Best Places to Visit in Spain this Winter

December 3, 2018
cordoba spain winter travel outfit
Spain has a whole heap of national heritage sites, charming towns and little villages. Being Spanish I'm obviously biased, but trust me there's so much to see apart from vibrant cities like Madrid and Barcelona. Spain is not well-known for its Christmas markets like other European cities but it still has a lot to offer. It’s a country that’s very different depending on what region you explore. Medieval castles you can sleep in, one of the greatest mosques in the world, houses hanging from a cliff, the windmills that Don Quixote fought are some of the places you must visit in Spain this winter.

Let's start with some background information. How cold is Spain in December? I know some people wonder if Spain has a winter at all. I'm afraid it does. However, temperatures vary throughout the country, especially mainland versus the islands. Winter in Andalusia is pleasantly mild and Madrid usually reaches a high of around 10ºC (50º F). On the other hand, temps in the Canary Islands are around 20ºC (68ºC) all year long. The north of Spain is a whole different story, on some winter days you can get temperatures below 0ºC (32ºF).

Now let's take a look at some of the best places in Spain to explore this winter. I'm sure you'll find something you like since there’s something for every taste.
cordoba spain winter mosque-cathedral
CORDOBA
Cordoba’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This Andalusian city is most famous for the Patio Festival that takes place in May. Even though you have to forget about those patios filled with beautiful flower pots this time of the year, there are still a lot of things to do in Cordoba. The city still has a mix of influences that date back centuries with places like the Mosque-Cathedral or the Roman Bridge.
cordoba spain winter mosque-cathedral naranjos
cordoba spain winter mosque-cathedral
The great Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba is one of the best places to breath Spanish history in my country. It was originally a Christian church built by the Visigoths around 400 AD, then sometime in the Middle Ages it was turned into an Islamic mosque and finally, after the Reconquista (a series of military campaigns by which Christian armies reclaimed control of the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors), it went back to being a church.
cordoba spain winter mosque-cathedral
cordoba spain winter mosque-cathedral
Read more about the Mosque-Cathedral, here.
cordoba spain winter christmas
cordoba spain winter roman bridge
If you visit Cordoba, you must save a few hours to see Medina Zahara. This is the ruins of a vast, fortified Arab Muslim medieval palace-city built by the Caliph of Córdoba in 929 A.D and located on the western outskirts of Cordoba.
cordoba spain winter medina zahara
cordoba spain winter travel outfit
Read more on visiting Cordoba, here.

SIGÜENZA
Sigüenza is a little town near Guadalajara, central Spain. It’s known for its centuries-old architecture, including an imposing Medieval Castle which is a hotel nowadays. It's a wonderful place for history lovers. Apart from the castle Sigüenza has a beautiful cathedral and charming cobblestone streets full of craftsmanship stores.
sigüenza guadalajara spain winter cathedral
sigüenza guadalajara spain winter travel outfit
sigüenza guadalajara spain winter castle
sigüenza guadalajara spain winter cathedral
sigüenza guadalajara spain winter castle parador hotel travel outfit
sigüenza guadalajara spain winter castle parador hotel

CONSUEGRA
One of the most amazing experiences you can have in Spain is following Don Quixote's steps. This may not be the first suggestion on international travel guides but it surely is a hidden gem that will blow your mind. Consuegra and Campo de Criptana have some of the best preserved windmills in the world and they were featured on Cervantes' masterpiece. 

Just like every Spanish region, La Mancha has got its own typical dishes. Wherever you go in Spain, please be sure to try the local gastronomy. It's such an important part of traveling! Here, you've got to try Manchego delicacies such as pisto, migas (bread crumbs) and, of course, Manchego cheese.consuegra toledo spain winter windmills travel outfit
consuegra toledo spain winter windmills
consuegra toledo spain winter windmills
consuegra toledo spain winter windmills
consuegra toledo spain winter windmills travel outfit

CUENCA
Cuenca is one of Spain's most memorable cities. Narrow streets and tall houses with wooden balconies that literally hang over cliffs make this World Heritage Site a must-see. Some of these traditional houses have transformed their interior into modern art museums. This contrast of traditional and modern makes Cuenca even more special. For me it's one of the dreamiest places in Spain and one of the most captivating in the world.
cuenca spain winter hanging houses
cuenca spain winter parador hotel
cuenca spain winter travel outfit

cuenca spain winter hanging houses night
cuenca spain winter hanging houses travel outfit
cuenca spain winter parador hotel travel outfit cozy
Read more on visiting Cuenca, here

If you are traveling to Spain during the holidays I suggest you read these posts:
How we holiday in Spain
What to do in Madrid this holiday season

WHAT TO PACK
If you're planning a trip to Spain in winter, you should pack layers like long-sleeved shirts, sweaters and coats, gloves, and hats. Places like Consuegra and Campo de Criptana are very windy so my advice is to wear a windbreaker or heavy winter coat. Winter in Spain is quite dry but check the weather forecast just in case. Oh, and wear comfy shoes for walking all those cobblestone streets!

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40 comments

  1. Beautiful post! I've been to most of these towns, but not in winter. I look forward to visiting in a different season.

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  2. Oh my looks like such fun!

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  3. I would love to visit Sigüenza this December, it looks so charming ❤

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  4. Stunning photos - as always!

    Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2018/12/gangly-and-gorgeous-blue-heron.html

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  5. I really want to make it Spain at some point in my life. The scenery looks unbelievable and the architecture is so unique and just plain beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

    http://www.mylittlenest.org

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  6. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comDecember 4, 2018 at 5:43 PM

    So many beautiful places to visit! So little time. Love those windmills.

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  7. This is actually on our list for possibly a cruise next Christmas....we were just researching it!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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  8. I love Don Quixote's landscape...and that Mosque-Cathedral

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  9. Tom The Backroads TravellerDecember 4, 2018 at 11:22 PM

    ...lots of treasures to see, thanks for taking me along.

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  10. Gosh I want to visit Spain so bad, especially since I have been following your blog. Your European layered style is perfect for walking and strolling these beautiful places, too. You always rock a hat, Cristina.

    Happy December and Happy Holiday Season to you! <3 Ada.


    P.S. Make sure you link up with me this Thursday for my Thursday Moda linkup. =))

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  11. These all look like such great places to visit, and your outfits look so cosy! Great scarves! :)

    Hope that you are having a good week so far! Our heatwave has finally ended which is a relief! :)

    Away From The Blue Blog

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  12. Your pictures always have me ready to hop on a plane! And you are always looking so precious.

    Thanks for linking up with Ageless Style!
    Shelly \ The Queen in Between

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  13. Cordoba looks really beautiful. Your pictures are spectacular.
    x, Julie | thismainlinelife.com

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  14. So many beautiful places to visit in Spain and so much history. I would love to visit Medina Zahara. It looks so majestic and I admire it's beauty. I hope you are having a great week so far and happy Thursday!

    Maureen | www.littlemisscasual.com

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  15. Wow, I want to go to Spain so badly!! These photos are gorgeous. I remember learning about some of these sites in my Spanish classes over the years. I especially love your outfit with the beret and scarf! So pretty! Thanks for joining today's Thursday Moda Linkup, and I hope you have a great rest of your day. :-)

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  16. Incredible pics from Spain! Going to have to add Spain to my bucket list. Thanks for sharing on Fabulous Friday
    Regan
    http://nifty50andfabulous.com/2018/12/07/all-about-scarves-fabulous-friday-link-up/

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  17. Oh my, you really can't run out of beauitul things to take photos with in Spain. These are beautiful dear, thanks for sharing!

    Jessica | notjessfashion.com

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  18. I went to Spain and Portugal with my hubby over 6 years ago and we didn't see any of these places! I suppose it is a good reason to go back!

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  19. SO many amazing places and so much to see. I definitely want to see some of the smaller cities in Spain next. I recently learned about Aragon, have you been there? Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.

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  20. Great photos. Thanks for sharing them. Great vacation outfits too!

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  21. That mosque cathedral is absolutely stunning. The colors, painting and just plain everything is breathtaking. I so hope to go to Spain one day.

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  22. I hadn't thought about Spain in winter but you've got me imagining a wonderful itinerary. I'd definitely want to follow Don Quixote's footsteps and walk those cobblestone streets until I dropped. It's all so gorgeous (and I loved your hats.)

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  23. I think it's a great idea to see countries in different seasons. If only we could spend the whole year traveling!

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  24. It's not too far from Madrid (1h 40' drvie) and totally worth it!

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  25. Thank you! And thanks for the linkup as well

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  26. Thanks for stopping by, Ruth! I hope you can visit Spain some day

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  27. I know, right? The windmills are amazing

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  28. That's great! If you have any questions about Spain let me know!

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  29. My fave memory of Spain in winter is churros and chocolate in a cafe in Granada on a cold and frosty morning.

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  30. Thanks for your sweet comment!
    Wow, I can't even imagine a heatwave in December, it'd feel so weird :)

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  31. I loved Spain when I went in the winter many years ago. I say winter but it was February in Andalusia so it was a little warmer but nevertheless, quiet the experience.

    https://the-wardrobe-stylist.com/2018/08/27/clothes-to-pack-go-rving/

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