Christmas in the Costa del Sol

Why should I spend Christmas in the Costa del Sol?

If short days and cold nights are getting you down, it's time for something different. The Costa del Sol enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year, so it's an excellent destination for your Christmas holiday. Choose a spacious villa and bring the extended family for a group holiday in the Costa del Sol packed with festive cheer. With Christmas markets, lights and seasonal attractions to enjoy, this beautiful corner of Spain is an ideal winter choice.

Which towns are best for Christmas in the Costa del Sol?

If you'd like to do some sightseeing during your Christmas getaway in the Costa del Sol, look for holiday lettings in the Costa del Sol in or near Málaga city. This is where most of the action is concentrated over the festive season. It has a Christmas market, some of the best Christmas lights in Spain, and lots of great restaurants and bars. Each year, an extra-large ice rink opens on Avenida Andalucía, and young and old alike can have fun on the ice before warming up with chocolate and churros.

Eat Spanish festive favourites

In Spain, the main festive meal takes place on Christmas Eve when the entire family gathers for a fancy dinner that continues into the small hours. As you might expect, Christmas meals in the Costa del Sol include plenty of delicious local seafood. Grilled prawns are a must and steamed clams are also common. If you'd like to prepare your own Spanish Christmas feast, you'll usually find special offers on a wide variety of seafood in the run-up to the big day.

Check out the Christmas decorations and nativity scenes

Málaga's Christmas lights are some of the best in Spain. When night falls, the city fills up with visitors who come to join the festive fun. This means Christmas is a great time to visit the Costa del Sol with family. While there are decorations all over town, the best Christmas lights in the Costa del Sol are in Calle Larios. By day, you'll also see some fun decorations. Traditional nativity scenes are displayed in almost every shop window. The most impressive is put up in front of the town hall and usually has a water feature and other special effects.

Eat grapes on New Year's Eve

Want to spend New Year's Eve in the Costa del Sol? Keep in mind that the Spanish timetable is a bit different. Most people are still at home at midnight, partaking in the tradition of the grapes. Try to eat twelve grapes in time with the clock striking midnight. If you manage it, you'll have good luck for the next twelve months. New Year's Eve parties in bars and nightclubs don't really get going until 1 or 2 am. If you're a bit of a party animal, it's worth heading to Marbella for the night, as you'll find dozens of clubs to choose from.

Meet the Three Kings

It's worth extending your Christmas holiday in the Costa del Sol if you can. On the evening of the 5th of January, the Three Kings come to Spain, laden with presents for boys and girls. A spectacular parade takes place through the streets of Málaga, starting at the town hall. Floats, dancers, musicians and performance artists make this a truly magical experience - and to make things even better, the kings and their assistants throw sweets to the children in the audience. The following morning, kids unwrap their presents and the festive season finally comes to an end.