17 Nov 2025 Barcelona is ready, like every year, for the arrival of the most special time of year, eagerly awaited by children and adults alike. Christmas is here.
Yes, you can feel it in the atmosphere, in the shops, in the elevator conversations, in the groups of friends, in the streets—everywhere you look, you feel like Christmas has arrived. And this year it's even more special because you'll be here to enjoy it.
Let us show you what you can do to make the most of your time in Barcelona, enjoying a Christmas that will surely be unique and unforgettable.
We don't know how long you'll be able to enjoy Barcelona this Christmas, so we've compiled the most important things you should do during these holidays, so that, no matter how many days you're here, you can feel like you've had the full experience in Barcelona.
Of course, we couldn't start with anything other than the Christmas markets. There are some really cool things, which we'll talk about later, like the Christmas tree and the Christmas lights.
Let's take a walk through the best Christmas markets, those that are the most popular and beloved by Barcelona residents. Join us on this route through the very heart of Christmas in Barcelona.
The best known and most beloved of all, the Santa Lucía Fair begins at the end of November and ends on Christmas Day. And this is very important, because many people visit it every year just days before the arrival of the Three Wise Men and find the place empty of stalls. Be warned, it lasts less than we'd all like.
The location of the fair is impressive, unbeatable: at the foot of Barcelona Cathedral. Here you can breathe history and culture. In fact, these are the oldest Christmas markets in the entire city, with more than two centuries of history.
It's also the largest in all of Barcelona, with more than 300 Christmas stalls. You could spend a whole day strolling through the stalls and visiting the Cathedral both inside and out.
The Christmas stalls offer everything you could need for a fantastic Christmas; from traditional decorations like "caganers" to hot food and drinks. Find the perfect souvenir or gift among the stalls. Santa Claus and the Three Wise Men will be arriving soon, and they always appreciate good ideas.
If you want to be the first to arrive and avoid the big crowds, you'll have to be here by 10:00 a.m. And if you're a latecomer, or have simply been spending time visiting other places in Barcelona, we warn you that the Christmas stalls close at 9:00 p.m.
We may have been too quick to say that the Fira de Santa Llúcia had the best location in the entire city. Barcelona Cathedral is wonderful, but shopping and sampling products among the stalls right at the foot of the Sagrada Família is truly amazing. With all due respect to Barcelona Cathedral.
So, we have another very popular Christmas market that you're definitely going to love. We warn you that the exact same thing will happen as the previous one; don't plan on stopping by after December 23rd, because you won't find anything. Well, yes, the emblem of Gaudí and Barcelona, but no Christmas market at all.
Its hours are the same as the Fira de Santa Llúcia, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., although on weekends, they extend their opening hours by one hour, and you can enjoy this Christmas market until after dinner, at 10 p.m. And now that we've talked about dinner, their food stalls are fabulous, whether for lunch, dinner, or a mid-afternoon snack.
We love one of the newest additions to Barcelona's Christmas market scene. Although, of course, compared to the Fira de Santa Llúcia, everything is relatively new and up-to-date.
We have good news: the location where this market takes place is right next to the Columbus Monument, so by following the Christmas market route, you're actually following a route through Barcelona's main monuments and attractions.
This Christmas market has the characteristic of opening to the public later, although it's true that we'll start enjoying it in mid-December. From December 15th to January 6th, you can visit its stalls and its beautiful Christmas tree.
Combining Barcelona's most famous and beautiful corners with the best Christmas markets is a fantastic idea, so we continue onward and head to Gran Vía.
The Christmas stalls, loaded with potential gifts, start from Plaça de la Universitat. This is a fantastic market for choosing gifts for our family, and a great place to recharge our batteries, as it has wonderful sweets. Whether traditional Christmas treats or traditional desserts, you'll find them all here.
The lighting of the lights is quite a spectacle, and you can enjoy them until the arrival of the Three Wise Men. Visiting the city's main tourist and historical sites is a great way to discover them at night, offering a new perspective, and it's also a perfect way to enjoy Barcelona's Christmas lights.
One of those places is Plaça Sant Jaume, which hosts a wide variety of events and activities every year, including parades, live music, and dances. It's also the location of the main Nativity scene in Barcelona.
Plaça de Catalunya is another of our favorite places, where something's always happening and a must-see. The City Council schedules numerous activities for all ages, as well as other locations throughout the city.
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17 Nov 2025 