How to enjoy Christmas in Spain
Spain is a beautiful and festive country to visit during the holiday season, with a rich tradition of celebrating Christmas. Of course, you may want to snuggle in your bata manta, but if you want to explore Spain, here are a few things that you should consider doing:
Outdoors or Indoors?
Visit a Christmas market. Spain has several charming Christmas markets. These are great places to shop for gifts, decorations, and festive treats. Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville are famous Christmas markets. Go ice skating: Many Spanish cities and towns have outdoor ice skating rinks open during the holiday season. Ice skating is a fun and festive activity for the whole family.
Have a spiritual experience
If you are religious, attending a Christmas Mass, or “Misa de Navidad,” is a must-do activity during your visit to Spain. Moreover, Christmas Mass is held in churches across the country on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and is a beautiful and meaningful way to celebrate the holiday. Additionally, it is traditional in Spain to go caroling, or “cantar villancicos,” during the holiday season. Groups of people go door-to-door singing Christmas carols and spreading holiday cheer. Furthermore, you could join in, sing, or enjoy listening to beautiful music if you feel brave.
Traditional experiences
Sample traditional Christmas foods. Spanish cuisine is world-renowned for its delicious and varied flavors, and the holiday season is a great time to sample some traditional Christmas foods. Some popular Christmas dishes in Spain include roast pork, seafood, and a variety of sweets, such as turrón (nougat) and polvorones (shortbread cookies). Celebrate Three Kings Day: The holiday season doesn’t end on Christmas Day in Spain. Instead, it continues until January 6th, when you celebrate Three Kings Day. This holiday marks the arrival of the three wise men in Bethlehem, and it is traditional to exchange gifts on this day. In addition, many cities and towns in Spain hold parades and other celebrations to mark the occasion.
Lights
On Christmas Day, many families take a leisurely walk or hike to enjoy the winter weather and get exercise. Additionally, if you’re looking for something more festive, you can visit a Christmas light display.
Conclusion
Overall, there are many fun and festive things to do in Spain during Christmas. From visiting Christmas markets and attending Mass to enjoying traditional foods and participating in holiday activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy during the holidays in Spain. Enjoy a traditional Christmas Eve dinner with family or friends, which typically includes dishes such as ‘turron’ (nougat), ‘roscón de Reyes’ (a type of pastry), and ‘Pavo Trufado de Navidad’ (a turkey stuffed with truffles). On Christmas Day, as mentioned before, taking a leisurely walk or hike and enjoying the beautiful natural scenery of Spain is also a great way to spend the day. Visiting Christmas light displays and markets is also an excellent way to spend time during the Christmas celebrations.
