Spain is the perfect country to visit any time of the year, thanks to its extraordinary culture and stunning landscapes. However, Christmas is a particularly magical time when the villages are covered in snow, decked out in lights and Christmas decorations and transformed into places that look like something out of a fairytale. In this article, we have compiled a list of the most beautiful villages in Spain to visit at Christmas.
Buitrago de Lozoya, Madrid
Buitrago de Lozoya, a picturesque village in the Sierra Norte of Madrid, is a destination worth visiting for many reasons. Firstly, it has an impressive historical and architectural heritage. The village is surrounded by a remarkable medieval wall, unique in the Madrid region, which is a testament to the region's fascinating history. Within its walls, visitors can explore Mendoza Castle, a 15th-century fortress that is an excellent example of that era's military architecture. Moreover, Santa María del Castillo church, the old River Lozoya bridge and the narrow cobbled streets give the town particular charm, taking visitors back to times bygone.
On the other hand, this Madrid town is a paradise for nature lovers. Located in the Lozoya Valley, Buitrago is surrounded by spectacular natural landscapes that offer endless outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling and horseback riding around the Puentes Viejas reservoir and along the Lozoya River.
Christmas is the ideal time to visit Buitrago de Lozoya and enjoy some of its most outstanding celebrations. For example, its regionally and nationally recognised live nativity scene has been enacted for over 30 years.
Puebla de Sanabria, Zamora
This medieval village, located in the province of Zamora, is one of the most beautiful in Spain, regardless of the time of year. At Christmas, however, the stone houses and streets of Puebla de Sanabria glow thanks to sparkling Christmas decorations, creating a magical atmosphere. Its proximity to Lake Sanabria gives the town an unparalleled charm, especially if you're lucky to visit once it has snowed.
One of Puebla de Sanabria's main Christmas tourist attractions is its Christmas market in the town's main square with Christmas products, such as Christmas trees, decorations, typical sweets and handmade crafts. At Christmas, the Conde de Benavente castle is lit up, and night-time guided tours are offered to explore the inside of its walls, recapturing the area's past.
Ochagavía, Navarra
Ochagavía, located in the north of the Navarre region in the Salazar valley, is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Navarre and the Pyrenees and is a great destination to consider for a Christmas getaway.
Ochagavía has a rich historical and cultural heritage. Its narrow cobbled streets, stone houses and medieval monuments – such as San Juan Evangelista church – are particularly charming, especially when adorned with snow.
At Christmas, on 27 December to be precise, the feast of Saint John the Evangelist and the arrival of the Olentzero, a mythological charcoal burner whose function is similar to Father Christmas, are celebrated in Ochagavía, which makes it an ideal trip for the youngest members of the family.
Frías, Burgos
Frías is one of the oldest towns in Spain, with a history dating back to Roman times. During the Middle Ages, it was an important defensive enclave on the border of the Kingdom of Navarre. Its impressive 12th-century medieval castle, built on a cliff, bears witness to that legacy and offers spectacular views of the Cerro de la Muela. San Vicente church and the medieval bridge are just some of its most popular monuments.
This town in Burgos stands out for its medieval architecture, with stone houses and cobbled streets that take you back in time. At Christmas, the town is decked with lights and festive markets where you can sample culinary delights, such as roast lamb and nougat.
Grazalema, Cádiz
Grazalema is a Spanish town in the province of Cadiz, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Its town centre, declared a historic and artistic ensemble, is full of whitewashed houses with Arabic tile roofs, huddled together on a mountainside.
Grazalema is one of the villages you should visit this Christmas for several reasons, namely its beautiful surroundings and rich cultural heritage. The village has a wide variety of hiking trails for exploring the Sierra de Grazalema, a natural park home to a varied fauna and flora. You can also visit monuments like Nuestra Señora de la Aurora church, San José church and San Antonio oil mill.
This Spanish village is also famous for its handicrafts, particularly its wickerwork, pottery and embroidery, and for its food, thanks to its typical dishes, such as tomato gazpacho, choto al ajillo (kid cooked in garlic) and Payoyo cheese.
Peñalba de Santiago, León
Another great Christmas getaway destination is this charming village in the Bierzo region in the province of León. Nestled in the Valle del Silencio valley, Peñalba de Santiago has outstanding natural beauty, fine architecture and historical heritage. River Oza, which crosses the village, creates a spectacular landscape of forests, waterfalls and mountains.
In this beautiful place, declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1969 and part of Spain's Most Beautiful Villages network, there are several monuments to visit, such as Santiago de Peñalba church, a 10th-century Mozarabic masterpiece, and Pedro de Montes Monastery.
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