spain_traveller

I am planning on flying from Barcelona to Madrid on Christmas Eve..I dont want to cut my time too short in Barcelona since I was counting on this as one of my four days - but I also have read about celebrations etc in Madrid on Christmas Eve and it might be that maybe I dont want to miss? Anyone been there and knows when the "fun" starts and what is is like? Also, does anyone know if ANY sights will be open on Christmas Day - what would it be like if we went to Segovia that day ?(provided there would be any transportation options). Thanx!

nessundorma

ttt

spain_traveller

ttt???

lincasanova

transport is functioning everyday but not sure any museums would be open.

i cannot fill you in on any unusual fun things in spain on xmas eve, as it is such a family oriented dinner til late.. the only thing perhaps is the young people might all meet up later at 2 or three to disco til dawn.

try to book airfare early.
fairly important travel date.

laclaire

As lincasanova says, Christmas Eve is a family thing and you won't see a lot of activity until late when kids go out clubbing. Though I have never been in either city on Christmas Eve, I think that they would be comparable in that it will be a tranquil, family night with a few open clubs. Christmas day is pretty dead, too, though mass is said at the cathedrals and such. I know that in BCN the Picasso, Miró, MACBA, CaixaFòrum, etc are all closed on Christmas day. So are most (if not all) shops. I would use it as a walking day.

spain_traveller

Thanx for the responses - good info on booking the airefare early. If we could get to Segovia on Xmas day, would it be fun to walk around or would we be sad everything was closed?

Maribel

spain_traveller,
I'm going to be in Madrid at Xmas and am prepared just to enjoy the time with family. The outdoor celebration I think you may have read about is the "cabalgata de reyes", the Epiphany parade, which happens on the night of Jan. 5, in the Plaza Mayor when the 3 Wise Men enter the city. The next morning the children will open their gifts from the Wise Men.

I don't know when your Bcn flight will arrive in Madrid, but the Prado WILL be open on Xmas Eve until 2 p.m. and the Thyssen WILL be open until 3 p.m. All museums will be closed Xmas day.

Just like last year, there will be Nativity Scenes, "belenes", set up around the city in public squares and churches.
There's usually a manger scene at the Plaza de la Villa (the town hall square), in the Almudena cathedral, in the Medinaceli church on Plaza de Jesús (behind the Westin Palace), in the Basílica de San Francisco el Grande, the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales and the Palacio Real.

You can pick up a brochure giving their locations from the tourist office on the Plaza Mayor. There you'll find a "Xmas market" set up and lights, but the market doesn't hold my interest at all (you probably won't find it worth your while), but the Plaza Mayor is decorated with Xmas lights.

No concerts or opera at the Teatro Real. Tales of Hoffman finishes on Dec. 23. Same at Teatro Español which has a Bcn Teatro Lliure production running only until Dec. 23.

Segovia is enchanting (for me at least) any day of the year, especially in the winter, but on Xmas day be prepared for quiet streets, and that may not appeal. Check the Sepulvedana bus schedule first (go by bus to Segovia-a bit faster and easier than the train). www.lasepulvedana.es

And the Mesón de Cándido, next to the aqueduct will be OPEN on Xmas day. They never close. And you may be able to catch a morning mass at the cathedral. For more Segovia info, see
www.turismocastillayleon.es

spain_traveller

Thank you, that is just the information I need!. I will stay and maximize my 4th day in Barcelona as planned. When we get to Madrid in the late evening, we can walk around and enjoy the lights and Nativity scenes and have some dinner (and not worry about the market). Christmas day we can just walk around and enjoy the city (maybe I will even let my boyfriend sleep in since no sights will be open).

Maribel

Hi spain_traveller,
And after a late sleep, you and your boyfriend might enjoy a long walk in Retiro park on Xmas day.
For a late Xmas eve dinner, you can have great food in the Villa Real, the Europa restaurant has a fine chef.
Or these restaurants will be open, as they just never close, not even on Sun. night, which is a tough night at any time during the yr. to find restaurants open:

Botín on Cava Baja

Europa Decó in the Derby Urban (just a block up the street) We had New Years dinner here. The Glass Bar is ultra cool.

Café del Oriente, facing the Royal Palace, really romantic at night. Open til very late.

Have a great time!

spain_traveller

Im so excited!I booked my ticket from Barcelona to Madrid! This looks great!!!
<<Café del Oriente, facing the Royal Palace, really romantic at night. Open til very late>>
Perfect!

NEDSIRELAND

My Christmas experiences in Madrid were somewhat different: We had dinner with relatives and went to Midnight Mass. Then, it was almost impossible to sleep with all the revelers out on the street banging their tambourines and singing Villancicos. This was in a residential neighborhood and it might be different from what you will encounter around the Puerta del Sol area or along c/Alcalá or GranVia.