and La Pedrera (Casa Milà).
Their Christmas Day brunch/lunch menu is €125 per person, including wine pairing with white, red and champagne, with a single seating from 1.30pm to 3pm. Check the menus & reserve here. They also have Christmas Eve and Boxing Day menus available.
Barcelona Restaurants Open on Christmas Day
7 Portes
7 Portes is a Barcelona institution and has been serving up delicious paella, seafood and other Catalan dishes since 1836. It’s a beautiful restaurant with exposed wood beams and black and white tiled floor, where all the waiters are dressed in white overcoats.
The Christmas menu is available throughout the festive period, with a choice of 2 different menus for the table priced at €72 or €92 per person, including a selection of 7 Portes wines and cavas. Reserve your table here.
Taberna del Cura
This Spanish restaurant in the Gracia neighbourhood is a bit more low-key than having Christmas lunch in a hotel but the menu looks great, with 2 menus to choose from for €75 per person or €90 per person, both including drinks pairings.
The special Christmas menu is available on December 24, 25, and 26, as well as January 1 and 6, 2026. Check the menus and book here.
Cera 23
This lovely restaurant in the Raval neighbourhood is open for bookings on Christmas Day without a special menu, you can just choose from the a la carte menu. Check the menu & book a table here.
Arenal & Xup Xup
These two seafront restaurants are part of the same group and are offering identical Christmas menus on the 25th & 26th December. Prices start from €60 per person for a 3 course set menu, with a choice of starter, main and dessert, including drinks. The website isn’t updated but you can see the menu when you click to book a table here.
Flaherty’s Irish Pub – British & Irish Christmas Dinner
Popular with expats, if you want a traditional Irish/British Christmas Dinner in Barcelona, this is the place to come.
The 3-course menu includes a choice of starter, a main course of roast turkey with all the trimmings (or a vegetarian Quorn Roast), and Christmas Pudding or chocolate fondant for dessert. You’ll also get a glass of cava and a caprese skewer to kick off your meal.
€55 per person including a glass of cava, excluding other drinks. There are 2 sittings available on 25th December, one from 12.30pm to 3pm, and the second from 4pm to 6pm. Bookings are essential by email or whatsapp. Check the menu here.
What to do in Barcelona at Christmas Time
Once you’ve had your fill of the festivities there are plenty of non-Christmassy things to do in Barcelona to keep you busy, check out this article about Barcelona in winter for some ideas for activities.
Opening times of attractions vary during the holiday period so check in advance to make sure they are open. You’ll also need to be aware of the shorter daylight hours which can impact your sightseeing; the sun rises in Barcelona between 8am and 8.20am in December, and sets between 5.20pm and 5.30pm.
What is Open on Christmas Day in Barcelona?
The 25th December is a public holiday, and many things will be closed – shops, restaurants & attractions – however, there are some that will be open on 25th and more places will be open on the 26th December – even if they might have reduced opening hours.
I have checked these, but please make sure before you visit in case anything has changed:
- Park Guell is open on both days, and tickets are available to buy in advance on the website here.
- Casa Batlló is open on both days
- Sagrada Familia is open both mornings of 25th & 26th December and tickets are available to book now here.
- Picasso Museum is closed on 25th but open on 26th
- La Pedrera – Casa Mila – is closed on 25th but open on 26th
- Palau de la Musica is closed on 24th & 25th but open on 26th December.
- The Aquarium is open 365 days a year
- Maremagnum Mall at Port Vell is open every day of the year for shops & some restaurants
Barcelona Weather at Christmas
The weather in Barcelona during the winter and around Christmas time is generally very pleasant. The low altitude and proximity to the Mediterranean Sea mean that Barcelona has much milder temperatures than other Spanish cities, such as Madrid or Granada.
While it does rain occasionally (an average of 3 or 4 days each month for December), blue skies are the norm, and nothing cheers me up more than a crisp, sunny winter morning – especially on Christmas Day! If it does rain, there are still plenty of things to do in Barcelona on a rainy day so don’t worry too much.
Barcelona winter temperatures average 12-14°C during the day, sometimes warmer, then drop to around 6°C at night. Once the sun goes down you will notice the temperature drops quickly.
Snow in Barcelona is very rare, so don’t expect a White Christmas in Barcelona. If you plan to visit more of Catalonia or head up to the mountains of Andorra for some skiing you can expect snow there, but not often in the city itself.
What to Wear in Barcelona in Winter
Layered Clothing: While the weather in Barcelona is usually pretty mild, you will still be glad for layers – especially once the sun goes down. Start with a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt or top as a base layer, and then add a sweater or cardigan for warmth. You can easily remove layers if the day warms up.
Warm Jacket or Coat: Bring a jacket or coat that provides some protection against wind and rain. A waterproof or water-resistant jacket with a hood is ideal.
Umbrella: A compact, travel-sized umbrella can be very useful due to the chance of rain in December.
Scarf and Accessories: A scarf can keep you warm on cooler days and add a stylish touch to your outfit. I love my travel scarf with a hidden pocket which keeps my valuables safe from pickpockets too! I always have a hat and gloves for cooler evenings as well, as it can get chilly wandering around Christmas markets in the evenings.
Jeans or Trousers: During the day women could get away with warm tights and skirts, but on cooler days opt for jeans or comfortable trousers to keep you warm. Dark-coloured jeans can be dressed up for evenings out.
Comfortable Shoes: Comfortable walking shoes are a must as you’ll likely be exploring the city on foot. Waterproof or water-resistant shoes are a good choice due to the possibility of rain. Simple black boots are perfect for an evening out.
Unless you plan on going out to very fancy places, high-heeled shoes aren’t necessary, a simple pair of boots (with a heel or flat) will be enough for most restaurants and bars. In general, Barcelona is quite a casual city, at least in my experience!
If you plan on spending New Year’s Eve in Barcelona then check the dress code for where you are planning to go, in case you need something more elegant.
Slippers or Warm Socks: It might seem like an odd inclusion to your Barcelona packing list, but I would also suggest bringing some slippers or warm socks for when you are back at your accommodation. Because it gets so hot in the summer in Barcelona, many hotels and apartments don’t have carpet, and during the winter the tiles are cold to walk on!
As for style, pretty much anything goes in Barcelona, although locals tend to prefer darker, muted colours. If you’re wondering what else to pack for Barcelona, check out my full Barcelona packing list.
Other Barcelona Travel Essentials
Don’t forget essential travel essentials like a theft-proof backpack for keeping your belongings safe, a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated and reduce plastic waste, a portable power bank and a universal adapter to charge your electronic devices so you don’t run out of battery and miss out on photo opportunities!
Before you travel to Spain, check if your phone contract includes roaming in Spain, and if you have any data allowance to use while you are travelling. To avoid excess charges for roaming data use, an eSIM is a cheap and useful way to make sure you stay connected, as long as your phone is eSIM compatible.
Airalo is super easy to set up and sends you email notifications when your eSIM is about to expire so you can top up easily if needed. Their eSIMs for Spain start from $4.50 for 1GB of data which lasts for 7 days.
Remember to bring your passport, travel insurance, identification, and any other necessary documents. Additionally, have a copy of your hotel reservations, emergency contact numbers, and a map or guidebook for navigating the city.
New Year in Barcelona
New Year’s Eve in Barcelona is usually a big party night, with the main city firework display held at Avinguda Maria Cristina by Placa d’Espanya. The event is free to attend, but you usually get better views from balconies and terraces in that part of town, as it is incredibly busy.
Pretty much any apartment or hotel with a view of the city will give you a great experience of the fireworks on New Year’s Eve – this year I was on a terrace close to La Sagrada Familia, and we could watch displays right across Barcelona.
One thing you must do in Barcelona on New Year’s Eve is to eat grapes. This Spanish tradition involves listening for the clock chimes at midnight and eating a grape for every chime.
It is more difficult than it sounds – make sure you have grapes without seeds as that can cause serious problems! You can buy a pack of 12 grapes ready for you to eat if you like which is easier to eat, although it is definitely a waste of plastic!
Final Thoughts on Spending Christmas in Barcelona
I hope this has convinced you to travel to Barcelona this Christmas, and while it might not be beach weather, there are still plenty of awesome things to do here. Do you have more suggestions for how to spend Christmas in Barcelona? I’d love to hear them, as this is just a taste of all the Christmas Barcelona activities you could do!