Best places to visit in Spain in winter

Spain in winter has a special charm for a vacation full of mountains, snow sports, Christmas markets and carnival colors. Because the geographical variety of the country also includes stunning skiing destinations, and cities full of New Year’s Eve lights and celebrations of all kinds.

Aran Valley

It is the most beautiful region of the Lleida Pyrenees and is located in the northwest of Catalonia. It covers a total of 620 square kilometers of lush vegetation, with mountain peaks that exceed 2000 meters in height. Ideal for lovers of hiking and photogenic landscapes, also for people who practice skiing, snowboarding and all kinds of snow sports. A very important gastronomic destination, with exquisite mountain stews and game meat, all washed down with good wine.

Sierra de Gredos

The provinces of Madrid, Avila, Toledo, Salamanca and Cáceres come together in the Sierra de Gredos, a huge central mountain range of the Iberian Peninsula, made up of many peaks, some 2300 meters high, and with the Almanzor as the highest of them all, with 2592 meters. It is a very popular winter destination for tourists to go hiking in the mountains and enjoy the fresh air in a practically virgin territory and where no ski resorts have been set up, in order to keep the original landscape as intact as possible.

Madrid at Christmas

The city of Madrid has unique charms throughout the year and during the winter the highlights are the illuminated promenades and the huge nativity scenes located in Centro Centro, the old Post Office building in front of Plaza Cibeles, and in the Plaza de la Villa. On the eve of each Christmas, nativity scene projections are also organized on the façades of the six churches in the city. And its markets and flea markets take on a special vitality so that you can spend the New Year’s holidays in long and pleasant shopping and fun strolls.

Puerto de Navacerrada

The closest ski resort to the city of Madrid is located in Puerto de Navacerrada, a very beautiful mountain with a slope located at more than 1800 meters above sea level, with spectacular views. It is part of the Sierra de Guadarrama, which separates the province of Madrid from that of Segovia and is a perfect destination to combine with visits to both the capital of Spain and the beautiful city where the famous aqueduct built in Roman times reigns.

The Christmas courtyards of Cordoba

The historic center of the city of Cordoba is one of the most beautiful in Spain and one of those that best preserves the mixture of Arab, Jewish and Christian architecture. At Christmas time, the 41 courtyards of the city open their doors to everyone to show the best of the Cordovan tradition at the time of saying goodbye to the year and receive the next one. A very photogenic tour that you can combine with the most exquisite gastronomy of southern Spain: salmorejo cordobés, oxtail and pescaíto frito (fried fish).

Formigal in Huesca

In the heart of the province of Huesca, in the Aragonese Pyrenees, is the beautiful village of Formigal and its famous ski resort, very popular and visited by international tourism lovers of snow sports. It has a total of 97 slopes distributed in 176 kilometers for skiing and it is a perfect destination to enjoy with the family, since there are areas designed for adults and also for children. You can go sledding and slide down fun snow slides.

Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada in Granada is another must for skiers from all over the world who want to visit Spain in winter. It covers a total of 110 km skiable in 131 slopes for all levels, from experts to beginners in snow sports. And it has the particular charm of having the steepest ski slope in Spain, 1200 meters, which makes it a destination for ski professionals. In addition, all kinds of activities are available: snowmobile tours, hiking trails, sleigh rides and ice skating.

Ezcaray in La Rioja

A very small ski resort, located in the town of Ezcaray, in the community of La Rioja. It is only 20 km of track and is not a very busy place for tourism, making it the perfect destination for those who want to combine snowy mountains with maximum tranquility. You can practice all kinds of mountain sports and enjoy the exquisite Riojan cuisine, as well as stroll through a very beautiful and quiet natural environment.

Urbión mountain range in Soria

The Urbión Peak reaches a height of 2229 meters and is the highest mountain in this mountain range in the province of Soria, which is also fortunate to be the birthplace of the Duero River, the largest river in Spain. A natural environment with great views and perfect for walks in the mountains and discover glacial jewels such as the Laguna Negra de Urbión or the Laguna Larga and Laguna Helada, which on days of low temperatures are frozen and form mirrors of crystal clear water.

Cadiz in carnivals

Winter in Spain is also carnival season and many cities get carried away by these fun festivities, but in Cadiz is where they reach their best version and their maximum magnitude. Tourists from all over the world arrive in this beautiful southern city during the month of February for see the traditional chirigotas and discover their satirical lyricsThe city’s festive music and all the nerve and carnival color that invade the streets of this city located on the Atlantic coast.