A Local's Guide to Christmas in Madrid

Peruse the historic city center

In the old city center, historic buildings and monuments adorned with lights and decorations will make you feel like you’re in a real-life Christmas storybook.

In Plaza Mayor, Plaza de Isabel II, and Plaza de España, you’ll find some of the coziest Christmas markets. You can grab a traditional Spanish dessert, a hot mulled wine, or hot chocolate to sip while you browse the stalls selling Christmas decorations and handcrafted nativity scene figures.

Wandering the tiny streets around the city center, you’ll likely stumble into famous spots like Palacio Real, Plaza de Oriente, Calle Mayor, and the Catedral Almudena. You’ll also come across lots of small, but renowned little businesses that are part of the soul of the city, like the San Ginés bookstall, one of the country’s oldest bookshops, dating back to 1650.

Ice-skating rinks

During the Christmas season, many popular spots throughout the city set up their own ice rinks. You can find some at the Christmas markets in Plaza de España and Plaza de Colón, or inside the City Hall at Palacio de Cibeles. You can even find one in Matadero, the former slaughterhouse and current hub for cultural activities and markets.

Christmas carols in the Teatro Real Opera House

On Christmas Eve, the Teatro Real Opera House offers a one-time-only show featuring classic Christmas music performed by the Santa Cecilia orchestra and world-class opera singers. Originally opening in 1850, Teatro Real is one of Europe’s most prestigious venues for performing arts, making it a truly magical Christmas experience.

Thrift-shopping in Rastro

With up to 3,500 stalls, El Rastro is one of the biggest outdoor flea markets in Europe. Originating in the 18th century, this flea market is held in La Latina neighborhood every Sunday morning. You can find almost anything you can imagine, clothes, antiques, crafts, and watches. Who knows what you will find here, maybe the perfect Christmas gift?

Christmas Craft Market in Paseo de Recoletos

The best artisans in the country come together on the boulevard of Paseo de Recoletos to sell their crafts, from candles and incense sticks to handcrafted board games and pottery. It’s the perfect place to experience Spain’s authentic craftsmanship.

I personally love buying Christmas gifts here to support these small businesses and their amazing work.

Bernabeu and Metropolitano Stadiums

Spend an entertaining afternoon in the world-renowned soccer stadiums of Madrid, Estadio Bernabéu and Estadio Metropolitano. Bernabéu is the host of MAVIDAD, a makeshift Christmas village complete with ice bumper cars on ice and a slide that stretches from the stands to the field. There are also Christmas decoration workshops, food booths, performances, and parades.

At the Metropolitano stadium, you’ll find the biggest ice skating rink in Spain and you can enjoy live DJs and the most unique food booths.

New Year’s Eve in Plaza del Sol

At 11:59 pm on December 31st, Spaniards can be found rushing to eat 12 grapes before the clock strikes Midnight. This is how we ring in the New Year, and there’s no better place to do so right in the country’s Kilometer Zero: Plaza del Sol.

Here, thousands gather to celebrate in one of the most iconic New Year’s spots televised for the whole country to see.

Don’t forget your grapes and warm clothes!

Nativity scenes

Belenes, as we call them in Spanish, are a classic Christmas icon in Spain. Every family, religious or not, has one in their home.

Famous public places like Madrid City Hall, Palacio Real (Royal Palace), or the History Museum, display their most impressive nativity scenes throughout the holidays. You can also find them in shopping malls, cultural centers, churches, museums… pretty much everywhere you go!

Where & what to eat during Christmas in Madrid

Spain has an incredible gastronomic scene all-year-round, but Christmas time is when people really go all out with food. Here are some of the best places to eat in Madrid during Christmas.

• Lhardy: This traditional restaurant, founded in 1839, has the tastiest bone broth I have ever tried. It’s especially satisfying after you’ve come in from the cold! Accompany the broth with one of their amazing croquetas.

• Chocolateria San Gines: One of Madrid’s signature desserts is hot chocolate with churros. I recommend you try it for the first time in San Gines, a churreria established in 1894. Fair warning: This isn’t your average hot chocolate. It has a very thick consistency you might want to pair with a glass of milk. Either way, it’s a quintessentially Madridleño Christmas dessert you can’t miss!

• Casa Labra: Located in the heart of the city and recognized by Taste Atlas as one of the most iconic restaurants in the world, this centenary restaurant specializes in battered cod and croquetas. Every Spanish person that happens to be in Madrid will definitely go to Casa Labra for a quick bite. Fun fact: Did you know that one of the two main political parties of Spain (PSOE) was founded in this restaurant in 1879?

• Restaurante Botin: Opened in 1725, Casa Botin is the Guinness World Record’s oldest operating restaurant. Their specialties are piglet and lamb, which are roasted in an oven whose flames have been blazing since the restaurant’s 18th century opening. You’ll need to book a reservation months in advance, but it is worth it!

• La Bola: Go to La Bola for Madrid’s most famous dish: Cocido Madrileno. This meal consists of three courses: a delicious broth with egg noodles, a plate of chickpeas, and a slow-roasted stew of tender meats and vegetables. Families from Madrid will cook this meal on Sundays to warm up and sleep a good siesta. It is my favorite meal in the world and a Christmas classic that everyone should enjoy at least once in their life.

• Food Truck Market: Try out award-winning tapas, burgers, pasta, ramen, and quintessential Spanish desserts at El Corte Ingles Castellana food truck market. I recommend you try Cañitas Maite’s croquetas! You might also catch the Gospel Factory choir performing in the evenings.

• Calamari Sandwich: One of the best memories I have with my family during Christmas season is going to Plaza Mayor to eat a calamari sandwich after seeing the Christmas decorations. The plaza is full of places where you can enjoy this winter classic: La Campana, La Ideal, El Brillante… The options are unlimited. My favorite place to eat this delicious sandwich is Bar Postas.

• Roscón de Reyes: Holiday festivities in Spain last until January 6, when we celebrate Kings Day. We’ll spend the morning opening gifts left by the three wise men, and then sit down as a family to enjoy a delicious Roscon de Reyes. This symbolic cake is decorated with candied fruits to mimic jewels, and is baked with one small bean inside. If you’re the unlucky recipient of this bean, tradition mandates that you buy next year’s Roscon.

You can find Roscon de Reyes in bakeries like La Mallorquina, established in 1894 and located right in Puerta del Sol, Viena Capellanes, or Horno de San Onofre. You can also find roscones in supermarkets.