Take a walk through the Gothic Quarter in winter and you’ll feel enchanted as you wander underneath twinkling Christmas lights, breathe in the aromas of fresh churros con chocolate, and stare in awe of how perfect a wintry Barcelona looks. Retreating to this mesmerizing Mediterranean city in winter is a fantastic time to experience all that Barcelona has to offer.
Churros con chocolate
Locals and tourists alike queue up diligently for the scrumptious combination of churros con chocolate. Neighborhoods like the Gothic Quarter and Raval are home to several of the cities finest xurrerias Barcelona has to offer. Granja M. Viader is a classic choice with seating options and a traditional aesthetic. Located on a quaint street, arrive early to Xurreria Dels Bans Nous because the queue gets long, but the wait will be well worth it when you receive those perfect churros and extra thick hot chocolate.
A city filled with Christmas spirit
Barcelona takes its Christmas spirit seriously. Every neighborhood is dressed in Christmas decor, fairy lights sprawl down narrow streets, Christmas angels and ornaments are lit up in festivity and a tall Christmas tree stands proud in the corner of Plaça Sant Jaume. There’s even a mini Catalan Christmas market in front of the Barcelona Cathedral.
Also, Plaça Sant Jaume offers something special for the holidays. Every year, they create a new — what they call — “nativity scene”. It’s more of a holiday display, there’s no baby Jesus involved. It’s up from the end of November until Three Kings Day in January. This year’s is called “Sleeping Objects,” which brings together Catalan tradition and memories with a cityscape design.
One of the most brilliant things to do in Barcelona in winter is to walk around and be mesmerized by the variety of lovely Christmas lights. Visit Passeig de Gràcia where you’ll also see Gaudí masterpieces intertwined among easily the city’s most stunning lights. Plus, visit neighborhoods Born and the Gothic Quarter for some of the best Christmas inspired walks.
For all Christmas events, check out Barcelona’s site for more info.
The perfect time to visit the opera house
Opera houses aren’t only for Europe’s most elegant cities like Vienna and Moscow. Barcelona is also home to its very own opera house and it’s located right on the bustling La Rambla.
There’s something wintry about opera houses in general. Maybe it’s thanks to famous winter ballets like The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. Regardless, retreat indoors, get dressed up, and head to the Gran Teatre del Liceu to experience the Catalan side of performance.
Enjoying museums and temporary exhibitions
Barcelona is home to tremendous museums such as the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona, better known as the CCCB. This modern building is both architecturally inviting next to another modernist beauty known as MACBA, which is Barcelona’s modern art museum full of skaters out front.
The CCCB has a permanent collection as well as temporary exhibitions. Currently, they have an exhibition about feminism over the years, but previously they’ve had a behind the scenes of Disney art and an exciting exhibition highlighting all the works of Stanley Kubrick. Needless to say, if you find yourself in Barcelona, check the CCCB’s exhibition schedule and if something suits your fancy, it’s a fantastic escape into history and culture.
Beyond its modern museums, there are also many more, such as the Picasso Museum and the National Museum of Catalunya. You could spend several days exploring all of Barcelona’s museums.
Expert tip: A lot of the museums host free days and times, check this handy guide for more info.
Wander the parks on Montjuïc
Compared to the rest of Europe, winter in Barcelona is quite mild with a fair amount of sunny days, so taking a walk through Barcelona’s best parks is an absolute winter treat. There’s even a park completely dedicated to hundreds of cacti and tropical plants. It’s called Mossèn Costa i Llobera Gardens and it’s a must for any cacti lovers. It sits on one of the sunniest spots in the city, so the plants are happy year-round.
Check out Barcelona’s quirky bars
If you’re anything like me, you love heading to the quirkiest bars. The ones with grit, personality, and maybe a little bit of shame. Barcelona is full of them!
Nevermind is in the Raval neighborhood, the grungiest of Barcelona’s neighborhoods. This bar sums up the grunge vibe of its beloved neighborhood. Close to MACBA where skaters are skating day in and day out, Nevermind features its own skate ramp, plastered with graffiti and posters in a dark, sticky environment. Sounds inviting, right? Maybe not the spot for the most delicate of us, it’s a cool spot and a bar you’re not likely to find in most cities.
Not much has changed in Bar Marsella since it opened in 1820. It’s Barcelona’s oldest functioning bar — and it’s certainly no secret. Bar Marsella is full of dusty, near ancient liquor bottles, peeling wallpaper, faded curtains, no speakers for music, and the drink of choice — absinthe.
You’ll find Bar Sincopa tangled up in the streets of the Gothic Quarter. It features a band on the ceiling, hanging upside down, jamming to the fullest. Its wrap-around invites locals and foreigners alike and your draft beer will come from a tap that’s been made of out saxophones. Hipster much?
Also, I can’t forget to add a great live music and performance spot. La Rouge is located on the popular Rambla de Raval and features live performances every night. From flamenco, rock n roll, and folk, you’re always in for a treat with their free shows.
