| It's Christmas in Barcelona, share with us one of the most magical holiday of the year :) |
 Staying at our Barcelona Hostel for Christmas? Want to know some of the Christmas traditions in the city? As in many cities in the world, during Christmas time, Barcelona specially dresses and lights to celebrate one of the most traditional and magical celebrations of the year. You’ll find decorated Christmas trees and Santa in Red coats everywhere ... but there are some special Christmas traditions and activities that you’ll only find in Barcelona. Would you like to share them with us while staying at our Barcelona Hostel? Christmas markets: You'll find many markets during Christmas in Barcelona. However, the largest and most popular is the Fira de Santa Llúcia, located next to the Cathedral of Barcelona. With many handmade ornaments and gift ideas in a stunning setting, it's the perfect place to feel the Christmas spirit. The "Fira" ends on 23 December. You'll also find other Christmas markets and fairs at the Mercat del Born, at la Sagrada Familia and the Plaça de Sants Market (at Joan Güell street). There's also a wide fair at Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, with christmas crafts and products. Christmas lights:  Don't miss out the Christmas lights of Barcelona. Plaza de Catalunya is the first stop to enjoy the stunning Christmas lights, especially those at the buildings surrounding it. La Rambla and Portal de l'Angel street are also famous for their illuminations. The Avda. Diagonal, the Passeig de Gràcia, or the Gran Via are also pretty illuminated streets. The nativity Scenes and the "Caganer"  Do not miss the beautiful Nativity scenes with figures representing the birth of Jesus all around the city. The most famous is located in the plaça Sant Jaume. And in all Catalan nativity scenes there's a unique and unusual figure, typically Catalan, the "caganer". What is the "caganer"? Traditionally, the caganer is the figure of a man dressed with traditional Catalan clothes … pooping! It is intended to be a symbol of good luck for the New Year. Maybe you find one or two "Caganers at our Barcelona Hostel ;) The Caga Tió:  You probably don’t know another Christmas catalan traditional figure, the “Caga Tio". It is an old trunk with a face painted on one end, that on Christmas Eve is put in the fireplace as a symbol of abundance. Each day during the month of December, children feed it with sweets and cover it with a red blanket. Finally, on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, children can open it to enjoy the the presents and sweets under the blanket.The trunk is finally used in the fireplace to heat the house, as "giving back " the heat he has received. Even though at our Barcelona Hostel you won't find any "Cagatió" since there's no fireplace, you'll find plenty of evetywhere! And what to eat in Barcelona for Christmas?  Be sure to try the Turron, the most popular candy for Christmas in Barcelona (and in the whole country). The traditional Turron is made with nougat and almonds, but today yoyu’ll find hundreds of flavors. Polvorones are also a popular holiday dish made with sweet almond paste. And what’s typical in Catalonia to eat on Christmas day? The escudella i carn d'olla (typical catalan soup with meatballs), followed by turkey, and the traditional Turron. So, come to Barcelona on Christmas, enjoy the city, join us at our Barcelona Hostel. All our Barcelona Hostel staff wishes a merry Christmas to all our friends :) |
