What is Christmas Like on the Costa Del Sol (as a tourist)?

[YourFlakyPeachOrca]

We're considering on getting the family together in an apartment on the Costa Del Sol for actual Christmas. We're aiming for a bit brighter and warmer - not hot, a bit festive (a country where Christmas is celebrated) and an escape from the Northern European cold. Anyone got any tips/ reality checks/ good experiences to share? Thank you

Bumping in case anyone has anything to add ; )

I like this idea too so keen to hear what others think

A lot of businesses will be closed. It will be pretty dead. Seville might be a better choice as everything remains open all year round.

I’m thinking it will be like at home but with sunny skies 😎

Will you take gifts etc? You could book into a restaurant for dinner or would you be more likely to eat at the apartment? I’d love to do this and would forgo the usual turkey dinner for something different in a lovely restaurant. Sounds bliss tbh ☺️

Benalmadena is open over the Xmas / NY period. I imagine Fuengirola is too.

I would look at Malaga, not sure about Christmas Day itself, but the city is beautiful, has great restaurants and the most amazing Christmas lights

The Spanish don’t celebrate Christmas until January 6th. It’ll be business as usual.

That isn’t strictly true.

@YourFlakyPeachOrca Christmas Eve is celebrated with a family gathering and meal, shops, restaurants will mainly be closed.
The 25th is a public holiday, a quieter day, much like our Boxing Day so some places, depending on location, will be closed. British bars and the hotels are more likely to provide a Christmas roast, if that is your thing.

Christmas in Spain is quite low key and laid back. I love it, people travelling on the afternoon of the 24th with a couple of shop gift wrapped presents and a whole leg of jamon tucked under their arm!

I would stay either in Malaga or on the Malaga train line along the Costa as this will give you access to Malaga. The Christmas lights are beautiful and the Christmas market opens right through until the 7th of January after the Three Kings Day on the 6th, when presents are exchanged.

Places such as Arroyo De La Miel will have church services and carol services.

We spent Christmas in Seville last year. We were lucky to find a restaurant open on Christmas Eve but Christmas Day was business as usual (for restaurants). It was a lovely day.

I was in Estepona one Christmas. Xmas eve was lovely and warm, Christmas Day blowing a gale but still enjoyed it!

Admittedly I’ve not been there for Christmas day itself but I’ve been to Nerja (a few times) and Torremolinos arriving on the 27th December and whilst a lot of the beach restaurants are closed, it’s not totally dead. And I know that some restaurants were advertising being open on Christmas Day. A hotel may be a better bet though.

NYE was a bit of a shock to us though. Having been used to Nerja where some restaurants are open with pricey set meals and others closed, but there is a large firework display at midnight, we were shocked to find everything in Torremolinos closed apart from a few English/Irish bars. Again, a hotel probably has their own celebrations.