Seville or Malaga for a family Christmas holiday
Jun 3rd, 2015, 10:36 PM
#1
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Seville or Malaga for a family Christmas holiday
Our family of four (two adult kids) are thinking of spending our Christmas holidays down in Southern Spain this year. Our kids live in the UK and the hubs and I live in the states. We are thinking of meeting our kids in Malaga and splitting our 10-13 days between Seville and Malaga doing day trips from each city.
Our family is from the Midwest in the states so we aren't expecting a beach/resort holiday during this time period as we enjoy any place that has temps that only require a light jacket and no snow. Our past vacations during Christmas have included Crete,Madeira,Cyprus,Egypt and Jordan,Morocco,etc. We enjoy spending our Christmas reconnecting as a family enjoying the scenery,history,food/wine and culture of the country. We enjoy cooking in a rented place where we can enjoy playing card game at nights,drinking wine and being together through the holiday season.
We would appreciate if anyone could give us some insight as to where we should spend our Christmas-Seville or Malaga. We were thinking that we should fly into Malaga but go on up to Seville and then come back to Malaga to spend Christmas. Any thoughts or tips? Which area in both cities would you recommend looking for a rental? We will be getting a rental car to see Gibraltar,etc. Thanks so much!
Our family is from the Midwest in the states so we aren't expecting a beach/resort holiday during this time period as we enjoy any place that has temps that only require a light jacket and no snow. Our past vacations during Christmas have included Crete,Madeira,Cyprus,Egypt and Jordan,Morocco,etc. We enjoy spending our Christmas reconnecting as a family enjoying the scenery,history,food/wine and culture of the country. We enjoy cooking in a rented place where we can enjoy playing card game at nights,drinking wine and being together through the holiday season.
We would appreciate if anyone could give us some insight as to where we should spend our Christmas-Seville or Malaga. We were thinking that we should fly into Malaga but go on up to Seville and then come back to Malaga to spend Christmas. Any thoughts or tips? Which area in both cities would you recommend looking for a rental? We will be getting a rental car to see Gibraltar,etc. Thanks so much!
Jun 4th, 2015, 01:50 AM
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Malaga-Sevilla-Malaga seems like a good idea, and christmas in Malaga is something special: http://www.spainforpleasure.com/2014...ime-in-malaga/
I recommend to see the Verdiales festival on Dec 28 just outside town. A local flamenco style music and dance form that will take you under the skin of the local culture. The Christmas verdiales festival in Malaga is serious business:
http://www.andalucia.com/festival/verdiales.htm http://www.marbellafamilyfun.com/ver...in-malaga.html
The Atarazanas food market in the heart of the city is a must: http://spanishsabores.com/2013/08/26...entral-market/
http://www.spain-holiday.com/blog/at...ral-market.php
Plenty of museums and sights in the center of 3000 year old Malaga city: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...pt-secret.html
Perhaps go to the Torcal limestone mountain just north of the city. You can drive up here, and there are several fine walks. On a clear day, you can see to Morrocco: http://www.andalucia.com/antequera/torcal/home.htm
And the spectacular Nerja caves are 40 mins drive east of Malaga city. Lived people here 30 000 years ago. http://www.cuevadenerja.es/index.php?lenguaje=en
More info about Malaga:
http://www.andalucia.com/cities/malaga/home.htm
http://www.malagaturismo.com/en
I recommend to see the Verdiales festival on Dec 28 just outside town. A local flamenco style music and dance form that will take you under the skin of the local culture. The Christmas verdiales festival in Malaga is serious business:
http://www.andalucia.com/festival/verdiales.htm http://www.marbellafamilyfun.com/ver...in-malaga.html
The Atarazanas food market in the heart of the city is a must: http://spanishsabores.com/2013/08/26...entral-market/
http://www.spain-holiday.com/blog/at...ral-market.php
Plenty of museums and sights in the center of 3000 year old Malaga city: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...pt-secret.html
Perhaps go to the Torcal limestone mountain just north of the city. You can drive up here, and there are several fine walks. On a clear day, you can see to Morrocco: http://www.andalucia.com/antequera/torcal/home.htm
And the spectacular Nerja caves are 40 mins drive east of Malaga city. Lived people here 30 000 years ago. http://www.cuevadenerja.es/index.php?lenguaje=en
More info about Malaga:
http://www.andalucia.com/cities/malaga/home.htm
http://www.malagaturismo.com/en
Jun 4th, 2015, 08:43 AM
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Of course I haven't been in either at Christmas, I would have thought Seville might be better, but it probably doesn't matter that much, really. It's just the Santa Cruz quarter and area around the Cathedral, etc, are more old or authentic, etc than the main part of Malaga, even though it is a pleasant enough city.
The circle idea sounds good, but I don't think you want to be stuck with a car in Seville, I sure wouldn't. But it depends, your idea may be to stay on the outskirts where you could deal with a car parking and somehow get into the center (their metro is really limited there, mainly commuter routes).
The temps are going to require a bit more than a light jacket at night, but I suppose that depends on your habits. It will probalby be in the 40s at times at night. Malaga will be cooler as it is on the water. Daytime should be very moderate, like around 60.
The circle idea sounds good, but I don't think you want to be stuck with a car in Seville, I sure wouldn't. But it depends, your idea may be to stay on the outskirts where you could deal with a car parking and somehow get into the center (their metro is really limited there, mainly commuter routes).
The temps are going to require a bit more than a light jacket at night, but I suppose that depends on your habits. It will probalby be in the 40s at times at night. Malaga will be cooler as it is on the water. Daytime should be very moderate, like around 60.
Jun 4th, 2015, 04:20 PM
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In Malaga we celebrate the 12 campanadas in Plaza de la Constitución https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_0X1AhfFeE
Christmas in Spain is very traditinal and all shops close on the 24th by 8 pm and many restaurants do the same so is not going to be easy to find a place to have dinner, book in advance. As people go to dinner with the family many young and not so young go out after midnight and stay in the bars until 5-6 in the morning, then the 25th is very quiet.
Also the same on december the 31st.
One place is open for sure is La Reserva http://lareserva12.com/
About the weather is cold for me, but I´ve seen some people from the north of europe getting in the water, if it´s sunny during the day is wonderful, I prefer winter in Malaga rather than summer. I´m on my fourties and don´t remember raining during Christmas, I don´t know why but it normally happens.
Christmas in Spain is very traditinal and all shops close on the 24th by 8 pm and many restaurants do the same so is not going to be easy to find a place to have dinner, book in advance. As people go to dinner with the family many young and not so young go out after midnight and stay in the bars until 5-6 in the morning, then the 25th is very quiet.
Also the same on december the 31st.
One place is open for sure is La Reserva http://lareserva12.com/
About the weather is cold for me, but I´ve seen some people from the north of europe getting in the water, if it´s sunny during the day is wonderful, I prefer winter in Malaga rather than summer. I´m on my fourties and don´t remember raining during Christmas, I don´t know why but it normally happens.
Jun 5th, 2015, 01:10 AM
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<Santa Cruz quarter and area around the Cathedral, etc, are more old or authentic, etc than the main part of Malaga, even though it is a pleasant enough city.>
Santa Cruz in Sevilla is beautiful and old but also perhaps the most touristy neighbourhood in all of Andalucia's major cities. It went through a heavy make-over under the dictator Primo de Rivera to fit the stereotype image of Andalusian romanticism before the great Ibero-American expo in Sevilla in 1929, and it seems to have worked quite well ;-)
http://www.southern-spain-travel.com/seville-spain.html
http://www.sevilla.org/ciudad/histor...rio-santa-cruz
And 3000 year old Malaga (Phoenician Malaka) is almost 1000 year older than Sevilla.
Regarding temperatures, statsitically Malaga would be a little warmer than Sevilla in the end of December. Almost the same at daytime, about 62-65F, but some 2-8 degrees warmer at night in Malaga at 46-52F (wetteronline.de).
Santa Cruz in Sevilla is beautiful and old but also perhaps the most touristy neighbourhood in all of Andalucia's major cities. It went through a heavy make-over under the dictator Primo de Rivera to fit the stereotype image of Andalusian romanticism before the great Ibero-American expo in Sevilla in 1929, and it seems to have worked quite well ;-)
http://www.southern-spain-travel.com/seville-spain.html
http://www.sevilla.org/ciudad/histor...rio-santa-cruz
And 3000 year old Malaga (Phoenician Malaka) is almost 1000 year older than Sevilla.
Regarding temperatures, statsitically Malaga would be a little warmer than Sevilla in the end of December. Almost the same at daytime, about 62-65F, but some 2-8 degrees warmer at night in Malaga at 46-52F (wetteronline.de).
Jun 25th, 2015, 07:51 PM
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What area is considered a good location in Seville and in Malaga? I want to get a house or apartment through AirBnB or Holiday Lettings and am somewhat confused as to what area would be best to base ourselves. Thanks for your help!
Jun 26th, 2015, 05:00 AM
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In Malaga all the area around Calle Larios in the old town is good, also La Malagueta next to the bullring and the port, and on the east Pedregalejo.
I Can recommend you the appartments in Calle Granada 8, just beside the main Plaza de la Constitución.
http://www.holidays2malaga.com/en/ap...erior-granada/
I Can recommend you the appartments in Calle Granada 8, just beside the main Plaza de la Constitución.
http://www.holidays2malaga.com/en/ap...erior-granada/
Jun 26th, 2015, 05:29 AM
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I rented the most fabulous apartment in Sevilla a few years ago, through Spain Select. I dream about returning even today:
http://www.vrbo.com/1175983ha
I offer details here about both cities in your query:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...and-malaga.cfm
One area I would ster clear of in Sevilla, apart from attending a flamenco performance, is the Santa Cruz district……there are so much nicer, less tourist-clogged neigborhoods in the city. So give that area a miss when selecting hotels or apartments to rent.
ON another trip, to Granada in January, we were in short sleeves during the day and donned a light cotton jacket at night. It is the altitude, not the proximity to the water, that has a vast effect on temperatures.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...k-in-spain.cfm
http://www.vrbo.com/1175983ha
I offer details here about both cities in your query:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...and-malaga.cfm
One area I would ster clear of in Sevilla, apart from attending a flamenco performance, is the Santa Cruz district……there are so much nicer, less tourist-clogged neigborhoods in the city. So give that area a miss when selecting hotels or apartments to rent.
ON another trip, to Granada in January, we were in short sleeves during the day and donned a light cotton jacket at night. It is the altitude, not the proximity to the water, that has a vast effect on temperatures.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...k-in-spain.cfm
Jun 26th, 2015, 05:35 AM
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In Sevilla the Santa Cruz district is of course very popular, but I prefer the more local feel San Vicente/San Lorenzo area. But all of Arenal and Triana, on the other side of the river, would also be excellent.
Santa Cruz: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/sevi...osantacruz.htm
San Vicente/San Lorenzo: http://www.donquijote.org/travel/gui...itinerary5.asp
Arenal: http://www.sevillaonline.es/english/seville/arenal.htm
Triana: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/seville/triana.htm
And you have also the vibrant Alameda district and the very local feel Macarena district around wonderful Calle Feria: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...macarena-spain
All these districts are in central Sevilla and close to eachother.
In Malaga, ditto to what alvamo says, and I also like the area in and around Calle Victoria up towards Plaza Victoria. Just off Plaza de la Merced, but very local atmosphere. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgyUmYkXIBs
Santa Cruz: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/sevi...osantacruz.htm
San Vicente/San Lorenzo: http://www.donquijote.org/travel/gui...itinerary5.asp
Arenal: http://www.sevillaonline.es/english/seville/arenal.htm
Triana: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/seville/triana.htm
And you have also the vibrant Alameda district and the very local feel Macarena district around wonderful Calle Feria: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...macarena-spain
All these districts are in central Sevilla and close to eachother.
In Malaga, ditto to what alvamo says, and I also like the area in and around Calle Victoria up towards Plaza Victoria. Just off Plaza de la Merced, but very local atmosphere. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgyUmYkXIBs
Aug 18th, 2015, 08:16 PM
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I will look for it but the owners were Patricia and Fernando Alves. It was under the term "Amazing Villa,private pool suberb".
It is called Sao Paulo house and is located under the city Funchal. It is on Rua da Montanha Numero 17. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths and accomodates 6.
I looked in my notes but don't have an actual airbnb number. It was absolutely wonderful and you will love the hosts as they were so caring and helpful.
It is called Sao Paulo house and is located under the city Funchal. It is on Rua da Montanha Numero 17. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths and accomodates 6.
I looked in my notes but don't have an actual airbnb number. It was absolutely wonderful and you will love the hosts as they were so caring and helpful.
Aug 19th, 2015, 07:14 AM
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Even though I love Malaga, if temperature isn't an issue, then Seville would be my choice as a base. I have visited Malaga twice at Christmas and on one occasion visited Seville from there. The temperature was much much cooler.
Aug 25th, 2015, 07:44 AM
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Thank you very much, dutyfree... we're almost the same situation but all of us are coming from the east coast (2 adult children). Would appreciate it if you can give us more details on your activities, restaurants, etc. We might also change our dates from Nov. to Dec. because of the Christmas decor... how was the weather in Dec.?
Sep 11th, 2015, 07:59 PM
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Sorry Nina88-just saw this as I have been out of town for awhile.
We loved Madeira in the latter part of December but then we are from Chicago. The temps were tshirt weather and sunny most days. Funchal Madeira has been known as one of the top ten places in the world to see New Years Eve fireworks as they are shot off up and down the mountainside and over the harbor-unbelievable. There were about 23 cruise ships and huge boats in the harbor that night to see the fireworks.There are many activities in and around Funchal including a daytrip up the mountain,going on the basket sleds from Monte down to Funchal,etc. You will love it!
We loved Madeira in the latter part of December but then we are from Chicago. The temps were tshirt weather and sunny most days. Funchal Madeira has been known as one of the top ten places in the world to see New Years Eve fireworks as they are shot off up and down the mountainside and over the harbor-unbelievable. There were about 23 cruise ships and huge boats in the harbor that night to see the fireworks.There are many activities in and around Funchal including a daytrip up the mountain,going on the basket sleds from Monte down to Funchal,etc. You will love it!
