Christmas in Spain is full of customs and celebrations that fill the streets with magic at this time of year.
So if you're spending Christmas in Madrid, we suggest you immerse yourself in the local atmosphere of the city and take part in the locals' favourite Christmas traditions. Discover them!
Do your Christmas shopping in Madrid
Are you in Madrid this December or January? Here you have the best opportunity to do all your Christmas (or post-Christmas) shopping. Visit Calle Preciados, the emblematic Gran Vía or any of the streets on our list of the best places to go shopping in Madrid.
Risk your luck and buy the lottery
Buying the Christmas lottery is an important tradition throughout Spain. In Madrid, the famous Doña Manolita shop in Calle del Carmen, located right in the centre of the city, is an obligatory stop every year, with queues of people queuing for miles to get their tickets! Who knows, this could be your lucky year.
Try the typical Christmas desserts
Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy tasting the typical Christmas sweets of Madrid. The most important is surely the turrón, with varieties of all kinds and for all tastes, although you can also find polvorón, marzipan, candied fruit and, of course, the Roscón de Reyes in every shop. Buy these artisan Christmas sweets at Horno de San Onofre or Casa Mira, two of Madrid's best-known traditional bakeries.
Enjoy Madrid lit up from Naviluz
Christmas lights are a classic part of Christmas in Madrid, and there's no quicker way to see them all than by hopping on the Christmas bus, the Naviluz, which runs along the city's most emblematic illuminated streets. You can buy tickets for the Naviluz bus until 6 January, priced at €7 per adult and €3 per child.
Attend the Three Kings Parade in Madrid
The night of January 5th is one of the most special nights of the year in the city. On this date the Cabalgata de Reyes de Madrid is held, an event designed for children but also enjoyed by adults. Taking part in the parade are the Three Wise Men from the East, who have just arrived to visit all the children's houses and leave presents. From their floats, the kings and pages drop a shower of sweets on those attending. It is very common to see people with umbrellas and even ladders to catch as many sweets as possible.
Find accommodation in Madrid
At Único Hotels we offer you the best accommodation in Madrid in one of the most exclusive areas of the city. Hotel Único Madrid is right in the heart of the "Golden Mile" of the Salamanca district, a fantastic shopping area and a very quiet environment to enjoy your days in Madrid very close to the centre.
Enjoy the facilities and luxury services of our 5-star boutique hotel in Madrid, where you can enjoy two Michelin-starred cuisine at the Ramón Freixa restaurant or relax in our wellness area with gym and beauty treatments.
