Visiting Barcelona in December
Great weather, Catalan Christmas fun and fewer tourists…
By Duncan Rhodes
Winter sunshine, wacky Christmas traditions and a chance to see some of the city’s best attractions minus the tourists, make it well worth visiting Barcelona in December. Here’s everything you need to know…
Is December A Good Time to Visit?
With fewer people, and so many great things to do, both during the day andduring the night… inside of the city, and188app彩票 , December is a fine time of year to visit the Catalan capital.
Despite the winter season, the sun usually keeps his hat on, and during the day you could easily find yourself stripping down to a T-shirt and enjoying a cheekycaña(small beer) on of the city’s many romantic street terraces, whilst by night a half decent jacket should be enough to stave off the chills. No scarf required.
Weather in December
With only three days of rain, and an average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius by day (and 9 degrees by night), December is a pleasant month to visit Barcelona, and many travellers will prefer this time of year to the oppressive heat and crowds of the city’s annual summer meltdown.
Such mild winter weather means that it’s very unlikely to snow in Barcelona during December, however, so if you were hoping for a sprinkling of festive snowflakes, better to book your flights to Vienna, Berlin or Krakow instead.
Things to do in December
In terms of things to do, there are plenty of options,whatever the weather, and whatever your inclinations.
Cultural life is in full flight, and in 2022 you’ll find temporary exhibitions dedicated to bothDaliandBanksyto visit, as well as188appcob , such asGaudi’s mind-boggling attractions(considerably less busy this time of year) and a glut ofgreat museums.
December is always a big month for sports events, and while that would usually mean watching Lewandowski and pals running around the Camp Nou, this year it means a World Cup to watch from the comfy environs of the city’s bestsports-loving bars.
And, if you’re willing to take a day trip, theVic Medieval Markettakes place this time of year, attracting around 100,000 people over a long weekend to take part in medieval food, fun and games.
All that and we didn’t even mention the C-word… yet…
1. Christmas Markets & Traditions
Apologies to all Ebeneezer Scrooges out there, but it’s almost impossible to begin any December travel piece without mentioning JC’s birthday, and the ensuingsufferingmerriment it brings. Whilst Barcelona can’t compete in terms of Christmas romance with the likes of Vienna and Prague, the festival is celebrated with some pomp and style in Catalonia. Several markets will spring up around town (most notably the Santa Llucia Fair in front ofthe Gothic Cathedral), a life-size nativity scene will grace Plaça Sant Jaume, and the city’s larger streets will be decorated with surprisingly tasteful lights. There are also some bizarre Catalan festive traditions to look out for, such as the squatting peasant who does a plop in Jesus’ manger (for good luck!), and the log you have to beat with a stick before it sh*ts presents. More on this, and Christmas in general,right here.
Take a Christmas Markets Tour!
Take a private tour of two of the best Barcelona Christmas Markets in the company of a local, who will help guide you around the city’s labyrinthine streets, as well as lead you to a festive food and artisans market, explaining the idiosyncratic Catalan Christmas traditions en route. The tour also includes tickets to the Gothic Cathedral (incl. rooftop) and hot chocolate andchurrosin an authenticgranja-style cafe. You can book theMerry Markets Tour on Get Your Guide.
2. Learn How to Cook Spanish Cuisine
If you can’t stand the cold, step into the kitchen, and learn how to cook Spanish cuisine. First you’ll take a tour of the legendary Boqueria food market on Las Ramblas, before heading back to a modern kitchen facility andlearning how to cook some of the traditional dishes of the region, including of course paella, Spain’s famous rice plate. This is a small group cooking experience with a maximum of 12 people per class, and the price of €83 includes DOQ wines from Rioja region and a four course meal (the one you just cooked!). It’s available Monday to Saturday, at 10am and 6pm. You can emailinfo@barcelona-life.comfor more details, orread more here.
3. Enjoy a Flamenco Show
Synonymous with Spain is the art of flamenco, which reached as far north in Catalonia and is celebrated across the city’s many finetablaos. The pick of the bunch is probablyTablao Cordobes兰布拉大街,Andalusian-style剧院在哪里you can enjoy a classic paella with a performance by some of the finest musicians and dancers in the country. Check our list of188188金宝搏
for more options.
4. Visit Gaudi’s Casa Mila at Night
A cool way to experience Gaudi’s Casa Mila differently, theLa Pedrera Night Showincludes a guided evening tour of the iconic building that finishes with an epic audiovisual display on its undulating rooftop. There’s even a free glass of Cava (sparkling Catalan white wine, made using the Champagne method) thrown in. You can book ticketsvia Get Your Guide.
5. Catch a Football Match
Around this time of the year, La Liga is usually beginning to hot up, and FC Barcelona are typically one of the forerunners in the competition. There’s typically some Champions League action going on as well, against Europe’s top teams. However, with the World Cup taking place in Qatar, the only home game taking place in December 2022 is on the 31st, against Almeria. You canbuy tickets for the match on Ticket Compare. Otherwise, sports fans might consider the Camp Nou Experience…. in which case keep reading.
6. Camp Nou Experience
If you’re not lucky enough to be passing by Barcelona on match day, then second best is taking a tour of the stadium. The Camp Nou Experience is a self-guided tour ofthe stadium, dressing rooms, player tunnels and a visit to theFC Barcelona Museum, with its trophy room and special zone dedicated to Lionel Messi. To avoid disappointment, I suggest youbuy your tickets in advance.
7. Joan Miro Foundation
The local obsession with excrement is visible in the works of Catalonia’s most famous artist, Joan Miro.The Man and Woman in Front of a Pile of Shit, is just one of the catchily-titled masterpieces you can see on display atthe artist’s museum in Montjuic. If you like bold-coloured abstract art, steeped in Catalan life and spirit, then you’ll love this collection, which is housed in an award-winning building designed by Josep Lluis Sert.
8. Explore the rest of Montjuic
If you’re going up to Montjuic to pay your respects to Miro, then it would be worth combining your visit with one of the coastal mountain’s many other treasures. Thehilltop fortress,Olympic Stadium,National Museum of Catalan Art,Caixa ForumandPoble Espanyolcan all be found in this leafy, culturally-rich zone. In the evening many tourists like to gather at the Magic Fountain. Read up onshow times here. You can seeMontjuic所有的景点地图.
9. Game of Thrones Tour
Winter is coming, so take a half-day tour to Girona where much of seasons 5-8 ofGame of Throneswas filmed. From scenes of Arya begging and fighting on the streets of Braavos, to Cersei’s walk of shame, this beautiful medieval city was one of GoT’s most important shooting locations. Bookthis tour via Get Your Guide你会跳上一个舒适的私人教练will take you to Girona, which is 1.5 hours north of Barcelona, where you’ll get an expert guided tour of the town, including film sets.
10. Visit Park Guell
Probably you’ve bought yourtickets to La Sagrada Familiaalready, but don’t skip Antoni Gaudi’s wonderful landscaped gardens either. This time of the year they shouldn’t be too crowded, and you’ll have more space to take the perfect photo of Barcelona from the park’s splendid viewing terrace, and maybe even get an obligatory selfie with the multi-hued lizard that stands guard on the grand staircase. Keep reading formore info on opening hours, and buying skip the line tickets. You might also want to check our article onthe best Barcelona tourist cards, because several include entry to both La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell in the price – such asThe Barcelona Pass.
11. Vic Medieval Fair
Around 70km from Barcelona (and easily accessible by train) lies the charming settlement of Vic, a town that boasts a picturesque Plaça Major, the Sant Pere Cathedral, Queralt Bridge and even a Roman temple for attractions. The best time to visit is undoubtedly during its annual Mercat Medieval when the city goes back in time to celebrate its medieval heritage. Expect plenty of tasty treats at the fair’s many food stalls, as well as costumed lords and ladies, bawdy bards, and knights armed for battle. It’s all a little kitsch, but good fun and you can try your hand at the likes of archery or have photos taken with a falconer. Runs 8-11th December 2022.Insider tip:Wrap up warm as it gets a fair bit colder in Vic, than in BCN.
www.vicfires.cat/mercat-medieval-vic-2022
12. Go Skiing in Nearby Andorra
There’s not quite as much snow around here as north of the wall, but the powder in nearby Andorra is pretty reliable from December onwards. So if you’re based in Barcelona and fancy some winter sports, then sign up for thiswild weekend on the slopes, which includes transport, accommodation and ski pass. If you can’t make that, then you can find more info onthe best ski resorts within reach of Barcelona, here.
13. Go Fishing on the Mediterranean
There are plenty of fine days in December so book yourself aprivate fishing charteron the Mediterranean, setting out from the nearby Arenys de Mar port onto the big blue. Once you’re out on the waves you can fish for bonito, mackerel, barracuda, dentex, swordfish and tuna. Charters start at €650 per boat, rising to €1200 for a full day big game fishing trip. Read morehere, or emailinfo@barcelona-life.comto enquire about availability.
14. Celebrate New Year’s Eve!
Still here on the 31st? Then get ready to see the New Year arrive in style in Barcelona. There’s a public fireworks display each year on Plaça Espanya, whilst the city’s famous nightlife will be in full swing, into the early hours of the morning. Check out our feature article formore info on New Year’s Eve traditions and parties.
Further Reading
Not fussed by Christmas… you may preferto visit in Januaryinstead then! If so check out our list of mid-winter activities using the link provided.
For more help planning your trip, be sure to browse ourbest hotel recommendations,top restaurantsandfavourite bars.
About the Author
Duncan established Barcelona Life in 2009, whilst freelancing for the likes of Conde Nast, The Guardian, Easyjet Magazine, CNN Traveller and many more. From interviews with Ferran Adria to revealing the secrets of the city’s poetry brothels, he knows the city inside out… and shares all his best tips right here.