La Copa Nadal de Barcelona 2025
By Charlotte Stace
Every Christmas Day Barcelona’s Copa Nadal turns the city’s harbour into a celebration of courage, tradition and winter sport. Founded in the early 1900s, it’s the oldest open-water swimming race in Spain and one of Europe’s most iconic festive athletic rituals: a plunge into the chilly Mediterranean that has drawn hundreds of participants year after year.
Swimmers of all ages and abilities line up to cover the roughly 200-metre course from the Port of Barcelona, racing past Moll de la Fusta and back, with cheers, costumes and a festive spirit that makes it much more than just a competition. It’s a rite of passage for locals and visitors alike, and a great way to kick off Christmas Day.
Whether you watch from the quayside or take the plunge yourself, Copa Nadal is the perfect way to enjoy Christmas like local. If you want to take part, simply register online and show up on the day - we’ll see you there.