What to Wear in Zaragoza, Spain in Winter (Honest Insights from a Local)
I have been spending the Christmas season in Zaragoza for the last 5 years. We visit our holiday home, ready for the change in climate from our warm Florida weather, trading palm trees for nights by the fireplace and hot churros at the Christmas markets.
Spain is quite magical during the winter months, and I've got the local intel to help you plan a wonderful winter getaway. Below, understand the challenges the elements may throw at you in Zaragoza's unique climate, get inspired for festive tapas nights and Germanic Christmas market displays, and understand a bit about the holidays and the neighboring towns you may want to explore to really get into the holiday spirit.
I'll guide you through practical first-hand advice on what to pack and what to wear for Zaragoza winter - not just a round up of obvious winter needs. Let's dive in!
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Zaragoza’s Winter Climate
When dressing for a winter vacation to Zaragoza, Spain, there are three primary things to consider. First, Zaragoza sits in a desert-like atmosphere, meaning dry and arid. Second, the infamous "cierzo wind" cuts like a knife on cold days - it is truly unmatched. And lastly, the temps can get so crazy damp that an "ice fog" effect creeps in on many occasions, sometimes completely hindering visibility!
A typical winter day in Zaragoza is overcast and nippy, potentially even wet. But sometimes the sun comes out, blue skies appear and the warmth toasts you gently - until the (dun dun dun) cierzo winds attack.
It may all sound rather unpleasant, which I'll be honest - is not completely wrong - however, the festivities of the holidays in Zaragoza trumps any discomfort from the elements. You just need to know how to dress properly!
What to Wear in Zaragoza Spain Winter: The Packing List
Rather than breaking down the exact whosies and whatsits for your wardrobe, it is most important to recognize the weather patterns to dress for.
Prepare for anything with focus on:
Wind protection (!!)
Rain protection
Varying temperatures
The top items you shouldn't leave home without include:
Warm boots
Dress boots
Wind-resistant outerlayers (I recommend 1 leather jacket, 1 puffy mid-weight down, and 1 waterproof layer)
A tight-fitting hat (like a beanie)
A solid scarf that can cover your face from the wind (or a neck gaiter!)
Festive holiday sweaters or thick sweater dresses (paired with jeans and boots)
I practically live in sweaters during the winter in Zaragoza, with moisture-wicking base layers for indoor settings if I get too warm. You'll find that many restaurants (typically asadors) have hot burning fireplaces or grill tops right in the center of the restaurant, and the flames get hot. Always dress in layers!
Case in point:
Cozy, but hot! 😂
Below I share sample scenarios in the Zaragoza winter climate that are essential to understand before you start to pack!
I've listed some similar items you may want to consult in my Christmas Market Cruise packing list, and you can consult my Amazon Storefront for appropriate holiday winter essential ideas as well.
Battling the Cierzo Wind
I've been trying to convince my brother to come out for Christmas for years now, and he once said, "why would I want to go somewhere colder than where I live now?". Heard.
I get it - I once spent a few days in January in Chicago after a trip to China, and I've never been colder in my life. It was awful, and had me cursing my fist to the sky. Walking a block felt like ice cubes were jutting through my veins.
When I think about that experience, Zaragoza is not that bad!
In fact, some days can be as warm as in the 50s, but the nights do get chilly. It's all rather mild until the epic cierzo wind blows.
The cierzo, readers, is a wind gust of the most ridiculous proportions. It wallops through in a sudden burst, cold, crazy, and just aggravating enough for you to lose your hat or your styled hair-do. I swear to you it is why I cut my hair so short. Your hair will be in your face most of the day if you don't plan properly.
The cierzo wind is there year-round, and can sometimes be a welcome blow in the summer heat in Europe, but just this past summer I can recall trying to have relaxing drinks by the river at Le Pastis, and the wind blew our drinks over, knocked the bag of chips we were munching on completely upside down and emptied, and we had to go get round two before our first sips of round one.
Some days, the cierzo battles against you so hard, you can try with all your might to walk against it, but in vain.
I say all this to heavily illustrate a point - DO NOT underestimate the wind in Zaragoza.
To prepare for battle against the might cierzo, I recommend three things:
A tight-fitting hat (like a beanie)
An infinity scarf like this sweater knit style that has no loose ends to blow about (or a deep rooted patience for constantly retying your scarf ends)
An outerwear layer that can handle wind
Surprisingly, I have found that leather layers are excellent against the winds of the cierzo. It's not a super all-day everyday coat, but if you can find yourself a long leather outerlayer you're looking good, and keeping the wind away.
Dealing with Zaragoza's Arid Climate
It's really dry in Zaragoza. You'll want to bring all your k-beauty, lotions, chapsticks and cold meds to fight what will inevitably crack your skin, dry you out, and maybe even give you a nice little holiday cold. Yay!
Note: before you think me a Scrooge, remember I come from Florida's humidity!
How to Dress for Zaragoza's Holiday Festivities
The holiday season starts in Zaragoza in late November, just after American Thanksgiving, opening up the Pilar Plaza for huge displays of festive fun. There are stages for weekend entertainment, an ice skating rink, multiple kid's rides and a fun house, a sledding hill, Papa Noel's house, German Christmas market booths, and of course tons of great vendors selling warm (and sometimes weird) winter favorites like giant baked potatoes, churros, and the essential gluhwein.
Because most of these activities happen all day every day (outdoors!) you need to be ready for anything.
What to Wear for Visiting the Christmas Markets and Nativity Scene
Dress warmly in long layers (think a mid calf puffer jacket), a hat, scarf, and gloves. I highly recommend getting gloves that allow for use of your cell phone, you'll want to take photos.
Pro Tip: If you go ice skating, they will charge you if you do not have gloves. Every skater is required to either wear gloves or buy some. Keep this in mind if you plan to enjoy the skating rink, and note that you will get very warm skating around so dress lightly in the rink!
What to Bring for Christmas Shopping in Zaragoza
Shopping is a lot of fun in Zaragoza. There are several malls worth visiting, including Gran Casa (accessible easily on the light rail) and Puerto Venicia (a 20 minute taxi or long bus ride).
Like any winter shopping emporium, you'll be in and out of stores and have to deal with jackets and accessories - on and off, on and off - which gets really annoying.
My advice is to buy yourself a rolling shopping cart for the added bits (scarves, hats, gloves). You can find these in many stores in Zaragoza, or you can bring a foldable one from home. They are incredibly popular in Spain, and can be used everywhere. Rolser is the most common brand in Spain.
Heating is pretty good indoors in Spain, so dress in a light holiday sweater and sneakers for your time shopping at indoor malls.
👉 Get inspired for what to buy and bring home with my Taste of Spain Holiday Gift Guide: Spanish Kitchenware for Every American Kitchen!
For some more Intel on shopping in Zaragoza, consult my guides on:
What to Wear for Heading to the Teatro Principal for a Holiday Performance
The theater in Zaragoza is such a lovely experience at the holidays. We've been to many shows, but one year we got box seats, which was so special, for a showing of "The Christmas Carol", done in a very Spanish way, with beautiful Spanish-version Christmas songs.
The theater itself gets quite warm, especially in the 'nosebleed' seats. The seats are just feet from the ceiling (like...you can reach up and touch it), and all the heat in the building rises to your stifling seating level, if you get the cheap seats (typically averaging about 10 euros). In the boxes, even though we had the space to ourselves, I was still hot.
Wear a nice lightweight blouse and dress pants with nice dress boots, or consider a spaghetti strap or short-sleeved dress with a warm sweater layer.
What to Wear for Zaragoza's Three Kings Parade
If you think Christmas is over on December 25th, think again. In Spain, the holidays just keep on going. After New Year's Eve wait another week-ish, until January 6th - Three King's Day!
On the evening of the 5th, families put their shoes out in anticipation of the Three Kings and even their lot of camels (we put out grass for them), and in the morning, the kids get gifts and sweets.
Pro tip: Meet the Three Kings at the malls!
The Three Kings Parade in Zaragoza is a huge affair, and you'll want to line the route early to get a good viewing spot. This calls for some serious winter gear. Prep for anything from rain to wind and bring lots of tissues for that fun cold you probably picked up. (We always seem to get sick over the holidays in Spain!).
What to Wear for a Tapas Night in El Tubo
Winter in El Tubo calls for a smart dress code - comfortable, yet cute. Prioritize your outerwear and accessories for being seen - and don't plan to take your jacket off much, if at all. Some places will have room indoors to warm up, but for the most part you'll be drinking and eating out on the street.
If bopping around with a group of friends, it's fun to get glow in the dark headbands or festive light necklaces. It's perfectly fine to do this, and you can easily pick these up in the local Chinese stores.
👉 Don't miss out on a fun opportunity - grab Tapas Crawl Bingo to amp up the fun for you and your friends!
What to Wear for Paying Respects at the Basilica del Pilar and La Seo
There is no set dress code for the church visits in Zaragoza, other than to remove your hat upon entry. This is a respectful standard. The Pilar doesn't take long to go through and you may just want to unzip your jacket for a few minutes. In La Seo, you'll be there awhile, so wear a jacket you don't mind hanging on to.
Pro tip: Look for the unexploded bomb in the Pilar, and around the corner, kiss the stone for good blessings.
What to Wear for Day Trips to the Pyrenees or Wine Country
There are many day trips and towns worth visiting for the holidays near Zaragoza. If heading into the Pyrenees, definitely consider snow chains (they are mandatory) when you choose your destinations, but I have to say that Benasque and Cerler can't be beat for holiday magic.
The snowy stone villages offer a great mountain escape for fireside chuleton (giant steaks!), sledding and skiing, and charming alpine style lodges.
You'll want to pack snow pants for this adventure, but mostly plan for wet and cold. Turtleneck sweaters and thick jeans are the way to go, along with warm boots with a good tread.
For wine country escapes and fairytale castles, visit Olite, Calatayud, and Somontano. Discover more adorable towns like Alquezar and Ainsa, and plan for cool days that actually can feel warmer than Zaragoza, namely due to the lack of cierzo winds.
Take note that many old buildings like castles or wineries heat only with fireplaces, if anything. Be comfortable.
Discover some of these Aragonese winter itineraries here:
A Note on "Fitting In" In Spain
Don't worry about looking American. I can spot a foreigner five blocks away in Zaragoza. It's really obvious. So, don't sweat it. Wear what makes you you and what makes you comfortable.
A Note for Little Kids
In Zaragoza, you will see that kids in strollers have little sleeping bag style cozies for the children. They often use these thick ponchos, too (below). See if you can find one while you are there!
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