Here are some of the top-rated winter activities in Catalonia’s Capital.
Barcelona, Spain’s second largest city, is an extremely popular destination during summer, thanks to its great combination of sun-soaked beaches and city. However, there are many of reasons to visit the capital of Catalonia during the winter season as well.
Barcelona is alive all year long, thanks to the fantastic Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunny days, blue skies, and almost no rain. It is also the time when the city is much less crowded, and the cultural calendar takes into action.
If you are planning to visit Barcelona for work, holidays or spanish courses Barcelona in the winter season, read on to discover some of the coolest activities to take advantage of the cold weather, do not wait until summer for your next trip!
Go Skiing in the Mountains
If you are staying in Barcelona during the cold season and are passionate about winter sports, a skiing gateway is the best way to enjoy your favorite hobby, whether it is on a day trip or during a longer stay.
There are many ski resorts near Barcelona that offer great skiing from the end of November until the end of March.
One of the most famous ski areas in Catalonia is La Monila, located less than two hours away from Barcelona, in the Pyrenees mountains of northeastern Spain.
It opened in 1943, and has a ski school, which started a year later. La Monila could be a little crowded during the weekend, but still nothing compared to the Alps.
There are many possibilities to get to La Molina by public transportation in the blink of an eye, so you do not need to rent a car.
In fact, the national rail company (Renfe) offers a package which includes a train and ski-pass, that can be bought online or at any Renfe railway station in Barcelona.
Taste the Delicious Traditional Catalan Winter Food
Traditional Catalan winter food is comfort food at its best and will warm up your body from top to bottom. There is a large number of winter dishes, so you need to take advantage of it before the thermometer starts creeping back up.
Therefore, during cold weather, you really cannot miss to try Escudella I carn d’olla (soup with pasta and meatballs), Ficandó (sliced beef with rice and mushrooms) or Canalones (an adapted and improved version of Italian cannelloni that become so popular that it is now a part of Catalan food tradition).
Finally, one of the famous Catalonian desserts is – of course – Crema Catalana. It is quite similar to the French crème brulee, aside from a few key ingredients (it has milk and eggs) and it is the local’s favorite dessert. It is absolutely delicious.
In El Born district you will find several restaurants and bars serving this type of food, and all of them are open for business all year long.
Enjoy the Sitges Carnival and Film Festival
Sitges is a town located about 35 kilometers southwest of Barcelona, known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, interesting historical sites and for its famous Film Festival and Carnival. Its LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere makes it a favorite destination for many people.
The Sitges Carnival has more than 100 years of history, and its celebrated during the cold season, either in February or March, depending on the year.
If you like to party, Sitges should definitely be on your itinerary. You can get there by taking the train from Barcelona-Sants station to Sitges station, which takes about 40 minutes.
Pamper Yourself with a Thermal Bath
The Aire de Barcelona is a luxury complex located in El Born district, inside an incredible palace (former meat storage facility) where they restored the ancient Roman and Greek bath traditions.
In the inside you can find a circuit of water baths ranging in temperature as well as a relaxation area where you can drink some wine, and even get a massage if you would like to.
It is definitely an unforgettable experience for the mind and the senses and perfect for a cold day when in Barcelona.
Besides this exciting winter activities, Barcelona also has other attractions such as the numerous national parks, cozy cafés, word-class museums, and some villages near the city that you will be able to visit without crowds during winter.
