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]]>Barcelona is preparing to celebrate an inclusive, diverse, and supportive Christmas, featuring the return of the Spirit of Christmas and events like the fourth edition of Els Llums de Sant Pau. The city will exceed 110 kilometers of Christmas lighting this year, with the first lights being turned on at the Recinto Modernista de Sant Pau, allowing residents and tourists to enjoy the festive displays.
Barcelona Christmas Markets
Among the most anticipated traditions of the Christmas season in Barcelona are the Christmas markets. The Fira de Santa Llúcia, celebrating its 238th edition this year, opened its doors on November 24 and will close on December 23, filling the Avenida de la Catedral with Christmas spirit and marking the beginning of many traditions in the city. Located in front of the majestic Cathedral of Barcelona in the Gothic Quarter, the fair features over a hundred stalls dedicated to crafts and gift items, including textile accessories, ceramics, jewelry, and a wide selection of figures for the nativity scene, such as the traditional “caganer”.
The Sagrada Familia Christmas Market, known as the Fira de Nadal de la Sagrada Família, also adds to the festive atmosphere. This market is located in the Eixample neighborhood in front of the famous basilica designed by Antoni Gaudí. It offers visitors the option to buy Christmas trees, nativity figures, nougat, artisan food, gifts, and more, alongside concerts and gastronomic proposals. The market runs from November 29 to December 23, with opening hours from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, extending to 10:00 PM on Saturdays and the eve of holidays.
Other Festive Activities
In addition to the markets, Barcelona offers multiple activities and proposals for all types of audiences, including fairs, the traditional nativity scene, guided visits, and ice rinks. This year’s nativity scene commemorates the centenary of Joan Salvat-Papasseit and pays tribute to him and the sea, which is this year’s protagonist due to the America’s Cup. A giant 20-pointed luminous star named “Origen”, inspired by the moment of the “creation of the universe”, will adorn Plaça Sant Jaume this year, replacing the traditional nativity scene.
Cultural events are also a significant part of the celebrations. The Barcelona Festival de Nadal will offer more than 25 free shows of theater, circus, dance, and music, catering to a variety of cultural tastes and budgets. From December 20 to 30, Plaça de Catalunya will become the center of performing arts with this festival, featuring seventeen performing arts companies and eight music groups. Mornings at the festival will feature small-format shows, afternoons will be dedicated to dance and street circus, and evenings will include concerts of varied music genres, from groove to folk.
“Sons de Ciutat” will bring music to the markets and commercial axes of the 10 districts during the Christmas holidays. From December 7 to January 3, this initiative will feature more than 80 concerts by local formations, representing the artistic richness of Barcelona, with a wide variety of genres including jazz, indie, classical, folk, pop, funk, soul, rumba, opera, and electronic music.
The New Year’s Eve show in Montjuïc will be one of the major proposals of the season. The show will feature a spectacular fusion of music and pyrotechnics, celebrating love and coexistence. More than 500 drones will illuminate the sky during the event, creating a memorable experience for attendees.
Another highlight is the “Sant Jordi de Nadal”, an event that combines two great traditions of Barcelona: Sant Jordi and Christmas. The Antigua Fábrica de Estrella Damm will host this event, which offers a great opportunity to enjoy books and meet authors, illustrators, and translators. Authors attending include Ramon Gener, Joan Dausà, Martí Gironell, Xantal Llavina, Màrius Serra, Elisenda Pineda, Laia Vilaseca, Tània Juste, Oriol Canals, and Jordi Puntí. Attendees will be able to participate in workshops or round tables with writers, as well as book presentations and interaction with authors.
The “Poblenou Open Night” supports various artistic disciplines including art, design, music, interior design, sculpture, audiovisuals, photography, floral art, jewelry, gastronomy, and illustration. The event will feature local and international artists. This initiative also organizes special solidarity activities to raise funds for municipalities affected by the DANA in the Community of Valencia.
Barcelona’s Christmas celebrations include traditional activities as well. The Three Wise Men from the East will return to Barcelona on January 5, making a triumphant entrance through the Portal de la Pau, with the Cabalgata (parade) taking place at 6:00 PM. Additionally, the Toy Factory of the Kings will open in Sant Andreu on December 27, where families will be able to see how the Kings’ gifts are created.
The city’s markets and commercial areas are also adorned with festive decorations. The facades of the 39 municipal markets will be illuminated with special activities, and over 20 light installations will create an interactive and participatory route at Els Llums de Sant Pau. The city council has allocated 3.3 million euros for the Christmas lighting, enhancing the festive spirit throughout Barcelona.
This Christmas, Barcelona debuts a new ice rink, initiated by El Corte Inglés, in front of its headquarters at Reina Maria Cristina, at the top of Diagonal. Visitors will be able to skate on the synthetic ice rink until January 12. The Tibidabo Amusement Park will also have a sustainable ice rink until January 5, located in Plaça dels Somnis.
Barcelona’s rich cultural heritage is reflected in its proverbs and traditions. The Catalan proverb “per Nadal, cada ovella al seu corral” (translated as “for Christmas, each sheep in its pen”) embodies an ancestral tradition linked to returning home, both in its literal and symbolic sense. The proverb emphasizes the importance of family during the festivities, reflecting the cultural richness of a region that values social cohesion and respect for tradition.
From festive markets filled with crafts and gastronomic delights to cultural events showcasing music, theater, and art, the city offers a magical time when the streets are illuminated with thousands of lights, filled with music, and breathe a unique festive atmosphere.
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]]>The post The Coolest Cities in Spain to Visit appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.
]]>Granada
With Arabic influences and the home of the Alhambra, Granada is one of Spain’s most beautiful and underrated cities. Affordable, cool, and not too big, this Southern city is a sight to behold with its sweeping views. Most appealingly, you can order any drink for a small price, and with it, you will receive a free tapas dish.
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Seville
The birthplace of Flamenco, Seville is the center of romance in Spain. The Andalucian capital offers delicious food and is easy to get around. Avoid the city in July and August, as temperatures can reach as high as 110 degrees on a regular basis. To combat the heat, Sevillians have embraced siesta culture and many hotel pools will be open all night long.
San Sebastian
Surfing capital, hiker friendly and overflowing with bars, San Sebastian is easily Spain’s most underrated city.
While the rest of Spain has ‘tapas’, San Sebastian’s Basque roots give it a different name; pintxos. The freshest and most delicious seafood is found in this city, particularly their anchovies and a special beef steak called txuleta.
A southern Spain is reliably hot in the summer, San Sebastian is far cooler and prone to drastic weather changes. Spanish locals looking to stay in Spain for the summer will often vacation to San Sebastian to avoid the tourists and for some fresh ocean breeze.
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]]>The post 3 Reasons to Spend the Holidays in Barcelona appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.
]]>Nice Weather
Barcelona has a moderate climate with winter daily temperatures around 50°F, which means the weather is usually perfect for walking around all day long. Make sure to bring a jacket and warm shoes and enjoy sightseeing!
No Crowds
If you decide to visit Barcelona during the winter, the city will be less crowded and many things will be cheaper. Instead of sweating while waiting in lines during summer, you’ll have a much nicer experience whether you decide to visit the museums, entertainment parks, restaurants, or something else.
Great Food
Mediterranean cuisine is amazing all year long, but when it’s too hot during summer, you don’t always feel like eating. Colder weather is actually perfect for exploring the rich food culture in Barcelona, a city with numerous incredible restaurants. Our recommendation is local food paired with a glass of sangria!
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]]>The post Most Famous Spanish Foods Actually Come From Just One Region! appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.
]]>Empanadas
Empanadas in Spain are a bit different than the ones in South America, but history tells that it was Galicia who actually created this pastry treat. No matter the shape or size, empanadas are such delicious ways to eat meat, fish, and veggies, and all because of Galicia.
Pimientos de Padron
Most Spanish menus will have this dish on display, also called “padron peppers.” These are peppers that have been charred to perfection and seasoned with big flakey salt, which make them even more delicious. These peppers also hail from Galicia, from the town of Padron.
Pulpo
Pulpo, or octopus, is one of the most famous seafood dishes from Spain, and that is undoubtedly thanks to Galicia. Galicia has always been one of the biggest fishing ports in the world, so there’s no question how they learned to get the most juicy and succulent octopuses, cooked and served to perfection with Spanish paprika on top.
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]]>The post Check Out These Delicious, Mouth-Watering Spanish Desserts appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.
]]>Turrón
Turrón is a traditional Christmas treat in Spain and many regions in this country have their own recipe for this dessert. However, traditional turrón is made from almonds and honey.
Polvorones
Another popular Christmas candy in Spain is called polvorones. These delicious and crumbly cookies that melt in your mouth are easy to make and you need only flour, sugar, milk, and nuts. Polvorenes are sprinkled with powdered sugar – “polvo” in Spanish means powder.
Flan
This popular treat is similar to the French custard dessert, crème brûlée. It’s basically a rich vanilla egg custard with caramel sauce on top. Sounds delicious, right?
Mantecados
Along with polvorones, mantecados are the most popular Christmas cookies in Spain. Both cookies are very light and crumbly and the dough is pretty similar. The main difference is that mantecados are made with lard (manteca) and they’re usually round-shaped, while polvorones are typically oval-shaped.
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]]>The post 3 Must-Try Foods in Spain appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.
]]>Paella
This is a traditional Spanish rice dish that originally comes from Valencia. Your visit to Spain won’t be complete if you don’t try at least one of three types of paella – Paella Valenciana, Seafood Paella, and Paella Mixta.
Tortilla Espanola
Tortilla Espanola is a Spanish version of an omelet, traditionally made from potatoes, eggs, onions, salt, and pepper. Even though it’s fairly simple to prepare, only in Spain you’ll get to experience the true taste of this dish.
Gazpacho
This is a raw tomato and vegetable soup from Andalusia. It can be made in many different ways, but usually, the main ingredients are tomatoes, cucumber, onion, garlic, olive oil, wine vinegar, and salt.
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]]>The post The Paella You Know is Totally Different in Valencia appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.
]]>Paella has been around for centuries, but the paella eaten today has been around since the mid-19th century.
The paella in Valencia has three staple ingredients in addition to the rice: rabbit, chicken (sometimes duck), and snails. The vegetables used in it are green beans, butter beans or lima beans, and when they’re in season, some places will also put in artichokes.
The combination of all these ingredients makes for such a unique experience with a range of textures and flavors that are simply unbeatable. Although it might seem strange at first that there are little snails in their shells inside a paella, they really don’t taste bizarre and work really well in the paella alongside the other ingredients.
Though you might be given a plate to scoop the paella along with the pan of paella, traditionally you’re just supposed to eat right out of the pan with a spoon! So the next time you’re in Valencia, you’ll know what to do when you order paella.
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]]>The post Best Cities To Visit As A Digital Nomad appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.
]]>Being a digital nomad means you can spread your wings and fly around the world if you so desire, which can entail some pretty special experiences. If you are someone who is looking for the next adventure, but with the stability of a good place to work, visit these cities.
Valldemossa, Spain
Although you wouldn’t think of this small town on the island of Mallorca to be the most productive place to work, it’s just a short bus ride away from the capital Palma, and it is a smart city which means there is free wifi in most places.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkK0Gf6lKi3/?tagged=valledemossa
Tel Aviv, Israel
Tel Aviv is one of the fastest growing cities for tech startups in the world, which means that people are constantly running around the city to do work in coffee shops, have meetings in parks, and the like. Tel Aviv is great because it has a ton of coffee shops, as well as free wifi in most places outside, as well as lounge chairs and tables in the major avenues!
Bali, Indonesia
Since the island’s first coworking space, Hubud, opened its doors in 2013, Bali has become a prime location for holidays that are combined with remote working.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlSRJyNhYZh/?hl=en&tagged=baliindonesia
Budapest, Hungary
This beautiful city retains a low cost of living, especially when compared to other cities in Western Europe. It also has everything you need as a working nomad – low costs, wi-fi and culture.
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]]>The post These Spanish Drinks Will Delight And Refresh appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.
]]>Depending on where you are in the country you will find different types of beverages, but there are a few that are famous and can be found everywhere. So the next time you visit, take a taste of these drinks.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjt-druhsOm/?tagged=cocktails
Gin and Tonic
Spain is the largest consumer of gin in the world, so you know that their gin and tonics have got to be good. Most bars have an array of tonics, and many use a special spoon to pour it into the cup, sometimes even at your table in front of you!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjukmiEgMgb/?tagged=ginandtonic
Vermouth
This fortified wine is a classic Spanish go-to. Most people have it simply over ice, and it is very refreshing and pretty sweet.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjIQtjOBRjn/?tagged=vermut
Sangria
Although it can be a tourist trap, sangria is truly one of the most delicious things to come out of Spain. It is said to have started in Andalucia since it is one of the hottest regions of the country. You can find it in many different varieties, even with cava!
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