10 Things to Do in Barcelona in Winter

Barcelona is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. There is a monument to admire on every corner, and in winter, the local festivals create a constant atmosphere of cheer. What’s more, street markets spring up all over the city, and traditional festivities, such as the arrival of the Three Kings or the carnival, fill Barcelona with light and colour.

The largest Christmas market in Barcelona is the Fira de Santa Llúcia. It takes place in the square outside Barcelona’s impressive Gothic cathedral in the old town. The event has been held since 1786 – you tell me if that isn’t tradition.

At the Santa Llúcia Fair, artisans and vendors are spread across 170 stalls dedicated exclusively to Christmas. My recommendation? Take a tour of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter and then make the most of the opportunity to wander through the fair at your leisure.

It will be brimming with Christmas trees, nativity scenes, gift items, and plenty of delicious seasonal food to bring the Christmas spirit to its visitors.

The city has ice rinks in various locations, sizes and styles. Here are three top ice rinks in Barcelona:

• Skating Club Barcelona. Whether you’re an enthusiast, a star skater or a beginner looking to have fun with the family, Skating Club Barcelona is a great choice. They offer classes in all types of skating, the staff are friendly, the prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is fun.

Location: They have three venues. Carrer Nàpols, 42; Carrer Prat d’en Rull, 6; Carrer Andrade, 40.

• Illa Diagonal Ice Rink. This rink is an annual tradition at the Illa Diagonal shopping centre. Despite its modest size, it reopens every winter as a perfect way to pass the time and do some shopping. What’s more, they offer good service and their prices are the cheapest.

Location: Av. Diagonal, 557. Les Corts district.

• Barça Ice Rink. Whether you’re a Barça fan or not, if you’re going skating in Barcelona, this is a safe bet. It forms part of the FC Barcelona complex, its dimensions are almost Olympic-sized, it has a skating school, and you can visit the club’s attractions.

Location: Av. de Joan XXIII.

By the way, if you choose this rink, you can take the opportunity to enjoy the Spotify Camp Nou Experience, an immersive experience where you’ll relive the history and achievements of one of the world’s most important football teams.

Since 2011, Barcelona City Council, through the Barcelona Design Museum, has been promoting an international benchmark in contemporary art: the Llum Light Festival. At least a dozen floats, buildings, sculptures and streets are illuminated, reimagining the urban nightscape.

During the festival, art, technology and design are successfully combined to experiment with the relationship between light and space. Emerging and established artists of international renown come together to offer a spectacular show that you simply cannot miss – especially as the event is free.

If you enjoy contemporary art but, unfortunately, your stay does not coincide with the Llum Festival, I recommend you visit the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA). You won’t be disappointed.

On Passeig de Gràcia stands Casa Batlló, the final work of the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is particularly special in winter thanks to the care, luxury and attention to detail with which the seasonal decorations are arranged.

Every winter, visitors who buy tickets for Casa Batlló are greeted by a spectacular light display to celebrate Christmas.

For a month, Passeig de Gràcia, with over 5 million lights and projections, illuminates the iconic building with a display of colours, shapes and figures drawn from Gaudí’s architectural repertoire.

Are you travelling to Barcelona in December and want to surprise your children with a New Year’s Eve celebration they’ll never forget? Book your tickets for Port Aventura, which also include access to Ferrari Land, and give them the surprise of a lifetime.

If you have children and want to have fun with them, you simply must try the most incredible rides:

• Europe’s tallest rollercoasters, such as Shambala or Dragon Khan.
• Great water attractions such as the Tutuki Splash.
• Rides with an 86-metre free fall.

What’s more, on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, the park dresses up in its finest and organises even more special activities, such as gala dinners with a party. What a brilliant plan!

Calçots are delicious roasted onions that are then drizzled with a thick romesco sauce, originating from Catalonia. These vegetables are also known as ‘Calçotades’ or ‘Arbós de la Primavera’. They are harvested in late autumn and left to cure in the ground until they are ready for use in January and February. It is said that their flavour is the result of exposure to the cold.

In winter, calçots appear on menus as the undisputed kings of Catalan cuisine. They are served with grilled rabbit, pork or chicken, butifarra sausage and a good glass of local wine.

If you fancy discovering all the dishes of the delicious Catalan cuisine, don’t miss out on a food tour of Barcelona. You’ll enjoy a unique foodie experience!

Sitges, one of the most popular coastal towns in Barcelona, offers a rich and diverse seasonal cultural programme.

Among these, there are three events I recommend:

• The International Wine and Cava Film Festival, MOST. Lovers of cinema, cava and wine will feel like they’re in paradise.
• The Sitges Christmas Festival. It’s colourful, fun and irreverent; even if you’ve been before, you’ll find something new every year. The celebrations last two days and kick off just after Christmas Day.
• The Sitges Carnival. The best European version of the Brazilian carnival. The energy there is incredible, and cultural activities are the order of the day.

Book a day trip to Sitges from Barcelona, which also includes a visit to Tarragona, and discover just how much this city has to offer in winter too.

If you’re travelling to Barcelona with children and you’re there on 5 January, you simply can’t miss the Three Kings Parade.

And if you’re in Barcelona in December, you must take them to the Three Kings’ Factory in the Sant Andreu district. Their Majesties’ helpers will accompany them on a tour that starts at the Magical Post Office, after the third week of December. The kids love the activities and it’s easy to get there by metro.

By the way, I don’t think I’ve mentioned yet that when you buy the Barcelona Card Express, you get free and unlimited access to all public transport in the city, amongst many other benefits. So you’ve got no excuse – get out of the city centre and take your children on a magical adventure.

La Laia, Santa Eulalia or the Winter Festival. These three names refer to a festival held every year during the week of 12 February, when the people of Catalonia and tourists alike enjoy sardanas, dancing devils and the correfoc in honour of their patron saint.

During this week, there are also open days at the city’s museums and numerous events at neighbourhood community centres.

Are you interested in art but your stay doesn’t quite coincide with these dates? Don’t worry. Book the Barcelona Articket and gain access to the city’s six most important museums:

• Picasso Museum, Barcelona.
• National Art Museum of Catalonia.
• Joan Miró Foundation.
• Barcelona Centre for Contemporary Culture.
• Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art
• Antoni Tàpies Foundation.

The combined visit to the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell is one of my top recommendations in Barcelona during the winter. At this time of year, the park regains its green carpet. The paths reopen and it seems as though nobody is there, as you can stroll freely without worrying about the crowds.

Furthermore, the lower number of tourists (although, to be honest, Barcelona attracts thousands of people at any time of year these days) makes winter a better time to enjoy the Sagrada Familia too.

In short, if you’re travelling to Barcelona in winter, remember that it’s the ideal time to take the combined tour of Gaudí’s two great masterpieces.

My sweet indulgence of the season is hot chocolate. There isn’t a set hot chocolate tour, but if you’re visiting in December and you love chocolate, I invite you to enjoy a lovely cup of hot chocolate at at least three different places:

• Granja La Pallaresa is in the Gothic Quarter and is a delight; the hot chocolate tastes like home and the service is top-notch.
• Petritxol Xocoa is just a block away from the previous spot, but the churros here are simply out of this world.
• La Nena Chocolatería is a must-visit when you’re exploring the Gràcia neighbourhood. Their hot chocolate with cream is absolutely delicious and the playful décor is charming.

As for the weather, you should know that winter in Barcelona is more mild than cold. The average temperature is 15°C, although in January and February temperatures are lower. It’s best to keep an eye on the weather forecasts.

Take some time to enjoy Barcelona. You can go on a bike tour, book a fully personalised walking tour or get the Explorer Pass to visit as many attractions as possible whilst saving a fair bit of money. The options are almost endless. The choice is yours!