Everything You Need to Know If You’re Planning to Visit Spain at Christmas

If you’re planning a trip to Spain during the Christmas season, this guide is for you.

We’ve compiled an essential list of tips to help you make the most of every moment of your visit.

From logistics and cultural customs to unique local experiences, you’ll uncover the secrets that turn a simple trip into a truly memorable adventure.

Join us as we reveal everything you need to know to enjoy a truly Spanish Christmas.

Top Tips to Make the Most of Christmas in Spain

To make your experience unforgettable, it’s important to understand some key elements that will help you navigate this busy time of year.

1. Book in Advance

When planning a Christmas trip to Spain, keep in mind that this is peak travel season.

So, our first (and most important) tip is simple: book everything early.

Waiting too long can mean skyrocketing prices—or worse, missing out on the best accommodation and transport options.

Planning should also include your daily activities.

Christmas Eve (December 24) and New Year’s Eve (December 31) are family holidays, and the most popular restaurants often close or require reservations made months in advance for their special holiday menus.

And don’t forget to check the holiday schedules for museums and major monuments, as many close or reduce hours on Christmas and New Year’s Day.

2. What the Weather’s Really Like

Spain may be famous for sunshine, but the truth is that it gets quite cold during Christmas, especially inland.

Don’t assume you’ll find spring-like temperatures just because you’re visiting southern Europe.

Cities like Madrid, much of Castilla y León, and higher-altitude areas like Granada often experience frost and freezing temperatures at night and in the early morning.

Therefore, your luggage should be prepared to handle these conditions.

Local tip: Dress in layers.

A warm coat, hat, scarf, and gloves are essential for walking around outside—but make sure you can peel off layers easily once inside a bar or shop, where heating is usually high.

3. Christmas Lights

One of the most magical experiences during Spanish Christmas is, without a doubt, the spectacle of Christmas lights.

In fact, cities compete to see who can outshine the rest—turning streets, squares, and entire avenues into authentic light galleries.

Cities like Vigo have even earned international fame for their over-the-top light displays.

Take a stroll in the early evening and enjoy the views—it’s a 100% recommended plan.

4. Nativity Scenes

While lights decorate the streets, the true artistic and spiritual centerpiece of Spanish Christmas is the nativity scene—or Belén.

Forget about just a Christmas tree—creating a Belén is a full art form that’s proudly displayed in homes, churches, and public spaces.

They depict not only the Holy Family but entire villages with incredible detail, including miniature trades, landscapes, and even the cheeky caganer figure in Catalonia.

We recommend following local nativity scene routes, especially in Andalusia and the Madrid region.

You’ll discover genuine works of art that often take up entire rooms.

5. The Christmas Lottery

If your trip starts before December 22nd, you’ll be swept up in a national obsession: the Christmas Lottery, affectionately known as El Gordo.

And it’s not just a draw — it’s a social phenomenon that marks the official start of the holidays.

Around this time, you’ll see people queuing in the streets to buy tickets from iconic lottery shops, a tradition that often symbolizes shared hope and family unity.

So we suggest you consider buying a small ticket, even just for the anecdote, to actively take part in this Spanish tradition.

By doing so, you’re not just playing for luck — you’re experiencing firsthand one of the most deeply rooted customs of Christmas in Spain.

6. The Twelve Grapes

New Year’s Eve in Spain brings a unique tradition: eating twelve grapes at midnight, one for each chime of the clock.

Unlike other European countries, the celebration here centers around the stroke of midnight.

The entire country gathers around the TV (or in person) to follow the Puerta del Sol clock in Madrid, eating one grape with each bell toll.

You’ll need speed and concentration—but don’t worry if you don’t manage to eat them all.

The fun is in the attempt and the shared celebration right after!

7. The Three Kings Parade

Unlike many countries where Santa Claus is the central figure, in Spain, the excitement and gift-giving revolve around the Three Wise Men from the East.

In fact, the Christmas holidays reach their peak on the night and day of Epiphany, January 5th and 6th.

And if you’re traveling with children, this will be the most magical date, as January 6th is when gifts are traditionally opened, filling homes with excitement and wonder.

Beyond this, the main event you can’t miss is the spectacular Cabalgata de Reyes, held on the evening of January 5th.

It’s a massive parade where Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar ride through the main streets of the city on elaborate floats.

The best part? During the parade, you can catch the sweets that the Kings and their royal pages throw into the crowds.

8. Try the Roscón de Reyes

No Christmas celebration in Spain is complete without a Roscón de Reyes on January 6th.

This sweet, ring-shaped brioche, often decorated with candied fruits that resemble colorful jewels, is the grand finale of the festive season.

You’ll find it filled with whipped cream, custard, or chocolate truffle, although the traditional version without filling remains a beloved classic.

But the real fun of the Roscón lies inside, as it hides two surprises that decide the fate of those at the table.

What are we talking about? If you find the small figurine (usually a King), you’re “crowned” for the day and get to wear the paper crown that comes with the cake.

However, if you find the dried fava bean, tradition says you have to pay for the next year’s Roscón—or the one currently being served.

9. Other Traditional Christmas Sweets

While the Roscón de Reyes often steals the spotlight, Spanish Christmas is filled with a variety of sweets enjoyed throughout the entire month of December.

In fact, they’re a must on any festive table and can be found in supermarkets, bakeries, and of course, at Christmas markets.

In our opinion, you simply can’t leave without trying turrón, the king of Spanish sweets.

There are two main types you should know about: the soft kind, with a creamy texture (known as Jijona), and the hard, crunchy version made with whole almonds (known as Alicante).

But turrón isn’t the only must-try. You should also look for polvorones and mantecados.

These are small, crumbly sweets made with lard and flour that literally melt in your mouth, and they come wrapped in colorful paper.

You’ll find them in a variety of flavors like cinnamon, lemon, or almond.

Local tip: Buy a mixed box so you can try different kinds.

They also make for a perfect gift or souvenir to bring home.

Turn Your Visit Into an Unforgettable Experience

At Sazón, we believe the best way to truly discover a place is by sitting at its table—inside a local’s home.

That’s why we invite you to something truly unique: for a few hours, live like a true Spaniard by stepping into the home of a local cook who will delight you with the most authentic dishes, lovingly prepared and passed down through generations.

Don’t just observe our culture—live it, unfiltered.

This Christmas, book your Sazón experience and turn your trip into a memory of genuine human connection and unforgettable flavor.