Pintxos

An unexpected offer came in to do a timeshare exchange in December: Mallorca or Malaga, Spain. Which one would you choose for a Christmas break? How dead is it in Mallorca over Christmas? Are there any restaurants open?
Gracias!

michelhuebeli

Malaga has some historical sights of interest and gives you a chance to drive to interesting places - Granada, Ronda, Cordoba etc. . Mallorca is for beaches, but not at Xmas.

ribeirasacra

You give us little information to go on. Like exact dates your interests etc.
Restaurants will be closed on Christmas day. Shops too and they could close around 14.00ish on the 24th.

bilboburgler

Malaga, offers more to do.

theshedman

You also do not say where in Mallorca you are thinking of going as most of the tourist places will be practically closed but Palma will be business as usual and there are quite a few things to see in and around the city. The Soller train trip is always worth a day out too.

lincasanova

weather-wise... Málaga.. no doubts

Pintxos

Thank you all! it is looking like it will be Malaga for a variety of reasons. Do you think it is worth it to travel there for one week? Hoping to get to Seville and Granada, and even maybe Cordoba. I understand that it will be over the christmas week so many things will be closed. However, i am also looking forward to being in such a deeply Catholic country on Christmas.

WomBatt

'Do you think it is worth it to travel there for one week? Hoping to get to Seville and Granada, and even maybe Cordoba.' Well, you have already mentioned three days worth of trips if you tire of the city (not that I see Seville as a day trip, more like two or three and a stay. With easy research you can find more within striking distance, whatever transport.
'looking forward to being in such a deeply Catholic country on Christmas.' - I do not think the religion will impact much on you unless you are a church goer.

ssachida

"Do you think it is worth it to travel there for one week?"
I think Malaga worth a trip for a long weekend, but then, I live a 3 hour flight away.

Where are you travelling from?

Pintxos

I am traveling from the west coast of the United States, so it is a long way to go for me.

sparkchaser

Malaga.

I'll be there Dec-Jan and am very much so looking forward to it.

kimhe

Málaga city at Christmas time should be great. One of my absolute favourite cities in Spain, and although I have never been during Christmas, I'm pretty sure you'll have a great time with lots of that special laid-back Málaga city atmosphere. And Málaga is known for making much out of Christmas: http://www.malagaturismo.com/jsp/que...68&id_idioma=2

"5 reasons to holiday in Malaga next Christmas"
http://acoupletravelers.com/5-reason...ext-christmas/

I very much 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 is serious business:
http://www.andalucia.com/festival/verdiales.htm http://www.marbellafamilyfun.com/ver...in-malaga.html

Verdiales at Teatro Cánovas in the centre of Málaga city, just to give you an idea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct4snqKGdZY

Flamenco Christmas party (Zambombá) at Teatro Echegaray in the centre of town on Dec 21 and 22.
Celia Flores on Dec 21: http://www.teatroechegaray.com/es/in...s-entre-amigos
Encarni Navarro on Dec 22: http://www.teatroechegaray.com/es/in...ncarni-navarro
A typical Zambombá: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z4yfLCNgfk

Azahar has got an excellent food blog on Sevilla where she lives, and now she's on Málaga city as well. She knows what she talks about. Super fresh recommendations for tapas bars and restaurants in Málaga: http://www.azahar-sevilla.com/vivalastapas/?cat=3

As said, Azahar lives in Sevilla, but she has very understandably got a seriously soft spot for Málaga city: http://azahar-sevilla.com/blog/2012/...ristmas-visit/

A couple of recent articles about Málaga city:
"Secret Spanish pleasures": http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalis...pleasures.html
"Picasso's city of hidden treasures":
http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...-breaks-travel

ribeirasacra

From the US to Spain for just one week? It is not going to be beach weather. Head inland.

sparkchaser

<i>It is not going to be beach weather. </i>

Let's not be so hasty. It all depends on where on the West Coast OP is from. If he is from Washington, Oregon, or even NorCal then yes, it can be beach weather.

Pintxos

I am from Seattle so anything above 65F/17C qualifies as beach weather . Spark chaser is quite right. Sadly, the whole trip became moot as quickly as the idea was presented to us. The other side has reconsidered the exchange so we get to stay in cold rainy Seattle in December.

sparkchaser

That's too bad. A 65-70°F and sunny every day Malaga would have been nice.

You should still look into it. You can rent an apartment there for ridiculously cheap that time of the year.

ribeirasacra

No matter where there are from the time of year in Spain will count. It will not be frying on the beach type of weather.
Go to the Canaries for that, even then it is not 100% sure you will be able to.

Dickie_Gr

I am a little confused why you would blow a huge amount on airfares just for a cheap timeshare deal.

Use the budget on airfares more prudently.

Pintxos

OK, Dickie, you are right. Why blow a wad on airfare for just 7 days of bliss. Spain is so overrated.