Best Things To Do In Barcelona In Winter

Sunny days, smaller crowds, mild temperatures, and plenty of exciting things are only a few reasons why you’ll love spending time in Barcelona in winter. The Catalonian capital takes on a truly special atmosphere from the festive season through to March, so make the most of it by using our guide to plan your stay, whether you’ll be on an extended business trip or enjoying a short break with family or friends.

Top Annual Events In Barcelona In Winter

Lively annual events are among the best things to do in Barcelona in winter. Here are some of the highlights on the city’s calendar over the next couple of months.

Watch the New Year’s Eve Fireworks: Start the year with a colourful bang at Barcelona’s Plaça d’Espanya. Thousands gather at this important square for the annual fireworks show, which begins with a countdown of 12 chimes. Next comes the 15-minute firework display, which is nothing less than the most impressive one happening in the city on 31 December.

Festa Dels Tres Tombs: Also known as St Anthony’s Day, the Festa dels Tres Tombs is a week-long event that takes place from 13 to 22 January 2023. The occasion is the major festival of the city’s St Antoni district. Some of the highlights include the blessing of animals, bonfires in the Gràcia, Poblenou, and Montbau neighbourhoods, and a procession with horses, donkeys, and vintage carriages.

Dia De Los Reyes Magos (Epiphany): The feast of the Epiphany is one of the big Christmas celebrations in Barcelona in winter. The Three Wise Men arrive by boat at Port Vell around 4pm on 5 January and then set off on the Calvacada del Reis, a parade that includes acrobats, clowns, elves, floats, music, dancing, and sweets for the children in the crowd. The route starts on Av. Marquess of Argentera at 6pm and ends at the Magic Fountain at 9pm.

The Calçotada: Head to the nearby town of Valls on 29 January for the annual Calçotada. This culinary festival in honour of a type of green onion features a program of traditional, festive events and calçot-related competitions: parades, calçot roasting demonstrations, calçot growers, calçotada sauce-making tutorials, calçot eating competitions, wine tasting, and much more.

The Barcelona Carnival: One of the best things to do in Barcelona, the 2023 Barcelona Carnival takes place from 16 to 22 February. This week of food, drink, indulgence, fancy dress, and general merrymaking in the days leading up to the beginning of the fasting season of Lent culminates in an over-the-top parade and the Burial of the Sardine.

Great Things To Do In Barcelona In Winter

You’ll find plenty of other great things to do in Barcelona in winter apart from attending the fantastic annual events. Take a look at our top picks.

Go Ice Skating at FC Barcelona Skating Rink: The sunny days in Barcelona in winter doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a bit of ice skating! Head to the FC Barcelona Skating Rink near Camp Nou Stadium in Les Corts for ice skating in a low-pressure, safe environment.

Be Pampered at Aire Ancient Baths Barcelona: If you’re travelling alone or with your significant other, enjoy next-level pampering at Aire Ancient Baths Barcelona. Choose from an array of packages that include soak-time in hot and cold baths, massages, and all sorts of luxurious treatments. The baths are in Passeig de Picasso.

Ski at La Molina: In the mood to get active? Take a day trip to La Molina. Located two hours north of the city, the ski resort has several slopes for different skill levels, as well as a selection of other activities.

See the Christmas Lights in Passeig de Gracia: Barcelona’s gorgeous Christmas lights stay up until the Epiphany (6 January). The best way to see the most beautiful of them is to stroll along the Passeig de Gracia in Eixample. The avenue is a major shopping district, so enjoy a spot of retail therapy while you’re there.

Explore the Museu de la Xocolata: Located on the Carrer del Comerç north of the Picasso Museum near Parc de la Ciutadella, the Museu de la Xocolata (Chocolate Museum) is owned and operated by the city’s pastry makers’ guild. Learn about the cocoa plant, the history of chocolate, artisanal confection-making, and the influence of chocolate in Barcelona and the rest of Europe, and marvel at incredible exhibitions made entirely of chocolate.

Indulge in Winter Treats: Discovering the seasonal food scene is one of the top things to do in Barcelona in winter. You’ll find the best treats in the city’s traditional cafeterias. Indulge in calçots with romesco sauce, hot chocolate, churros and creamy chocolate, Turron and Polvoron (crumbly shortbread), and much more.

Enjoy Winter In Barcelona

These are only some of the best things to do in Barcelona in January and February, and many more await your discovery. Enjoy an unforgettable stay in the city by making Capri by Fraser Barcelona your home from home in the capital of Catalonia. Located in the vibrant Sant Marti neighbourhood, our serviced apartments are ideal for short and long stays. Contact us and start planning your trip to this magical city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth visiting Barcelona in winter?

Absolutely! Barcelona’s average winter temperature is 12C/53.6F, the days are mostly sunny, the crowds are much smaller than in summer, and there’s plenty to see and do in the city.

What to do in Barcelona when it’s cold?

If you wrap up warmly, you can attend some of the annual events the city’s famous for, such as the Three Kings parade on 5 January or the Barcelona Carnival in February. Alternatively, visit museums, galleries, and other sites such as the Gaudi-designed Sagrada Familia, drink hot chocolate in the cafeterias, or go ice skating at one of the indoor skating rinks.

What is Barcelona like during winter?

Barcelona in winter is known for mostly sunny days, mild temperatures of 12C/53.6F – 14C/57.2F, and occasional drizzle and light rain. While there are crowds, they’re much smaller than in summer. Some of the city’s biggest annual events and festivals take place in January and February, so there always are plenty of things to do in Barcelona in winter.