How to survive Christmas in Spain?

November 30, 2006 10:40 AM

We would like to hear from you if you spent Christmas in Spain in the past. Are there things to do during Christmas Day? Is everything closed?

Does anyone have experience of Christmas in Spain? We are flying to Girona on the Christmas Eve morning (24/12) and were originally planning to spend the first night in Tarragona and the second in Morella. But as they are both rather small, and not so touristy, towns (especially Morella!), we are wondering if anything (I am not talking about museums here) will be open during the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? We understand that many places close for that period, but is it likely that there will be even some restaurants/bars open still? We are not expecting to have a huge selection of restaurants waiting for us, but neither are we too keen to spend two days without any food or drink... Would it also be safer to spend this time in some bigger town, for example, in Barcelona?

posted by slimeline to travel & transportation (4 comments total)

We spent Xmas in Barcelona about 9 years ago or so. everything was closed. It was actually a good thing: almost zero air pollution the next day, so the view from Parc Guell was absolutely brilliant.

And we didn't starve at all: the trick is to buy enough baguettes (they make 'em yummy up there), cheese and sausage (unless you don't eat meats), and various and sundry little snacks to last the day.

Like most Spanish cities, Barce is highly pedestrian friendly. No metros or buses on Xmas? Then take a leisurely stroll down las Ramblas.

In short: Barce is a great place for Xmas, but be prepared for more quiet than you might expect. It's almost eerie.
posted by deejay jaydee at 11:02 AM on November 30, 2006

My girlfriend spent Christmas in Madrid a year or two ago. . . everything was closed. Make sure to stock up on supplies a few days ahead of time.
posted by nameless.k at 11:08 AM on November 30, 2006

I've spent Easter weekend in Madrid and the entire city was closed, both on the day itself and for the day before. So yes, you might want to bring your own food.
posted by MsMolly at 1:02 PM on November 30, 2006

I did Xmas in Madrid a couple of years ago. Day of, yes, closed, otherwise it was pretty fun. Big crowds in the center, very lively!
posted by Pollomacho at 12:14 AM on December 1, 2006