Why go?

When it comes to throwing a party, Barcelona is known as one of Europe’s best. While summer sees festivals like Sónar and La Mercè taking over town, come Christmas and New Year there is no shortage of celebration – from fancy dress swimming in the harbour on Christmas Day to the annual performance of Handel’s Messiah at Basílica de Santa María del Mar. Out of peak season, museums and markets will be gloriously quieter too.

What to do

Head off La Rambla to explore the back streets of the Gothic Quarter, which wind their way through the city centre. The narrow alleyways are flanked by medieval buildings – some dating back to Roman times – and house numerous shops and cafés selling hot chocolate and churros. Soon you will reach the cathedral, which offers excellent views from the rooftop, up close to its ornate spires. The square outside plays host to the city’s oldest Christmas market, Fira de Santa Llucia – now in its 229th year and boasting 300 stalls of gifts and crafts. Visit in the evening for extra atmosphere before taking the short walk to Palau de la Musica Catalana concert hall palaumusica.cat for its packed programme of classical concerts, jazz and ballet. The Picasso Museum museupicasso.bcn.cat boasts an unrivalled collection of early works (more than 4,000), many of which highlight the impact the city had on the artist’s formative years. Barcelona’s bulging La Boqueria market is world-renowned and it’s easy to snack as you walk around. Come for breakfast and try the fried eggs and baby squid at El Quim – an informal restaurant tucked away inside. Near the cathedral, the smaller Santa Caterina market has a cornucopia of Catalan flavours, including spicy botifarra sausages and fresh seafood.

Where to stay

Hotel Neri 00 34 933 04 06 55, hotelneri.com spans two historic townhouses in the Gothic Quarter, a stone’s throw from the cathedral. For boutique luxury, look no further than Hotel DO Plaça Reial 00 34 934 813 666, hoteldoreial.com – a handsome, 19th-century mansion with painted shutters and an ornate facade. Most of the 18 bedrooms have views over the buzzing square. With six hours of sunshine a day and average high temperatures of 14C, the weather in December is ideal for walks along the beach. The W Hotel 00 34 93 295 28 00, w-barcelona.com is an achingly cool option on the boardwalk and its rooftop bar is the ideal place to soak up some winter sun.

Where to eat and drink

Catalan cuisine lends itself to the festive season. Tapas is ideal for groups, while local cava is a great value and delicious alternative to champagne. It’s tradition to eat out on New Year’s Eve, so booking early is a must. The hottest seat in town right now is the Adrià brothers’ Tickets ticketsbar.es thanks to its circus interiors and experimental menu. You’ll have to be on the ball to bag a table as reservations go live at midnight one month before each date and disappear within minutes. Keeping it in the family, their Bodega 1900 00 34 933 25 26 59 offers a more informal option with Iberian hams hanging from the ceiling and a dazzling array of vermouths (try Perucchi Rojo, which has a delicate floral flavour). El Born district is a hipster haven and heaves with independent boutiques, bars and restaurants. For late-night tapas look no further than Cal Pep 00 34 93 310 79 61, calpep.com whose mercurial owner is always in his chef’s tunic to explain the food. You’ll have to rely on his recommendations as there aren’t any menus, but think tuna tartare, clams with crispy ham and foie gras sausage. For an authentic taste of local life, try family-run La Pepita 00 34 93 238 48 93, lapepitabcn.com or head to the port and muscle your way into shadowy Can Paixano 00 34 93 310 08 39, canpaixano.com – the house cava is a local secret that ensures this bar is standing room only.

Time running out?

Book a free walking tour of the city exploring Antoni Gaudí’s unique architecture. runnerbeantours.com

Travel Information

Travel Information

Currency is the euro. Time is 1 hour ahead of the UK. Flight time is about 2 hours from London. The cost to carbon-offset is £1. 98, visit climatecare.org

Getting There

Ryanair flies from Stansted to Barcelona airport. ryanair.com Eurostar and TGV offer scenic trains from London to Barcelona via Paris. loco2.com

Resources

Visit BCN will furnish you with all the information you’ll need to get around, as well as top tips. barcelonaturisme.com