The best Christmas markets in Spain

Whether you're looking for handicrafts to buy as gifts, some festive decorations for your house, a fresh Christmas tree or a new nativity figure for your Belén, Christmas markets in Spain are atmospheric places to visit at this time of year. 

You will also find stalls selling practical jokes which Spanish people traditionally use to prank each other on Día de los Santos Inocentes on December 28th, the Spanish equivalent of April Fool’s Day.

They are of course also filled with glittering lights, an assortment of Christmas pastries and sweet treats, including warming chocolate con churros. Here are some of the best. 

Plaza Mayor, Madrid

Fira de Santa Llúcia, Barcelona

One of the oldest Christmas markets in Spain, the Fira de Santa Llúcia has been held annually since 1786 and today has more than 100 stalls. On from November 25th to December 23rd it's located in the Barrio Gótico in the square in front of Barcelona Cathedral.

This is the place to browse dozens of stalls selling everything from handmade Christmas gifts to Catalonia’s famous traditional Christmas customs, including the caganers. These little figures show a person squatting bare-bottomed to defecate and are included within nativity scenes, supposedly to bring prosperity to the household.

Also look out for stalls selling Tió de Nadal, another scatological Christmas tradition popular in Catalonia, which involves beating a smiley-faced log with a stick until it poops presents for all the children.

READ ALSO: The cities in Spain with the best Christmas lights

Navidad en Plaza del Pilar, Zaragoza

The Aragaonese capital hosts a special Christmas treat creating a vast nativity scene of over 8,000 metres squared in front of the city’s Basilica del Pilar. 

The Belén retells the Christmas Story and there’s also a market that sells typical Christmas pastries, decorations and crafts. You’ll also find activities for children including a Santa Claus village. The market is on this year from December 2nd until January 8th. 

Feria del Belén, Sevilla

Seville's most famous Christmas market is one of the few Christmas markets in Spain dedicated solely to figurines, animals and buildings to add to your Belén or Nativity scene.

Held from November 5th to December 23rd this year, it takes place on Calle Fray Ceferino González and Avenida de la Constitución.

The city will also be setting up ice skating rinks for the festive season - there will be one on Muelle de las Delicias as part of the Sevilla On Ice thematic park on from November 24th until January 8th. 

Mercado Santo Tomás, Bilbao

Mercado Santo Tomás in the Basque city of Bilbao. Photo: Donostia/Flickr

Blessed are the cheesemakers. Or rather those lucky enough to browse the stalls of local producers in Bilbao. While not strictly a Christmas market the Mercado Santo Tomás takes place on December 21st of the fest day of the same name and there's a special market to celebrate it in El Arenal and Plaza Nueva. 

Artisan products showcase the best Basque gastronomy including locally made cheeses, and preserved meats. Look out for talos con chorizo (like flat tortillas or pancakes wrapped around a chorizo sausage), sidra (cider) made from locally grown apples, and the local white wine, Txakoli.

Mercado de Bib-Rambla, Granada

Granada’s traditional Christmas is held in the main plaza close to the imposing cathedral and will feature a range of stalls selling all the typical decorations you need to celebrate a Spanish Navidad, from nativity figures to handmade tree ornaments.

There will also be lots of opportunities to buy handmade Christmas gifts, from ceramics and jewellery to Christmas sweets and pastries. 

Mercado de Navidad de San Sebastián

This year San Sebastián has been awarded the title of 'European Capital of Christmas 2022' along with Genoa in Italy. San Sebastián's Christmas market is inspired by those that exist in central Europe, complete with wooden cabins, twinkly lights and lots of tasty treats. As well as the stalls, there will be carol singers, concerts and Christmas shows. 

It will be held on the elegant Paseo del Urumea from December 2nd until January 6th 2023. 

Mercado Navideño de Córdoba

Córdoba's Christmas market this year will solely be dedicated to Beléns or Nativity scenes, where you can buy all the figures and accessories you need. Like last year it will be held in the Plaza de las Tendillas, which will also feature an ice rink. 

The ice rink will be on from December 1st until the 27th. 

Christmas Market Puerto Portals en Mallorca

This market is of the sort you might find in central Europe, with gluhwein stalls, roasted chestnuts and the heavy scent of gingerbread in the air. It's held at the glamorous Puerto Portals and this year will be on from December 18th until January 6th. 

You'll find a range of great Christmas gifts here including handicrafts, natural cosmetics and accessories. There are also performances from local choirs and theatre groups and the Christmassy atmosphere is completed with an ice rink.