Eight towns in Catalonia that look like they've been plucked straight from a nativity scene

BarcelonaYou stroll along the cobblestone streets of a small town, where the sound of your footsteps is the only soundtrack. The cold bites at your cheeks, but the scent of burning wood wafting from a chimney is comforting. Soft lights dance from the windows, shimmering with the shadows of dormant geraniums. As dusk falls, an old man wraps himself in a coat, placing sprigs of mistletoe on his doorstep, while children, their cheeks flushed with cold, decorate a nativity scene in the middle of the square. As you gaze at it, you suddenly feel as if you're walking through a life-size nativity scene. Every detail, every balcony draped in garlands, every chimney billowing smoke, draws you into the spirit of Christmas. You feel a perfect balance between the silence of the ancient stones and the warmth of the life within them. Walking is like rediscovering a memory, a tranquility that makes you want to stay. Here, time seems to stand still, chimneys radiate warmth, and every detail seems designed to capture the Christmas spirit.

We invite you to discover eight villages where Christmas is in the air. Small towns that resemble giant nativity scenes, where in every square and alleyway, you'll find a Christmas postcard come to life.

Montfalcó Murallat

Imagine yourself stepping through the archway of the walled village of Montfalcó Murallat on a winter morning, the crisp air caressing your cheeks. In the main square, around the cistern that still collects water, stand the fifteen terraced houses that make up this unique village and one of the best-preserved examples of a walled town in Catalonia. The Christmas decorations hanging from the doors and streets of Sant Pere and Sant Jaume, adorned with lights, seem to invite you to discover the history of the communal oven, where the villagers shared bread. And at the end of the street, the church of Sant Pere awaits you, serene, its bells ringing in time with the spirit of Christmas. From the walls, you can see the frozen fields, painting a landscape that looks like a true winter postcard.

Queralbs

Wandering through Queralbs is like getting lost among stones that have witnessed centuries of history. The Church of Sant Jaume, with its engraved capitals, reminds you of the value of Catalan Romanesque architecture. But if you look up, the mountains beckon you to follow the paths that lead to Núria, a sanctuary nestled among peaks where winter takes center stage. In the village streets, Christmas lights and stars adorn windows and balconies, and the streams that flow through the heart of the village seem to whisper tales of bygone winters as the festive atmosphere permeates the air.

Arsèguel

Wandering through the streets of this corner of Alt Urgell, the wooden balconies, typical of this area, immediately catch your eye. Handcrafted with meticulous detail, these balconies adorn the stone houses, becoming an integral part of the landscape, closely linked to nature and the town's history. In Arsèguel and other villages of the Baridà region, these balconies are a symbol of identity, a reminder of their medieval past. At this time of year, the streets are filled with a festive atmosphere: colorful lights twinkle adorning the famous balconies, and the squares are decorated for the occasion. When you arrive at the Romanesque church of Santa Coloma, the sound of the bell tower reminds you that time has always stood still here. With the snow-capped Cadí mountain range as a backdrop, Arsèguel presents a captivating winter scene.

Rupit

Arriving in Rupit is like stepping into a Christmas story. Its cobbled streets lead you to the famous suspension bridge, offering breathtaking views of the Collsacabra mountains and forests. As you wander through the village, Christmas lights fill the crisp air, while the imposing Church of Sant Joan stands amidst the tranquility. If your visit coincides with the live nativity scene, you'll be transported back to medieval life in the blink of an eye. Prepare to enjoy scenes of traditional life: charcoal burners lighting their coal piles, master sausage makers demonstrating how to make longaniza sausages, and troubadours filling the streets with ancient songs. Meanwhile, in the main square, the sounds and smells of bygone eras will make you feel like you've stepped back in time, creating a cool, white atmosphere.

Bagergue

As you stroll through the streets of Bagergue, a sense of tranquility grows. Wooden balconies adorned with pine garlands and twinkling lights welcome you, while the crisp mountain wind reminds you that you're at an altitude of 1,490 meters. Opposite, the church of Sant Feliu, with its medieval architecture, seems to watch over the village. The mountain chill blends with the warmth of a village that proudly boasts the title of one of the most beautiful in the state. Narrow, cobbled streets, dusted with snow, lead you to the Eth Corrau Museum, where the past of the Vall d'Aran seems to come alive in each of the 2,500 exhibits. As you continue exploring, the sounds of a traditional Christmas carol mingle with the crunch of skis in the square. The magic of Christmas is also palpable in the wooden houses, where families gather to enjoy the warmth of the hearths and each other's company.

Beget

The road leading to Beget is winding and narrow, hinting at the unique village hidden within. Upon arrival, you'll find cobbled lanes, tightly embraced by stone houses, guiding you to the heart of the village. Here, the warmth of the houses with their rocky walls and red-tiled roofs contrasts sharply with the chill of the Pyrenees. The lights in the windows evoke dreams and the family celebrations taking place inside, while the gentle murmur of water beneath the village's two medieval bridges accompanies your steps. The quiet and enchanting village seems to offer a small refuge during these holidays, as if Christmas were an invitation to breathe in a tranquility that feels like a hidden treasure.

Wall

According to oral tradition, many years ago, in a hidden corner of the Mura forest, a faceless, magical Tió spent its days waiting to be discovered. This Tió needed almost nothing to bring the magic of Christmas to life; only for a family to find it and take it home. Today, it is presented as the first Tió to participate in the famous Tió Festival of Mura, which lasts throughout the Christmas season. The stone houses of this village, in the heart of the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park, house (and create!) a multitude of Tió figurines of all kinds: cooks, singers, witches, or paragliders. Wander its cobbled streets in search of the most unique Tió figurines while discovering this perfect setting for an authentic Christmas, surrounded by mountains and trails that will lead you to places like the Nespres stream or the Mura Cave.

Prades

If there's one place in Catalonia where you have a chance of seeing the Christmas star, it's surely Prades. It boasts one of the clearest skies in the Principality, a protected sky area accredited by the Starlight Foundation, where you can enjoy some of the best natural celestial displays. Even if you're unlucky, the silence of the mountains will surely make it easy to imagine the Christmas star shining brightly as it crosses the sky. The setting is perfect: the renowned red village (named for the color of its stone houses), decorated with Christmas lights and a fir tree presiding over the church square. But Christmas in Prades isn't limited to the beauty of the sky. The Prades mountain range invites you to stroll along trails and through forests and discover special places like the Roca Foradada (a rock formation) or the abandoned village of La Mussara.