What to Do in Barcelona in the Winter

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Barcelona is one of the top summer destinations in the world, but that doesn’t mean that you should totally forget about visiting it during winter. In fact, the city offers sights and sounds that are specific to the cold season, and you get to see a less tourist-centric and more localized authenticity that you may not necessarily experience when you pay it a visit in the summer. So if that’s something that’s right up your alley, here are three of the best things that you can do in Barcelona in the winter.

• Visit the Christmas market

Spending winter in Europe offers a great opportunity to visit one of its many Christmas markets and in Barcelona, you can choose from two of them: the Sagrada Familia and the Cathedral of Barcelona markets. They are fairly identical, but whichever you choose, make sure that you pick up a traditional Catalan holiday souvenir: a statue of people pooping, which is called a caganer.

• Watch a show

Barcelona has one of the most prestigious opera houses in Europe in Liceu, which dates back to the 19th century and is worthy of a visit, if only for its history. It is also known for showcasing popular performances. But if opera is not exactly your cup of tea, there’s the Palau de Musica Catalana, which puts on various musical performances.

• Visit a museum

Barcelona offers a variety of options for museums, which are a great way to learn about the local culture, without the busload of tourists that usually flock inside them in the summer. There’s the Picasso Museum, whose tickets are easier to purchase in the winter, as well as the National Art Museum, the Maritime Museum, and the Parque Guell.

• Go skiing

If you have time to get out of the city for a bit, you can head to the slopes. There are 14 ski resorts that are only three or four hours away from Barcelona, such as the La Molina, the Masella, and the Grandvalira. Many are accessible by public transportation, but due to the travel time allowance that it requires, it is best to spend at least one night in the resort so you don’t have to rush.

In addition, you can visit the city’s churches, which are awe-inspiring, even if you are not religious. The Sagrada Familia typically gets busy, so get a ticket to have a reserved seat. You can also take a stroll through the Gothic Quarter, as it springs back to life during winter when locals are in town and not renting out their flats to tourists. And finally, sit down at one of its many sidewalk cafes. Come wintertime, they get fitted with industrial heaters, blankets, and tents, so you can stay cozy while enjoying the city’s cuisine.