A guide to the best things to do in Southern Spain In December
Southern Spain in December is an excellent time to visit. The heat from the summer has subsided, giving you the chance to explore the nature reserves and the historic places in cooler climes.
It’s an amazing place to go if you want to see blue skies and palm trees in a time when much of the northern hemisphere is gripped with low temperatures, ice and snow.
Museums and castles are a popular option, but you can also enjoy the many seasonal festivities, as well as hiking on the many mountain ranges in this region.
Read on to discover the best things to do in Andalucia in winter if you’re planning a vacation to southern Spain in December.
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Overview: Our favorite things to do in Southern Spain in December
- Calle Larios and the light festivities is a must-see event
- Granada’s Festive Flamenco Zambombas
- Sampling the variety of pastries is sure to be memorable
- Live nativity scenes are a true Andalucian experience
1. Festivity of the Inmaculada Concepción in Seville
Looking for things to do in southern Spain in December? Look no further than the Inmaculada Concepción in Seville.
The main event takes place in Seville Cathedral, but there are also celebrations taking place in various locations around the city including the Plaza del Triunfo.
It’s a celebration of Mary, mother of Jesus, and gives you a real taste of Andalucia in winter as the streets are packed with celebrants.
We believe Seville in Winter is so amazing, giving that the temperature are way more comfortable and the city is more peaceful, exactly what you need for Christmas.
2. Málaga’s Spectacular Calle Larios Light Show
If you’re eager to discover things to do in Andalucia with kids, then take them along to Calle Larios that will be decked out with colored lights throughout December and January.
The magic begins when the sun sets, and the streets come alive with music and light and that’s why many people will travel to Malaga to have an authentic feel of Southern Spain in December and experience first hand the best things to do in Costa del Sol.
Malaga in winter is such a magical place and we love to get together with friends to go see the lights. It’s something that we feel keeps us together during a celebration like this.
There are timed light shows to enjoy, and you can make an evening of it thanks to Málaga’s Christmas Market which is located in the port. It’s the best place for Christmas-themed Spanish souvenirs.
3. Explore White villages in Sierra Nevada
The weather in southern Spain in winter is particularly favorable if you want to leave the big towns and explore the white village nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
One of the most beautiful white village is Ferreirola, located on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada National Park, at an altitude of 1,000 meters.
Work your way through the narrow cobbled streets and discover local traditional food such as stews and soups is a great way to explore Southern Spain in December.
The white villages are must-see places in Andalucia, and are top places to visit in Andalucia in Winter if you want to get a feel of the local people and daily life in Spain.
4. Visit the world’s largest chocolate nativity scene in Córdoba
Admission to the chocolate nativity scene is free, and is something to enjoy for all the family, as Andalusia winter temperatures allow for the chocolate to remain hard for weeks.
Kids will love to see the ingenuity that’s required to construct something so large and
It’s one of the main landmarks in Southern Spain in December and is a great place to visit when coupled with a few churros and a pot of melted chocolate.
5. Three Kings Parades Across Southern Spain
Three Kings is the main festive Christmas event of the Spanish calendar, so if you’re staying in Seville, Cádiz or Granada in winter past the new year period, you can experience this spectacle.
It’s a must see in Andalusia that begins on the 5th January with the main event happening the day after.
Seeing huge parades with decorated floats throughout the main towns and cities in southern Spain are perfect evening entertainment for families with children.
6. Granada’s Festive Flamenco Zambombas
December is a time of celebration in Granada and you can be a part of it too by viewing a festive flamenco performance known as Zambomba.
Witness the swirling dresses and upbeat music together with the locals at key events throughout Granada, including a mystical journey into the caves in Sacromonte.
It’s an event you won’t forget, especially when it takes place in some of the most beautiful places in Granada.
7. Try the best Christmas Pastries
Spanish Christmas traditions can be found everywhere in the Andalucia region, and one of the best parts is all of the delicious Christmas pastries.
With flavors like cinnamon and almond, you can pick up some mantecados or polvorones from a local bakery which go perfect with a cup of coffee or Spanish hot chocolate.
Turrón is a favorite in Spain at this time of year with soft nougat versions as well as harder turrónes packed with almonds or other nuts.
It’s also a great way to bring a piece of Spain back to family and friends back home.
8. Attend a live nativity scene (Belenes Bivientes)
The nativity scene holds special importance for Spain as it’s largely a Christian country with a strong Catholic heritage.
Volunteers dress up and act out multiple scenes from the nativity in the streets including the birth of Jesus and the three kings bringing presents.
Some shows are small with only a few actors, but most large cities like Seville and Granada have large performances, and the biggest one takes place in Cádiz with over 60 actors.
Aside from the live performances, there are always many different nativity sets you can visit which look amazing when the sun goes down.
9. Christmas of the Gypsies
Christmas of the Gypsies is an annual tradition for the Roma community in Spain and you’ll often see it played out in places like Almería.
Gypsy families gather in the street, enjoy food and drink together, and there’s always a lot of dancing accompanied by musical instruments.
This usually takes place on the Noche de las Candelas, and they celebrate December 25th unlike the local Spaniards who wait until January 6th.
Small fires are also lit in the street which adds to the atmosphere and celebrations continue into the night.
It’s worth spending one day in Córdoba to see the Navidad de los Patios. Residents create spectacular floral displays outside their home with the red leaves of the poinsettia.
It’s an amazing experience to walk through the area and enjoy all the foliage, and even better when you get to enjoy the live music that often accompanies it.
There are multiple regions in the city such as San Lorenzo and the Jewish Quarter where this takes place.
Our final conclusion on visiting Andalucia in December
If you’re planning to visit places in Andalucia in January or December such as Granada and Córdoba, these are the coldest months of the year, but still some of the best places to visit in Spain in winter thanks to the wealth of activities.
If you want to ski, then head to the Sierra Nevada Ski Resort which features multiple exciting slopes in some of the most beautiful places in Andalucia.
Hotels in Sierra Nevada and the surrounding area are affordably priced, or you could even rent a log chalet for the weekend to get the most out of the experience.
The best Sierra Nevada hotels will cater to everything you need for your stay, and some include luxurious jacuzzis and spas.
Nativity scenes are in every town and village, and Christmas lights adorn the streets giving a new point of view of popular Spanish locations at this time of year.
If you want to embrace Spanish culture and tradition, this is the best season to do it in.
You can enjoy a hearty stew in a seaside restaurant or go for a hike in the countryside, the possibilities are endless.
Visiting at this time of year is also a great time to move around the region, spending a weekend in Córdoba, or a few days in Granada to coincide with all of the festive activities that take place on different days in December.
Plan your trip today and look forward to wintering in southern Spain and experiencing everything it has to offer.
Short FAQ visiting Southern Spain in December
Which part of Spain is warmest in December?
The warmest areas of Spain in December are the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca.
This is because of their proximity to Africa where warm winds blow northwards, making Seville in winter and Málaga in winter excellent places to vacation.
What are winters like in southern Spain?
Expect mild temperatures if you plan on visiting southern Spain in winter.
Even though it gets cold, it’s mainly in the evenings when you might want to put a jumper on if strolling the streets or eating outside.
Rain showers aren’t common and they don’t last for very long before the blue sky pokes through again.
What are the best things to do in southern Spain in December?
Festivals at this time of year in southern Spain are in full swing, and wherever you’re staying you won’t have to travel very far to find one.
Street processions with lights and floats are common, but remember to get there early to find your place at the side of the street for the best view.
Hola, I’m Paulina! Together with my team, we are passionate about Southern Spain. Here we share all you need to know for great times in Southern Spain with the best places to visit, stay and, of course, the best food to eat.
Let’s dive in and explore Southern Spain’s outdoors, food and culture con pasión!