Hotels near Plaça de Sant Jaume

Plaça de Sant Jaume has been the political heart of Barcelona since Roman times, with the City Hall and the Palau de la Generalitat, seat of the Catalan government, facing each other across the square. Every December the city installs its official Nativity scene here, and the design changes each year. Some years it is a traditional crib, others a bold contemporary installation that becomes a talking point across the city.

The pessebre is usually unveiled in early December and stays until early January, alongside a large Christmas tree. A few minutes' walk north, Plaça del Rei is one of the best-preserved medieval squares in the city, where legend says the Catholic Monarchs received Columbus after his first voyage. Both squares are free and especially atmospheric once the lights come on.

Pro Tip: Visit after dark, when the Nativity scene and the square's facades are lit, and combine it with the Fira de Santa Llúcia, a 5-minute walk away.