10 Best Things to Do This Winter in Barcelona

The FC Barcelona Skating Rink is one of the best places in town to go skating on the ice in an easy and safe environment. The rink is near the massive Camp Nou stadium, and you'll have plenty of room to skate around along with all the other people there.

When you're skating here, you'll find a low-pressure environment complete with side barriers you can use if you're learning to skate for the first time. Try it for yourself at the rink just west of the stadium in Les Corts.

Sitges Carnival is a thrilling festival located just outside of Barcelona in Sitges that's held every year near the end of winter similar to Mardis Gras in New Orleans. You can expect thrilling parades, outlandish costumes and unrelenting hedonism.

When you're staying in Barcelona, it's easy to get to Sitges and the carnival. You can drive if you've rented a car, though several bus routes can make the trip as well. You'll find it all about 45 minutes away from Barcelona proper.

Aire de Barcelona is home to comforting Arabic baths and massage services that let you relax as all your troubles fade away. Whether you're visiting on your own or as a couple, you'll find plenty to enjoy here with a wide variety of different experiences available.

The pools are quite varied, with some offering hot temperatures and others that are notably cold. You're typically allowed an hour in the baths area, then you can enjoy a massage that ranges from 20 minutes to an hour. You'll find this place on the western edge of Parc Zoològic de Barcelona.

Fira de Santa Llúcia is an annual fair held throughout most of December each year where you'll find a variety of exhibits, performances and an iconic market. The holiday market here is renowned throughout the city and beyond for offering stunning items you can't find the rest of the year.

This fair is seriously old, dating back centuries, so the locals are committed to making it as special as possible with all sorts of welcoming stalls set up throughout the market. You'll find it all held around the Barcelona Cathedral.

Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) is known as one of Spain’s most celebrated events. On 5 January, the festivity starts in the evening with the arrival of the Three Kings of the Orient by sea. Expect a large parade filled with extravagant floats and the Three Kings throwing sweets and gifts to children. Note that the festival’s theme changes every year, so you’ll be in for a wonderful surprise.

The next day is the actual celebration of Día de los Reyes, on which the kids get to open their presents. Try Roscón de Reyes, a round spongecake or sweetbread containing hidden surprises, both good and ‘bad’. The lucky person that finds a figurine will be crowned King or Queen. If you find a fava bean in your slice, you’ll have to pay for either the cake or purchase one for the next year.

Bowling Pedralbes is a fun bowling alley that you won't want to miss out on when you're looking for something exciting to do away from the winter cold. You'll find 14 lanes here, so there's plenty of space for you to try your hand at this family-friendly sport.

When you visit, you'll find much more than just bowling, as this destination is also home to billiards and foosball. Plus, there's an entire restaurant and bar. You'll find it all around La Maternitat i Sant Ramon just west of Camp Nou.

The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art is home to a wide variety of artworks crafted by contemporary artists covering several different mediums. Around 5,000 unique pieces can be found inside, and they all date back no further than the mid-20th century.

When you visit this museum, you'll find the collection split up into 3 periods: the 40s to the 60s, the 60s and 70s, and the 70s to the present. You can see it all for yourself just southwest of Plaça de Catalunya and a short walk from Plaça de Vicenç Martorell.

The Museu de la Xocolata is a fascinating chocolate museum that not only offers valuable information but shows off art as well. The unique aspect of its artworks is that they're all made from chocolate, including replicas of Sagrada Família and Casa Batlló.

This museum is owned and operated by the Barcelona pastry-makers' guild, so you can be sure that experts are taking care of its operations. You can see all its splendour for yourself north of the Picasso Museum by Parc de la Ciutadella.

The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona is a fun destination where you'll find a variety of different things to do throughout numerous exhibitions. This cultural centre hosts a variety of experiences including art galleries, museum exhibits, live performances, workshops and more.

Be sure to check the local calendar to see what's on at the culture centre before you visit. You'll find it in the northern area of El Raval just a short walk from the Universitat Metro Station.

Skiing at La Molina is one of the most popular winter activities where you can hit the slopes and fully embrace the season. You'll find several different slopes of varying skill levels available, so the whole family can find fun here regardless of experience.

In addition to the standard ski slopes you'll find here, you can also enjoy special activities like a night descent, which adds a whole new perspective on skiing after the sun goes down. You'll find it all about 2 hours north of Barcelona's city centre in Alp, Catalonia.