Come and discover the Christmas markets in Spain! These colourful and lively fairs make you remember them for a long time and want to return to these places! The best Christmas markets in Spain include Santiago de Compostela, Bilbao, Zaragoza, Barcelona, Valencia, Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Madrid and Toledo! Take the opportunity to find out the dates and locations where these fairs take place, and if you're heading to any of these destinations, give these fantastic fairs a go!

Christmas Market in Santiago de Compostela - 02/12 to 05/01

Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia, is not just a land for pilgrimages to the Cathedral! The Christmas market in this city is a gastronomic and pottery market with over 50 stalls selling various Spanish drinks, pastries, snacks and Christmas sweets! This market is open every day from 12pm to 9.30pm, except on 31/12. Enjoy a getaway during Christmas in this Galician city, visit the Cathedral and this market. 

Bilbao Christmas Market - 21/12

This Christmas market is held every year in honour of Saint Thomas on the 21st December! It is one of the most outstanding festivals in the Basque Country! This market is distinguished for being a return to the country life of Bilbao and has its origins in a popular market that was celebrated in this place! This market stands out above all for its gastronomy, where people can taste typical Basque products such as cider, chorizo, cheese and txakoli or chacolí wine and is an event for all tastes and ages! Without a doubt, one of the best Christmas markets in Spain! See what to do in Bilbao!

Zaragoza Christmas Market - 12/12 to 06/01

The Christmas market is located in Plaza del Pilar, next to the Basilica of the same name. The market in this city has a special characteristic, in all public places such as churches, schools, hospitals, public squares, and also in residential spaces nativity scenes are built. But this fair has a special feature: its crib has… a human scale. This one enchants children and adults alike every year, and the crib and its surroundings occupy around 1,500 m2 and extend throughout the city like a labyrinth, using more than 50 life-size figures! The Christmas market is located in the square right next to the human crib. This fair includes Christmas decorations and figures, but also activities for children and there are also processions, parades and concerts during opening hours! Don't miss this fair as it is one of the best Christmas markets in Spain!

Barcelona Christmas Markets - 27/11 to 06/01

Called Feira de Santa Lucia, this market is one of the oldest in Spain because it has been around for over 230 years! Every year next to the Gothic Cathedral of Barcelona, in Plaça Nova, one of the largest Christmas markets in all of Spain takes place and runs every day between 10.30am and 8.30pm. This market full of sculptures of the Virgin Mary also presents typical statuettes with the name of shit or crapper. This famous character in Catalonia, who for centuries was hidden from religious scenes, wears peasant clothes and we can quickly find this figure represented in politicians, football stars or other famous people. Another feature of this market is the Tió de Nadal which is a log filled with sweets and toys that opens when hit with a stick, similar to the Mexican Christmas piñatas that are used to exorcise evil during Christmas!

There is another market in Barcelona called the Feria de los Reyes de la Gran Vía, and it is the biggest Christmas market because it has more than 200 stalls and sells many Christmas gifts for kids and grown ups! It has an extension of 3 metro stations along its route starting on December 20 and ending on January 6, Kings day, running every day from 11am to 10pm! At this fair you can buy food products (traditional or not), groceries, toys, clothes, housewares, among many other varieties and even handicraft items! But don't miss the famous churros, tortellos de reis and the traditional Christmas hot chocolate! Visit Barcelona during Christmas and see more activities happening there!

Valencia Christmas Markets - 28/11 to 29/01

This market in Valencia is held in Plaça de l'Ajuntament, just outside Valencia's Central Market. This market runs every day between 10am and 10pm until Kings Day, but the entertainment on the other side of the square continues beyond this day! There is an area dedicated to gastronomy, such as the famous Spanish nougat, roasted chestnuts and Christmas sweets! The remaining stalls are dedicated to Christmas decorations and nativity scenes, but you can also buy toys and handicrafts!

This market is held every year in Plaça de l'Ajuntament (across from the previous market), but here Christmas is different from all the markets in northern Spain! With higher temperatures, this Mediterranean city of Valencia easily swaps hot chocolate for cotton candy! There are also many traditional Christmas markets in this city and the city now hosts a holiday fair that includes amusements like a Ferris wheel and a mini Russian mountain! See more activities to do in Valencia!

Granada Christmas Market - 01/12 to 06/01

Granada's Christmas market takes place every year from early December until Kings Day in Plaça Bib-Rambla! This market has around 70 stalls and offers its visitors a wide variety of products such as Christmas figurines and nativity scenes, toys and crafts including leatherwork, pottery, silver and jewellery! 3 minutes away from this fair, in the Puerta Real there is also a Christmas fair dedicated to gastronomy and the exhibition of original (handmade) items. At this small fair you can collect some ideas for your Christmas shopping and find very original gifts! If you go to Granada during the Christmas season, take the opportunity to see the activities taking place there!

Christmas Market in Córdoba - 12/11 to 22/12

The Christmas market in Córdoba takes place every year in the Plaza de las Tendillas with more than 47 festive stalls! This market is open every day from 10am to 9pm, but on Friday and Saturday it closes at 11pm! This market sells Christmas gifts and figurines, but also wooden toys for children! Also take the opportunity to indulge yourself with sweets, snacks and other goodies at this market! Cordoba, an autonomous community of Andalusia, as a former Roman and then Islamic capital in the Middle Ages in Spain, features many interesting monuments! Enjoy this visit to the Christmas market and then see the Roman Temple and the Mosque/Cathedral of Cordoba located only 3 and 8 minutes walk from this market! Check our website for activities to do in Cordoba!

Christmas Markets in Seville - 05/11 to 05/01

The open air Christmas markets are a must go in Seville, the heart of Andalusia! Here you can find everything like Christmas presents, amusements for the young ones and also camel rides! The Belen Market runs from 05/11 to 23/12 and is located near the Seville Cathedral. This market has only 30 spaces with works dedicated to Christmas such as nativity figurines, Christmas decorations and jewellery! The Craft Fair that runs from 17/12 to 05/01 is held in Plaza Nueva, right in the heart of Seville. More than 80 craftsmen and artists take part in this market, exhibiting their work which includes popular Spanish souvenirs, gifts and unique Christmas decorations! Check out our website for activities you can do in Seville!

Madrid Christmas Markets - 26/11 to 31/12

In Madrid you can visit several Christmas markets, but the most important ones are the Christmas market in Plaza Mayor and the Christmas market in Passeio de Recoletos. The Plaza Mayor Christmas Market is also known as the Mercado de Navidad! This is a very old market located in the historic centre of the Spanish capital and has been operating there since the 19th century. Currently, during the week, it is open from 10am to 9pm and on Fridays and Saturdays it is open an extra hour! There are more than 100 wooden stalls, where the Christmas colour red is predominant! Most of them, around 90, sell traditional Christmas products, such as Christmas figures, nativity scenes, decorations for the Christmas tree, and the rest sell entertainment items. In this little market you will also find handicrafts related to the Christmas theme!

There is also the Christmas Market in the Paseo de Recoletos, which is very important because it acts as a showcase for Madrid's artisans, but also for other artisans from all over Spain! This market is renowned for the quality and variety of its products, as renowned craftsmen are always present in this market! There are more than 200 tents set up in this space that function as workshops for these artisans! So, if you want to see the work done in loco in ceramics, jewellery, glass, fabric painting, sculpture and other works, you can't miss this Christmas Market! It opens every day from 11am to 9pm, but be aware that on Christmas Day and New Year's Day this market is closed and on the 2 previous days it closes earlier, at 3pm! Check out our website for activities you can do in Madrid!

Christmas Market in Toledo - 29/11 to 31/12

If you are travelling to the Madrid area during Christmas, don't miss the opportunity to stop by Toledo to visit the Christmas market! The city of Toledo, known for being the Visigothic capital of Hispania, has its little market in Plaza Willy Barth and its main attraction is the descent of Father Christmas from the top of the Cristo Rey Cathedral to this square located right in the city centre! During the opening time this fair works with stalls where you can enjoy the typical Spanish gastronomy, buy various products such as decorations and Christmas figures and throughout this event you can also watch several musical performances! Don't miss this little Christmas market in Toledo, just outside Madrid!

If you want to get to know Spain better, enjoy a trip or experience near Christmas time and take the opportunity to visit some Christmas fairs and markets in Spain!

Discover the best Christmas markets in Portugal.

The options are many, the hard part is choosing! If you want to know more about our activities, visit the Living Magazine-Blog and our Living Tours website where you can find out what to do at Christmas time!