Time is the best gift. We propose a series of activities throughout Spain where environmental balance and Christmas fun go hand in hand
Christmas is approaching, bringing with it a holiday season for sharing time and experiences with family and friends. And the truth is, celebrating and enjoying ourselves can also go hand in hand with sustainability.
From a screen-free forest challenge to discovering a hobbit village, we propose six sustainable plans throughout Spain to help enjoy this special time of year, and even to give as gifts.
- 1. Escape into the forest (no screens, and with a challenge included). First we have an escape room in the forest. It involves stepping outside of your comfort zone and facing new challenges that require paying attention to what nature has to say, drawing on your powers of observation and ingenuity, and disconnecting from screens and technology.
A unique adventure like those proposed by Escape Forest, in the Catalonian Pre-Pyrenees, or Wildtracani in Avila, for families, friends, or co-workers, tailored to each group’s profile, where the mystery is maintained until the end, as the location is not revealed until a few hours before the start. From a scout survival immersion activity (20 hours) to solving a case in the Iruelas valley. Something different that involves team work, cooperation, learning, and having fun while connecting with nature.
- 2. Fira de Santa Llúcia, Barcelona. Welcome to the oldest Christmas market in Catalonia. It’s been going for 239 years since 1786, from November 29 to December 23 on Avenida de la Catedral in Barcelona. And what is special about this hundred-year-old fair? It’s pure Christmas. In addition to the artisan tradition of nativity scenes with their carved and hand-painted figurines, moss mantles, and other decorative elements, throughout its 215 stalls you can find all kinds of sustainable ornaments, classic wooden instruments and toys, jewelry and handmade accessories by independent artisans, leatherwork, and textiles to give as gifts or to treat yourself.
The perfect plan that can also be accessed by public transport (you can take the L1 line) on one of the 196 electric buses or 46 hydrogen buses making up 25% of the total urban fleet in Barcelona, which has been progressively expanded as part of the sustainable mobility strategy of the municipal company (TMB) in the City of Barcelona.
- 3. The Star of Bethlehem... from the Tiedra Astronomical Center, Valladolid.
Another unique plan is gazing at the night sky of the Valladolid town of Tiedra, considered a Starlight destination, so you can follow the trail that guided the three wise men to the manger in Bethlehem from the Cielo y Tiedra Astronomical Center.
Astronomy is another way to connect with nature and enjoy the skies without light pollution from rural environments through local and responsible astrotourism, which offers guided daytime activities and, above all, nighttime activities, with stargazing and planetary observations. An opportunity to travel to the craters of our satellite, the clouds of Jupiter, and the rings of Saturn, or to observe through a telescope how stars are born in nebulae and distant star clusters where thousands of suns and other celestial bodies shine. From dinner under the stars to practicing astrophotography or a planetary film session, the possibilities are almost as infinite as the universe.
- 4. Travel to the village of the Grobits (Pontevedra). Few know that in the remote forest area of O Grove on the island of Toxa lies Hobbiton, the home of the hobbits. A scale recreation of their semi-underground miniature houses covered by the local vegetation, in a fascinating tour featuring carved wooden figures, animals (owls, wolves, wild boars, etc.) and mythological creatures, allowing visitors to discover a small nature reserve at every turn. It has a wooden playground and even a magic well. Admission is free on any day and at any time.
- 5. Mountains, snow and a troglodyte clan. The caves of Sierra Nevada, in the Granada geopark (part of the Unesco network) are the setting for another exciting sustainable plan for this Christmas. Kira and the Troglodyte Clan propose a three-day almost prehistoric adventure from December 30 to January 2. It involves learning about and exploring the ancient cave dwellings carved into red clay mountains. An active and unique way to end the year exploring other territories without needing a passport, including environmental workshops, hiking trails for all levels through the Gorafe Desert to the Fin del Mundo viewpoint and, of course, a New Year's Eve party with 12 grapes to bring in 2026.
- 6. Other quick plans. There are also simple plans that do not require much preparation; for example, visiting a photo exhibit, Natural Science museums, the aquarium, or Science museums in Álava, Valencia, Madrid, Barcelona, Gijón, and A Coruña. But you can also do things closer to home, such as taking a guided hike of a nearby area to learn about the biodiversity that surrounds us.
Time is the best gift. Experiences, shared hobbies, emotions and gifts that cannot be wrapped, but are enjoyed and last forever. Quality time in good company and in connection with nature.