Five Alternative Christmas Markets in Barcelona

If you'll be in Barcelona in December, keep your eyes open for unique Catalan Christmas decorations at the holiday markets!

This blog post was originally posted on December 11, 2014 and was updated on October 16, 2018. With tasty seasonal treats, beautiful handcrafted goods and a sense of holiday spirit permeating the air, it’s hard not to love Christmas markets. As Spain’s second-largest city and one of Europe’s most popular destinations, Barcelona itself has several […]

The Best Christmas Markets in Madrid: Plaza Mayor & Beyond

Our favorite part of experiencing winter in Madrid: the festive Christmas markets!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year here in Madrid! It goes without saying that Christmastime in Madrid brings an unforgettable sensation of holiday magic, and nowhere does that feel more present than at one of the many Christmas markets scattered throughout the city. Whether you’re looking for traditional goods, artisanal handcrafted gifts, or […]

25 Unique Spanish Christmas & New Year’s Traditions

People watching a parade from a balcony as a large float full of people dressed in white costumes passes by

This post was originally published on December 23, 2014 and was updated with new text and photos on December 5, 2022.  You may already know about the Three Kings that bring children presents or the special sweets eaten this time of year. But there are plenty more Spanish Christmas traditions that aren’t as well known […]

Madrid in May: Best Things to See & Do

Urban plaza with a statue of a man in the foreground and a large white hotel in the background.

The sun is shining, the days are getting longer, and Madrid is buzzing with activity—it must be May! Late spring, without a doubt, is one of the best times of the year to visit the Spanish capital. The numerous parks and gardens across town spring into bloom with colorful flowers, and seats begin to fill […]