10 Things to Do in Barcelona in Winter

Barcelona is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. Every corner offers a monument to admire, and in winter, the city’s patron saint festivals create a constant atmosphere of joy. In addition, street markets spring up all over the city, and traditional celebrations—such as the arrival of the Three Kings or Carnival—fill Barcelona with light and color.

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 take the opportunity to stroll through the fair at your leisure.

It will be filled with Christmas trees, nativity scene displays, 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 a fan, a star skater, or a beginner looking to have fun with your family, Skating Club Barcelona is a great option. They offer classes for all types of skating, the staff is friendly, prices are reasonable, and the atmosphere is fun.

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

• Illa Diagonal Ice Rink. This rink is an annual tradition at the Illa Diagonal shopping center. Despite its modest size, it reopens every winter as a perfect way to spend time and do some shopping. Plus, they offer great service and their prices are the cheapest.

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

• Barça Ice Rink. Whether you’re a Barça fan or not, if you’re going skating in Barcelona, this is a safe bet. It’s part of the FC Barcelona complex, its dimensions are nearly 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 advantage of the Spotify Camp Nou Experience, an immersive experience where you’ll relive the history and achievements of one of the world’s most important soccer teams.

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

During the festival, art, technology, and design are successfully combined to experiment with the relationship between light and space. Emerging and internationally renowned artists come together to offer a spectacular show you won’t want to miss—especially since admission is free.

If you enjoy contemporary art but, unfortunately, your visit doesn’t coincide with the Llum Festival, I recommend visiting 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 in winter it’s especially stunning thanks to the care, luxury, and detail with which the seasonal decorations are arranged.

Every winter, visitors who purchase tickets to Casa Batlló are greeted by a spectacular light show celebrating Christmas.

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

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

If you have kids and want to have fun with them, you can’t miss out on riding the most incredible attractions:

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

Plus, on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, the park dresses up and organizes even more special activities, like gala dinners with a party. What a great 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 fall and cured in the ground until they are ready to be used in January and February. It is said that their flavor comes from 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’d like to discover all the dishes of the delicious Catalan cuisine, be sure to take a food tour of Barcelona. You’ll enjoy a unique foodie experience!

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

Among them, 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 colorful, fun, and irreverent; even if you’ve been before, you’ll find something new every year. The celebration lasts two days and kicks off right after Christmas Day.
• The Sitges Carnival. The best European version of Brazil’s 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, even in winter.

If you’re traveling to Barcelona with children and are there on January 5th, you definitely can’t miss the Three Kings Parade.

And if you’re in Barcelona in December, be sure to take them to the Three Kings’ Factory in the Sant Andreu district. Their Majesties’ helpers will accompany them on a tour that begins at the Magical Post Office, starting 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 transportation in the city, among many other benefits. So you have no excuse—get out of the city center and take your kids on a magical adventure.

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

During this week, there are also open house events at the city’s museums and numerous activities at neighborhood community centers.

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

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

The combined tour of 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 like no one is around, as you can stroll freely without worrying about crowds.

Additionally, the lower number of tourists (though, to be honest, Barcelona attracts thousands of people year-round these days) makes winter a better time to enjoy the Sagrada Familia as well.

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

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

• Granja La Pallaresa is located 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 out of this world.
• La Nena Chocolatería is a must-visit when you’re exploring the Gràcia neighborhood. Their hot chocolate with cream is delicious, and the whimsical decor is charming.

As for the weather, you should know that winter in Barcelona is more mild than cold. The average temperature is 15°C, though temperatures are lower in January and February. 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 customized walking tour, or get the Explorer Pass to visit as many attractions as possible while saving a lot of money. The options are almost endless. The choice is yours!