Christmas garden in Barcelona: Els Llums de Sant Pau - light show for young and old

If you happen to be in Barcelona during Advent or Christmas, one great tip for an evening is to visit Els Llums de Sant Pau (Lights of Sant Pau). It is a light garden containing 2 dozen interesting installations that will amaze young and old alike. 

You will see Christmas-themed video mapping on the buildings

The Christmas Garden - this is because this attraction is only available for part of the year during Advent and the Christmas holidays - is located in Barcelona in the grounds of a beautiful cultural center (and former hospital) Santa Creu i Sant Pau. Underneath it is signed Lluís Domènech i Montaner and the place rightly ranks among the greatest architectural gems in Barcelona. Definitely go here sometime during the day! Now back to the Els Llums de Sant Pau light park...

Els Llums de Sant Pau is a really photogenic place!

What will Els Llums de Sant Pau amaze you with? 

Once you've bought your tickets to Els Llums and entered the grounds, you can set off on a one-hour route that is approximately 1 kilometer long and has around 20 stops. This map will tell you more about them. 

Map of Els Llums de Sant Pau - click to enlarge

Of course, it is not necessary to stick to the route, it is only recommended - you can go wherever you want, after all, you will be alone and without a guide. 

Along the way, you will come across various light installations, projections, sculptures or scenes related to the Christmas holidays.

Among them stands out, for example, the beautiful 16-meter Christmas tree, a hyper-realistic projection of the giant Tió (Catalan tradition Christmas log) to one of the historic buildings or an ice rink with an ice rink. The interesting thing is that it is located inside one of the modernist buildings, which probably few people would expect. 

Have fun on the ice rink in one of the buildings

Overall, you can spend a very nice evening here in a relaxed Christmas atmosphere. 

Grab something good along the way

You can easily spend several hours there. That is why you will find several places along the way where you can have something good to eat or drink. Children will be delighted with hot cocoa, for example, and adults will be cheered up by a glass of sparkling cava.

Along the way, you can stop at one of the stalls and have food or drink

The menu includes street classics such as hot dogs and hamburgers. So don't expect any great gastronomy. Oh, and payment is only possible by card, you can leave cash in the hotel room. 

How much does it cost?

To visit the entire Els Llums site, you need to purchase tickets. Their prices are as follows: 

• Adults: €15
• Children/seniors: €13
• Children under 3: free
• Ice rink: €5 surcharge

The prices are valid for visiting the garden during the working week, at the weekend and on special days the prices are a few euros higher. When purchasing, you must select a specific date of visit, if you would like a so-called flexi ticket, the price will be slightly higher. Specifically by 10 euro, which seems quite a lot to me!

A special family entrance fee is also available. 

As always, I recommend doing it buying tickets online.

Your children will especially like this Christmas garden

When to visit? 

The Christmas Garden area is in operation in Barcelona from November 21 to January 14. At any other time of the year, it would be pointless to drive here at night - you wouldn't find anything here. 

Is Els Llums Christmas Garden in Barcelona worth it? 

I think if you're in Barcelona during Advent and if you want to take a break from the Christmas markets and try something new, definitely go here! Doubly so if you will be in town with the kids, which you will surely enjoy with this attraction (the entire route can be completed with a stroller). And if you like to skate, buy the ice rink with your ticket, you won't regret it. Els Llums is currently more than a great replacement of Barcelona's Magic fountain, which has been out of operation for more than a year due to drought.

Enjoy the Christmas holidays and the magical atmosphere of this time in Barcelona!