Best Places to Visit in Spain this Winter

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
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.

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.

Read more about the Mosque-Cathedral, here.

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.

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.

Read more on visiting Sigüenza, here

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.

Read more on visiting Consuegra and La Mancha, here.

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.

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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