Christmas is the ideal time to get out of the routine and do something special with the people we love the most. Although the star activity at this time of the year is to contemplate the first sparkles of Christmas lights in the big cities, there are other much more original activities. Riding on a Christmas boat, for example. It may sound like a coastal plan, but nothing could be further from the truth: one of Santa Claus’ boats is located in the historic center of Aranjuez.
The Aranjuez tourist boat is the only one licensed to navigate the Tagus in the Community of Madrid. It organizes tours that start at a port overlooking the Royal Palace and the Prince’s Garden. From there begins a short four-kilometer trip where you can see carp, geese and galapagos, as well as canoeists enjoying the scenery when the weather is good.
From November 30, the boat catches the Christmas spirit that takes over Madrid and organizes 60-minute routes that even Santa Claus himself and his trusty elves can join. The tours include a karaoke session, contests and a photo with Santa. The experience costs €9.99 per person, except for children under 90 centimeters tall without a stroller, who get in for free. By paying an additional €2.5 you can order soft drinks or beer on board.
It is important to arrive at least 10 minutes in advance to ensure a place, especially if we are going with many companions. You can easily reserve a place through the tourist boat’s website.