Please sign in to post.

Christmas Markets

Posted by (Tel Aviv) on

I land in Madrid on Nov 24 and fly out of Barcelona on Dec 13. My current plan is to revisit Madrid, Sevilla, Cordoba then on to Zaragoza (first time) for their market which ends on Dec 6, and finish up with a few days in Barcelona.

If you've been to any Christmas markets in Spain, especially in these cities, I'd like to know what you enjoyed, what you recommend, and any other ideas you have for my trip.

I've booked 3N in Madrid, then 4N in Sevilla and 3N in Cordoba, all at hotels I've stayed before. All the reservations can be cancelled, so I'm not locked into an itinerary.

Do you have a hotel rec for Zaragoza or can you tell me what area to look for? What sights do you recommend other than the Xmas market? 3N or 4N in Zaragoza? That leaves me 5 or 6N in Barcelona. I could take 1-2 nights for somewhere nearby, or a couple of day trips if there are any interesting Xmas markets to see within an hour or so train ride. Otherwise I have no trouble filling up the days in Barcelona.

Posted by
746 posts

In Zaragoza: Take a look at Hotel Pilar Plaza located directly across from the Cathedral. And be sure to visit Aljaferia Palace.

Posted by
956 posts

Spain is not big on Christmas markets in the same way as northern Europe.
The big thing in Spanish towns is the Belen, or Nativity scene. These are in churches, public places, shop windows - some of them are absolutely massive, and some cities have a "living" scene, with real people.
Nearby there may be a market with stalls selling the figures, but don't expect big, traditional affairs.

Posted by
16047 posts

mmi - That hotel looked really good, then I read the reviews on booking.com and there were a couple frequently recurring complaints that I knew would make me unhappy. But I found another offer, Hotel Inca, just a short walk away that I think will suit me fine. So thank you for the help. I have listed the Aljaferia Palace on my must-see sights. Do you have any restaurant recommendations? Also for Sevilla and Barcelona. Nothing gourmet, I eat vegetarian (and anchovies) so really upscale is usually wasted on me.

Lin - I planned this trip partly to see the Barcelona markets (which I'm told are pretty good) and to visit Zaragoza, which - it turns out - has a "famous" market the first week in December. The rest of the trip is mostly to be in some of my favorite places. I'm starting to get excited about revisiting the Prado, the Mezquita, seeing an old friend in Sevilla, and wandering in Cordoba which I love dearly. So I'm not bothered by a lack of the elaborate markets of northern Europe. I am looking forward to the holiday atmosphere and the hot mulled wine if it gets cold enough to warrant it.

Posted by
4306 posts

Umm actually we do have quite good "Christmas Market" traditions going back hundreds of years, we call them Ferias or Mercadillos Navideños, you'll find especially in the northern parts Spain. I visited the one in Zaragoza which actually ends in early January (many of them do), just before Tres Reyes on Jan 6th (maybe this is what you refer to)

If you scroll down to the bottom of my photo album (taken on Dec 25) you can see how it looks in the day and night, it's quite big with many stalls and food and with a life size Nativity scene you can walk through (I think it's the largest in the world):
España 2018 - https://photos.app.goo.gl/eGELNBMmMJXRVfpy5

As you probably know in Barcelona we have the Feria de Santa Lucia (I've been several times), which is the main Christmas market which takes up the entire Plaza de la Seu in front of the Cathedral, with 100s of stalls, the unique thing are the Caga Tio figurines many stalls sell .

As for Zaragoza, I can suggest Hotel NH Ciudad de Zaragoza (stayed there a few times), fairly modern and located along the river and right across from the Roman walls and the Basilica del Pilar, so excellent views for rooms facing East.

For other sites to see I can also recommend the Aljafería Palace, the Roman Theater ruins, Goya Museum, Caesaraugusta Forum underground museum, El Tubo district (for Tapas bars), Puerta Cinegia food market/hall, Mercado Central de Zaragoza (recently renovated), Catedral del Salvador, and I'd make sure to go inside the Basilica del Pilar.

For potential Zaragoza day trips, I can suggest Tarazona (like a mini Toledo) which has a history of peaceful Christian, Jewish, and Muslim coexistence, also Olite (like a mini Carcassonne) is nice but a little farther I think, I recon both should have some public transportation connections to Zaragoza.

Posted by
176 posts

I was in Barcelona and points south last year over the holidays. Barcelona had a large market along the water front. Each city was lit up brightly with Christmas lights like I’ve never seen before and the atmosphere was very festive. The weather was mild and the cities were seemingly very uncrowded. Seemed like a great time to visit to me.

Posted by
3449 posts

Hey Chani,

Long time no hear! I’m especially happy you’re coming back to Barcelona… and Bòira is too ; ) This time I’m NOT letting you anywhere near El Corte Inglés though… better safe than sorry.

But honestly, as an honorary Barcelonian by now, I’m not going to explain the obvious stuff to you. You already know all the classic Christmas things around the city: Santa Llúcia market, the Passeig de Gràcia lights, the nativity scene at Plaça Sant Jaume, the Sagrada Família Christmas market, the nativities' exhibition at Monastir de Pedralbes, all that good stuff.

So instead, here are some ideas for a day trip outside Barcelona, close enough to do comfortably in one day:

All of them are very different vibes, but very Catalan Christmas in their own way.

Do your homework, check them out and see if they are your cup of tea and if they fit around your calendar, and dig around online for more info. ;)

Enjoy!

Posted by
16047 posts

Carlos The pix were beautiful. Thanks for all the helpful info

Enric I laughed at your second line. But I remind you that I didn't get to ANY of the Christmas things, which is why I'm coming back this December :-) And the hotel I booked is right on Plaça Catalunya . . . .

Fira Medieval de Vic sounds wonderful, it's on my calendar. Luckily the dates work out. I will do my homework . . . before December.

Add Reply

Please do not reply to violations of our Community Guidelines.