christmas market

Christmas markets 2023

When will the Christmas markets be arranged in Barcelona this year? Where are the biggest and most famous Christmas markets located? What should you buy if you decide to visit the Christmas markets in Barcelona?

People come to big cities all across Europe to discover the amazing Christmas markets every single year. Many people have heard about the giant Christmas markets in cities such as Lübeck, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, but what about Barcelona? Can you expect amazing Christmas markets in Barcelona as well, or is this more like a minor version of the giant Christmas markets we often meet and see in other big cities?

The Christmas market tradition in Barcelona

Barcelona has a long tradition when it comes to Christmas markets. The city still isn’t especially well known for its Christmas markets, but it does have some very nice markets worth visiting.

Christmas market by the Barcelona Cathedral (La Fira de Santa Llucia)

The most famous Christmas market in Barcelona is located in front of the Barcelona Cathedral, and it is called La Fira de Santa Llucia. This is the oldest market and it dates back to the end of the 18th century or the start of the 19th century.

At the market, you can buy all sorts of souvenirs, gifts, and also a lot of religious pictures and nativity scenes (like Jesus in the manger), and similar objects. It normally opens at the end of November and remains open until December 23rd.

There are more than 300 stalls at the festival and as you visit the market you can buy Christmas trees and decorations, food and snacks of different sorts, and handmade toys, jewelry, puppets, and more.

Christmas markets in Barcelona

Christmas market at Gran Via (Fira de Reis)

Gran Via is a long avenue, but in the area around Placa de la Universitat, you can find the market named The Fira de Reis. Here you can buy toys for kids, and this is, first of all, a children’s fair (or a fair for adults who buy presents for their kids). The fair was first introduced in 1877, and has since then grown in popularity. You can now buy much more than just sweets and toys at the market, but you will still see that the focus is mainly on toys and sweets.

There are approximately 200 stalls at this fair, and besides toys and sweets, you can also buy food, clothes, and other handmade objects at the festival.

The most important thing to eat at the Christmas market (Fira de Reis) is Churrerias, a sweet dough with a sweet taste that smells so good making them impossible to resist.

Christmas Market by Sagrada Familia

Honestly, I probably wouldn’t travel to Barcelona to see and experience the Christmas market by Sagrada Familia. But then again, I would definitely visit Sagrada Familia during my trip to Barcelona. As a result, I would visit the Christmas market by Sagrada Familia as well. This market has many similarities with Fira de Reis and La Fira de Santa Llucia, only that it isn’t as big as the big brothers.

At this Christmas market, you can buy the traditional stuff, including food, toys, decorations, and Christmas trees. The Christmas market is normally open from around 10:00 until 20:00. The easiest way to get to the market is by using metro line L2 or L5 and traveling to the Sagrada Familia metro stop.

Christmas market dates in Barcelona in 2023

Dates for Fira de Reis

December 16, 2023 – January 6, 2024

Dates for La Fira de Santa Llucia

November 25, 2023 – December 23, 2023

Dates for the Sagrada Familia Christmas market

November 25, 2023 – December 23, 2023

Want to live close to the Christmas markets?

Now that you know when you should come to Barcelona to visit the Christmas markets, the next important question is where to stay. You can save a lot of time by living in a central hotel not far from Barcelona Cathedral, La Rambla, Gran Via, and other central locations. Look at the map below and if you choose a hotel from within this radius, you are guaranteed a good location, and hopefully also a great hotel or apartment at a low price.

Booking.com

Would you like to read more about other events, happenings, and festivals in Barcelona? You can find this and other information in our Barcelona calendar.

Date

Nov 25 2023 - Jan 06 2024
Expired!

Time

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

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