If you think Peñíscola only has a turquoise blue color, it is because you haven’t seen it in December. When the sun goes down in winter, our walled city trades the blue of the sea for the golden glow of the lights. And take it from us it is a sight that will give you goosebumps.
Today on the Hotel Xulos blog, we are putting the dishes aside to invite you to bundle up and go for a walk. Are you coming along for the route?
🏰 A fairytale setting (literally)
Peñíscola is already beautiful on its own, but this year’s Christmas lighting highlights the medieval architecture in a unique way. It is not just a few light bulbs; it is architectural lighting that turns the Renaissance walls into pure gold.
From the hotel, we recommend this magical walk to do as a family or as a couple
1. Entrance through the Portal de Sant Pere: As soon as you cross the arch, the stone lights up. It is the perfect spot for the first photo.
2. Plaza Santa María: This is where the heart of Christmas beats. If you come at the beginning of the month, you will run into the Christmas Market, full of crafts, the smell of spices, and wooden toys.
3. El Bufador: Hearing the sea roar under the houses while you see the Christmas lights reflected in the white windows is a feeling you only get here.
📸 The Christmas “Insta-Point”
You cannot leave without looking for the large Christmas motifs that the City Council has scattered around the old town. From giant walkthrough baubles to arches of light that frame the Papa Luna Castle in the background. It is quite possibly the most “instagrammable” town in the Mediterranean around these dates.
🧣 From the cold of the sea to the warmth of Xulos
Let’s be honest, the sea breeze in December wakes up the spirit… but it is also chilly!
The best part of this route is knowing that, once you finish, your room at Hotel Xulos is waiting for you just a few minutes away. We are your strategic refuge. Think about coming back after seeing the lights, with your cheeks rosy from the cold, and stepping into our heated lobby, ready for a hot shower and a restful sleep in our beds.
Because the adventure is great, but resting like kings is better.
This December, do not settle for seeing it in photos. Come see Peñíscola shine with your own eyes. There are only a few rooms left for the weekends in December. Hurry up, they sell out fast!
We wait for you at Hostal Xulos
With open arms, the Mediterranean just a few steps away, and a promise that you will see a Peñíscola that not everyone knows… but that you will never forget.