Barcelona on Dec. 25 and Dec.26

[Alicomp]

We will be in Barcelona pre-cruise on Dec 25 and Dec 26. Will any sites be open on those days? Will restaurants be open?

 

Thank you.

 

Alice

[wave rider]

We were in Spain last Christmas and were worried about the same issue. We were in Seville over Christmas and were worried that nothing would be open and we would not find a meal available. We were on a land trip. What we found was that pretty much everything shut down at 200 PM on 12/24. Christmas Eve is when Spain celebrates with a large evening meal. Almost everything was closed. Our hotel had a fantastic special gala that was worth every Euro. On Christmas Day though probably 80% of restaurants and 50-60% of retail shops were open. On 12/26 everything was back to normal.

 

Enjoy your time.

[EnricM]

... I'm afraid this yet one more example of how different cultures in Spain are, as I always say, it's like visiting different countries.

 

In Catalonia -capital city: Barcelona- the tradition dictates that lunch of the 25th is the big family celebration. And the 26th is Sant Esteve, a bank holiday. Those believers, also attend the "Misa del Gall" on the eve of the 24th. Still, many Spanish migrants in Catalonia continue celebrating the eve of the 24th as their most important celebration and gather together with their families for a feast, like elsewhere in Spain. Also, here in Catalonia and in this day and age where divorced parents are not uncommon, the lunch on the 26th has become a sort of 'wildcard' for their children, so the 25th is spent with one parent, and the 26th with the other :)

 

As per sights and attractions, the 25th is one of the very few days during the year in which many are closed, but not all. Some of the most important (Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, etc) are open. But most of those that open that day will close at lunchtime (~2pm).

 

As per restaurants, well, despite Christmas Day being a traditional day to spend with the family, a lot of restaurants are open as the custom of having lunch out that day has become sort of a tradition too with some families. If anything, pre-booking is advised as those restaurants that are open tend to be full.

 

Shops are closed, as on any Sunday. Only kiosks, bakeries and tourist shops are open as well as small neighbourhood convenience stores -especially those run by Chinese or by Indians/Pakistanis.

 

Strolling the city in the morning with the family, especially the central neighbourhoods as well as the parks (ie Parc de la Ciutadella) is also very common that day.

Edited September 12, 2016 by EnricM

[Travelsuitcase]

My husband and I are also in Barcelona December 25-26 before a cruise. Looking for things to do.