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Original poster

Christmas in Spain

17 replies

Winglet · 04/01/2021 10:38

Hi folks,

Realised this might be better in short haul but posting here for traffic.

A bit fed up of icy weather and wondered if anyone has spent Christmas/New Year period is Spain? We’re thinking of the Costa Del Sol for next year. I know it’ll not be hot but much better than here and would pick a nice hotel with an indoor pool and be able to be out and about more.

Has anyone done this? I would just go ahead and book but we only have one DD who will be 7 next year and worried we’ll go and there is no other kids about, which would be pretty boring for her.

TIA

OP posts:
billyt · 04/01/2021 10:48

Not quite Spain, but we spent the last five or six years in the Canaries. Should have been there now Sad as booked before everything went pear-shaped.

Much warmer than here, NYE you can wear shorts and t-shirts as opposed to wellies and scarves Grin

billyt · 04/01/2021 10:49

Also, kids swimming outside....

Designateddiver · 04/01/2021 10:56

Have been past few years ( not this) really enjoy it. It usually feels warm for a few hours during the day due to the sunshine, take a good jacket for night time as does get cool. Hoping to be back this Christmas. New Year events are much more family friendly than here, ds loves them and we do the midnight grape countdown here too now

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Original poster
Winglet · 04/01/2021 11:46

Thanks Designated.

Where do you stay? Are there other kids about? We’ve seen the Benalmadena Palace and Sunset Beach, but no real preference over where we go apart from an indoor pool as it would be an activity for DD.

OP posts:
Original poster
Winglet · 04/01/2021 11:50

Billyt thanks for info.

I know the Canaries are a more obvious choice but I’ve had a few winter holidays there and I’m not sure that the extra few degrees of temp are worth the huge price difference compared to Costa del sol.

Was there kids when you have been to the canaries? That’s really the decider for us. Not expecting many, but don’t want to be rattling around somewhere full of pensioners Grin

OP posts:
SendMeHome · 04/01/2021 11:54

I've spent three Christmas' in Spain; although two were when I lived there, all in Southern Spain. It was always pretty quiet with tourists when I was there... I went once with a friend with two boys, and they struggled to find people to play with. I don't remember seeing many kids on the other occasions, either, but I won't really have been looking...

I'd plan as if she was one of the only kids there, and if you go and there are plenty of others, it'll be a bonus... my instinct is that you'd be lucky.

SendMeHome · 04/01/2021 11:55

Not expecting many, but don’t want to be rattling around somewhere full of pensioners

Although it wasn't overly pensioners either when I was there! Mostly middle-aged people, just without kids.

I missed it a lot this year Sad

ncailleach · 04/01/2021 11:57

We spent Christmas 19 in Malaga and had a great time! The Christmas lights were amazing, most of the restaurants were open and the sea was warm (ish.. I'm used to swimming in the sea here!). We spent Christmas day eating bbq octopus on the beach with cocktails. We rented an Airbnb with a roof terrace and bought amazing food from the Atarazanas food market. I was hoping to go again with the kids this year (we do alternate Christmases), but obviously that didn't happen. I'm sure that we will once we're back to normal as they'd love it. You can rent bikes and cycle for miles along the seafront too. Also great contemporary art galleries if you are into that 😊

kwiksavenofrillsusername · 04/01/2021 12:16

I’ve been to the Costa del Sol in December and it was a nice break. It was decently warm weather during the day and lots of Brits were walking around in sundresses or tshirts. You could sit on the beach, although I didn’t brave the water, and our hotel had a nice indoor pool. Although it was quiet, most places were open, so it didn’t feel deserted. I’d definitely pack warmer PJs next time though. Nights were cold.

MinnieMountain · 04/01/2021 12:32

We have spent Christmas is Spain twice as PIL live near the Costa del Sol.

The Malaga lights are amazing. The beach front there is nicely done. We enjoy the Alcazabar (moorish palace) too. There’s a good train line along the Costa del Sol to get you there.

We swam in the sea on Christmas Day.

Paloma Park in Benalmadena has wild chickens and rabbits. Also good playgrounds in it, where 6yo DS normally found other children to play with.

Bear in mind that there can be a lot of rain in December. It’s mainly just cold at night though.

abigailsnan · 04/01/2021 12:34

When I lived in Spain for over 10yrs we found xmas and New Year so different to uk,they dont celebrate as we do and most of the people on holiday are couples not all pensioners by the way,Christmas is celebrated more on 6th January for 3 Kings and there are lovely processions and fiesta's which your DD would love.
Even if there are not many children it is an opportunity for you to take her on public transport to other area's.

Designateddiver · 04/01/2021 12:42

We have our own place, so slightly different. Not too many other dc but we still enjoy it and missed it this year. As others said lots of festivities for 6th January, which was a lovely bonus for us the first year as we were unaware

nosswith · 04/01/2021 12:57

I've not been in Spain at Christmas, but did once stay in a warm climate (Nevada in the US). I appreciated being able to go to church at Christmas without a coat, and the extra daylight each day.

I would not book anything yet though.

skippy67 · 04/01/2021 13:15

We lived in Madrid for 3 years, and spent every one of those Christmases there. As a pp said, they don't celebrate Dec 25th like we do here. The main focus is on Jan 6th. Lots of parades which the kids really enjoyed. Lovely weather too!

Original poster
Winglet · 04/01/2021 22:02

Lots to think about. It sounds great and I love the idea of a warmer break in the middle of winter.

OP posts:
jamesfailedmarshmallows · 05/01/2021 09:12

We usually have Christmas in Spain most years, last year we stayed in Benalmadena very close to Paloma Park and had a great time. Our resort was empty though, out of several hundred apartments only 10 were occupied and they were middle aged couples with no children. At that time of year I wouldn't be expecting a lot of children so it might be lonely for your dd. The upshot is that the attractions (Croc Park, dolphinarium, amusements etc) are fairly empty so you get really good value for money.

userxx · 05/01/2021 09:15

Loads of kids in Lanzarote for Christmas 2019, wish I could do it every year.

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