Layla484

My husband and I are planning a trip to Spain towards the end of March. We'll be flying in and out of Madrid, and will spend about 4 of the 10 days there, but want to explore another region as well. What are the best areas to explore at that time of year? I've already been to Toledo, Granada, Sevilla, Cordoba and Barcelona, and I'd like to explore someplace new.

Will Basque country (Bilbao / San Sebastian) be too cold at that time? Thoughts on Malaga / Cadiz / Valencia? Any other recommendations? We're always good with renting a car and exploring different areas.
Thank you!!

Gardyloo

We spent a few days way out in the southwest corner - Tarifa, Gibraltar, some white villages - in February/March a couple of years ago, and would return in a minute.

Photos - http://gardyloo.us/February%202012.htm

Bedar

Or, you could do Merida, Caceres, and Salamanca.

Layla484

Thank you, Gardyloo! Great photos. How was the weather at that time?

Gardyloo

<i>How was the weather at that time?</i>

70s F in the day, light sweater in the evening, depending on how close to the beach (it's the Atlantic out there.)

sandralist

I think you might end up with a less-than-great experience of San Sebastian, unless you are a totally dedicated foodster who doesn't care about anything other than food.

Perhaps what could govern your decision is whether you would like more of the culture of Andalucia and its surrounds, or more of the culture of Catalonia and its surrounds? Valencia has long been on my list of places to go, and I would probably be looking to visit nearby historic towns of Catalonia as well. Something that would appeal to me about Cadiz is the chance -- if the weather is nice -- to zip into the Algarve of Portugal at a time when it isn't teeming with tourists, just to see the scenery. You don't mention Alicante, but I have always been curious about it (especially curious about the food).

But just in general I'd be looking to catch a nice African warm breeze if possible and be close enough to some major indoor sights of interest to keep me going if rain set in.

joannyc

Madrid, Salamanca, Avila, Segovia.

kja

Ditto what joannyc said, but add Toledo.

kimhe

Three thousand year old and genuine Malaga city by the Med is 2h 30 mins away from Madrid with the high speed AVE Train, city center to city center.

Laid-back and friendly atmosphere, great cafes, terraces, tapas bars and restaurants, theaters and nightlife. And Malaga is a museum city with lots of great sights right in the city center, from the Roman theater, the Moorish Alcazaba (fortress), the wonderful 16th Century cathedral, Picasso's birth-home and the the Picasso museum. http://www.andalucia.com/cities/malaga/museums.htm

"Secret Spanish Pleasures": http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalis...pleasures.html
"Picasso's city of hidden treasures": http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...-breaks-travel
"The emrging fine food scene in Malaga": http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...taurants-tapas

Weather statistics for Malaga in late March says average highs at 70F, 7 hours sun/day and rainfall one in five days. (wetteronline.de)

elisgriffiths

Although I've not been north of Madrid myself, I've heard there are some nice towns/cities to visit such as Segovia. Madrid itself is a fabulous city which I'm sure you will really enjoy! Enjoy your trip!

kimhe

And Malaga city is a perfect base for doing some serious exploring. You are not far from famous Ronda (the bullring, the gorge, etc), and Antequera - the so called heart or crossroados of Andalucia - is just some 30 mins driving North of Malaga city. http://www.andaluciacoastandcountry....era-spain.html
http://www.andaluciacoastandcountry.com/tapaspain.html

And the spectacular Torcal limestone mountain is just outside Antequera. You can drive almost to the top, and several fine walking routes up here. On a clear day, you can see to Morocco: http://www.andalucia.com/antequera/torcal/home.htm
http://torcaldeantequera.com/

You've got all of the beautiful Axarquia region just east of Malaga city, with plenty of small villages. http://www.rusticblue.com/andalucia_...a_axarquia.php

And you are 40 mins driving along the coast from the huge and famous Nerja Caves, lived people here 30 000 years ago. http://www.cuevadenerja.es/index.php?lenguaje=en

Layla484

Wow, these are great recommendations! Thank you all so much! I think we're definitely going to do Malaga - with some day trips from there. Any hotel recommendations in the city center, or should we look for AirBnB?

kimhe

Great value Don Curro is as central as it gets in Malaga city: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/hote...rro.en-gb.html

Plenty of other options in all categories close by.

Macaroni09

Layla 484, MDH & I spent a month in Spain Sept 2013. Thanks to a new friend in my yoga class, (Cristina from Madrid), we went to Segovia for 2 nights. We loved it!! It's a short train trip in/out of Madrid. We stayed @ the Infanta Isabel, right on the main square in full view of the glorious cathedral--fully illuminated at night.
Other "Really loved it" spots__Ronda was magnificent, Sevilla a dream. Granada and the Alhambra was out-of-the way but wonderful.