Christmas on the Costa del Sol: 10 essential tips for enjoying it

23rd December 2022 · 11 min. read

The Costa del Sol in winter, especially in December and January, is a very pleasant place to live an unforgettable experience. Above all, because you can experience a different kind of Christmas, the Spanish way. You will find traditions such as grapes on New Year’s Eve or the Three Wise Men bringing gifts; parties full of sequins and champagne-filled dinners; and beautiful lights or great shopping in the city centres. We invite you to get to know the winter Costa del Sol a little better.

We have prepared 10 essential tips if you come to enjoy Christmas on the Costa del Sol. Let’s get started!

1. See the Christmas lighting

The most striking decorative lights on the Costa del Sol are on Calle Larios in Malaga. For several years now, this beautiful main avenue in the centre has been a spectacle of light. During the Christmas season they keep the lights on from afternoon to evening. But what is really an exciting experience is to see the musical show that takes place every day. In three shifts every evening, the lights “dance” to the sound of typical Christmas songs. It is important to keep an eye on the timetable to make sure you don’t miss it.

In addition to the city centre, there are other places in Malaga that have beautiful illuminations. A must is the Botanical-Historical Garden of La Concepción. It is already beautiful and can be visited normally, as it was created in 1855 and has one of the best collections of subtropical flora in the open air in Europe. But if you also see it illuminated and decorated at Christmas time, it is like a winter fairy tale.

2. Celebrate the Christmas holidays in style!

If there is one thing Andalusia can boast of, it is its gastronomy. At the same time, the most distinguished nightlife venues are to be found on the Costa del Sol. Both the night before Christmas, Christmas Eve, Christmas lunch itself, as well as the New Year’s Eve party on December 31st, are impressive on the coast. Of course, it is very important to book in advance at one of the establishments offering these festive menus. Among all the options, we would like to highlight the following establishments:

For a casual, nigh-club atmosphere: MOSH GROUP. Any of their restaurants and clubs lend themselves to glamorous fun. They take care of the food, the drinks and the dancing.

For a very bohemian atmosphere and casual elegance: BOHO CLUB. This year it includes a brunch on 1 January, which will be very invigorating after an intense night of partying.

To go with children: the HIGUERÓN BEACH CLUB has taken care to include a children’s menu, in addition to the adults’ menu, so that you can start the year with your family.

If you are celebrating the beginning of the year, the locals will give you twelve grapes that you will have to eat with the last chimes of the night. For each grape you will get one month of happiness. If you decide to eat them at home, we advise you to eat small, peeled grapes before starting the fun ceremony.

3. Eating chocolate with churros: a must at Christmas on the Costa del Sol

This is a common occurrence in the Spanish winter, but at Christmas it is a must, at least once. In Marbella, for example, the centre is full of cafés-churrerías that work this sweet fried dough with wisdom. We highlight Churrería Ramón, because it is the oldest in the city and because it is located in the Plaza de los Naranjos square. For value for money and a more local atmosphere, we recommend the Churrería Generalife. It is a real pleasure to dip your churros in a hot cup of chocolate in the little terraces of Marbella’s Old Town. Don’t miss it.

4. Christmas shopping with a local flavour in shops in the city centre

The Costa del Sol has very important shopping centres such as La Cañada, El Corte Inglés Banus or Centro Miramar. They are very convenient if you want to buy all the gifts for your loved ones in a single afternoon or morning. Of course, if you wander around the towns you will find an endless number of more local shops with more original products. At the same time, you will enjoy the lights, the Christmas atmosphere and, why not, a tapa in a bar in the centre if the shopping makes you hungry. The centres of Marbella, Malaga, Fuengirola and Estepona are very lively and beautiful.

5. Adding the beauty of classical music to Christmas on the Costa del Sol

In addition to the concerts in the different churches on the Costa del Sol, especially on Christmas Eve, there are other musical options at Christmas time. The concerts at the Centro Experimental de Estudios Musicales and the Teatro Cervantes in Malaga stand out, but especially the live concerts of Candleligh, always illuminated by candlelight.

6. Asking for gifts from the Three Wise Men 

En la mayoría de Europa, el 25 de diciembre es el día indicado para los regalos navideños. Sin embargo, muchos países tienen tradiciones diferentes. Es el caso de España. Aquí se adoptó hace muchos años a Santa Claus, llamándole Papá Noel, y se ponen regalos bajo el árbol. Pero el día fuerte de los regalos y de los niños es la noche mágica del 5 de enero y la mañana del 6, donde los Reyes Magos de Oriente, subidos en sus camellos, traen regalos a los que se han portado bien… y carbón a los que han sido traviesos.

In most of Europe, 25 December is the day for Christmas presents. However, many countries have different traditions. This is the case in Spain. Here Father Christmas was adopted many years ago, calling him Papá Noel, and presents are put under the tree. But the big day for presents and children is the magical night of 5 January and the morning of the 6th, when the Three Wise Men from the East, on their camels, bring presents to those who have behaved well… and coal to those who have been naughty.

According to tradition, these three wise men brought gifts to the baby Jesus, and that is why they continue to do so for all the other children who believe in them. In the morning, in an act of solidarity, Their Majesties the Three Wise Men visit the city’s hospitals, but in the afternoon they perform a very entertaining parade, full of music, dancing and sweets. We recommend not to miss the parade of Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar, especially to remind them that they have behaved well.

7. Decorate your home on the Costa del Sol with a beautiful “pascuero”

We warn you that, apart from the typical decorated fir tree and/or the Bethlehem portal with its figurines, your Christmas will not be authentic on the Costa del Sol without a beautiful “pascuero” . This is a plant with very red leaves (although beautiful white versions are also being sold) which should not be missing in any home as a Christmas decoration.

From the beginning of December, you can find it in any florist’s shop. However, there are numerous markets throughout the year on the Costa del Sol which also sell flowers and pots, and which include this variety. These weekly markets are held in different parts of the towns and cities and are very lively. Although they are ideal for buying very fresh garden produce grown in the villages of the region, they are also lovely places to go and look for one or more “pascueros”.

8. Enjoying Christmas activities with the children on the Costa del Sol

The options for having fun with children multiply at this time of year. It is important to look at the cultural agendas organised by the town halls to find out what is on offer. Even so, for starters, we would highlight the Puerto Banus flea market or the Cartero Real (to collect letters asking for presents) in the Alameda Park in Marbella. Of course, ice skating is also great fun and there are a few options on the Costa del Sol. At this time of year there are also plenty of courses in handicrafts, cooking or face painting. … and museums are also a recommended activity. Families are really guaranteed to have fun if they spend Christmas on the Costa del Sol.

9. “Nature and Christmas” it goes well together on the Costa del Sol

You can enjoy nature and hiking routes on the Costa del Sol all year round. But at Christmas some specific activities are organised. For example, the Marbella Town Hall offers a Family Hiking Tour totally free of charge with routes of easy access and intermediate or beginner level. You can find more information about registration on the Town Hall website. The Arboretum association also organises very special activities related to the environment.

10. Tasting traditional Christmas sweets 

Christmas on the Costa del Sol is full of flavours. The most popular of the Christmas sweets is the “Roscón de Reyes” which is eaten, obviously, on the 6th of January. This is the day when the children open the presents from the Three Wise Men and in the afternoon the whole family enjoys this fun sweet. Inside there is a hidden bean which means that whoever finds it will have to pay for the sweet. It also contains a small gift and whoever finds it in their piece of cake gets a king’s crown.

In addition to this friendly roscón, the Christmas gastronomy on the Costa del Sol is impressive. There are all kinds of proposals, with creamier or drier sweets. The patisseries fill their windows with an endless variety of sweet treats.

We offer you a selection of sweets according to locality:

From Monda: the rosco de vino. It is a very aromatic sweet and ideal with a cup of coffee. The brand you should look for is La Framancha, which belongs to a family of confectioners and bakers who have been making them for more than half a century.

From Coín: fig bread. This speciality is a healthy Christmas sweet and usually contains walnuts or whole almonds. It can be bought all year round, but at Christmas it is very typical to offer it in the assortment of sweets in homes.

From Cañete la Real: pestiños or borrachuelos. They are a very crunchy sweet, because they are fried. This sweets can be plain or filled with cream or cabello de angel (a very special caramelised fruit) and they are usually coated on the outside with honey or sugar.

From Ronda we highlight: yemas del Tajo. Originally a sweet made by nuns, they can now be found in the best bakeries in the town. They can also be found all year round, but are very creamy and pleasant at Christmas.

From Antequera: mantecado. Although there are many varieties (there are even chocolate and lemon ones), the traditional flavoured ones with toasted sesame seeds on the outside are the most popular.

From Manilva: Moscatel sultanas. These are grapes that are eaten when very ripe. They are very sweet and are even sold seedless. On their own they are delicious, but accompanied by sweet Moscatel wine they are a complete delight.

We hope these Christmas tips will help you to experience the Costa del Sol in a different way. For any enquiries about luxury properties in Marbella, Benahavis, Estepona, Sotogrande and other areas of the Costa del Sol please do not hesitate to contact us.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!