Madrid and Andalusia over Christmas Break 2018

Posted by dmoore on 08/21/18 05:49 PM

I am contemplating a two week trip over the Christmas break with my wife and 2 boys. one is a Sr in high school and the other is in his 2nd year of college. Planning on flying in Friday Dec 21/out Saturday Jan 5 Madrid. Right now my thoughts are to spend 3 days in Madrid (front or end of the trip), a night in Toledo, a night or two in Cordoba, 3-4 nights in Seville, 3-4 nights in Granada

Game plan is to travel by train.

i am concerned about closings of various sites for Christmas or New Years. I have read other posts on here that Christmas is not celebrated in Spain as overtly as it is in the States. However, if there are any seasonal events/celebrations we should not miss, please let me know

Any input re itinerary/timing/closings would be greatly appreciated

Posted by acraven

Washington DC

08/21/18 06:16 PM

28090 posts

I do not travel to Europe in the winter so have no personal knowledge about the effect the holidays will have on your sightseeing, but I've noticed that most major museums, etc., spell out their holiday closings on their websites. So I suggest checking on the major things you want to see, starting with the Alhambra, which sells out months in advance.

Posted by Jazz+Travels

Chicago

08/21/18 06:22 PM

8166 posts

I have gone to Europe over the last 5 years during the Xmas break from my job at a University where everything shuts down.
Per acraven Look up each tourist site place on the web that you plan on visiting and plan according to that as they generally list the times that they are closed.

I am planning to be in Spain and Portugal also this year over the break.

Posted by jules m

Twin Cities of MN

08/21/18 08:22 PM

6485 posts

Yes, some places close down for holidays. I was in Barcelona for New years and we were warned that many places would be closed on New Years Day. We actually did find more places open than we expected. Be aware of Epiphany. Apparently, in some countries its a national holiday. To be honest, I do not know if the day varies by year. We were in Vienna for Epiphany and had planned to enjoy the Naschmarkt but it was closed for Epiphany. For both Barcelona and Vienna, there was enough open that with good planning, its workable. Christmas might be a little trickier, but how lovely to spend the holiday in another country. I loved going into the churches to see the holiday decorations. Lots of greens and creches. I think you should be able to find a list of "federal" holidays. In fact, I think I saw one in RS book. And yes, look at the websites for places you want to go. When I plan, I make notes of days of the weeks that my attractions are closed and incorporate any holidays. I was surprised in Vienna that while Schonbrunn was open on Epiphany, the Naschmarkt was not.

Posted by David in Brisbane

Brisbane, Australia

08/22/18 05:22 AM

7175 posts

December
21. ARRIVE Madrid. Train to Toledo (2N)
22. Toledo
23. Train (via Madrid) to Seville (4N)
24. Seville
25. Day to Cordoba for the Mezquita
26. Day trip to Jerez or Cadiz
27. Seville
28. Train to Ronda (1N)
29. Train to Granada (3N)
30. Visit the Alhambra
31. Granada
January
1. Train/fly to Madrid (4N)
2. Madrid
3. Day to Segovia
4. Madrid
5. DEPART Madrid