The best cities in Spain for a winter break

Many of us flock to Spain’s beautiful beaches on sunshine holidays but in winter, with temperatures still warmer than home and the tourist crowds gone, you can see Spain’s quieter, more authentic side. Cultural life takes centre stage, while seasonal food is a real draw. All in all, it’s a wonderful time to go, when you get the best balance of relaxation, sightseeing, and natural beauty, without the summer rush. Here are the best cities to visit:

Barcelona is synonymous with the incredible architecture of one man: Antoni Gaudi. You’ll see his work scattered throughout the city, most notably the striking Sagrada Familia, a cathedral which started construction in 1882 – and still isn’t finished.

Park Güell, Barcelona

It’s also worth taking a stroll around pretty Park Güell, adorned with Gaudi’s trademark colourful mosaics and curved features. Elsewhere, immerse yourself in Barcelona’s lively tapas-and-vermouth culture, a tradition since the early 1900s.

What else can you do? Ride the Montjuïc cable car for sweeping sea-and-city views, or stroll along the Barceloneta promenade in the mild winter sun.

What’s the atmosphere like in winter? Calm and gentle, with locals reclaiming the usually-packed city streets.

Winter specialities: The festive lights along Passeig de Gràcia and the quirky Caga Tió Christmas tradition, where children look after a decorated log, “feeding” it with fruit and nuts until it “poops” out presents on Christmas Eve.

Don’t miss: The Magic Fountain show at Montjuïc, where music and light dance against the night sky.

Eat and drink: Grilled calçots (green onions), which are in season between November and April, dipped in a nutty romesco sauce and washed down with a glass of Priorat red or local cava.

Temperature Nov-Feb: From 14°C to 18°C. [November average: 18°C, December average: 14-15°C, January average: 13-14°C, February average: 14°C]

How can I experience this?: DWO Sirius

Thanks to the city’s Moorish past – Seville was under Muslim rule for more than 500 years – it retains some incredible structures, including the intricate Real Alcázar palace, the imposing Giralda bell tower and the vast Gothic cathedral, formerly the Great Mosque.

Make time to tour the Alcázar properly, to admire its stunning Patio de las Doncellas (Courtyard of the Maidens), the delicate tilework and ornate ceilings of the Hall of Ambassadors, and the expansive, lush gardens (parts of it were used as filming locations in Game of Thrones).

Spanish Square, Seville

Seville is also known for its fiery flamenco music, and you can observe performances everywhere from traditional tablaos to intimate, historic venues such as Casa de la Memoria, or casual bars like La Carboneria.

What else can you do? Go on a cruise along the Guadalquivir River, or take a horse-drawn carriage through María Luisa Park.

What’s the atmosphere like in winter? Seville’s famous orange trees glow golden in the winter light, and the city takes on a slower, more romantic rhythm.

Winter specialities: The Three Kings Parade in January, where children receive sweets and gifts, while traditional belenes (Nativity scenes) are displayed in churches, businesses and public buildings.

Don’t miss: Watching the sunset from Metropol Parasol, the world’s largest wooden structure. Eat and drink: Enjoy churros con chocolate – deep-fried dough pastries dipped in a thick, hot chocolate sauce –- with a glass of crisp fino sherry.

Temperature Nov-Feb: From 12°C to 15°C. [November average: 15°C, December average: 12°C, January average: 11°C, February average: 12°C]

How can I experience this?: The Spirit of Andalucia and Little Boats of Andalucia

Voted European Green Capital of 2024, Valencia is dedicated to sustainability, with more than 500 acres of gardens and parks; one of Spain’s largest urban solar farms; an extensive network of cycling routes; and a commitment to becoming carbon-neutral by 2030.

Turia fountain, Valencia

But it’s also known for its futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, an architectural masterpiece of white curves and reflective pools, which houses buildings such as L’Oceanografic, Europe’s largest aquarium, and L’Hemisferic, an IMAX cinema and planetarium in the shape of an eye.

What else can you do? Browse around the Mercado Central, one of Europe’s largest and most impressive food markets, housed in a beautiful modernist building, and sample local treats such as turrón (nougat), citrus fruits, and fresh seafood.

What’s the atmosphere like in winter? Relaxed and sunny, ideal for exploring without the heat. Winter specialities: The start of early preparations for Las Fallas – the famous March festival of fire, where huge sculptures (ninots) are burned. There are pop-up workshops, fireworks displays, and the Ninot Exhibition, where smaller sculptures are shown and the public can vote for those they don’t want destroyed.

Don’t miss: A visit to La Lonja de la Seda, Valencia’s former silk exchange and one of the most famous civil Gothic monuments in Europe.

Eat and drink: Valencia is the birthplace of paella, so tuck into a traditional one made with chicken or rabbit, accompanied by a glass of agua de Valencia (a cava, gin and orange cocktail).

Temperature Nov-Feb: From 14°C to 20°C. [November average: 20°C, December average: 16°C, January average: 14°C, February average: 16°C]

How can I experience this?: Jewels of Spain

In 1997, the Guggenheim Bilbao opened to almost instant global acclaim. Designed by award-winning architect Frank Gehry (its counterpart in New York City was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright), it remains a magnificent example of ground-breaking 20th-century architecture, thanks to its sculptural, deconstructivist design clad in titanium, glass, and limestone.

Guggenheim Bilbao

Today it houses modern and contemporary art by the likes of Picasso, Klee, Magritte and Anish Kapoor, while Jeff Koons’ oversized floral work, Puppy, still sits outside the entrance.

The Guggenheim stands on the banks of the Nervión River; stroll along the waterway to see more of the city’s famous landmarks, including the Zubizuri bridge.

What else can you do? Take the Artxanda funicular for panoramic views from the hilltop, or explore the Casco Viejo’s lively taverns.

What’s the atmosphere like in winter? Urban, artistic, and atmospheric, with misty river views and a strong café culture.

Winter specialities: Locals celebrate Santo Tomás Day, a large traditional fair, with food markets and cider.

Don’t miss: Seeing the Guggenheim’s reflective titanium façade in the low winter light.

Eat and drink: Bilbao is also a Basque city, so you’ll find pintxos here too, but warm up with a bowl of marmitako – tuna stew – and a glass of Rioja Alavesa red.

Temperature Nov-Feb: ranges from 11°C to 14°C. [November average: 14°C, December average: 12°C, January average: 11°C, February average: 11°C]

How can I experience this?: Galicia and the Solar Eclipse

This small but elegant beachfront town in the Basque region is best known for its pintxos scene, where bars serve tiny specialist snacks. Head to the Parte Vieja (Old Town) which has dozens of pintxos bars crammed into a small area, making it ideal for a crawl, and having a couple of different types in each place. Look out for the gilda, a tangy skewer of anchovy, pickled guindilla pepper and green olives.

Pintxos bar in San Sebastian

The city is famous for its beautiful Belle Epoque architecture – some of the best examples include the Hotel Maria Cristina, the Victoria Eugenia Theatre, and the Miramar Palace.

What else can you do? Ride the Monte Igueldo funicular for breathtaking views over the bay of La Concha, the city’s sweeping, crescent-shaped beach.

What’s the atmosphere like in winter? Quietly sophisticated, with misty mornings, cosy bars, and fewer tourists.

Winter specialities: The Tamborrada festival in January fills the city with the sound of drumming. Don’t miss: The Peine del Viento (“The Comb of the Wind”), three massive steel sculptures attached to the rocks at the end of La Concha Bay which are dramatically whipped by the wind and sea.

Eat and drink: Try as many different pintxos as you can, washed down with a glass of txakoli, a light sparkling white wine which is always poured from a height to aerate it.

Temperature Nov-Feb: From 11°C to 12°C. [November average: 12°C, December average: 12°C, January average: 11°C, February average: 12°C]

Discover our full range of holidays to Spain, or explore our range of winter sun holidays

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