Hello - My family will be in Zaragoza on Jan 1 and travelling from Barcelona (through Madrid) to Toledo on Jan 6. I realize these are both national holidays - can anyone tell me how it is in Spain on holidays? Is absolutely everything shut down? Will restaurants be open?

Thanks

1 Jan I believe, at least in the morning it will be like an A-Bomb has fallen in the city. Nobody in the streets, all closed... except for the discos, where you'll see people coming back home early in the morning.

Day 6 is completely different, because it's the Three Wise Man adoration of child Jesus, so there is a parade and the streets will be crowded with children and parents. Expect serious traffic problems that day. Commerces will be mostly closed, except for some gift shops and few more.

In both you could have some problems to find restaurants or even snack-bars open.

Ignacio - I think the Cabalgata takes place on the day before Reyes, ie, on the 5th, no? Because you have to say what you want them to bring you the next day

Ooooooops! True. I am not pretty sure what happens on 6 (I was crying all the time because they broght me only coal because I had been naughty).

No, seriously, I don't think many places will be open, but wether it will be general, I don't know, though I guess most will be closed too.