Barcelona is an impressive city, full of culture, and history, and remarkable architectural landmarks. There are many people out there who are planning on having a vacation in Barcelona and have been asking themselves whether the month of January is a good one to visit this city. So in this article I will highlight the advantages and disadvantages of traveling to Barcelona in January to aid your decision in your travels.
Weather
Among all the influencing factors that may be of importance when planning a given trip, the weather stands out most prominently. Winter in Barcelona begins from December and ends in February, the average temperatures in January fluctuates between 10°C-15°C (50°F-59°F). Sure it’s not really sun and sand kind of weather, but it’s still a good one for sight-seeing. But it’s necessary to bring warm clothes because the night is cold.
Tourist Crowds
January is still the winter months, but it is not as popular or often referred to as Off peak season in Barcelona as it is in the summer. This means less crowding and short waiting time for such sites as the Sagrada Familia and the Park Güell. It’s a more real experience no unnecessary crowds and you can take your time and really explore. Besides, tourists can get cheap offers on accommodation and air tickets as it isn’t the high season.
Festivals and Events
January in Barcelona has a lot of festivals and events to offer. perhaps, one of the main festivities is a Three Kings’ Parade which takes place on the eve of the feast – on January 5th, the streets literally filled with bright processions, concert and joyful noisy rhythm. There are celebrations in Churches that display kids receiving gifts on the seventh of January and symbolically symbolizing the biblical Magi. Another important event is the Barcelona World Race, the race of sailing ships that begins in January.
Closures
Nonetheless, one must remember that Some place have fewer opening hours in January while others might be closed for repairs or they operate at limited capacity. But of course it is always advisable to call to the place of business, just to know if they open during that time when you plan to. But, of course, some workers are not that lucky, for example, touristic attractions, such as the Sagrada Familia or Park Güell, do not close during the whole year, but only change the working schedule a little.
Local Experience
Traveling to Barcelona in January makes you appreciate the city in the same way you would feel if you were a permanent resident of that place. But there are fewer crowds, that means you will be able to walk around and meet nice people, discover the entertaining places and have true taste of Catalonia. This will therefore help in effectively capturing the city’s vibration and leave more room for interaction hence gaining even better insights.
Summary
Although January can be only slightly warmer than December, it advantages beginning from the standpoints of tourism. Lack of excessive tourist arrival, festivals, relatively mild climate and less cosmopolitan atmosphere are some of the reasons why one may find it wonderful to visit this city in January. The only potential for a problem may be the cold weather, so you should bring some warm clothes; besides that, please make sure the attraction you plan to visit is open when you plan to get there. It is very much possible to plan a worthwhile trip to Barcelona if only you take time in planning in January.
