We really are happy to make unforgettable your Christmas in Barcelona.It is true that at the Iberian Peninsula you can meet a wide variety of gastronomy. Each of the regions has its own typical dishes. Catalonia is not an exception. Moreover, if you have a luck to know someone who can invite you home, be hungry because if something is made in Barcelona on Christmas is a meal.
If not, a lot of restaurants offer exquisite menus with these special dishes. Take note and prepare yourself for a nice gastronomy experience in the Catalan capital.

Traditional dishes for Christmas in Barcelona

Escudella

This one is a hypercaloric dish, so you’re informed. It is kind of stew that has everything: made from chicken, beef, pork backbone and ham bone’s bouillon, to which later used to add meatballs and crumble meat. Also includes some veggies as carrot, potato and cabbage.

Sopa de galets

However, the star ingredients of this festive are “galets”. If you have never tried or seen them, you’ll be surprised of their size. We talk about large pieces of pasta that only one of them fills the spoon. This traditional soup usually Catalans eat on December, 25. This is a very substances bouillon. Very comforting for cold winter dish, do not doubt to try it.

Canelons (cannelloni)

Cannelloni is one of our favorite dishes traditionally eaten the day of Sant Esteve, that we celebrate on December 26. Chicken stuffed with meat and bechamel sauce. You might be confused, but Catalan cannelloni differs from the Italians for not wearing tomato sauce.

Entremeses

The “Entremés” are small dishes and plates that are served before or during the meal to be able to snack and dip while waiting for the main dish. This is very common during the Christmas season and especially during the Christmas dinner. Normally they are served between the dishes to entertain between the dishes but also to eliminate tastes from prior plates that have been served, to “clean up” the palate so to say. The origin of these small plates served before the actual dinner is Russia, yes Russia. They actually started the tradition to serve small plates before the main meal.

Cochinillo Asado

This traditional spanish dish can be found almost everywhere in the country during Christmas. “Roast Pig” (while the chochinillo means the young pig is a delicious dish served with potatoes and a brown sauce. If you are interested in how this dish is prepared we recommend watching this video about how to make “Cochinillo asado” from the spanish TV Channel below:

Mantecados and Polvorones

Polvorones and Mantecados can be found around all supermarkets and department stores 1-2 months before Christmas in special presentations near the register. Why? Because they are super popular. These small little baked and crumbly christmas cookies will be served with “Moscatel”. The difference between mantecados and polvorones is normally the shape. While Polvorones normally have an oval shape, Mantecados are round.

There’s a great video from “Oh, The things we’ll make” check it out:

Take the advantage and celebrate the Christmas Eve in Barcelona. Ah, do not forget about some traditional Christmas cookies and pastries that you can find at the Christmas markets around the city.

Der Beitrag What to eat if you celebrate Christmas in Barcelona? erschien zuerst auf Barcelona Segway Tours.

Christmas, the happiest time of the year. The perfect season to enjoy family, gifts, and dinners. The snow starts to fall from the sky, the logs burn in the chimney and families gather to sing carols, celebrate and spend time together. This is the moment of the year to leave the cold outside and enjoy the warm feeling of being with family and friends. Why should we bother going outside?

Well, in Barcelona a lot is going on during this time of the year. And first and foremost, Christmas is the time to preserve the traditions. Christmas has a full package: the Christmas tree, Santa Claus, the sweets, the decorations, the family reunions, etc. Every family in every city in every country in the world have their traditions. Nobody knows how the traditions started, but people stick to them. Some families cook unique recipes for Christmas dinner, some go to church or their religion´s temple or just drink and dance until late at night.

For the Catalan families, there is no tradition bigger than visiting a Christmas Market. Why? Because Christmas markets are the best places to dive in the Christmas spirit. You share with your relatives a lovely walk, buy all Christmas gifts or the supplies you might need for Christmas dinner and feel the Christmas magic in the air. But it can also become a tremendous touristic experience for foreign visitors if they want to learn more about the most traditional Catalonian Christmas ingredients, mainly because some of them are very curious and weird.

For example, there is a traditional figurine Catalans place into the famous Nativity Scene, called “Caganer”. It represents a shepherd squatting and going number 2 on the floor. A lot of people get surprised when they learn that this is not a joke or a toy, but a real traditional Catalan figurine coming from the 17th century. The surprise gets even bigger when they see with their own eyes the great offer of “Caganers” in the Christmas Markets, some of them representing celebrities such as football players, actors, and politicians.

Another exotic tradition that baffles visitors is that, in Catalonia, the children gifts aren´t brought by Santa Claus, but by the Three Wise Men. They are also brought by a big piece of log called “Tió.” How? Well, this magical Catalonian log has the power of “producing” gifts under a blanket after a ritual consisting of beating it with a stick. Once again, this is 100% true.

So, if you want to spend a lovely evening experimenting the real Christmas in the Catalan capital, and getting acquainted with the quirkiest Catalan traditions, take good note of this list of Christmas Markets in Barcelona.

Christmas Markets in Barcelona you shouldn’t miss

1. Fira de Santa Llúcia

When can you visit this Christmas Market in Barcelona? From 30th of November until 23th of December

Where is it? Catedral de Barcelona

Price? Free!

The Fira de Santa Llúcia is the oldest Christmas Market in Barcelona. According to some documents of the time, the first Fira started in the 1786 Christmas. Old pictures show that the fair has changed a lot since then. In the 20th century, the fairgrounds used to mount their stands with a large wooden board and simple shelves, protecting them with a rudimentary tent waterproofed with linseed oil. They also used oil lamps when it began to get dark. Now, on the other hand, the stands are made of wood, and are well equipped and illuminated with electric light.

No doubt, the Fira de Santa Llúcia is one of the oldest and most deeply rooted Christmas traditions in the city of Barcelona. This Christmas market will at the end of this month and it will offer traditional Christmas products for all the family.

2. Fira de Nadal de la Sagrada Família

When can you visit this Christmas Market in Barcelona? From 29th of November until 23th of December

Where is it? Sagrada Família Square

Price? Free!

In front of the Sagrada Família, the most famous work of the architect Antonio Gaudí, you can find this emblematic Christmas market. Within these stands all over the Fira de Nadal de la Sagrada Família, you will find beautiful figurines for your Nativity Scene, Christmas decorations and all kinds of Christmas-related products. Also, Christmas trees and plants and various dressings, as well as gift items can be found on their shelves. Besides, some booths offer food products and sweets, especially roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes.

The Fira de Nadal de la Sagrada Família is a great place to find everything you need to decorate your house these holidays. This fair was born in the sixties, and since then it has been settled every year near the most emblematic building of Antoni Gaudí, becoming an essential date for the Christmas in Barcelona.

3. Fira de Reis de la Gran Vía

When can you visit this Christmas Market in Barcelona? From 20th of December until 6th of January

Where is it? Gran Via, between Calabria and Rocafort St.

Price? Free!

The Fira de Reis is on the sides of the Gran Via Street during most of the Christmas holidays. In their stands, you can find the perfect present for your loved ones, such as toys, jewelry, ceramics, clothes, soaps, and decorative items. Located between the streets of Calabria and Rocafort, there are 168 booths in which you will find toys and plush dolls, crafts and gift shops, and churros, traditional Spanish sweets made with fried dough. Foreign visitors appreciate this Christmas market in Barcelona for its originality and authenticity.

Other fairs have very traditional products and Christmas decorations, but the Gran Via Market specializes in the craft made products, food and Catalonian products that sometimes can be hard to find. Another reason to visit this Market and get precious and unique Christmas gifts for the whole family.

Visiting the Christmas markets in Barcelona would be the perfect plan for a winter day or evening in the Catalan capital. Walking down the Ramblas from Plaza Catalunya until reaching the Fira de Santa Llúcia, for example. Walking through the stands, seeing the people shopping and discovering the true meaning of Christmas.

Extra tip: Going to a “Xocolateria” (chocolate store) to get a hot chocolate after the visit would be the perfect ending to your day!

Der Beitrag Top Christmas Markets in Barcelona erschien zuerst auf Barcelona Segway Tours.

Something magic will happen in Barcelona, something for what most of locals are preparing 4-6 month before and the last nights even don’t sleep. And if you ask any travel guide what is that important date takes place in August will say Festa Major de Gràcia.

The biggest and relatively pretty young – Festa Major de Gràcia has a very beautiful story that has started at the small village that already doesn’t exist ‘Vila de Gràcia’ or “Villa de Gracia” in Spanish. A small rural village, in the XIX century experienced an extraordinary mutation as a town of artisans, workers and small traders. Originally celebrated on 15th of May in honor of  San Isidro it passed to 15th of August to celebrate Assumption of Mary, even chronographs have not agreed why.

Enjoy the Festa de Gràcia in Barcelona, the best neighborhood festival in the city

So what Festa Major de Gràcia celebration is about?

Actually it is a kind of competition between some streets chosen by jury. Ok, so what else? The neighbors of each street choose a theme, it could be a fantasy, a movie or a fairytale and decorate their streets the way they can. And all, including the theme is a secret, only in August the night before the celebration all they go out to decorate the street putting in all their love and creativity.

The next day the big competition begins and after one week have passed the jury choose a street that wins. But meanwhile, all the Gràcia neighborhood and the decorated streets have their own celebration all day and night. Moreover, at the small and cozy squares they used to do some activities or concerts. There are big heads called “Capgrossos” in Catalan, giants, fire shows and the traditional Catalan human towers, known as “Castellers”. This celebration is one of the most popular street festivals in Barcelona among locals and just the way people from Barcelona show how much they love this tradition and their story.

The Generalitat of Catalonia has declared the Festa Major of Gràcia in Barcelona a Traditional Festival of National Interest

Der Beitrag Festa Major de Gràcia in Barcelona: Tradition and Celebrations erschien zuerst auf Barcelona Segway Tours.