Where to park in Christmas Markets in Barcelona
Fancy some Christmas magic and atmosphere? Let's discover together which are the best Christmas markets Barcelona has to offer during the winter period.
Christmas is finally upon us and, like every year, the long-awaited Christmas markets return, giving cities a warm and magical atmosphere of anticipation that makes children dream and is equally loved by adults. The star of this article is Barcelona, also known as the 'ciutat dels mercats', due to the large number of markets of all kinds it offers depending on the time of year. During the winter season, Barcelona hosts some of the largest Christmas markets in Spain.
But which and where are the most famous markets in the city? And what should we expect? Read on to discover the three best Christmas markets in Barcelona, considered the most traditional and among the must-see stops if you want to immerse yourself in the ciutat dels mercats during the winter season.
How to get there and where to park near Fira Santa Llúcia
We couldn't fail to mention first the Feria Santa Llúcia (Fira Santa Llúcia in Catalan), the oldest popular Christmas market in the region of Catalonia. This enchanting market traces its origins back to 1786, well over two hundred and thirty years ago, and is an essential stop for both those who live in the city of Barcelona and those who are only visiting for a few days. You should definitely take advantage of it if you are in the city during November and December as it is a unique opportunity to see the city in a different light!
The markets are usually open to the public at the end of November, precisely on the last Friday of the month, and last until just before Christmas, every day from 11 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. on weekends and holidays. This fair also has the good fortune of enjoying an exclusive location, to say the least: it is set up right at the foot of the Cathedral of Barcelona, in Plaza de la Seu, in the charming Barrio Gotico.
The Santa Lucia Fair consists of more than 300 stalls divided into sections according to the products on offer. If you haven't yet decorated your home with a Christmas theme, this is the right place to find decorations for your tree at the so-called 'green stalls', which offer adornments such as mosses, laurels and entire Christmas trees. For the home, there are stalls dedicated to Christmas decorations such as lights, garlands and 'Tió de Nadal', a tree stump that stands on two or four legs with a smiling face painted on it covered by a cloth, a typical Catalan Christmas figure. The most important section, however, is the crib: in Barcelona it is an essential Christmas tradition, especially in families. You will find dedicated stalls with persebristas - the classic figurines - handmade to create a nativity scene to be envied and the typical Caganer, the most important figure in Catalan nativity scenes represented by a peasant squatting down to do his business positioned in a hidden spot. Today, this figure is made with well-known local personalities such as politicians, sportsmen and artists. Finally, you will also find a section dedicated to sweet handicrafts and musical instruments such as flutes, zambombas and drums, perfect for original gifts for your loved ones.
Once you have finished your tour of the Christmas markets, if you feel like it, you can go and warm yourself up in one of the many chocolate shops in Carrer de Petrixol, one of the streets leading off the square, and order a chocolate con xurros - chocolate with churros - to end your day with a sweet snack!
Fira Santa Llúcia, the oldest and most popular
How to get to Fira Santa Llúcia? Read below for our tips!
Being in Placa de la Seu, in the Barrio Gotico, our advice is to get to the markets on foot, taking the opportunity to take a walk down the Rambla and eventually get lost in one of the many alleys of the Barrio, until you get to the Cathedral square. A little tip is to arrive late in the afternoon, so you can admire the colours of the sunset and enjoy the markets in the evening to soak up the illuminated atmosphere.
If you are arriving from the city centre, we advise you to walk straight out, and, depending on how much you feel like walking, opt for reaching the Santa Lucia Fairgrounds by metro: take the L1 to Catalunya if you want to stroll down the Rambla in no hurry, while we advise you to take the L3 and get off at Liceu if you want to get to the markets as soon as possible. If you arrive by car, as your destination is as central as it is congested with traffic, the best thing to do is find a public car park near the Barrio Gotico. We recommend you look for one in the area of La Rambla or the Cathedral: with the Parkimeter platform you can search and book your parking space in advance with 24-hour video surveillance, so you can enjoy your tour without time limits and without the thought of your car! All you have to do is choose the car park that best suits your needs.
How to get there and where to park near the Feria de Navidad de La Sagrada Familia
The Feria de Navidad de la Sagrada Familia, inaugurated in the 1960s, is the youngest Christmas market in Barcelona and is located in the elegant Eixample district, in the square that houses the majestic basilica. The stalls open the last week of November and close on Christmas Eve, and are available daily from 10am to 9pm and on weekends until 10pm.
The fair consists of just over a hundred stalls, which were originally set up to allow all the craftsmen to display their products, since the St Lucy's Fair no longer had the necessary space. Although it is not the largest, it is certainly less crowded, so it is also easier to get around and avoid traffic jams and queues. Especially if you are visiting the beautiful and lively city of Barcelona for the first time, we definitely recommend a stroll through this market in the evening, so that you have a chance to see the Sagrada Familia illuminated and walk around the park studded with lights.
The products on offer at these stalls are mostly the same as at the Santa Lucia Fair: tree ornaments, Christmas plants, toys, crib stands and gift items. You will find here more gastronomic products such as typical and seasonal foods, which you can also taste at some stalls, and many stalls to buy sweets and candies. In addition, this fair gives the little ones the chance to experience a magical dream: that of meeting Papa Noel, who will visit the market on 21 and 22 December, an opportunity not to be missed to take a souvenir photo of your children with Father Christmas!
Feria de Navidad de la Sagrada Familia, the Eixample's 'youngest' market
To get to the Christmas Fair of the Sagrada Familia it is advisable to take public transport: the nearest metro station is the Sagrada Familia, line L2, or alternatively you can take the Bus Turistic which always stops in the main square.
If you are travelling by car, it is important to know that finding parking near the Sagrada Familia is very difficult, as on-street parking is scarce and often limited to a maximum of 2 hours and 30 minutes. The best option is therefore to book parking online in advance: Parkimeter will help you compare the prices of the various car parks and find the one that suits you best, allowing you to enjoy your Christmas-themed afternoon without the hassle of your car!
How to get there and where to park near the Fira Gran Via
Last but not least, we mention the Feria de la Gran Via, also called Fira de Reyes (Fira de Reis in Catalan), one of the most important markets in Barcelona along with the Fira Santa Llúcia. This market usually starts as soon as the stalls of the Santa Lucia Fair close, before Christmas, and remains open to the public until 6 January, which coincides precisely with the Day of the Three Kings - or Epiphany, in Italy -. The fair opens every day at 11:00 a.m. and closes at 10:00 p.m., with the exception of 5 January, when it remains open until 2:00 a.m.
The markets are made up of around 200 stalls, dominated by toys for the little ones - in Spain it is a tradition to give presents on the day of the Three Wise Men - but where you can also find sweets and local products, handicrafts as well as clothes and household items: it is the perfect place to find the perfect present for the late arrivals! A characteristic feature of the Fiera de los Reyes are the typical kiosks that you will see on every corner of La Gran Via de las Cortes Catalanas, where you can enjoy delicious churros to dip in chocolate, as per tradition, and the typical tortell de reis, a typical Catalan ring-shaped cake made of puff pastry filled with different ingredients.
Fira de Reis de La Gran Vía, in anticipation of the dia de los Reyes
The market takes place on Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, where there are three metro stations on line L3: Rocafort, Universitat and Urgell.
If you arrive by car, we recommend that you book a parking space online to avoid any inconvenience, although you may still be able to find parking on the street. With Parkimeter you won't have the thought of your car until the end of your day and you decide which parking space to book and for how long thanks to our wide range of offers. We recommend you look for parking near the Via de les Corts Catalanes, or even near Plaza Catalunya, both of which are strategic points for getting to the fair.