In Britain, Christmas winds down after Boxing Day. In Spain, one of the biggest celebrations of the season is still to come. On the evening of 5 January, the Three Kings arrive in towns and cities across the country, and on 6 January, Epiphany, many Spanish children open their main presents.
If you want a short winter break with plenty of atmosphere, the first week of January in Spain is a great time to go. Here is what to expect and how to plan it, including your visa.
What is Día de Reyes?
The Día de Reyes, or Three Kings Day, marks the arrival of the Magi, Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar, in Bethlehem. In Spanish tradition, it’s the Kings rather than Father Christmas who bring gifts, although many families now celebrate both.
On the night of 5 January, children leave their shoes out, sometimes with a snack for the Kings and water for their camels. Good children wake up to presents. Naughty ones, the story goes, get a lump of coal, which these days is usually a sweet made to look like coal.
The 6th of January is a public holiday across Spain, so expect many shops and offices to close.
The Cabalgata de Reyes
The highlight for visitors is the Cabalgata, the Kings’ parade, usually held on the evening of 5 January. The Kings ride through the streets on floats, accompanied by music, dancers and costumed performers, and throw sweets to the crowds. Children bring bags, and some adults bring upturned umbrellas to catch as much as they can.
Almost every town holds its own parade, so you will find one wherever you stay. Some of the best known include:
Madrid
Madrid’s Cabalgata is one of the largest in Spain and usually passes through the city centre. The crowds are huge, so arrive early to find a spot along the route and keep a close eye on children and bags.
Barcelona
In Barcelona, the Kings usually arrive by boat at the port before setting off on their parade through the city. Watching them come ashore is a lovely start to the evening.
Seville and Andalusia
Seville’s parade is a big local occasion, and the city’s mild winter weather makes it a pleasant place to spend early January. Our guide to a winter weekend in Seville has more ideas for your stay.
Alcoy
The town of Alcoy, near Alicante, is known for having one of the oldest Cabalgata traditions in Spain. It’s a good choice if you want something more traditional than the big-city parades.
Routes and start times are published by each city council in the weeks before, so check the official city website once you know where you will be.
Roscón de reyes
The taste of the season is roscón de reyes, a ring-shaped sweet bread topped with candied fruit and sugar, often filled with cream. Families share it on 6 January, usually for breakfast or as an afternoon treat with hot chocolate.
Hidden inside are two surprises: a small figure and a dried bean. Whoever finds the figure is crowned king or queen for the day, while whoever finds the bean is traditionally meant to pay for next year’s roscón. Bakeries sell them throughout late December and early January, and it’s worth queuing at a good one.
The January sales
The winter sales, or rebajas, traditionally begin straight after Reyes, so if you stay an extra day or two you can combine the celebrations with some shopping. Madrid’s Gran Vía and Barcelona’s Passeig de Gràcia are obvious places to start.
A simple four-day plan
- Day 1 (4 January): arrive and explore the city centre while the Christmas lights are still up.
- Day 2 (5 January): spend the day sightseeing, then join the crowds for the Cabalgata in the evening.
- Day 3 (6 January): a slow holiday morning with roscón and hot chocolate. Many shops close, but parks, plazas and some museums are worth visiting. Check opening hours before you go.
- Day 4 (7 January): the sales, a last walk around town, and home.
Practical tips
- Book early. Flights and hotels around New Year and Reyes can be busy, especially in Madrid and Barcelona.
- Expect closures on 6 January. Plan meals and transport around the holiday.
- Dress for the weather. Madrid can be cold in January, especially in the evenings, while the south and the coast are usually milder.
- Stay near the route. A hotel within walking distance of the parade saves a lot of hassle on a busy night.
Planning your Spain visa
If you live in the UK on a non-EU passport, you will usually need a Schengen visa for this trip. With the parades in early January, now is the time to get your application moving.
- Apply to Spain if it’s your main destination. If you combine Spain with another country, apply to the one where you will spend the most nights, or the first country you enter if the nights are equal.
- Apply early. You can apply up to 6 months before travel and no later than 15 calendar days before. Decisions usually take 15 calendar days and can take up to 45, and appointments around the Christmas period fill quickly. Our timing guide explains how to plan.
- Check your insurance. You need at least €30,000 of medical cover, valid across the Schengen area.
- Check your passport. It must have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area, with 2 blank pages.
- Check your UK status. Your evidence is usually an eVisa share code or valid UK visa.
Travelling with children for the parades? Our guide to Schengen visas for children explains the extra documents.
Ready to go? Read our Spain visa guide, or start your application and we’ll help with your forms and appointment.
