5 Iconic Christmas Culinary Traditions to Savor in Spain

Warm Up with Roasted Chestnuts While Exploring

On chilly Christmas days, as you tour historic monuments, grab roasted chestnuts or sweet potatoes from street stalls in tourist areas. Their irresistible aroma will guide you— a comforting, authentic Spanish winter treat.

An Epic, Never-Ending Christmas Feast

Tapas lovers will feel at home with Christmas meals starting with lavish starters: Iberian ham, artisanal cheeses, fresh seafood, preserves, pickled delights, and festive specialties. These could be a meal alone! Next, hearty first courses like Andalusian stew, Catalan escudella (meat and sausage stew), garlic soup from Castilla-La Mancha, almond cream from the Balearics, or trout soup from Castilla y León. Mains feature wood-oven roasts like suckling pig, lamb, or Ternasco, paired with baked fish such as sea bream or sea bass.

Christmas Dinner

A Sweet Finale to the Feast

True to form, meals end with tables groaning under Christmas sweets—a nod to the childlike joy of the season. Regional specialties abound: nougat (turrón), cookies, marzipan, and Roscón de Reyes (Epiphany Cake). Enjoy it traditionally on January 5 during the parade or January 6 post-gifts. Hidden inside? A lucky figurine for the finder.

Christmas Turrón (Nougat)

Quintessential Spanish Toasts

Raise a glass of crisp Spanish cava, perfect for celebrations. Toast with "¡Salud!" (to health), "Chin-chin," or the lively "¡Arriba, abajo, al centro y adentro!" (up, down, center, in!).

12 Grapes for New Year's Luck

For a prosperous year, eat 12 grapes at midnight on December 31, synced to the chimes from Madrid's Puerta del Sol clock. Spain pauses nationwide—join the tradition at iconic squares everywhere. Arrive early for the best spot in Madrid!

Puerta del Sol Square, Madrid, on New Year's Eve