Are you coming to Barcelona in January? Then you’re in for fewer crowds, lower prices, and still nice weather.
And although the city is quieter than usual, that doesn’t mean you’ll get bored! There are still some Christmas events going on at the beginning of the month, plus lots of food-related events!
We’ve rounded up a few of our favourite things to do in Barcelona in January to help you plan your trip. Keep reading for all the details!
Is January a good time to visit Barcelona?
Absolutely! It’s not peak tourist season, and that’s exactly why it’s a great time to visit Barcelona. The queues to visit the most famous monuments are much shorter (if non-existent sometimes), the chances of snagging a table at popular restaurants are higher, and the prices for accommodations are lower, so you can treat yourself to a nicer hotel!
If you’re worried about the cold, know that Barcelona’s winters are very different from other cities. The sun’s usually out, the skies are blue, and during the day, you might even find yourself in a T-shirt, sipping a drink on a terrace!
Also, if you come at the beginning of the month, you’ll still be able to enjoy some Christmas markets and the gorgeous lights decorating the streets (until Jan 6).
⚠️ Important!
Keep in mind that Jan 1 and Jan 6 are public holidays in Barcelona. So, you can find more people in the streets than usual, and some shops and restaurants are closed.
The weather in Barcelona in January
Although January is a fairly cold month in Barcelona, it’s nothing like the harsh winters you may find across the rest of Europe. Temperatures are manageable, and actually, the weather is ideal for sightseeing.
🌡 Temperatures
Daytime highs average around 14ºC (57ºF), so there is no need for thermal layers or extra-warm down jackets. At night, it cools down to around 7ºC (44ºF), so having a jacket for evenings is a good idea.
Mornings and evenings can be crisp, but afternoons are usually mild and enjoyable.
☔️ Rain and Snow
With just five rainy days in January in Barcelona, the chances of rain during your trip are low.
As for snow? Don’t count on it. Barcelona rarely sees snow, no matter the season!
☀️ Hours of light
In January, there are about six hours of sunlight every day. What we love is that sunrises are late and sunsets are early, making it one of the best months to enjoy them.
What to pack for a trip to Barcelona in January
👖 Clothing
When packing, your luggage should have a bit of everything. During the day, a T-shirt paired with long pants or a skirt works perfectly. But evenings can get chilly. So, bring along a sweater and a lightweight coat or jacket to stay nice and toasty. Bonus points if your layers are easy to carry when it warms up.
The winter sun is quite low and bright, so make sure you don’t forget your sunglasses!
👟 Footwear
Regarding shoes, sneakers or boots are a great option.
Bring the appropriate footwear (hiking shoes or boots) if you plan to go hiking in or near Barcelona, like Montserrat.
What’s on in Barcelona in January
Listen to Christmas songs (3rd Jan)
There’s fewer Christmassy things than listening to an open-air concert of Christmas songs in front of Barcelona’s cathedral.
On the 3rd of Jan, at 7:30 pm, Barcelona’s most famous choral society (Orfeó Català) gets together to sing traditional Christmas carols from all around the world.
The concert is free. So, if you’re around, grab a hot drink and soak in the last bit of holiday cheer before the season wraps up!
👌 Our tip
Up for some food once the carols are over? Just 6 min walking from Barcelona’s cathedral, you’ll find a unique restaurant. It’s called Espai Quera and what makes it special is that it’s tucked behind a travel bookstore! They serve Catalan dishes and tapas, like patates braves (potatoes with a spicy sauce), Spanish omelette, and the classic mandonguilles amb sèpia (meatballs with cuttlefish).
Visit a trendy open-air market (4th & 5th Jan)
If you’d rather skip the Christmas vibes, but still want a lively event filled with food, music and art, then Palo Alto Market is your place.
This is a trendy, open-air market that takes place on the weekend of the 4th and 5th of Jan in a former industrial complex turned creative hub in the Poblenou neighbourhood.
Expect plenty of food trucks, to taste gourmet burgers, Asian street food, or vegan and organic dishes, artisan crafts, like handmade jewellery, clothing, and home décor, and lots of live music performances for all tastes, from indie bands to jazz and DJ sets.
⚠️ Important!
The market usually requires an entry ticket (around €5). It’s best to buy it online in advance as it can get busy. The tickets always go on sale the Monday before the event.
Enjoy the Three Kings parade (5th Jan)
Although Christmas in most places ends on New Year’s, we like to make it last a bit longer here in Spain! Exactly until the 6th of Jan, when the Three Kings deliver the presents to the kids.
The Three Kings were three wise men who embarked on an adventure to find Jesus and bring him precious gifts. They succeded, and offered him gold, incense and myrrh.
To celebrate it, we throw a big parade on the evening of the 5th of Jan. The parade starts at Pla de Palau. Then, it goes all the way to Maria Cristina, passing by Avinguda del Paral·lel and Ronda Sant Pau. Here you can see a map of the whole route to plan your itinerary.
During the parade, you’ll see the mineworkers who make carbon for those who haven’t behaved well enough, the helpers who collect the letters the kids have written to the Kings, and the Three Kings themselves. Melcior (white beard), Gaspar (brown beard) and Baltasar (no beard and dark skin) are ready for a tough night of non-stop deliveries.
Keep in mind that, during the parade, the different characters throw sweets at the people watching and greeting them. So, don’t forget to bring a bag to collect them.
📚 Read next
If you want to know more about our weird Christmas traditions, you can read our “Catalan Christmas traditions: A local’s guide to our quirky customs” guide. Fun is guaranteed!
Eat a delicious Tortell de Reis (6th Jan)
On the 6th of Jan, after everyone unwraps their presents brought by the Three Kings, we usually sit together with the family to enjoy a nice meal. While the meal itself isn’t particularly unique, the dessert definitely is: the Tortell de Reis.
It’s a ring-shaped cake topped with glazed fruit filled with marzipan and cream. But it also hides two surprises: a broad bean and a small figurine of a king. The tradition says that whoever finds the broad bean while eating the cake must pay for it. On the other hand, the one who has found the king will be crowned king for that day.
The classic version is topped with candied fruit. But these days, you can find much yummier variations filled with chocolate, nuts, or other delicious options.
If you want to join in on this tradition (or just try the cake!), we recommend getting one from Pastisseria Oriol Carrió, Pastisseria Oriol Balaguer, Badiani, and Horno de Santa Madrona. Keep in mind that some bakeries, though, require you to order the cake in advance.
Enjoy Christmas vibes in an amusement park (until the 5th Jan)
Going to an amusement park is always fun, but going to an amusement park with Christmas decorations is even better!
Until the 5th of Jan, the famous vintage park Tibidabo is decked out with festive decorations, including a 10-m Christmas tree that lights up the panoramic area, offering amazing views of the city.
You’ll also find a synthetic ice skating rink. And if you’re lucky, you might catch a performance of The Nutcracker on Ice.
If you want more info about opening hours, how to get there, and what to do, check our “Visiting Tibidabo” guide.
Shop last-minute Christmas gifts at a market (until the 6th Jan)
While most Christmas markets close after the 24th of Dec, two remain open until the 6th of Jan:
- Fira de Reis de la Gran Via, which takes place along various sections of the well-known street Gran Via (mostly between Carrer Calabria and Carrer Comte d’Urgell). On it, you’ll find 300 market stalls offering children’s toys, traditional gifts, xurros, and hot chocolate.
- Fira del Port Vell, which you’ll find in the harbour near the Christopher Columbus statue. This market boasts the tallest Christmas tree installed in Catalonia, and it also has a Ferris wheel from which you can enjoy great views of Barcelona.
So, these markets are perfect if you want to take home a late Christmas souvenir, like the traditional caganer or even a popping log.
To read more about the markets, what you can find on each, and their schedules, check our “Christmas markets in Barcelona” guide.
Admire Christmas lights in a modernist building (until the 12th Jan)
If, after strolling through the streets decorated with Christmas lights, going to a Christmas market, and listening to Christmas carols, you’re still craving more Christmas magic, then head to Sant Pau.
This former hospital is a jewel of Catalan modernist architecture, and during the Christmas season, it turns into a light and colour show worth seeing. The place itself is beautiful, but we love it even more when it is decorated with thousands of lights!
So, this is a perfect occasion to both visit a UNESCO heritage site and spend a Christmassy day in Barcelona.
👌 Our tip
We highly recommend buying tickets online in advance.
Join a quirky animal parade (17th Jan)
Festa dels Tres Tombs is one of Barcelona’s quirkiest festivals, celebrated in the Sant Antoni neighbourhood to honour the patron saint of animals (Sant Antoni Abat).
Legend says the saint healed a piglet, which became his loyal companion, and that’s why he’s often depicted with one.
The highlight of the festival is the parade, where people bring their pets to be blessed. You can see everything from horses, donkeys, and carriages making their way through the city streets. It’s quite bizarre and fun!
Other unique touches of the festivity include a pig raffle and the release of 150 doves representing wishes for the year. Besides, you’ll also find all the things of a good neighbourhood party here: live music, food, castellers (human towers), and correfocs (fire runs).
Warm up with some good xurros amb xocolata
Xurros amb xocolata are a classic, especially during Christmas time (and January still counts as Christmas here!).
Although they make for the perfect afternoon pick-me-up on a frosty day, we like to enjoy them in a cosy café. In Barcelona, there’s a charming street named Carrer Petritxol, which is known for having three emblematic cafés: Granja Dulcinea, Petritxol, and La Pallaresa.
The speciality of those places? You guessed it: their xurros accompanied by a hot chocolate cup.
👌🏼 Our tip
If you’re a chocolate lover, don’t miss out on the shop Chocolateria Equador on the same street. They sell fine-crafted chocolate, which is an ideal gift for those with a sweet tooth. Also, you can enjoy various chocolate products in their store, such as hot chocolate with melindros (a finger-shaped soft pastry made with eggs, flour, and sugar).
Go see a circus performance (20th Dec to 2nd March)
The Raluy family has been in the circus business for over a century, and now they’re back in Barcelona for a new show called Cyborg.
You can catch it from the 20th of Dec 2024 to the 2nd of March 2025 at Port Vell.
We haven’t seen any of their shows yet, but we’ve already got tickets to go on February, so we’ll update you with our opinion then!
Other cool plans to do in Barcelona in January
So these are plenty of things to see and do this January!
But if you still have room on your itinerary, we’ve got even more ideas to help you enjoy Barcelona to the fullest. Check these out:
- Discover Barcelona differently: Skip the tourist bus! Grab a bike, inline skates, or even a paddleboard to explore the city from a fresh perspective.
- Unique things to do in Barcelona: Looking for something cool and out of the ordinary? We’ve got 22 unique ideas to spice up your trip.
And if you’re still searching for the perfect place to stay, check out our “Recommended hotels in Barcelona” guide.
Have you visited Barcelona in January before? We’d love to hear about your experience!
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