If you decide to visit Barcelona in winter then you are going to find yourself in for a really great time. Though the temperatures may have dropped somewhat the atmosphere really starts to warm up at this time of the year. There are plenty of winter activities in Barcelona you can enjoy and below is a quick guide to help you decide just how you will spend your time in this amazing city.
1. Fira de Santa Llúcia
This is the city’s oldest Christmas market where you can explore more than 280 stalls to find the perfect trinkets or gifts. Situated directly in front of Barcelona Cathedral it is sure to provide you with plenty of christmas cheer and give you the opportunity to see how a Catalan christmas is celebrated.
2. New Years Eve
If there is one place to be to help celebrate New Year then look no further than Barcelona. Whether you want to enjoy a truly amazing firework display or would prefer to just dance the night away then you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice. You could of course wrap up warm and head to the Magic Fountain and watching a truly amazing firework display. However if you would prefer just to celebrate the New Year with new and old friends then head to one of the city’s many clubs.
One of the particular Spanish and Catalan traditions that shouldn’t be missed out at this time of the year is the heating of 12 grapes. You eat each one as the clock chimes and use this as your countdown to welcome in the new year.
3. Catalan Christmas
As already mentioned there are plenty of winter events in Barcelona to enjoy and you might want to get involved in some of the local traditions as well. One tradition especially favoured by the children is that known as Tió de Nadal. This is when the children start to feed “Caga Tió”, which can only be described as a log on which a smiley face has been painted and which wears a blanket. Then on Christmas Eve the children approach the Tió with small sticks which they then hit it with and hope that eventually it starts to release presents to them.
4. Hit The Slopes
We all know about the great activities available to enjoy during the summer months in Barcelona, but there are plenty of great activities to enjoy when the weather does turn cold. If you have the time available why not head out from the city to the resorts of Grandvalira Andorra or La Molina. Here you have the opportunity to not only try out a bit of skiing or snowboarding but also you may want to give snow biking or even igloo building a try. Plus of course there is plenty of snow around to make the odd snowman as well if you want.
However if you only to intend to visit Barcelona for a couple of days then a visit to the temporary skate rink located in the city’s Plaça Cataluyna is worth a visit. It remains in situ until the start of January each year.
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