I got too excited to see cheap returned tickets Houston-Paris flying out on Dec 23. I’ve been to Paris before so I am thinking of flying out to Barcelona on the the 24th. A friend told me that Barcelona is super quiet on 25 and 26 Dec, a lot of restaurants close, etc. Well, not good to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day there then. I checked people’s comment about London on Christmas day, they said the issue is no public transportation. Therefore, London is out too for these 2 days. I need suggestion where to spend 24 and 25 Dec. Should I just hang out in Paris or should I go somewhere nearby (suggestion of places will be appreciated). Thanks.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6788 posts
On/around Christmas, some things will close in any of the places. But I'm sure if you look enough, you can find some things open in any of the places. A better question might be what kind of a mood/feeling do you want on your Christmas (or do you care at all)? I think London would feel more "Christmasy" than Madrid. What exactly are you looking for?
Posted by
OP
39 posts
Hi David,
That is a good question. I want to be able to enjoy the city without having issue in getting food and getting transportation.
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
2941 posts
I'm with David here, you should say what are you expecting to do, to recommend this or that.
In general terms, Xmas is synonymous with "family-time" in many Western societies. An in the complexity of Europe, the Mediterranean countries are probably the ones reflecting this the most. However, this doesn't mean, at least not in Barcelona, that the city "closes down".
Both on Xmas day and next day, Sant Esteve (=Boxing Day) there are still plenty of activities to do for a visitor with quite a few places typically visited by tourists that are open. Same goes for eateries, while a large portion of restaurants might not be open on Xmas Day, there are still hundreds that do. In fact, the last years have seen a growing nuisance from modern life: lack of time, and many families gather for a festive lunch in a restaurant instead of doing it home, so many more restaurants do open now on this day than say, 30 years ago. Shops though are closed, if this is a must for you. As per transportation, that never closes; there'll be less frequency but it continues pretty much working as usual.
A couple of links towards what to do in Xmas...
http://www.barcelona.cat/en/christmas --check this one in November
https://www.barcelonaesmoltmes.cat/web/agenda/nadal
Posted by
OP
39 posts
Thank you Enric for the info about Barcelona.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
793 posts
Can only speak for Paris but I found it lovely for Xmas. The shops go all out decorating windows with animated displays, French people come from the countryside to buy gifts and the retail shops on Rue Cler were all decorated as were the streets. Notre Dame has the full nativity scene (minus the baby Jesus until midnight) and choral singing on Xmas day and was super busy.
I was prepared to do all outdoor (that can't close) things like Luxembourg Gardens a Sacre Coeur but many things were actually open. We had even stashed food in the hotel room in case dinner came down to that but the excellent brasserie Café Du Marché on Rue Cler was open - if almost empty - at 6:30pm but was still hopping busy when we left tired and stuffed after 10:00pm.
Paris is great walking city and the metro was running but lightly populated so transportation shouldn't generally be an issue if you decide to go that way. I can't speak for the other cities but I give Paris an Xmas thumbs up!
=Tod
Posted by
OP
39 posts
Thank you Tod. Info about Paris is very useful. It will make it easier for me to decide where to stay for 24 and 25.
Tati