Christmas is here Lights, shopping, family meals and… time for winter plans and for keeping the children entertained. With the cold that comes with Christmas it is often hard to find something that works, so here are a few ideas for Christmas in the Basque Country — in Bilbao, San Sebastián and Vitoria-Gasteiz.
A few weeks ago we wrote about the best things to do in the Basque Country in autumn. Today: how to win the children over and have a very good time as a family. Read on.
Bilbao: the ice rink and the slide
As you would expect of Bilbao, this Christmas the city has the largest eco-friendly ice rink in the country. Bizkaia’s capital likes things on a scale, because it likes enjoying itself on a scale. The rink is in the middle of the city, on the Arenal quay.
People of any age will enjoy it, locals and visitors alike, but it is the youngest who will get the most out of it. There is a large ice slide, built with them in mind, that drops them onto the rink.
Convinced? The largest eco-friendly rink in the country is open now — and it is exactly the sort of thing that wins the children over.
Tickets for the rink and the slide are on Eventbrite or at the box office next to the rink itself.
If you live in Bizkaia there is no excuse; and if you do not, Bilbao at Christmas is always worth the trip.
And right beside it, still on the Arenal, you can walk under what look like thousands of small stars settled in the trees — what they have called the Forest of Lights.
San Sebastián: a big wheel over the bay
If walking La Concha is one of the unarguable pleasures of San Sebastián , for adults and children alike, Christmas makes it better still.
After several successful years, December again brings to the Alderdi Eder park an unusual visitor: the Christmas big wheel. With its old cabins it delights visitors of every age, though the children get the most out of it.
A ride costs €4.50, with tickets at the booth underneath. If you would rather save a couple of euros and spend them on hot chocolate afterwards, go on a Monday, when it drops to €2.50.
Fancy seeing San Sebastián from somewhere else? We would recommend this one.
Vitoria-Gasteiz: the life-size nativity scene
Third on the list, and no less good for it, is Vitoria’s: a life-size nativity scene laid out across the La Florida park.
Walking through the greenest city in the Basque Country, the children will feel they have stepped into a story. The figures, the lights, the park itself.
It was first put up in 1962 and now runs to more than 200 figures, restored and renewed year after year.
And in the same park the children can leave their letter at the Olentzero and Mari Domingi hut.
The best Christmas plan, in whichever city you choose
We could not finish without mentioning the thing that has changed what a day out can be: a surprise.
On GoRandom we know what we are doing with couples, groups and, of course, families, and we want this Christmas to be one you remember. Choose the day, the time, the level and how many of you there are.
And a reminder that we also run birthdays in Bilbao, San Sebastián and Vitoria-Gasteiz , in case Christmas happens to coincide with one.
Want to book your Christmas plan now?
