Low cost flights to airports on the Spanish and French sides of this magnificent mountain range are bringing new skiers to the many ski resorts in the Pyrenees mountains.
There are 14 relatively unknown ski resorts near Barcelona on the Spanish/Catalan and French side of the Pyrenees Mountains. And two huge ski areas in Andorra.
The driving times vary from just 1 ½ hours to a little over 4 hours.
Closest ski resorts to Barcelona
The ski-resorts of
La Molina or La Masella are just 1 ½ hours from Barcelona. Great for a day trip or even a half day trip. The skiing is excellent and if you can get there during the week you will have it all to yourself. At weekends it gets more crowded.
There are many other great ski resorts which are between 2-4 hours drive from Barcelona. The biggest and most popular resort near Barcelona is Baqueira-Beret, which is about 4 hour driving time from Barcelona.
You can find all the skiing resorts closest to Barcelona here, 14 in all. Each listing includes driving times and information about the resort with links to the websites, where you can find information about pistes and snow depths.
Generally all the ski resorts near Barcelona are open before Christmas, usually at the beginning at December but some even open in November. Most big resorts hope to be open for the December "puente" public holidays on 6th and 8th December, so check their websites to see if they are open and how many ski lifts are operational.
Depending on the snow most resorts can be open until April in the spring.
For residents of Barcelona looking for 1 day skiing trips or weekend skiing trips near Barcelona that include hotel and transport, the best option is often to visit Spanish travel agents. They offer daytrips and weekend skiing packages by coach to the resorts in the Pyrenees. These websites are usually not in English however.
Here are some established travel agencies in Barcelona that offer skiing packages to the Pyrenees
The most popular New Year´s Eve (La Nochevieja = the old night) tradition is eating 12 grapes which means good luck. At 12 seconds to midnight the countdown begins and each time the bell rings in a new second, Spaniards (sitting at home, at parties and in the streets watching the celebrations) has to have twelve grapes ready to eat when the clock starts to chime, for a total of twelve grapes.
Everybody has to have finished his grapes then New Year starts, but nobody finishes eating the grapes on time. Eating the grapes is a lot of fun because everybody starts the New Year with a full mouthful of grapes. It is not possible to finish eating the grapes by the time the clock finishes chiming. Normally people still have all the grapes in their mouths, and they start looking at each other and have to laugh.
At the stroke of midnight the cork on the Cava bottle is popped, and people tell each other “Feliz año nuevo” and kiss each other on both cheeks. This tradition started for the spanish people because one year when there was a big grape harvest and then the king of Spain decided to give grapes to everybody to eat on New Year’s Eve.
This year, Barcelona Urbany invites all the guests to the Noche vieja tradition. We will prepare uvas (grapes) and drinks to celebrate the New Year's Eve with lots of fun!! After then, the party will continue with more music and dance at our hall. Hope to see you there!
Christmas in Barcelona is one of the the most celebrated holidays as in many cities around the world, but there are still many traditional Catalan ways that people follow to celebrate.
White bearded Santa in Red coats, Rudolph the red-nosed raindeer, Carols are too yanqui in Catalunya. People go out to the christmas market Fira de Santa Llucía in front of the cathedral to buy Caga Tió, Cagarnets, Pessebres (small figures of the holy family, angels, houses and animals to decorate a corner at home), and eat turrons (catalan sweets) and Galet de Nadal (Christmas Pasta).
Discover more things out by wandering around in the plazas and the streets in Barcelona. :)
It was only recent that the kids started receiving presents from Santa Claus (called Papá Noel) than from caga tió and the Three Kings, who visited new born Jesus. But many people are against the globalization of celebration.
Image: Competition for the real Christmas celebration between the Three Kings and Santa Claus.
Seville Urbany Hostel is a sister hostel of Barcelona Urbany Hostel, located in the historic center of Seville, the capital of flamenco, bullfights and tapas.
You will find all the facilities you need to feel comfortable and to relax for your sightseeing trip to Seville. We hope you stay with us, as we have many details specialized for budget travellers and backpackers.
Every detail at the Seville Urbany Hostel is designed to make you feel confortable and safe, to help you get the most out of your stay in Andalucia´s Capital.
Seville Urbany Hostel caters especially to young travellers, our hostel is good quality functional place at a great low price. Our goal is to offer classy services to distinguish us from other budget accommodation:
