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 and during the night… inside of the city, and outside of it, 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 cheeky caña (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 2024 you’ll find exhibitions dedicated to Dali, Banksy and even Jules Vernes to visit, as well as all your usual options, such as Gaudi’s mind-boggling attractions (considerably less busy this time of year) and a glut of great 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 the blaugrana home games are taking place in the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Montjuic (as Camp Nou undergoes refurbishment). The city’s second team, RCD Espanyol also have a couple of home games in December.
If you’re willing to take a day trip outside the city, the Vic Medieval Market takes 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 ensuing suffering merriment 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 of the 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 and churros in an authentic granja-style cafe. You can book the Merry 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 and learning 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 €88 includes market visit, 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 email info@barcelona-life.com for more details, or read 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 fine tablaos. The pick of the bunch is probably Tablao Cordobes, an Andalusian-style theatre on Las Ramblas where you can enjoy a classic paella with a performance by some of the finest musicians and dancers in the country. Check our list of the best places to watch a flamenco show in Barcelona for more options.
4. Visit Gaudi’s Casa Mila at Night
A cool way to experience Gaudi’s Casa Mila differently, the La Pedrera Night Show includes 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 tickets via Get Your Guide.
More Gaudi By Night!
Just across the road from La Pedrera is Casa Batllo, which you can also visit after dark during their A Winter’s Night Experience. The house’s whimsical façade will be decorated with Christmas lighting and the colourful interior looks even more magical with its fairytale light projections. Head to their website for more information or to book tickets (from €39. Kids under 12 go free!).
5. Get Festive with Cava!
There’s plenty to celebrate this time of year, and in Catalonia that means drinking a lot of Cava… the regional equivalent of Champagne. Indeed, Cava is made using the ‘Champagne Method’ and you will learn this and much more on the Create Your Own Cava workshop, where you not only taste three different types of this effervescent libation, but also learn how to disgorge and bottle your own bottle… which you can take home with you and drink over Christmas! The activity takes place in the Penedes wine region, but you can hop on the train (50 mins journey) and the organisers will pick you up at the station. Book direct with the winery, or send us an email if you need more info. Just €60 per person, with rustic lunch optional upgrade!
6. 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. In December 2024 there are two home games being played, against Leganes and Atletico Madrid. You can buy tickets for the match on Ticket Compare. Note: Home games are being played at the Lluis Companys Stadium on Monjtuic for now, while Camp Nou is being refurbished.
7. Barça Immersive Experience
If you’re not lucky enough to be passing by Barcelona on match day, then second best is taking the Barça Immersive Tour, which is self-guided visit to the FC Barcelona Museum, with its trophy room, interactive media installations, and special zone dedicated to old boy Lionel Messi. You can upgrade your ticket to include Virtual Reality experience or even take a penalty against Robokeeper! To avoid disappointment, I suggest you buy your tickets in advance.
8. 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 at the 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.
9. 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. The hilltop fortress, Olympic Stadium, National Museum of Catalan Art, Caixa Forum and Poble Espanyol can all be found in this leafy, culturally-rich zone. In the evening many tourists like to gather at the Magic Fountain. Read up on show times here. You can see all of Montjuic’s attractions a map here.
10. Game of Thrones Tour
Winter is coming, so take a half-day tour to Girona where much of seasons 5-8 of Game of Thrones was 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. Book this tour via Get Your Guide and you’ll hop on a comfortable private coach that 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.
11. Dali Museum in Figueres
There’s never a bad time to visit the Dali Theatre Museum in Figueres, as this temple to Surrealist art is as challenging as it entertaining. It’s unlikely we’ll see the likes of this Catalan genius again! This December is a particularly good time however, as one of Salvador’s most arresting works, The Christ, is on display, having been loaned by the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow. You can buy tickets to the Dali Museum here, and then catch the train easily enough from Barcelona. Although, I’d be tempted to sign up for this small-group Dali day tour, which takes in not only the Dali Theatre Museum in Figueres, but also the Dali House Museum, the former residence of the artist in the stunning seaside village of Cadaques. The tour costs just €99 per person with Theatre Museum tickets included in the price.
12. 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 6-8th December 2024. Insider tip: Wrap up warm as it gets a fair bit colder in Vic, than in BCN.
www.vicfires.cat/mercat-medieval-vic-2024
13. Go Fishing on the Mediterranean
There are plenty of fine days in December so book yourself a private fishing charter on 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 more here, or email info@barcelona-life.com to enquire about availability.
14. Visit Park Guell
Probably you’ve bought your tickets to La Sagrada Familia already, 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 for more info on opening hours, and buying skip the line tickets. You might also want to check our article on the best Barcelona tourist cards, because several include entry to both La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell in the price – such as The Barcelona Pass.
BARCELONA PASS
Along with Sagrada Familia and the Tourist Bus (good for exploring Montjuic), Park Guell is included in the Barcelona Pass. Price €84.
15. Go Skiing in the Pyrenees
While there’s not quite as much snow in Catalonia as north of the Westeros wall, the powder in the Pyrenees is pretty reliable from December onwards. So if you’re based in Barcelona and fancy some winter sports, then read up on the best ski resorts within reach of Barcelona, here. And if you’re a hip young thing with a snow addiction then you might consider signing up for this Andorra White Christmas and Barcelona NYE by Stoke Travel. This fun-loving travel company know how to throw a party, so expect 5 nights of fun. Find more info on their ski package page.
16. 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 for more info on New Year’s Eve traditions and parties.
More Winter Inspiration
Not fussed by Christmas… you may prefer to visit in January or February instead then! In which case, check out our other monthly guides.
For even more inspiration for what to do once you’re here, check below…
Rest of Your Trip
For more help planning your trip, be sure to browse our best hotel recommendations, top restaurants and favourite 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.