25 December 2025
Crossing borders in Europe is usually seamless, almost mundane — and yet doing it on Christmas Day adds an unexpected layer of unpredictability. Our journey from Lagos, in Portugal’s Algarve, to Sevilla in southern Spain was supposed to be a simple bus ride. Instead, it became one of those travel days that feels oddly memorable precisely because of its small frustrations, quiet streets, and unplanned improvisations.
Leaving Lagos: Christmas Day on the Road
It was surprisingly easy to grab a taxi in Lagos that morning and reach the bus station without stress. Lagos, once a major port during Portugal’s Age of Discoveries, now feels calm and compact in winter. The Algarve is famous for sun-soaked beaches and summer crowds, but in December it slows down, returning to something closer to its local rhythm.
Our route was straightforward on paper:
🚌 Lagos → Sevilla (Santa Justa)
ALSA Bus | 10:30 – 16:45
Crossing from Portugal into Spain by bus is a reminder of how porous borders have become within the EU — no passport checks, no formal stops, just a gradual shift in road signs, language, and landscape. The Algarve’s coastal plains slowly gave way to Andalusia’s flatter interior, shaped by centuries of agriculture, trade, and movement between cultures.
A Strange Detour at Arrival
Then came the strange part.
When we reached Sevilla, the bus dropped us at what appeared to be the main bus station. Just as we were getting ready to disembark properly, the driver informed us — quite casually — that the bus would only resume its journey to another station in 40 minutes. In the meantime, we were told to get off and wait.
To this day, I still don’t quite understand what happened.
Was it because it was Christmas Day, and routes were adjusted? Did the driver miss a scheduled stop earlier? Or was it simply a logistical quirk where continuing on the bus would have meant getting off again later to wait anyway?
The driver mentioned that there were free buses outside. Half-heartedly, and not entirely convinced, we stepped out to look for them. Unsurprisingly, we couldn’t figure out the system — signage was minimal, services were reduced, and the city felt half-asleep.
Eventually, we gave up and hailed a ride instead.
It wasn’t dramatic, but it was one of those moments where travel fatigue quietly creeps in — the kind that doesn’t ruin your day, but slightly dulls the excitement of arriving somewhere new.
A Christmas Accommodation Hiccup
Sevilla itself felt unusually quiet when we reached our neighbourhood. Shops were shuttered, streets were calm, and Christmas Day seemed to have pressed pause on the city.
Unfortunately, this calm was paired with one of the more stressful accommodation experiences of the trip.
The link sent by our host to access the building didn’t work. With the help of other residents, we managed to get into the building initially. According to the instructions, there was supposed to be a key waiting inside the apartment — but there wasn’t.
We messaged the host immediately, explaining the situation. No reply.
Over the next few days, we followed up multiple times. The only responses we received were automated messages asking if we had “checked in nicely.” Whenever we mentioned the missing key, there was complete silence.
Because we didn’t have local phone numbers, calling wasn’t an option. That meant every time we left the apartment, we had to rely on the chance that another tenant would enter or exit the building at the same time so we could get back in.
In winter, on Christmas, with reduced foot traffic, this was genuinely inconvenient — and stressful. We were constantly calculating whether it was worth going out, knowing we might struggle to return.
It was, without question, the low point of the day.
Plaza de España: Grandeur and Memory
Later that day, we made our way to Plaza de España — and almost instantly, the mood shifted.
Built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, Plaza de España was designed to symbolise Spain’s historical ties with its former colonies. The semi-circular building represents Spain embracing its past and the wider Spanish-speaking world. Its architectural style blends Renaissance Revival with Neo-Mudéjar, a style deeply rooted in Andalusia’s Islamic heritage.
The tiled alcoves lining the plaza — each representing a different Spanish province — are more than decorative. They quietly narrate Spain’s regional identities, histories, and rivalries, all unified in one monumental space.
Even on Christmas Day, Plaza de España felt alive. Locals strolled slowly, visitors took photos under the soft winter light, and the canal reflected the warm colours of the brickwork. We took plenty of pictures, lingering longer than expected, letting the scale and elegance of the place sink in.
It was one of those travel moments where the setting does most of the emotional work for you.
Figuring Out Transport in Andalusia
When we arrived in Sevilla, we also planned to buy a rechargeable public transport card, knowing it would make getting around much easier and significantly cheaper.
In Sevilla, the correct card is the Tarjeta Multiviaje.
Tarjeta Multiviaje (Rechargeable):
- Designed for multiple rides on buses and trams
- Requires a refundable €1.50 deposit
- Offers discounted fares compared to single tickets
- Can be used across Sevilla’s TUSSAM transport network
Normally, the card can be purchased at:
- Tobacco shops (Tabacos)
- Kiosks
- TUSSAM customer service points
- Sometimes directly on buses or trams
However, because we arrived late on Christmas Day, almost everything was closed. Even the areas around major stations felt subdued. We tried the Renfe Santa Justa train station, hoping the ticket machines might help, but we couldn’t figure out where or how to buy the card there.
In the end, we gave up and decided to continue the hunt the next day — a reminder that even in well-connected European cities, timing still matters.
Christmas Night in Sevilla
By the time we left Plaza de España, it was already late. With limited energy and even more limited patience after the day’s small challenges, we bought dinner and headed back to our place.
That was our Christmas Day.
No grand celebrations, no festive crowds — just a quiet crossing between two countries, a few logistical hiccups, and a city slowly revealing itself. In retrospect, it felt fitting: Sevilla didn’t dazzle us immediately. Instead, it waited, calmly, for the days that followed.
Sometimes, that makes a place even more memorable.
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