10 Things to Do in Barcelona in January

Barcelona is the perfect city for those of us who can't decide on just one thing. It's culture, architecture, art, history, gastronomy and entertainment. But what's more, visiting this iconic city in January brings the end of the holiday season and some events you won't want to miss. And, if you're ready for the adventures of the new year, you might want to try the first swim of the year and the city's popular festivities.

A good swim recharges us with energy to start a new day. Now, imagine starting the year with a big collective dip in the beaches of Barcelona.

Despite the cold, hundreds of brave people in bathing suits gather in front of the beach to shout ¡Tots a l'aigua! (Everybody in the water!) and start the new year.

Are you up for it? Don't forget to wear a bathing cap, or why not, a Christmas hat? Just keep in mind that the water temperature rarely exceeds 12º. Fortunately, after the dip, participants are offered a nice hot broth to warm up.

Don't keep your Christmas spirit because the Barcelona City Council organizes the traditional Christmas Concert of the Orfeó Català, where you can enjoy the best Christmas carols performed by the emblematic choir of the Orfeó Català. This is an event that I recommend you to attend, both for the beauty of the music and the wonderful space in which it happens: the Plaça del Rei in Barcelona, a square that transports you back in time thanks to its Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

The concert takes place on January 4, around 7:30 pm and is completely free. Of course, given the amount of people who come I advise you to arrive well in advance.

Every January 5, as a prelude to the night of the Three Wise Men, Barcelona welcomes Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar, the three kings, who surprise children and adults with their floats full of gifts and candy.

The parade officially starts around 18:00 (usually at Ciutadella Park) and ends at approximately 21:30, but we recommend you to check the routes and special activities offered each year.

Have you already ridden the tourist bus in Barcelona? If you haven't done it yet, your children will insist because you have to know that, in recent years, at the front of the royal procession has been placed one of the tourist buses of Barcelona that

Few cities allow you to discover how the most magical parade of the year is prepared, but in the Factory of the Three Kings of Orient you can see calmly and carefully all the details of the float. In addition, you can also watch the manufacturing process of some of the toys for the parade.

This unique experience takes place free of charge during the last days of December and on January 2, 3 and 4 in the Sant Andreu neighborhood, which you can easily reach by metro. If you still haven't got your Card Expres, don't wait any longer: it gives you free access to all the city's public transport and discounts of up to 50% at Barcelona's landmarks and attractions.

If you are a lover of craft markets where you can find unique items, you can't miss the Fira de Reis on Gran Via.

This market opened for the first time in 1877 with 18 stalls. In its first editions it only sold toys and sweets for children, but today you can find up to 200 st alls with a wide variety of unique gifts; from jewelry and clothing to home decor items.

While you stroll through the market, don't forget to try the typical churros with hot chocolate! If it's getting cold, it will surely give you the energy you need to continue your tour of Barcelona.

Practical information

• Where: on Gran Via, between viladomat and compre d'urgell streets.
• Price: only what you want to buy
• Dates and opening hours: The market is open from December 16 to January 6, Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 22:00. Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 00:00, and January 5 from 11:00 to 3:00.

After all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, take a moment to contemplate the decoration of lights that year after year marvels the inhabitants and visitors of Barcelona.

Book a seat on the Barcelona tourist bus to move comfortably and see all the illumination of the most important places of Barcelona. Perfect to rest after a day of intense sightseeing.

We recommend you to visit and enjoy the lights decoration of:

• La Rambla
• The Gran Via
• Plaza de Cataluña
• Aragó Street
• The Ronda de Sant Pere
• The Hotel Majestic
• The Portal de l'Ange
• Sant Antoni Market
• The Plaza de España
• The temporary light installations that are organized every year

If you want to soak up the local culture I recommend attending the popular festival Tres Trombs, around the day of San Antonio Abad, on January 17.

This festival emerged around 1826 seeking to commemorate the death of San Antonio Abad, protector of animals, and is now celebrated with a parade of carriages and animals that make a circuit through the center of the city.

From the carriages, characters throw sweets and candies to young children.

While in many parts of the world, people are already immersed in everyday life, in Barcelona the festivities do not end. The last weekend of January is celebrated in Vila de Gràcia, a district of Barcelona, a Mallorcan festival rich in tradition: the foguerons.

In these celebrations you can not only witness the incredible bonfires and fireworks, but you can also enjoy the popular music performed by traditional instruments such as the xeremía and the zambomba; instruments that used to be used by shepherds for carols and other popular songs.

I recommend that you consult the detailed program of the festivities as its celebration is accompanied by all kinds of gastronomic, cultural and artistic activities for all audiences.

Barcelona is one of the fashion capitals of Europe and from January 7 you can find all kinds of sales in most of the city's stores. Sales can reach 50% off or even more.

In January from Monday to Sunday you can enter the world of fashion and find that refreshing look you've been looking for at a very good price in the best shopping areas

• Las Arenas
• Diagonal Mar
• Maremagnum
• El Born neighborhood
• The Grácia neighborhood
• The Gothic Quarter

Of course, we recommend you to take advantage of the first week of discounts because at the end of the month the sizes and motifs are sold out.

If, on the other hand, you like the philosophy of recycling, third shop and antiques, you have to visit the largest second hand market in Barcelona: El Flea.

This market opens every Sunday from 10:00 am and is located in Plaça de Blanquerna.

Browsing the stalls of the Flea you might find that book you've been looking for years, a valuable antique or the perfect outfit to attend one of the events that I recommend here.

Practical information

• Where: Plaça de Blanquerna
• Price: free
• Dates and hours: Sundays from 10 am onwards

Although the city is going through the winter period, the truth is that temperatures in January are not too low. Its location by the sea means that the highs average around 15º, while the lows rarely drop below 5º.

January is not a very rainy month in Barcelona, but the humidity is noticeable in the city. Something to keep in mind is that the wind usually blows stronger, especially in the coastal area.

In any case, it is always advisable to check the weather forecast a few days before the trip and prepare the suitcase according to the information obtained.