Experience the magic of Christmas in Spain

If you have decided to celebrate Christmas in Spain, congratulations! The transformation of cities like Barcelona this time of year is quite a unique experience, one that is capable of dazzling visitors of all ages.

© Alvaro Germán Vilela

Christmas is perhaps the most traditional, family-oriented celebration in the whole world, and in Spain it lasts until 6th January. Visiting the country between the middle of December and the start of the New Year is a time that’s always full of lovely moments for sharing. Here are five of the most popular Christmas traditions in Spain.

Among the most anticipated Christmas events are, without a doubt, the magnificent nativity scenes that can be visited in many cities in Spain. From those that exhibit figures of great historical and artistic value to those of monumental size, or the most creative, built with materials as unthinkable as sand or... chocolate!

The lights, the presents, the decorations, the great food... Christmas is a holiday full of traditions and we want to help you discover some of the most delicious ones during your holidays in Spain. It will also be very easy for you to find special menus in restaurants and hotels and the bakeries will be overflowing with Christmas confectionery. 

The markets have become another Christmas attraction in Spain. Searching for special gifts among beautiful wooden stalls in central squares, on riverbanks, promenades and other charming areas of Spanish cities and villages is a December tradition.

In Spain, 31 December is a very special celebration, where the fun and partying go on well into the early hours. If you want to get the year off to a good start, come and celebrate New Year’s Eve in Spain. You will have a great time eating the traditional 'lucky grapes'...

One of the most popular races in Spain is held on the last day of the year in the capital: the 10 kilometre San Silvestre Vallecana.

© Carrastock / Shutterstock.com

This is one of the most popular and entertaining Christmas traditions in Spain. December 28 is the day when everyone is allowed to play practical jokes and when it is customary to buy prank items at Christmas markets like the one in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid.

Winter, which officially starts around 21 December and ends around 21 March, is a great time to travel to Spain for many reasons. For one thing, you can enjoy everything you love about winter, but it's usually sunny, with milder temperatures than most of Europe and not much rain. In many places cold weather means snow and winter sports, and everywhere there are traditional seasonal dishes to warm you up.

The arrival of winter heralds a time of continuous festivities and sweet traditions in Spain that animate its towns. Some cities shine particularly brightly in winter, and because of more than just the magical festive lights that decorate the streets. Why not enjoy a hot chocolate while reading about some of these Spanish cities?

Here are 7 reasons we think will convince you to start planning a holiday in the Canary Islands. You can enjoy winter moments as unique as a sun-soaked Christmas, or a relaxing New Year’s Day on the beach.

Do you like skiing? Would you like to go on holiday to practice your favourite sport or to get started if you have never done it before? Spain is the second most mountainous country in Europe, and one of the reasons for it to be your number 1 ski destination is the number of hours of sunshine in the middle of winter.

There is no doubt that Spain is an all-terrain country. It is ideal for enjoying a sun and beach holiday, and it is a perfect destination for winter sports, such as skiing. It offers numerous mountains with ski resorts, groomed slopes, cable cars, accommodation and all the necessary services to enjoy the cold while you slide through the snow.

© Sierra Nevada - Cetursa