Several studies indicate the most beautiful, popular and pleasant cities in Spain several times a year. Because social media can no longer be ignored, there is now also a ranking of the most ‘instagrammable‘ cities in Spain during Christmas.
Musement, an online platform where activities and trips can be booked in many cities around the world, used Instagram to find out which places in Spain are the most popular around the Christmas season. And that results in the following top 10:
Madrid (65,000 mentions on Instagram)
The Spanish capital tops the list of most popular cities in Spain during Christmas. Photos of the giant Christmas tree on the Plaza de España and the immense illuminated Christmas ball on Calle Alcalá are the most posted. For real Christmas fanatics, the special Christmas bus (Naviluz) makes a 50-minute tour through the beautifully decorated streets of Madrid.
Vigo (17,497 mentions on Instagram)
In recent years, Vigo has become extremely popular during Christmas. Among other things, the more than 35 metre high Christmas tree on the Porta do Sol, the Ferris wheel in the Alameda, the illuminated castle in Policarpo Sanz and the snowman in García Barbón ensure many views on Instagram.
Seville (14,959 mentions on Instagram)
This town in southern Spain is always popular, but even more so during Christmas. The stalls and lights of the Feria del Belén, the winter park Sevilla on Ice and the Christmas circus provide a lot of fun among the younger Spaniards, but certainly also on Instagram.
Barcelona (9,293 mentions on Instagram)
From the well-known tourist bus, a total of 4 kilometres of lights can be seen throughout the city. Especially the illuminated stars and designs on Passeig de Gràcia attract a lot of attention this year. The lighting on the towers of the Sagrada Familia is also a real eye-catcher this year.
Valencia (8,927 mentions on Instagram)
The Plaza del Ayuntamiento takes centre stage this year with its beautifully lit Christmas tree and a real skating rink. A video is also projected daily on the town hall. The nativity scene on the Plaza de la Reina and the Christmas market in the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias provide many views on ‘the gram’.
Málaga (8,244 mentions on Instagram)
The famous Calle Larios once again forms the centre of Málaga during Christmas. Photos and videos of the new light and sound show Ángeles Celestiales also feature a lot on Insta. The timeline of Málaga shows countless images of Christmas highlights, including the light show with drones in the Plaza de la Marina, the nativity scene in the courtyard of the town hall and the video that plays on the tower of the cathedral.
Murcia (6,468 mentions on Instagram)
Despite the fact that there is no large Christmas tree in the Plaza Circular, people enjoy the 70 other medium-sized Christmas trees scattered throughout Murcia’s neighbourhoods. This year you can visit the Christmas market with a magical winter wonderland on the square of La Fica with more than 30 attractions, an ice rink and a Christmas market.
Zaragoza (6,284 mentions on Instagram)
After two years of pandemic, the Plaza del Pilar is once again the centre of this Christmas city. A monumental nativity scene of over 1,000 square metres, an ice rink, a toboggan run and a Santa Claus village are attractions that come back exceptionally often on Instagram when you scroll through the photos in Zaragoza. The special 22-metre high Christmas tree on the Plaza Basilio Paraíso also frequently appears on the timeline.
Granada (4,276 mentions on Instagram)
This city looks even more beautiful in the winter months so it is not surprising that Granada made it to the top 10 of this ranking. The Plaza del Carmen is one of the most visited places because of the beautiful skylight with 3D balls and the light and sound show that can be seen twice a day. At the Fuente de las Batallas you can admire a 3D Christmas tree of around 20 metres and on the Avenida Constitución you can even walk through illuminated Christmas balls.
Alicante (3,806 mentions on Instagram)
This city also takes Christmas very seriously with a total of 2.6 million lights that make the streets of Alicante more beautiful. The cone-shaped tree of 18 metres on the Plaza del Ayuntamiento is also often photographed. At the beginning of the Paseo de la Explanada you can admire a 12 metre high Christmas ball including a light and sound show.
