We are traveling to southern Spain for 9 days over the winter holidays. Is anything open on Christmas, like trains or restaurants? We like off the beaten track places--any ideas? We had thought Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada, Ronda--is that too much? We like to hike/walk, and don't rent a car. Will Granada be worth it or is it just wall-to-wall tourists on line? Thanks for your help--Vicky
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
We did ten days over New Years with New Year's eve and day in Seville. Not much happens on either Christmas or New Year's day. Even New Year's eve was pretty dead. I would assume the same for Christmas eve and day. We flew into Madrid (2 nights), Cordoba (1), Seville (3), Granada (3) and home from Malaga by taking an early bus from Granada to the bus station and then the airport. It was a busy time for tourist and locals a like. Appeared to be far more local tourists than foreign tourists. Hike/walk could be very weather dependent. It rain lightly on us half the time with one day of heavy rain. Unfortunately, that was our day in the Alhambra and it was chilly (40s,50s) most of the time. The day in the Alhambra I thought it was going to snow. But we had a great time and Seville was a great place for New Years and bet it would be very nice for Christmas.
Posted by
Wilmore, Ky, USA
28 posts
I can't speak to the crowds over the holidays but we did 10 days in May visiting some of the places you are considering. Sevilla, Granada, Ronda, Arcos and Morocco. We rented a car and I think the hill towns would be a challenge without one. We loved Ronda!
We only spent the day in Granada and did the Alhambra. It was very busy but we never felt overwhelmed. There is a limit to the number that can enter. We did the afternoon time slot and as the day went on the crowds thinned out. It is a must see. Just go with the right mind set and you'll be fine. Hope this helps a little. Have a great trip!
Posted by
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
80 posts
That sounds like a nice trip, Vicky! I truly love Spain in the wintertime. Actually, I love it ANYtime, but wintertime is pleasant, cool/cold, and you can still have many sunny days. Granada, however, can be downright freezing cold (great skiing in the area). On Christmas Day in cities like Seville, Córdoba, and Granada you won't have any trouble finding many restaurants open. Trains run on a normal schedule, too. Ronda, well, it's a little smaller, but you'll find more than a few restaurants open. A few may close, the smaller ones, maybe. Granada is worth a visit any time of the year. Will it be wall-to-wall tourist over the winter holidays? There will no doubt be more than, say, in November, yes, but that shouldn't stop you. There'll still be fewer tourists than in the summer. Saludos, MadridMan/GranadaMan @ you-know-where!!!