The 20 best places to visit in Spain in winter Almost everyone takes their holidays in summer because the weather is better and the days are longer. If you are already starting to plan your next summer vacation, we have a very cool article about the 16 places to
Almost everyone takes their vacations in summer because the weather is better and the days are longer.
If you are already starting to plan your next summer vacation, we have a very cool article about 16 places to go on vacation in Spain that can help you.
However, in this article we are not going to talk about summer but of winter.
And yes, we believe that doing some holidays in Spain during winter It can be just as cool or even better than in summer.
Maybe you are thinking that we are crazy, but we assure you that after reading the 20 best places to visit in Spain in winter, You will feel like taking a trip right now.
If you think like us, surely you can appreciate winter things that summer doesn't have: elegant clothes, snow, spending afternoons in a cozy cafe...
Furthermore, in winter very few people travel and accommodation prices are always lower. You have to take advantage of it!
Another point in favor of winter in Spain is that it is not as harsh as in other countries.
Temperatures are not usually extremely low and it is common for the sun to come out. If you dress well, you can be on the street without a problem.
How long does winter last in Spain? Start the December 21 and ends March 20.
So…What to see in Spain in winter? Are you thinking about taking a trip here during these months?
Stay with us because this article will inspire you if you are looking for beautiful places to visit in winter in Spain. 😉
We start our list of places to visit in Spain in winter with the municipality of Bocairent.
It is located in the region of the Vall d'Albaida, in the southern end of the province of Valencia. Today it has about 4,130 inhabitants.
If you like medieval cities, Bocairent is going to fascinate you. It is one of the most beautiful medieval towns in the entire Valencian Community.
Tour its old town During the winter it is a joy. We recommend that you cross the bridge Sant Blai. From there you can see the best panoramic views of the entire town.
In winter, it may snow for a few days and Bocairent is covered in white flakes and fog.
It is at this moment when we most recommend that you go visit it and let yourself be intoxicated by this fairy tale city. Of course, dress warmly!
In these areas of Valencia the climate is much colder than in the capital.
One of the points of interest most famous in Bocairent is Les Covetes dels Moros.
Les Covetes dels Moros It is an excavation in a rock wall of the Barranc del Fos. In this wall, 53 vertical windows were formerly made.
Inside these windows were small hearths. So that you understand it, it is like a building, but embedded in a mountain. Incredible! TRUE?
What cities to visit in Spain in winter? Without a doubt, among the wide range of options you have to choose from, pomegranate must be a must see.
pomegranate It is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. It is famous for the spectacular Alhambra.
Located on top of a hill, within this enormous and ancient arabic fortress There are opulent royal palaces, swimming pools, courtyards and orchards.
Why is Granada one of the best cities in Spain to visit in winter?
There are three big reasons:
Can you imagine how many people visit it in winter? less than half.
Do you want to know more beautiful towns of the Valencian Community in winter? We bring you one of the most famous: Peniscola.
Peniscola is a municipality located in the province of Castellon. The most striking thing about this town is that it is located on a rock next to the sea.
At the top of its old town the Pope Luna's castle, the main monument that you should visit in Peñíscola.
It is especially nice to come in winter. During this season this place looks like it really is: calm, serene and mysterious. Quite the opposite than during the bustling summer.
The privileged location of this town has made it a perfect setting for cinema on various occasions.
Did you know that Game of Thrones (game of thrones) was filmed here? In some scenes of the city of Meereen Its streets were used to recreate it. 😊
The reason for including Madrid In this list of places in Spain to visit in winter it is evident.
Madrid is the capital of Spain and collect some of the best architectural works from all over the country:
The monuments you can see in Madrid they are innumerable.
Why is it one of the places to visit in Spain in winter?
Despite the low temperatures that usually occur, people usually face winter with optimism thanks to leisure.
One of the favorite plans of Madrid residents to warm up is to have a delicious chocolate with churros. One of the best chocolate shops isSan Gines, very close to the Gate of the Sun.
After taking a long walk around the Retiro Park, it sounds very appetizing to have a hot chocolate and churros, right? ☕😋
On the other hand, Madrid is, along with Barcelona, the capital of art and culture in Spain.
Why not take advantage of the cold to contemplate in depth the works of the Prado Museum? This is the most famous, but not the only one.
The museum offering in Madrid is enviable: Thyssen Museum, Sorolla Museum, Reina Sofía National Museum...
As you can imagine, winter is when there are fewer people in these museums and they can be enjoyed much better.
If you have seen images of Segovia, surely you know the impressive aqueduct which is in the middle of the Castilian-Leonese city.
Can you imagine it in the middle of winter covered in snow? It's incredible, one of the most beautiful landscapes What to see during winter in Spain.
But the aqueduct is not the only point of interest in Segovia.
The views of Alcazar of Segovia From the different valleys and viewpoints they are phenomenal. This elegant castle is one of the most spectacular and famous in Spain.
Did you know that it served as inspiration for some of the Walt Disney stories? Just for this information you have to visit Segovia!
When we talk about winter, almost all of us associate it with the months of December and January. And what about February?
Do you have vacations and you don't know where to go in February in Spain? Don't get overwhelmed, Teruel is the solution.
Teruel is a province of the Autonomous Community of Aragon, east of Spain.
Located in a very high mountainous area, the most notable thing about this city is the mudejar architecture, which mixes Gothic and Islamic art.
The Cathedral of Santa María de Mediavilla It is one of the main monuments with this architecture.
Why do we say that Teruel is one of the places in Spain to visit in winter? And especially in the month of February?
Because from the third weekend onwards the «Lovers' Festival».
In this festival a beautiful medieval market is set up and the tortuous love story who suffered Isabel de Segura and Juan Martínez de Marcilla in the 18th century. Known as the lovers of Teruel.
Don't you know them? Yes, they are our Spanish Romeo and Juliet!
Did you know that Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in the world?
Receives an average of more than 8 million views. And no wonder, the Catalan capital is known for its art and fabulous architecture.
The Holy Family, Park Güell or Casa Batlló are some of the main places of interest.
However, we include Barcelona in this article about the best destinations in Spain in winter especially for one reason: the Gothic Quarter.
It is a real delight to visit the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona in winter. The streets are emptier and it is not stiflingly hot.
You can walk quietly and go into the alleys of the old jewish quarter without getting overwhelmed, looking at store windows without feeling like you're in anyone's way, wandering around the markets calmly, etc.
Furthermore, in winter, as it gets dark early, the Gothic Quarter lights up and you can see the most emblematic buildings illuminated, such as the Barcelona Cathedral.
For this reason, we think that Barcelona can be one of the most beautiful cities in Spain at Christmas.
Are you a lover of northern Spain? The landscapes there are very different from the rest of the country. Nature is greener because it rains more.
If you are thinking about where to travel in winter in the north of Spain, one of our recommendations is San Sebastian.
San Sebastian (Donostia) is the capital of Guipúzcoa, province of the Basque Country.
The most striking thing about the city is its geography, which mix the beach with the mountains providing a very particular landscape and beautiful views.
You may think that the most appropriate season to visit is summer, and perhaps you are right.
However, the charm of this city in winter is caused by the climatic conditions.
On days when the wind blows strong, waves crash aggressively against the shore. Some reach an altitude of several meters.
See this nature show from the hills of San Sebastián is something that you can only witness during winter.
It may rain so... put on a good raincoat and enjoy!
If venturing hiking in the winter is your thing, Ordesa National Park can make you fall in love
This park is a protected natural area in the Aragonese Pyrenees and one of the most traveled places in all the Pyrenees.
One of the most beautiful sections is the Ordesa Valley, a huge valley surrounded by mountains, trees and streams.
In winter this entire landscape is completely covered by snow. He becomes one of the snowy places in Spain more beautiful.
If you are able to withstand the cold, here you can enjoy some of the best beautiful winter landscapes.
However, it is required good physical shape and resistance to cold to hike through these frozen mountains during winter.
Basin It is another fairy tale city and one of the best places to visit in Spain during winter weekend getaways.
Cross the St. Paul's Bridge while you watch the hanging houses and the ravines are pure delight. If there is fog or snow covering the roofs, it becomes one of the beautiful winter landscapes preferred by the Spanish.
Another place that you should see near this city is "The Enchanted City", a natural space characterized by calcareous rocks formed thousands of years ago.
A magical landscape which served as the setting for the home where the witch in the movie livedConan the barbarian (1982).
Another very enjoyable thing about Cuenca is the gastronomy. If you want to combat the winter cold, there is nothing better than eating a good morteruelo or a delicious arriero garlic. 😋
The province of Tudela, in Navarra, is an ideal place to spend a winter holiday in Spain.
Cross the stone bridge above the Ebro river and contemplate the views of the Santa Barbara Hill, the cathedral of Tudela and the historic city under the winter snow... it is incomparable.
Without a doubt, one of the winter landscapes in Spain most charming.
Very close to Tudela, is the municipality of Olite. While you're at it, make a stop here and take some time to visit the Royal Palace from the 14th century.
The old court of the Navarrese kings is one of the most beautiful castles in all of Europe and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Do our reasons convince you to visit these beautiful towns in Spain in winter?
Don't miss them!
To the west of Castilla y León, on the banks of the Douro River The province of Zamora is located.
Observe Zamora from the river bank in the cold months, is one of our top of beautiful winter landscapes.
The city center is surrounded by walls very well preserved. In addition, it also has the Holy Cathedral Church, which is characterized by its Byzantine dome.
All these reasons make Zamora one of the most beautiful medieval citiesof our country.
Another relevant fact about winter in Zamora is the festivities of "The Masquerades".
These festivals are held in some Zamorano towns between the months of December and January.
The protagonists of these festivities are people dressed in strange clothes. clothes and masks that perform different functions.
It is a festival whose origin dates back to the Pre-Roman Spain…they are more than 2,000 years old. Don't you think it's incredible that they are still celebrated in some regions?
Some of the towns that make these "Mascarades" They are: Riofrío de Aliste, Sarracín de Aliste, Abejera or Villanueva de Valrojo, among others.
If you are going to travel through Spain in January and Zamora is nearby, you already know that in these towns you have the opportunity to witness a millennial festival. 🙌
All Spaniards like it Cantabria.
This autonomous community is famous above all for The Peaks of Europe and for hosting many captivating towns. Shall we name some of you? Come on!
Let's not forget that in Cantabria there are also the Altamira Caves, in which are some of the cave paintings best preserved from prehistory in the world.
Do you like animals? Then pay a visit to Cabárceno Park, considered by many experts as the best zoo in all of Spain.
It has several records, such as housing the largest brown bear reserve in Europe or having one of the largest gorilla enclosures in the world.
Finally, the capital of Cantabria, Santander, also deserves mention in this article.
Located on the shores of the Cantabrian Sea, the most fabulous thing about this city in winter is contemplating how the rough sea merges with snow (if you're lucky and it snows, of course).
If you have not yet chosen where to spend your winter holidays in Spain, Cantabria can offer you many plans for a week or more.
The Aran Valley It is a group of towns that seem straight out of a Disney story. It is located in the Catalan Pyrenees within the province of Lérida.
The fantastic thing about the towns of the Aran Valley is that they are located in the middle of a high mountain.
If you want to flee the city and relax in nature, taking winter getaways in these towns will satisfy your needs to disconnect.
To give you an idea of how quiet these towns are, the population of Arties, one of the most beautiful, does not reach the 500 inhabitants.
If you are looking for calm and to live for a while in an environment surrounded by charming little houses with peaked roofs and snowy high mountains, the towns of the Aran Valley They may be the best places to Visit Spain in winter.
Galicia It moves everyone who steps on it. Although it is mainly known for the Camino de Santiago, this autonomous community in the northwest of the peninsula has much more to offer.
If we had to choose a winter weekend to spend in Galicia, we would choose the city of lugo.
Of Roman origin, Lugo is the most ancient of Galicia. It preserves much of the walled from the historic center.
Walk through the cobbled streets of the old town Lugo in winter is a delight. You can breathe tranquility, hardly any vehicles pass by, the air is very pure and you can explore it in a short time.
Before leaving Galicia, you cannot leave without trying some of its traditional dishes such as the delicious octopus at fair (Galician-style octopus) or some elaborate Galician empanadas.
With this delicious gastronomy, traveling in Spain in December, January or February has never been so appealing. 🤤
The Canary Islands is one of the best places to visit in winter in Spain.
And it turns out that in the Canary Islands there is a subtropical climate and the temperature remains around 22 degrees throughout the year.
If you don't like very low temperatures, you will find the best climate in Spain in winter on these islands.
Would you like bathe on the beach in the middle of December? In the Canary Islands you can do it!
Another very beautiful aspect of these islands is the geographic diversity.
Each island is different: some are more forested, others more desert, others more volcanic, etc.
The Canary Islands are seven in total. Don't you know what they are? I'll tell you a little about them:
If next Christmas you have vacations and you don't know where to travel in December in Spain, the canary islands They can be a great option.
They will captivate you if you are looking for a warm climate and paradise landscapes.
The autonomous community of Extremadura It is one of the places with the largest number of plans to do in winter.
In addition to visiting its beautiful provinces Cáceres and Badajoz, there are many activities that happen during the winter. I'll tell you some:
This is a small sample of the things to do in winter in Extremadura, but there are many more. It will surely surprise you. 😉
Despite all our proposals, do you still not know what to visit in winter in Spain? Maybe Asturias be the solution.
Asturias It is famous for housing some of the largest natural parks in the country.
There are seven in total, and as you can imagine, visiting these parks in winter is a good idea because there are no crowds of people.
The most touristy is the Picos de Europa National Park. The extensive Covadonga Lakes They take center stage in this park.
If you take a photo, a cow may get in the way. ¡the cows hence they are professional models!
And don't worry about the cold. Temperatures in Asturias are not as low as you think. With a good coat, scarf and gloves… The cold won't spoil your trip!
In addition to the nature reserves, the sport of ski In Asturias it is very popular. The main stations are Valgrande-pajares in Lena and Fuentes de Invierno in Aller.
If you like urban environments and want to escape the cold, the best thing you can do is visit its main cities: Oviedo, Gijón and Avilés.
They are small and can be seen in a short time. The three cities in winter have a great personality.
If next year you don't know what to visit in Spain in December, perhaps Oviedo will convince you: every year the Asturian capital mounts christmas markets with many artisan products for sale.
In January you can also experience the fun Guirria and Aguinaldo Festival in Ponga.
If strong emotions are your thing, maybe you'll dare to compete with a vehicle made by you in the Descent of Galiana, held in Avilés.
Sounds fun, doesn't it? These Asturians know how to have a great time! 😁
Ah! And don't forget to eat a good one Asturian bean stew, is one of the most delicious hot dishes in this community.
My mother! What a great article!
Now you know a lot of places to go in winter vacation for Spain. We have seen plans that require several days and others that require shorter days.
The proposal I make to you now will only occupy you half day.
Guadalest It is a very small town located in the interior of Alicante. It only has 258 inhabitants.
Despite the few people who live here, it turns out that Guadalest is one of our favorites charming towns in Spain in winter.
Its magic lies in the geographical position of your castle, located on the highest rock in the municipality.
During the Middle Ages and the Modern Age, this elevated position allowed it to have a privileged strategic situation against attackers.
Nowadays, tourists go up to have some good views of the Alicante landscape and the various hiking trails that travel through its mountains.
We could not dismiss this article without talking about our beloved city.
We think that Valencia is one of the best Spain sites to visit in winter for many reasons.
The main reason is the weather. Winters in the Levantine capital are very mild and the sky is clear almost every day, except for the month of November, which is usually the rainiest.
This good climate will allow you to enjoy everything that Valencia offers you just as if you were in spring or summer:
And, of course, another great winter plan you can do is learn Spanish with us at Hispania, Spanish school.
Recently, Valencia was chosen as the healthiest city in the world.
Do you know that recently the InterNations community has also chosen it as the best city to live in 2022? 😀
As you can see, there are many international praises for Valencia.
If you want learn spanish with our face-to-face Spanish courses In the best city in the world, we will welcome you with open arms.
If you prefer to study Spanish from another place or from home, you can also do it with us through our online Spanish courses.
In our classes you will learn all the Spanish grammar and vocabulary of all thematic areas, such as Useful phrases in Spanish for traveling to Spain.
We hope that this article has been helpful to you get to know the different cities and towns better of our beautiful country.
After reading it, I'm sure you already have a good idea of what to do in winter in Spain.
The 20 destinations that we have proposed are all beautiful, you will surely enjoy them a lot.
Are you already sure where to do winter tourism in Spain? Of all the options we have given you, which one catches your attention the most and why?
Tell me in the comments!✌️
Article written by Carlos Martinez for Hispania, Spanish school.
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