Seasoned travelers know that winter isn’t the best time to travel simply because of the cruel weather conditions and lack of activities to do. Despite this, the colder months also present opportunities to see the snowy peaks and enjoy the holiday spirit. Winter in Spain is more special because of the cozy ambiance, and a wealth of attractions to see.
One of the advantages of traveling in winter is the lesser crowd. Summer is the busiest time to visit Spain, and travelers can expect locked out dates, which means most attractions are fully booked. For the months of December to February, the crowd is rather smaller, and accommodation is more affordable.
Snow is only common in ski resorts and mountainous regions, so don’t expect to see one in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, or Malaga. Points of interest must be Andalucia, Pyrenees, and the Basque Country.
For the winter holiday in Spain, here are the top-rated destinations to include in the bucket list.
Winter in Spain Bucket List: 10 Places to VisiT
Jerez de la Frontera
The best reason to visit Jerez de la Frontera is the annual flamenco festival. It happens in winter in Spain, gathering the most talented flamenco dancers across the country. Colorful costumes can be seen in plazas, where performers showcase their talent dancing, singing, and playing instruments.
More than the lively festival, visiting Jerez de la Frontera in winter is a great opportunity to witness the catalogue of grand mansions and sherry wine vineyards.
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Montserrat
The mountaintop monastery in Catalonia is more beautiful in winter, when snow covers the hills. It’s an enormous building perched on the hill, where the views are marvelous. Unlike other destinations in the region, the crowds are minimal here, so travelers can enjoy more quiet and relaxing times.
The journey going up is already a treat, where one can see the picturesque nearby towns, rolling hills, and the historic monastery. Here lies the patron saint of Catalonia, The Virgin of Montserrat or Black Madonna. A museum is also sheltered in Montserrat, showcasing the extensive collections of Dalí, El Greco, Picasso, and other local artists.
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Sierra Nevada
While a lot of towns hibernate in winter, Sierra Nevada is different as it gathers millions of tourists during winter in Spain. It’s a famous destination for skiing, boasting grand elevations with picturesque backdrops.
A selection of ski resorts populate Sierra Nevada, consisting of legendary slopes and acres of smooth snowboarding range. There’s also an assortment of activities to do here, including ice skating, excursions, and Christmas shows.
The joy of visiting wouldn’t be complete without the Andalusian cuisine, covering the sumptuous dishes like cocido alpujarreño, Iberian ham, and morcilla or blood sausage.
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Canary Islands
Even though travelers can’t swim on the beach at this time of the year, the endless rays of sunshine are enough to stay warm. The Canary Islands are a famous winter destination for the incredible beaches, volcanic terrains, and memorable nightlife.
Coming here, travelers can experience mild temperatures up to 22 degrees Celsius. Aside from the beach, visitors can also see the waterside restaurants and the little canals scattered in town. The best part is probably the stargazing and other astronomical activities.
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Almeria
If looking for a combination of cultural explorations and nature escapades, the best destination is Almeria. Located in the southerneast Spain, the city presents lots of historical monuments like Muslim walled fort and cathedral. There’s also an underground tunnel which was built in the Spanish Civil War.
Other points of interest include Playa Zapillo, Cinema Museum, and Cabo de Gata Natural Park. A day trip to the Alhambra Palace is also possible from Almeria, along with Mojacar and Velez Blanco.
Travelers can also visit the Mediterranean shopping complex, featuring Almeria’s local produce and other items. It’s a huge center housing boutiques and restaurants, so visitors can find everything they need in one place.
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Barcelona
Surely, no travelers can skip Barcelona when visiting Spain. Whether it’s summer, spring, autumn, or winter, tourists flock here for the host of architectural wonders scattered across the city. In winter, lots of interesting attractions can be seen here, including live Christmas concerts, exhibitions, and other special events.
Aside from visiting the common attractions like Gaudí buildings, museums, and shopping centers, travelers can also head to the Gothic Quarter. Here lies a number of monuments and remains of the Roman city. After the long day of exploration, try the Roman thermal bath and experience a candlelit spa with treatments.
If visiting in January, Barcelona celebrates the Three Wise Kings with a colorful parade, so watch out. Kids will love the sweets and chocolates thrown throughout the route.
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Madrid
Winter in Spain is absolutely magical for the glowing Christmas decors, lively plazas, and the holiday fairs. Madrid is another destination to visit for the colorful scenes, fun-filled squares, and lots of attractions. The festive ambiance awaits travelers who are visiting in December.
Live music and concerts also happen in winter, featuring holiday-themed shows. It’s also the best season to drink, visit the long stretch of bars, and try the glorious tapas or appetizers. The unbeatable selection of beverages and Christmas treats make traveling in Madrid worth it.
While in here, make sure to try the famous stew, cocido madrileño, consisting of hearty chickpeas, pork, chorizo, and warm broth. The sugary treats like churros with heavy chocolate dip, and marzipan are quite addicting.
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Cuenca
Next destination to include in the winter holiday bucket list is Cuenca—home of the hanging houses. It’s considered the very heart of Castilla, covered in Moorish remnants, from textiles, intricate details, and lush gardens.
Coming here, travelers can get a beautiful view of the mountains, medieval towns, and gorgeous gorges. The whole city looks historic, and even gained a UNESCO World Heritage Sites status for the hanging houses, and the Old Town.
In winter, the weather’s quite colder because of its location, but walking tours are possible with the right attire. The cobblestone alleys are also worth exploring, where one can see lots of quaint stores selling goodies, souvenirs, and antique items.
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Caceres
Caceres is an awesome location, featuring the modern art and thriving food scene. It’s a huge paradise for explorers by heart, with lots of cultural landmarks to see from the former empires. Towered palaces and cathedrals are scattered throughout the city, nestled side by side with art museums and urban housing.
Spending winter in Spain is a great idea to explore the hidden gems, particularly the casco viejo, convents, and public squares. Going in Caceres, travelers can visit centuries-old palaces, embedded with rich history, along with villages on the hill, and courtyards. The best part is visiting the granite columns, as well as brick passageways.
For foodies, grab a couple of gooey sheep cheese to partner with local wines. The hams and olive oils are popular products here, so don’t miss out.
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Aragon
The province of Aragon is a beautiful winter destination for the mesmerizing views of the mountains covered in snow blankets. Located near the Pyrenees, this province boasts of quaint villages at the foot of the mountain, where travelers can book cabins surrounded by the forest.
Being close to the ski stations, Aragon is a good spot for a quiet and intimate night with family, loved ones, and friends. Here, travelers can do lots of activities not limited to ski. Excursions in rivers, ravines, rafting, and canyoning are popular activities here. Fishing in rivers is also great, allowing for some quality time.
Of course, ski is the highlight of the visit here as there are awesome slopes with amazing views of the towns and villages. Winter in Spain is also not complete without the famed chorizo dishes.
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