Its a good idea to pack a mixture of lighter winter clothes and some warmer garments for cooler days or when it gets chilly in the evenings. Full of different colours and smells, the market is a sensory cornucopia. The architecture will blow you away and despite it being quite touristy, its easy to find a quiet corner of this vast area. Even if youre not religious, the architecture here is something you just cannot miss. A modernist masterpiece by the UNESCO respected Antoni Gaudi, youll find no straight lines here. If youre spending 3 days in Barcelona, this is a really worthwhile activity. So, a Barcelona itinerary for a winter trip can be similar to visiting at other times of year. The beach can get quite crowded in Barceloneta, but this should be late enough in the day that its emptied out nicely. One of the best free things to do in Barcelona is to come the the Magic Fountain Light Show that happens at Montjuc. And for transparencys sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. A full guide how to get around Barcelona and the best things to do. The highest point in the park also gives you a great view over much of the Barcelona sights. Cycling is a great way to get around the city. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We are travel bloggers who enjoy writing about the Nordics and the Eastern Bloc. Cost FreeHow Long Should I Stay Here? You can buy one for three, four or five days. He always says he can tell what season it is just by looking at the queues outside. However youre getting around, this city is a great place to explore. One of our best friends lives in Barcelona, and he has to pass La Sagrada Familia every day on his way to work. The cathedral is like no other. Theres so much to see and do in the beautiful, busy city of Barcelona so weve put together a 3 day Barcelona itinerary consisting of all the very best attractions to help you out! So if youre spending 3 days in Barcelona, or much longer, heres all the things you should be sure to tick off the list. Marvel at the details and the buildings utter rejection of traditional architecture. Its a foodies heaven and those chocolates are famously good Actually Forget the folks back home, buy a bunch for yourself! This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. This is a great tour for groups of friends or families. The view from here is a glorious one, especially on a crisp winters day when the sun is hanging a bit lower in the sky. Also, go check out the close-by Montjuic that has an amazing mirador overlooking the sea and the city. Spain expert Isabella Noble recommends two all-train itineraries for taking in beaches, cities and out-of-the-way destinations in sensational Spain. It rarely freezes, and youre no more likely to get rain than if you visit in May or September. Flamenco clubs in the city are called tablaos, and there are many around Barcelona. So plan accordingly. Good news: Barcelona is one of the warmest European cities in winter. You can leave the beachwear at home for a start its pleasant, but not shorts and swimwear weather! Either way, youre sure to find a spot to lay down your towel and to swim. COMPLETE guide to spend one week in Barcelona, updated 2023. As well as tips on how and when to do it! Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop! Winter in Spain is generally mild compared to many other countries in Europe. In the Catalan capital, temperatures still reach about 15C from December through to February. These include a long-standing love for good chocolate, chorizo and the seductive art of Flamenco. The views from the exterior are amazing as you stand on the street in the sunshine. These include a long-standing love for good chocolate, chorizo and . Tourist attractions in Barcelona dont close in the winter like some destinations. If you want to visit several of the citys museums, you can save a lot of money by purchasing a Barcelona Card. Its also a top place to surf and you can easily rent a board if youre into that! Explore the unique era of Spanish Art Nouveau amidst the modern city. See the citys incredible museums, Witness city views from Montjuc (and see the light show), Visit Barcelonas oldest Christmas market (Santa Llucia), Live music in Barcelona: see a flamenco or jazz show, Workation packages and deals 2023 | hotels for remote working, Scarf and gloves (you might not need them, but better to have them in case! And yet, it's certainly possible to spend just 72 hours in Barcelona and feel like you didn't miss anything major. Its a classic pose in tourism and must be accomplished at least once on a trip. There are rather a lot of places to visit in Barcelona but thankfully, it is super easy to get around with all the public transport options available. With a Barcelona City Pass, you can experience the best of Barcelona at the CHEAPEST prices. This illuminated, urban laboratory attracts international talent and thus challenges the world of art and its potential, approaching trends, with its own distinctive features and groundbreaking, aesthetic transformation of light. Fly thousands of meters above the landscapes of Catalonia in a hot air balloon ride with views of mountains, forests, blooming, green hills and fields, and streams. It is a lot of fun. Things to do in Barcelona in winter. Perfectly situated for explorationso much so that you wont need to spend much time inside. Its steep, so pack some water and prepare to lean against a wall and breath heavily. At the end of the tour, you can catch the performance of one of the oldest childrens choirs in Europe, La Escolania de Montserrat. It has had two stars in the Michelin Guide since 2018 and is rated third place in the Worlds 50 Best Restaurants in 2022 along with other achievements. Parties go on into the evening, so its just as well the next day is a national holiday! As with all cities, there are some valuable safety precautions in Barcelona. Seriously though, if you like your exercise, this is also a beautiful spot to go running at sunrise. Winter comes midway through the Spanish football season, and so its the ideal time to catch a game at FC Barcelonas iconic Camp Nou stadium. Streets are often empty, and accommodation costs drop. Enjoy the street performances and artists. Here are a few things to add to your Barcelona in winter packing list: Have you visited Barcelona in winter? If youre working with a shoe-string budget, dont worry! Its not quite a match-day experience, but still well worth doing. There are also many historic buildings including the Umbracle, a tropical greenhouse, the Geological Museum dating back to 1882 and the Hivernacle which was built in 1888 for the World Exposition. A return skibus to Alp 2500is doable in a day trip, and you can be back enjoying tapas and wine in El Born before bedtime. This is also a great place to people watch, and just soak in the sunshine, but dont spend too much time here. The streets in Barcelona are illuminated brightly with lavish and ornate Christmas decorations as early as December 8th with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. And youll hear interesting facts and details about all of it. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. When nighttime comes around, Poblenous buildings, streets, and plazas transform into a light and sound show arena using projections, LED lights using large-scale projections, and audio-visual displays. We recommend you try the fruit smoothies, they are seriously phenomenal. There are four true gastronomic, fine dining experiences to select from the Disfrutar Classic, Festival, Wine Pairing, and Alcohol-Free Wine Pairing. They offer simple & flexible travel insurance, and safety advice to help you travel confidently. Go through these Barcelona itineraries and plan your stay well in advance! Some people will tell you that flamenco music belongs to southern Spain. Overview of accommodation, safety tips. Combining several architectural styles and ignoring the rules of all of them, this impressive and intricately decorated church is something to see! As Sitges is one of the gay capitals of Europe, the festivals include drag queens. On Kings Day, Fira de Reis has childrens toys, caganers, and cagatios for last-minute gift-giving! In the heart of Poblenou is the recently inaugurated annual Barcelona Festival of Lights; the modern architectural district is turned into a light show by the hands of art students from Barcelonas art, architecture, and design schools in collaboration with local and international artists. This is one of the best places to stay in Barcelona for backpackers or couples on a budget. This is, of course, only for those with licenses. document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); document.getElementById("ak_js_3").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Thinking of travelling overland to Barcelona? We don't want to be too prescriptive - obviously, you could do a day trip on the fourth day in Barcelona instead of the third if it works better for your particular schedule. Start off in Park Gell, then make your way down to the Gothic Quarter via Casa Gatllo and the Cathedral of Barcelona for some top sightseeing experiences. Get your cash stashed with this awesome Pacsafe money belt. Biercab offers around 30 taps to choose from with a delicious menu of comfort food in its stylish establishment. They do good quality tapas and Catalan food served with great wine. Once the sun goes down you will notice the temperature drops quickly. Multicoloured mosaics and organic shapes make it really unique and super vibrant. The views over the port and city are unbeatable. stick around the area of Barceloneta for the evening, its home to a whole host of incredible restaurants serving some of the best seafood in the city. Walking tours are always a good way to explore a city too, so consider taking the fabulous Gothic Quarter Walking Tour for a close-up exploration of the historic neighbourhood. If you do get some drizzle, check out our ideas for things to do on a rainy day in Barcelona. If youre visiting Barcelona for the first time in Winter, you may not want to swim but the beach is still worth a visit. El Ravals Caravelle, in contrast, is more known for its healthy, full food menu; its popular items include coconut French toast and roasted pumpkin salad. Just remember to wear a coat, as the temperature is quite a bit cooler out there. Football? There are more than 200 kilometres of cycle lanes, lots of cycle parking spaces, and dozens of bike rental shops. Its not just about the weather though I dont know if youve heard, but Barcelona is beautiful! If youre feeling a little daring, rent a scooter for the day. A personal favourite for us is the Picasso Museum. Maybe youre happy to brave the cooler waters, but if not, a Barcelona sailing experience is a great alternative way to get out in the sea without getting wet. See our guide to visiting Sitges to plan it into your itinerary. Its quite an experience just to see how function and beauty work together so beautifully. If youre looking to get away from freezing-cold temperatures, Barcelona is, in fact, the perfect place to consider visiting due to its mild winters and virtually no snow. The tickets work with time slots and thus, the exact time and date of the visit must be chosen with purchase. Walking up the terraces youll get a feeling of grandeur that could only be beaten on the day of a game! Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox. Either way, you should pre-book tickets to avoid queueing. Before you start packing swimwear, though, note that the sea is a bit to cold for swimming at this time of year. September and October are the best months to visit to enjoy warm weather without huge tourist crowds. Day 7: Parc Gell and Tibidabo. Jam-packed outdoor markets, restaurants, museums, and cathedrals, the Spanish-Catalan city of Barcelona is an incredible travel destination! This tree-shaded boulevard runs through the heart of the city and is an interesting but possibly overrated place to visit! This gives you unlimited access to the metro, buses and trams for 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours. The third day on our Barcelona itinerary has us starting in the Gothic Quarter, and then heading up above the town to visit a castle and a number of Barcelona's most popular museums, finishing off with a spectacular free sound and light display. As an Airbnb Associate, we earn when you book through our links., Click here to check rates and availability, 28 Magical Things to Do in Milan (+ Nearby Attractions), 20 Sensational Things to Do in Sorrento (for First-Timers! Its right in the middle of everything. These tickets cost 45 per person. Tour the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, Barcelonas best food market, dating back to the 13th century. More information. Want more deetz on why we love itso damn much? Red . The staff are experienced and multilingual and love to chat. The tour starts at 10:30 am and ends at the same place it starts. Ice skating is one of the best things to do in Barcelona in winter. Day 2: Casa Batll, Casa Amatller, Casa Mil, Casa Vicens, Cocktail Master Class with Tapas. Since you dont want to be one of the tourists waiting in line to get their tickets (which can be up to 1200 at a time and takes up hours of your day), you can make everything a lot easier by booking ahead of time. day trips, and itinerary for 7 days. Are you planning your trip to Barcelona last minute? It is very rare to experience frost or snowfall, even in the coldest months of January and February. However, having an extra day is ideal if you dont want to rush. Look out for caganers, a peculiar tradition in Catalan nativity scenes, figurines that are depicted squatting to take a poop. Explore the world-famous La Boqueria market, which dates back to the 13th century. All rights reserved. Morning Hot Air Balloon Flight with Breakfast (my favorite adventure!) Some of this structure remains, but its been bombed and resurrected multiple times since. Barcelona gets very hot in summer and is pretty mild in winter. The Gothic Quarter is ideal for a quick trip, putting you close to many of Barcelonas top attractions. Hours vary depending on the . ), Layers to wear, e.g. Science? Some really great performers can be found here, and many go on to perform at live venues, but do be aware of scams and pickpockets. Budget travel is more possible than ever. Teaching English online is a great way to earn money and make your travels last longer. Its a perfect place for chilled-out travellers, with a great atmosphere. The oldest is Los Tarantos in Plaa Reial, which opened in 1963 the same year that the flamenco musical of the same name was released and came parading through city. Well, it definitely stays milder than Northern Europe, but the temperatures are not particularly swimmable! Pack your walking shoes and sunscreen, this is going to be memorable. One misconception people have about Barcelona is that it doesnt get cold in the winter. Below are some of the top tours, hotels, and more! Again, thank you! A young Pablo learned his craft in Barcelona, and fell so in love with the place that he eventually left hundreds of his early works to the city. Right in front of the Ninot Market in Eixample sits the bold establishment, with bright, versatile colors of ceramic and clay textures leading you into the central corridor. All-year-round youll see a beautiful coastline whether you explore it from the boardwalk or the sands! document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Barcelona, like most modern cities in Europe, has a great variety of neighbourhoods. Spring and Autumn are generally very pleasant with temperatures being ideal for walking around.