Granada at Christmas - there really is something here for all the family...... Every single one of us!Granada has such a wide variety of activities and places of interest on offer that no matter what your requirements are, you are certain to find plenty to do here. We visited Granada before Christmas one evening just a couple of days before writing this and were entranced by the magic wonderland created by all the colours and patterns in the city centre. This year, Granada council have decided not to have a Christmas tree. Instead they have invested in Christmas lights around the city. A brave decision and one which I heartily applaud!
The Ruta De BelenesI was also interested to see the Ruta de Belenes, a walkable route around Christmas in Granada where you can see a selection of nativity scenes.Details and maps of the route are available from the Tourist Offices. Follow the directions and you will see different scenes coming to life in churches, shops, associations and colleges throughout Granada. The idea for the "ruta" was developed by the Tourist Board and the Granada Council and presents a fascinating journey through Granada. Anyone interested in looking at the figurines, houses, vegetation and animals which make up a typical Nativity scene will find a host of shops near the Cathedral. There is also lots of information on-line about how to make your own nativity scenes. If you decide to study the various nativity scenes, be sure to look into each belen to see if you can find a cagon... this is a shepherd who is "going to the toilet" in the corner of the stable. He will invariably be placed somewhere in the background. For me, the presence of a cagon in a nativity scene just goes to reinforce the wicked sense of humour possessed by the spanish.
The Ruta de Belenes is normally open from
December twenty third to January the seventh. Go Skiing in the Sierra NevadasIf you enjoy more activity than looking at nativity scenes offers, then you can take a bus or drive up to the Sierra Nevada and soak up the atmosphere of the busy and popular Solynieve resort. There you will find a large selection of bars, restaurants and terraces to help you enjoy the scenery and atmosphere. This season has seen a bumper turn-out at the slopes. You can find plenty of information of where to go and what to do by clicking on Sierra Nevada Ski.Celebrate The New YearNochevieja (New Year's Eve) sees the whole of Granada tranformed into a fiesta with the 12 grapes being eaten (one grape for each stroke of midnight) to bring luck for the year ahead - and then washing everything down with champagne. But in my opinion, if you enjoy free grapes, champagne and much more, you could not help but enjoy Christmas time in Padul.
New Year in Granada and in Padul is truly
an experience to savour and enjoy. Go into most shops at this time of year (particulary in Padul) and you will be sure to find a bottle of Anis and another bottle of liqueur on the counter or a side table. By the side of them you will see a plateful of small crumbly cakes mantecados wrapped in brightly coloured paper. Traditionally, these drinks and cakes are given freely to help spread the joy of Christmas. Granada Christmas is for every single one of usBe in Granada (and any other place in Spain) on December 28th and celebrate El Día de Los Santos Inocentes (Holy Innocents' day) by playing a joke on someone. This is the spanish equivalent of April Fools Day.If you are in Granada on January 5th you will find the streets full of children and their families all waiting for the Three Kings to pass by. In true tradition Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, the three kings, should be riding into the city on their camels, carrying their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. With them will be their band of helpers throwing caramelos to the crowds and climbing up to the balconies and leaving presents. And that night, if they have been good, surely the kings will be filled with the spirit of Granada Christmas and leave presents for the children to find when they awaken... Wander around the city of Granada at Christmas and enjoy the tapas and the local dishes from our region. Feast on stuffed Olives, Meatballs, Salted almonds, Baby squid, Chorizo (spicy sausages) and Migas (fried bread crumbs) just to name a few. For the family atmosphere and the light-hearted fun you will find here, coming to Granada for Chrstmas surely can be likened to going back 30 or 40 years to the "old fashioned" values and charm we used to have back then. Come and enjoy. Feliz Navidad! Links related to this page
To catch more information about Christmas in Granada subscribe to our newsletter. To go to the top of this page click on Granada Christmas To find out all about Granada go to Granada information To locate any webpage on this site go to our site map
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