Barcelona is a city more known with sun and beach with fabulous architectures, but if you make a visit in winter season, there are some more things you can enjoy! - skiing in the Pyrenees! :)
At the Pyrenees of the Catalan/Spanish side close to the French boarder, there are big and small ski resorts that you can make a one day trip - going early in the morning, returning late at night back to Barcelona.
The closest Ski resort you may find is La Molina or La Masella. La Molina is one of the oldest ski resort in the country, with history dating back to 1908. Every winter, you will be able to find seasonal tickets seld in the city center of Barcelona. La Masella is a resort close to La Molina, only 2 hours away from Barcelona. If you buy a ticket named in ALP2500, sold in both resorts, you will have access to both at the same time.
Another well-known ski resort is Baqueira Beret. It´s located farther away, and has more familiar atmosphere, also known as the Spanish Royal Family´s winter resort . It takes around 4 hours from Barcelona by car, so you´d better be prepared for a night over.
If gonig to ski in Pyrenees is too far, there are still many ways to enjoy the winter in the city. Taking a walk through along the port in Barceloneta, taking drinks at urbany bar at the 3rd floor with other backpackers, going out to the disco all together every night and forget about the cold weather! We will help you find the way out to have the best experience in Barcelona - inside and outside the hostel! :)
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:
All rooms have ensuite bathrooms and individual lockers
Private or shared bedrooms, mixed or only female
Linen and blanket included
Air-conditioning in rooms
Key card access
Free internet access
Free Wi-Fi in the lobby
Free breakfast buffet
Cozy Roof terrace with great views
Self-cook kitchen facilities
Bar & Vending machine in the common area
Free luggage room
Laundry service
Towel Hire
Tour desk
Whenever you have any questions, please let us know at any time. We are more than happy to answer your inquiries.
Address: Calle Doña María Coronel 12 · 41003 · Sevilla · Spain
Phone: +34 954 227 949
Email:
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Forget about Santa Claus, in Seville we have our own way to celebrate Christmas!
Seville Urbany Hostel invites you to see the Three Wise Men procession go by the streets of the city. You could feel the illusion and the Christmas spirit in the air. Being away from home doesn’t mean you, backpacker, have to feel lonely! Pleasant Christmas are possible at Seville Urbany Hostel; it will feel like home!
Seville organizes a “cabalgata” on the 5th January evening, in which the kings and their servants parade and throw sweets to the children (and parents) in attendance. Believe us, you are never too grown up to re-experience the magic of Christmas. Traveling and “backpacking around” is all about finding out other culture’s traditions. And Urbany Hostel encourages to do so!
In Spain, and of course in Seville, the holiday is celebrated with a special tradition: within a family, a ring-shaped pastry or Roscón de Reyes is shared, which contains a small figure of baby Jesus, known as the dry broad bean. Whoever gets the "bean" is "crowned" king for the remainder of the holiday and wears a cardboard crown purchased with the pastry, but whoever gets the bean has to pay the value of the cake to the person who originally bought it.
Check out the journey of the procession in Seville! Urbany Hostel will be there!
