New Years Eve ideas for Madrid, Spain
Jul 11th, 2007, 07:58 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
New Years Eve ideas for Madrid, Spain
My family and I will be traveling to Spain over Christmas. Our last night there is New Years Eve in Madrid. I have an 18 year old son and a 14 year old daughter and my husband. Does anyone have any great ideas for what we should do that night that would be fun and festive?
Jul 11th, 2007, 02:26 PM
#2
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
similar to times square, madrid boasts the most televised ( in spain) countdown for the new year entranceat puerta del sol. it might be fun just watching the buildup all day in that square.
there will be thousands of people in the plaza..
new y. eve parties at hotels are quite quite expensive.
best to eat early somewhere, take a nice walk, weather permitting, and watch the mayhem on t.v.
in spain we are shown the new year celebration around the world hourly.
n.y.e. is alsways a bit of a problem when you are travelling without friends.
i assume most hotels will have a festive atmosphere...
there may be a musical on at theaters with a special program that night.
there will be thousands of people in the plaza..
new y. eve parties at hotels are quite quite expensive.
best to eat early somewhere, take a nice walk, weather permitting, and watch the mayhem on t.v.
in spain we are shown the new year celebration around the world hourly.
n.y.e. is alsways a bit of a problem when you are travelling without friends.
i assume most hotels will have a festive atmosphere...
there may be a musical on at theaters with a special program that night.
Jul 11th, 2007, 02:40 PM
#4
hi, rjbriskin,
Having been kept awake virtually all night on a saturday in February in Madrid, don't reckon on getting any sleep at all on 31st Dec. so you might as well party.
you could see if any of the flamenco clubs are going to be open [see earlier threads on this forum] or book a late night/early morning restaurant.
staying in a big hotel that does a new year's eve party could be a good option.
good luck,
regards, ann
Having been kept awake virtually all night on a saturday in February in Madrid, don't reckon on getting any sleep at all on 31st Dec. so you might as well party.
you could see if any of the flamenco clubs are going to be open [see earlier threads on this forum] or book a late night/early morning restaurant.
staying in a big hotel that does a new year's eve party could be a good option.
good luck,
regards, ann
Jul 12th, 2007, 12:45 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Check this page about New Years Eve in Madrid.
http://www.ctspanish.com/christmas/grapes.htm
http://www.ctspanish.com/christmas/grapes.htm
Jul 12th, 2007, 01:08 AM
#7
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I second the suggestion to celebrate in Puerta del sol. I spent New Years in Madrid 2 years ago and that is exactly what we did. All the fireworks, people, and the ball dropping made for a pretty memorable evening! However, there were a lot of young, drunk, and rowdy people around, so maybe this is not exactly what you are looking for...(though I'm sure there were probably families there as well)
Jul 12th, 2007, 05:36 AM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you all for your suggestions and expecially for the heads up on the grape eating. I will be sure to buy them in advance. We are staying at the Westin Palace so I will see what they have planned for New Years. Any other suggestions are welcomed although it sounds like the hotel idea is the way to go as I am not sure I would want to be packed like a sardine at puerta de sol since I avoid Times Square like the plague!!!!
Aug 2nd, 2009, 05:23 PM
#11
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Our family of four (myself, DH, DD age 19, DS age 15) was in Spain over Christmas in 2008 and thoroughly enjoyed it. Where will be you be besides Madrid on New Years Eve?
While we weren't in Madrid on New Years Eve, we were there at Puerto del Sol a couple of days before Christmas Eve. It was a CRUSH of people. The only thing we could figure out is that is was the first evening of their school holiday. Anyway, it was wall-to-wall people and not (to me, anyway) a pleasant experience. We were simply trying to get across Puerto del Sol to our hotel. We could hardly move due to the huge crowd. So I can't imagine what it would be like on New Years Eve! It would be really easy (IMHO) to get separated from the rest of your group. But it you like that sort of thing . . . go for it, I guess!
Spanish cities are beautiful at Christmas. Really awesome lights, great Christmas market in Madrid's Plaza Mayor and nativity set displays in public buildings and store windows.
ENJOY!
While we weren't in Madrid on New Years Eve, we were there at Puerto del Sol a couple of days before Christmas Eve. It was a CRUSH of people. The only thing we could figure out is that is was the first evening of their school holiday. Anyway, it was wall-to-wall people and not (to me, anyway) a pleasant experience. We were simply trying to get across Puerto del Sol to our hotel. We could hardly move due to the huge crowd. So I can't imagine what it would be like on New Years Eve! It would be really easy (IMHO) to get separated from the rest of your group. But it you like that sort of thing . . . go for it, I guess!
Spanish cities are beautiful at Christmas. Really awesome lights, great Christmas market in Madrid's Plaza Mayor and nativity set displays in public buildings and store windows.
ENJOY!
Aug 3rd, 2009, 02:09 PM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,805
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
rjbriskin,
Just so that you'll know...The Westin Palace (as will the Ritz) will plan a quite dressy, very gala evening of dinner (with the finest, most expensive ingredients available and very top wines, champagnes), then the obligatory 12 grapes and champagne at midnight, then dancing to an orchestra (cotillón). But this festive experience will cost a small fortune-in '08 the price was 610 euros per person for the whole hog! Children's menu a more "reasonable" 310 euros!! But the cotillón alone, without dinner, cost 160 last year. But again, a very dressy affair.
Restaurant dining can be quite expensive as well, from a modest 50 euro menu at Come Bien in Chueca to a 320 euros at Michelin starred Santceloni-and everything in between.
You can see the '08 prices of hotel and restaurant NYE packages here (in Spanish but prices are at the top)
http://www.elmundo.es/metropoli/2008...229537908.html
I no longer do the Puerta del Sol experience as I did in my youth, because of the crush, the crowds, detritus, etc. I now happily watch the televised version, but that's due to age and experience!
Unless I wanted to do some fine dining with the check to match, I might go with ann's idea of the flamenco, which would be informal and far less cher. I would check to see what Casa Patas or El Corral de la Morería are offering, starting Dec. 1.
Just so that you'll know...The Westin Palace (as will the Ritz) will plan a quite dressy, very gala evening of dinner (with the finest, most expensive ingredients available and very top wines, champagnes), then the obligatory 12 grapes and champagne at midnight, then dancing to an orchestra (cotillón). But this festive experience will cost a small fortune-in '08 the price was 610 euros per person for the whole hog! Children's menu a more "reasonable" 310 euros!! But the cotillón alone, without dinner, cost 160 last year. But again, a very dressy affair.
Restaurant dining can be quite expensive as well, from a modest 50 euro menu at Come Bien in Chueca to a 320 euros at Michelin starred Santceloni-and everything in between.
You can see the '08 prices of hotel and restaurant NYE packages here (in Spanish but prices are at the top)
http://www.elmundo.es/metropoli/2008...229537908.html
I no longer do the Puerta del Sol experience as I did in my youth, because of the crush, the crowds, detritus, etc. I now happily watch the televised version, but that's due to age and experience!
Unless I wanted to do some fine dining with the check to match, I might go with ann's idea of the flamenco, which would be informal and far less cher. I would check to see what Casa Patas or El Corral de la Morería are offering, starting Dec. 1.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
GiuliaPiraino
Europe
2
Aug 4th, 2009 01:48 AM
