Coming to Barcelona for Christmas?

Christmas is a very convenient time to travel, however, if you are coming to Barcelona you need to take into account that our traditions might be a bit different from what you expect, and they might affect your schedule...

Here there are many busy restaurant times:
Evening of the 24th: it's the traditional dinner in for most Spaniards.
Lunch of the 25th: it's the traditional family lunch in Catalonia.
Lunch of the 26th: it's the next traditional family lunch in Catalonia.
Evening of the 31st: although many locals eat at home or with friends, MANY foreigners eat in restaurants.
Lunch of the 1st: Who wants to cook after a long night?
Lunch of the 6th: it's a kid's day, the Three Wise Men bring presents.

So my advice is... GET A RESERVATION ASAP FOR THOSE DAYS! Ask at the concierge of your hotel to help you with that.

The other important thing is that ALL monuments and tourist sights will be closed for visitors on the following times:

24th: they are likely to close sooner than a normal day.
25th: everything closes after 2pm.
26th: everything closes after 2pm.
31st: they are likely to close sooner than a normal day.
1st: everything closes after 2pm.
6th: everything closes after 2pm.

And of course, shops will be closed as well... So shopping is NOT an option.
I suggest you reserve that day to walk around, go to the cinema or have a warm capucchino in a cafe.

As for New Year's Eve... don't think you'll find locals partying out in the streets... We don't! It's cold outside! So make sure your concierge gets you tickets for a party in some nice club or an elegant hotel or you'll risk waisting your time wandering the streets! It's not a night to improvize...

And if you keep clubbing until the sunrise... follow the local tradition: hot chocolate with churros in some earlybird caffe! Nuria, in Rambla near plaça Catalunya, is an option.

Enjoy your holidays!