The typical craft and gastronomy stalls return for Christmas in the heart of Spanish cities
Christmas is getting closer and more than one is thinking of making a getaway to a city in Spain to visit a Christmas market. Many Spanish cities are known for the display that they organize the days before the Christmas holidays. In the most important squares there are stalls to sell typical products of the area and, of course, Christmas decorations.
Best Christmas markets in Spain
1. San Sebastian Christmas Market
San Sebastián was named ‘European Capital of Christmas 2022’, a title that it will share with the Italian city of Genoa. This recognition is received by those cities that in their Christmas campaigns defend values such as peace, coexistence, integration or harmony and are sponsored by the European Parliament.
The Christmas market in San Sebastián on Paseo de Francia and its surroundings will be oriented to the sale of typical foods of this time, children’s toys and gifts, books, costume jewelery or decoration, ceramics, hats or typical Christmas musical instruments. The booths and food stalls will remain open until January 6, 2023. All this adorned with the typical Christmas decoration to experience this time of year as in a real movie.
2. The Santa Lucía market, in Barcelona
It is located next to the impressive Gothic cathedral of Barcelona, in Plaça Nova. The one known as Feira de Santa Lucía is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Spain. You can visit the typical stalls full of sculptures of the Virgin Mary, or the traditional statuettes known as ‘caganer’. Another peculiarity of this Christmas market is the ‘Giant Tió de Nadal’, a log that, according to Catalan tradition, after singing a Christmas carol, must be hit with sticks so that it ‘shits’ gifts for children on Christmas Eve .
3. The Zaragoza Christmas market
The Zaragoza Christmas market is located next to the Basílica del Pilar and has a very special element: its manger is on a human scale. The nativity scene extends throughout the city like a maze with dozens of life-size figures. This market includes Christmas decorations and figures, but also activities for the little ones, parades and concerts and many more options. In addition to the typical stalls, this market usually has an ice rink, a Ferris wheel or a merry-go-round. If you are thinking of visiting the city at this time of year, Zaragoza will look very special.
4. The Christmas market in Granada
The Christmas market in Granada can be visited every year from the beginning of December until Three Kings Day in the Bib-Rambla square. It has dozens of stalls and offers everyone who visits it different products, Christmas figures, nativity scenes, toys, handicrafts or jewelry. This market located a few meters from the cathedral also has typical gastronomic products.
5. The Christmas market in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid
One of the most decorated places to celebrate this time of year is the Plaza Mayor in Madrid. In it you can visit a large number of stalls and its location in the historic center of the Spanish capital is one of the oldest. In this market, the Christmas red color predominates in the dozens of stalls that are found in this square. In these stalls you can find traditional Christmas products such as Christmas figures, nativity scenes, tree decorations and a large number of decorative products. The best thing about this market, in addition to the large number of products, is that it is located in the center of the city.
6. Vigo Christmas Market
The city of Vigo is known for its great display at Christmas. During these days the city is decorated for the occasion and a Christmas market could not be missing in Vigo. The ‘Cíes Market’ Christmas market that can be found in Plaza de Compostela has a large number of gastronomy stalls, Christmas decorations, chestnuts or sweets. If you visit Vigo at Christmas you should go to the ‘O Calvario’ market, one of the most emblematic neighborhoods of the city. In the pedestrian street of this neighborhood you can find seasonal gastronomic products, decorative and craft objects.
7. The Valencia Christmas market
It is tradition that during this time a Christmas market is held in the Central Market of Valencia. It has a large number of booths and is one of the largest in Spain. In their stalls you can find a wide variety of objects, typical Christmas gastronomic products such as gingerbread or roasted chestnuts, you can also find decorations for the Christmas tree and figures for the nativity scene. It is the perfect occasion to visit this city and take a nice Christmas souvenir from Valencia with you.
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