The capital of Catalonia usually attracts most visitors during spring and summer. But those  that choose to visit it in December will get to know another, equally spectacular, aspect of this city with these 5 things to live a Christmas Day in Barcelona like a local.

The streets are lighted with hundreds of lights, old shops with wonderfully decorated storefronts make the scenery look like a Dickens fairytale. In squares many markets, firas, are set up with many stalls offering treats, gifts and ornaments. The huge ice rink dominates over Plaça de Catalunya and the city’s highlight is none other than the big nativity scene in Plaça de Sant Jaume.

5 things to enjoy Christmas Day in Barcelona like a local

We concentrated these 5 top things to do on a Christmas day in Barcelona as a local so save this on your calendar to live the experience to the full.

Christmas lights

More than 400 streets are decorated with huge Christmas lights. The most impressive are located along La Rambla, in Portal de l’ Angel and in Passeig de Gràcia.

This year, the famous Torre Agbar of Jean Nouvel will be lighted and shine like a giant Christmas tree.

The ice rink

Also, every year Plaça de Catalunya hosts a giant ice rink that operates each day from 10am until 9pm. Wear your gloves and ice skate on your own or participate in courses taking place there.

Very often, the stores of the nearby Portal de l’ Angel offer discount coupons for the ice rink.

Nativity scene

Furthermore, there is no house in Barcelona that on Christmas day does not have a nativity scene. But the bigger, better and more spectacular is in Plaça de Sant Jaume.

Everybody waits impatiently for its opening every year at the end of November while often there are many surprises. For instance, one year the traditional figures were replaced by figures of street cleaners, firemen and workers.

Fira de Santa Llúcia

The Christmas market of Santa Llúcia around the cathedral is no ordinary fira.

It is dedicated to the Middle Ages and to Catalonian traditions. Besides ornaments and mistletoe, you will find also the characteristic figure of the caganer, the peasant with his pants down that does number 2, a figure that is placed on the edge of every nativity scene in Catalonia.

Another traditional Catalan custom is that of the caga tió, a log with a painted smiley face, feet and a red hat. You will find it in most Catalan houses. It is customary to cover it with a small blanket overnight so as not to catch cold.

Giant Logs

This year, a giant log has been placed in front of Col-legi d’ Arquitectes de Catalunya.

Finally, according to Catalan myths, the Home dels nassos (the man with the noses) is a figure that wonders around town in New Year’s Eve having in his face as many noses as the days of the year left since each day it loses one nose.

Cursa dels Nassos

Every year, during the last day of the year, a 11km race across Barcelona is hosted where everybody can run as a tribute to Home del nassos.

Live a Christmas day in Barcelona

Overall, we believe that Barcelona has attractions to offer during Christmas days. You can choose to find and rent apartments in Barcelona close to Sagrada Familia or close to the cathedral and the Christmas markets.

This way you will be able to enjoy your holidays, live like a local in Barcelona and furthermore make use of all the amenities you will have had in a hotel but with a local touch.

Catalans hold a monopoly in the building sector, the human castles or towers or castells as they are known. Castellers are building for over 200 years those high “towers” at the southwest part of Catalonia and especially at Tarragona and Penedès. That one of a kind folklore tradition it is said to have roots in medieval siege practices while nowadays it is an amateur sport that everybody takes seriously.

Castellers try to “build” floors made out of humans reaching as high as possible and then descend without letting the tower collapse to a rumble. This is actually a cultural symbol in Catalonia and the experience of watching castellers is truly amazing and mesmerizing. Nowadays, many groups of castellers, the so called collas, are active in and around Barcelona. Along with the rest (the best groups come from the Valls and Vilafranca del Penedès areas) they participate in local fiestas and competitions from February until October.

Continue reading Castellers: where to see human towers in Barcelona during August? →

As a city of immense culture and quality, the constructions in Barcelona are as breathtaking as you might expect. The city is one of the most diverse in Europe when it comes to architectural styles, making it a fantastic place to visit. Among the best locations in the city to come and visit, though is the immense Romanesque constructions in Barcelona.

Continue reading Sightseeing tours in Barcelona: Romanesque constructions →

The city and jewel of Spain, Barcelona, attracts millions of tourists every year. Some arrive at this great city for the food, the sights, the rich history, the neighborhoods, the people and the parties. But Barcelona has many more to offer.

If you are interested in sports and especially in motorbikes and motorcycles, this is a city that is very fond of this sport and of the motorcycle culture. This is very evident through many sporting events regarding motorbikes along with the presence of several clubs. So if you are a fan of motorcycling you can come to Barcelona. You can rent an apartment in any of the areas close to the events and enjoy them as a local.

Continue reading Motorbikes in Barcelona: much more than two wheels →

If you are looking to plan the perfect trip to Barcelona and you want to have a quick Catalan lesson for your trip, this is the right place to be. We will present you with some of the basic words you can use to manage your trip while staying at the same time at an apartment that you have rented.

There are some basic phrases and sentences that you need to know in Catalan if you want to order food, ask for the nearest metro or bus or for the way to Sagrada Familia or to your apartment in Barcelona or greet the locals here you will find exactly what you need.

Continue reading Quick Catalan lesson for your trip to Barcelona →

Every year, during the last week of April and around the first days of May people flock into Barcelona to attend one of the more colorful events in Spain. The April Fair of Catalonia or in Spanish “Feria de abril de Cataluña”, considered to be one of the biggest fairs in Spain during spring, attracts a variety of tourists and people from all over the world, bringing to Barcelona a taste of Seville.

This year it will take place between April the 26^th and the 04^th of May and as usual it will be held in Parc del Fòrum, the same place that is held for years now. Entrance and admission are free and you can get there very easily via Metro. You can find cheap accommodation nearby and you can rent an apartment in Barcelona close to the fair so you won’t miss out.

Continue reading April Fair: a piece of Seville in the tradition of Barcelona →

As one of the most powerful and lasting forms of expression, music in Barcelona has become a major tool of the people. Many residents of Barcelona will spend their weekends enjoying music old and new, taking in various musical scenes across the city. As a city that is proud of its rich musical heritage, you’ll find all manner of innovative, exciting spaces to come and check out across the Barcelona music scene.

From classic music to more modern takes, you’ll find that there is an opportunity for everyone to enjoy their music here in the city of Barcelona.

Continue reading Music in Barcelona: a wide range of options →

As a city known for its creative edge, you might not be shocked to find that theatre in Barcelona is very popular. Like all of the arts, Barcelona finds a space for theatre fans to truly enjoy themselves. There are many places to visit and productions to enjoy though, so you should definitely look to check out some of the most popular theaters around.

What, though, makes the theatre in Barcelona such a major part of the city? Where in history did the theater become such a prominent part of its culture and identity?

Continue reading Theatre in Barcelona: art and passion →

Besides the food, the tapas, the museums, the rich history, the sights and the many parks and activities you can do there, Spain, Barcelona and the small town of Sitges are also known among tourists and locals alike for something else.

Every year for a whole week, just before the beginning of Lent, more than 250,000 people flock to the town to enjoy one of the biggest carnivals in the world. Taking place usually around the beginning of February it hosts a huge variety of parties, parades, festivals and many colorful and fun costumes.

Continue reading Enjoy Sitges Carnaval from a studio in Barcelona →