Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is known for its bizarre architecture, tapas, and wine. Apart from the dozens of sacred churches, Barcelona offers many nightclubs along its beaches, colourful trails like Park Guell, and narrow alleys of the Gothic quarter. Unless one is a beachbum, Barcelona in winter offers many activities. With the summer crowds and the rains of the autumn gone, Barcelona makes for a perfect getaway for the winter break. Winter descends here from December to March and is relatively mild compared to the other regions of Spain. The temperature is around 12℃ and rarely dips below 5℃ at night, while days are mostly sunny. Fewer crowds are visible. But this does not stop one from enjoying the many things that Barcelona offers.
7 Things To Do In Barcelona In Winter
If you are wondering what to do in Barcelona in winter, here is a list of the exciting things that you can indulge in during winter in Barcelona:
- Visit the monuments
- Attend the Sitges Carnival
- Binge on winter treats
- Take a dip into the Thermal bath
- Shopping in the Christmas market
- Participate in winter activities in Barcelona
- Atten Three King’s Parade
1. Visit The Monuments
Barcelona in winter allows one to enjoy the famous attractions without standing in the long summer queues. The Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell, created by the genius architect Antoni Gaudi, are among Barcelona’s best places to visit. The Casa Batllo Museum and the Camp Nou Football Stadium are also at their best. During Christmas, the streets are illuminated with thousands of lights, and the Placa de Catalunya square is turned into a skating rink.
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2. Attend The Sitges Carnival
if you visit Barcelona in March, you should attend the Sitges carnival. One of the most famous carnivals in the world is the Sitges Carnival of Barcelona. With more than 100 years of history, the Sitges Carnival is scheduled in February or early March. The carnival involves more than 2000 participants and is an informal and contemporary party event. Your plans for winter nights in Barcelona are sorted, as you can attend the festivities for a fun evening.
3. Binge On Winter Treats
The food scene in Barcelona during winter is insane. What could be better than a steaming cup of hot chocolate to beat the cold blues? Every traditional cafeteria in Barcelona serves sweet pastries and Catalan delicacies like Turron and Polvoron (crumble-prone shortbread). Catalan chocolate is famous for its thick, creamy consistency and is generally accompanied by sugary churros. One can enjoy unlimited wine and tapas here besides the sweet treats. Another delicacy during winter is calcots (resembling leeks). These calcots are cooked over an open flame, dipped into a rich romesco sauce, and consumed.
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4. Thermal Baths
Barcelona winter is all about lying in the thermal baths and having a fantastic time. Barcelona has restored an ancient Roman bath in the Gothic Quarters called Aire de Barcelona. In this candlelit spa, one can enjoy hot baths at varied temperatures. One can choose between a regular bath, a red wine bath, and a scented room. They also offer a few treatments with luxurious oils and organic cosmetics.
5. Shopping In Christmas Markets
The largest Christmas market in Barcelona, Fira de Santa Llucia, is held yearly around the historic Gothic Cathedral. This market hosts hundreds of gifts, trees, decorations, musical instruments, and other goodies made by local artisans. There are a few crib-making competitions, parades, and such events for kids while they munch on roasted chestnuts to make Barcelona winter fun.
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6. Winter Activities In Barcelona
Ice skating is one of the best things to do in Barcelona in winter. Many ice skating rinks turn up all around the city during winter. La Farga is the biggest rink in Barcelona, accommodating 350 skaters at once. The rink is open daily from 10 AM to 9 PM, and admission is 10 euros per hour. Other than this, go bowling in the Pedralbes neighbourhood. Bowling is one such activity that Catalans enjoy. The entry fees are cheap, with 3-4 euros per game. Other than these, skiing is a favourite sport here. You could also go scuba diving in Barcelona in winter.
7. Three Kings Parade
On January 6th of every year, Barcelona celebrates the parade of the three wise kings. The kings are greeted at the port as they disembark, and the procession moves towards the city centre. Sweets and chocolates are thrown all along the route of the procession. Attending the parade is one of the most amazing things in Barcelona in winter.
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Day Trips From Barcelona In Winter
Barcelona’s winter weather is not biting cold, making it easier for trekkers and nature lovers to explore the Spanish countryside. If you are visiting Barcelona in winter, you could spare some time for day trips from Barcelona.
- Montserrat – Hiker’s paradise
- Girona – Colorful medieval town
- Sitges – Film festivals & carnivals
- Figueres – Museums & Theatre
- La Monilia – Ski Resort
1. Montserrat
Montserrat means jagged mountains in Catalan language. The most popular mountainside hosts the famous Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey. This monastery is one of the oldest, dates back to the 10th century, and has 150 monks. The sunset from the top of the mountain is breathtaking, and one has to take a cable car ride to reach the monastery. This is one of the most sought-after places for hikers and is very peaceful during the off-season. Montserrat is easily accessible by train, which departs from Placa d’Espanya station every hour. The journey time is about 1 hour and covers 64 km from Barcelona. One can rent a car too.
2. Girona
Girona is a small medieval town with colourful streets and sidewalk cafes perfect for people-watching. Girona houses old buildings and modern mansions, drawing a clear line between the rich and the poor. Many Gothic Cathedrals, Jewish Quarters, museums, and art galleries exist. One of the must-do things in Girona is to try the ice cream at Rocambolesc, which is to die for. Girona is easily accessible by road (110 kms) if one rents a car or has a train running from the Passeig de Gracia station.
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3. Sitges
Sitges is a coastal town in the southwest of Barcelona, famous for film festivals and carnivals. This glamorous town consists of 26 beaches. It hosts the yearly Sitges Carnival in winter and is a must-visit as it has an unbeatable nightlife. One should try the local Xeto salad with a unique dressing here. This town is just 35 kms away from Barcelona. A train runs from Passeig de Gracia every 30 minutes.
4. Figueres
This town is mostly a continuation of the modern architecture of Antoni Gaudi found in Barcelona. This is a haven for art lovers as there are many museums and art galleries, such as the Museu del Joguet and Toy Museum. One of the famous museums is the Dali Theatre Museum. The 18th Century Sant Ferran Castle is a must-visit site. Figueres lies 138 kms north of Barcelona and is 1.5 hours away. One can take the same train that goes to Girona.
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5. La Monilia
What better to do in Barcelona in winter than ski? La Monilia is the perfect place for a family day trip. It is a ski resort two hours away from Barcelona. It is easily accessible by bus and costs about 40 euros per person. Ski gear is available for rent at the resort.
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Barcelona in winter is an exciting place to be. So, think no more and plan your trip to Spain. Make sure to gather your friends and have a blast indulging in all the touristy activities Barcelona offers. We promise you a trip of a lifetime.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Barcelona In Winter
How many days in Barcelona are enough?
What is winter like in Barcelona?
Barcelona experiences mild winters with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 16°C.
Is Barcelona warm in December?
December is one of the winter months in Barcelona and it isn’t hot but winters here are mild. The average temperature is around 11°C.
Does it snow in Barcelona?
Snowfall in Barcelona in winter is not a usual occurrence, but it is a possibility nevertheless. The snow doesn’t last for long, and melts within a day in case of snowfall.
What is there to do in Barcelona in December?
Some of the things to do in Barcelona in December are:
1. Visit the market of Santa Llúcia, the most famous Christmas market
2. Watch Els Pastorets, a Christmas performance
3. Witness the dazzling light and music show at the Magical Fountain
4. Ice skating at La Maquinista
5. Celebrate Christmas in Barcelona
Which is the cheapest month to fly to Spain?
February is the cheapest month to fly to Spain while June and July is one of the most expensive periods.
Is Barcelona cheap to visit?
Barcelona isn’t cheap, but it isn’t too expensive either. One can travel to Barcelona on a per-day budget of around INR 5,000, including accommodation, meals, transfers and sightseeing.
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