Where to spend the holidays this December'17/January'18?

I travelled to both Madrid and Barcelona at Christmas time a few years ago. We spent christmas in barcelona and New Year's in Madrid. They are both very festive but different - even just based on the weather. Madrid can be very cold/grey in december while Barcelona enjoys warmer/sunnier days. I would start in madrid and treat yourself to a sunnier ending in Barcelona.

However, the party in Madrid in Plaza Mayor on New Year's eve is not to be missed. Very rowdy and fun with loads of fireworks and grapes (12 grapes are to be eaten with each strike of the clock) to be had. I'm sure Barcelona does something similar. My vote: madrid first, Barcelona at the end. Enjoy and safe travels.

"Heads up" watch out for pick pockets in both cities, but especially in Barcelona.

I will admit that I don't have much to add in terms of where to spend each holiday, I will chime in to say that I think you could add one (dare I say, two) more cities to your time in Spain, since you will be there 2+ weeks. Perhaps Seville and some side trips from Madrid?

Thank you for your insight into spending the holidays in Spain. I have no idea how to make the schedule work but I can see that spending New Years in Madrid is the way to go. We've just started planning our trip so I'll have to think about this some more:)

I definitely want to add more locations to the itinerary and flesh out the schedule for the days we are in Barcelona and Madrid. We're still trying to figure out if we should head to Sevilla and Granada, Bilbao or some other location. I guess I still need to figure out how many sights will close for the holidays and for how long.

How exciting! You and your family will have a beautiful experience wherever you decide to go in Spain.

My vote based on your thoughts, would be to start in Barcelona. Then explore Sevilla (or Toledo, Granada or Cordoba if you prefer) and see Madrid before flying out of that city.

I've spent Christmas/New Years in Barcelona 5 years ago and really enjoyed being there. Last year for Christmas/New Year's, we celebrated in Madrid and I flew out of Barcelona. I felt it was easier to get around on NYE in Barcelona. Luckily we were staying in a great/central location in Madrid on NYE, so we saw fireworks easily and had a great holiday. Both cities are wonderful and have their unique charm. I found the NYE celebrations more festive in Madrid (loved the fireworks and the energy that night)! I also appreciated how easily it was to get from Madrid to Sevilla, which was by far the best part of my trip. Sevilla is my favorite city that I ever experienced and I had a blast exploring this magical, unique place. There are quite a few celebrations after the Christmas/New Year's in Sevilla (Regalos de Navidad para los ninos) so it feels like an extended holidays (which I imagine would be special to your family).

Weather wise, it was incredibly pleasant and often sunny in all cities mentioned during my visits. A sweater or light jacket was all I needed at night. Barcelona, Madrid and Sevilla are all extremely family friendly.

Have fun and all the best! You'll have a wonderful time.

Thank you, Suzette!

I appreciate your thoughts! Now based on your thoughts and others who have posted, I am excited to spend NYE in Madrid. I know it will be busy but I think it will be a very memorable experience! I like your idea of making sure we are centrally located to see the fireworks. Would you mind sharing what area you stayed in while visiting Madrid?

Also, I was interested in taking the kids to see Flamenco dancing while in Sevilla. You mentioned the area was family friendly. Is there a place other than a night club to experience the dancing or perhaps some night clubs are family friendly?

My pleasure!

We stayed in a lovely Airbnb our first 4 nights which was located next to Chocolateria San Gines (a marvelous Chocolate/Churros experience)! Great, central location with excellent soundproof windows, making it an ideal fit for us. It's close to Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, and the Sol metro stop. We stayed there over NYE/NY day. Loved seeing the fireworks on the streets with the locals a few blocks from our Airbnb and grabbing tapas before heading home. Happy to message you that Airbnb info if you're interested (we were 2 people total–I believe the place had 1 queen bed in the bedroom and possibly 1 sofa bed in the living room).

The 2 days after, we stayed in Hotel Europa. Hoped to stay at one place the whole 6 days but totally understood how quickly places get booked up over the holidays. It turned out to be a wonderful experience to try a different place. We LOVED Hotel Europa! The staff is so caring, trustworthy and warm. It's located in Puerta del Sol. Close to everything, easy to walk around and we got to stay in a quiet room.

I'll ask my friends in Sevilla about family friendly places for flamenco. Will keep you posted when I hear! I saw one show at La Carboneria and hopefully will see more shows this June. I'm not certain if La Carboneria is family friendly but googled it. Read a blog post about a family going with their 4 and 7 year olds. This writer said it was family friendly, so perhaps it is!

Best wishes!

I was all set to do AirBNB's, but I ended up using Booking.com to find apts (family of five - kids 15, 12 & 10) in Granada and Sevilla. We are staying at the Overland Suites Catedral in Sevilla. In case you decide to venture to Granada, I narrowed it down to Siloe Plaza & Palacio Cabrera Lillo in Granada (have to cancel one).

Madrid is the only place we aren't in an apt bc we just have one night there before we fly home - booked a family room with bunk beds at Petit Palace Opera (near San Gines, and Plaza Mayor).

We are going to a show in Sevilla and are planning on seeing it at Casa de la Memoria (RS suggestion).

December
20. Arrive Madrid. To Toledo (2N)
22. To Granada (2N)
24. To Sevilla (4N) with a day to Cordoba
28. To Madrid (4N) with a day to Segovia
January
01. To Barcelona (4N)
05. Depart Barcelona