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Need Help For August Spain Itinerary (10 days)

Need Help For August Spain Itinerary (10 days)

Old Jul 23rd, 2014, 10:04 AM
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Need Help For August Spain Itinerary (10 days)

So I will be travelling to Spain for the first time ever this August, and I am going solo (29m). I fly into Madrid and fly out of Barcelona and will be there for a total of 10 days (that doesn't include fly in/out days).

I plan on just staying at hostels, but I am not really sure how to go about breaking up my trip. I am between these options:

1. 5 days in Madrid, 5 days in Barcelona (gives me the most time to see the cities)

2. 4 days in Madrid, 3 in seville, 3 in Barcelona (worried might be rushed)

Or anything else you may suggest (other cities, etc). Any suggestions? I plan to make day trips from Madrid to Toledo, Segovia, etc. But otherwise I have a pretty open itinerary and could use some help .
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Old Jul 23rd, 2014, 10:14 AM
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It depends on what you want to see. I went on a solo trip to Spain (female) and I had 2 weeks so I went to San Sebastian, Barcelona, Granada, and Seville. I actually avoided Madrid based on recs from friends.

I loved all the cities I visited and found that the hostels I selected were great in terms of affordability, location, and meeting new travel companions.

I wrote up a travel blog with photos, itinerary, recs, and tips:
http://fanofblank.blogspot.com/2014/...-in-spain.html

Enjoy your trip!
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Old Jul 23rd, 2014, 10:19 AM
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Heat may be a consideration for you. In Madrid, you have museums to escape the heat, and in Barcelona, you also have beach nearby. With a plethora of day trips nearby, I like option #1. Then you can save Andalucia for a more pleasant time of year and explore it with more time to see the many other towns.
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Old Jul 23rd, 2014, 10:44 AM
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Good point yorkshire. I went in October and the weather was pleasant. I've heard that the south gets extremely hot (90s F) - Granada and Seville could reach the 100sF.
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Old Jul 23rd, 2014, 11:05 AM
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Hi all, thanks for the recommendations. Heat actually doesn't bother at all so that won't be a factor.

I don't really want to skip Madrid since it's a good base for day trips, and also the fact that Madrid itself has some nice areas worth checking out. I'm just not sure if Seville (or maybe even somewhere else) is worth rushing around for.
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Old Jul 23rd, 2014, 11:53 AM
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In the south 100s is normal and it often goes above 110. Not to be thought of in August. (I have a colleague who did a semester there and by the beginning of June wasn't able to outside at midday.)

Frankly - in August the only place I would go in Spain is the Atlantic coast, esp San Sebastian.
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Old Jul 23rd, 2014, 01:06 PM
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I'm thinking I should skip San Sebastian because I heard it is mostly a beach town. While I love the beach, this is my first time in Europe ever, and could always fly down to the carribean for cheap from the US.
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Old Jul 23rd, 2014, 01:18 PM
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San Sebastián has a lovely beach but I would call it more of a foodie town than a beach town!

Our pics. https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7644330328153/

It has amazing starred restaurants and a great pintxos culture

http://www.euskoguide.com/food-drink...y/pintxos.html
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Old Jul 23rd, 2014, 11:52 PM
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As jamikins says, Belle Epoque San Sebastian has got fabulous city beaches, but it's first and foremost the culinary capital of Spain if not all of Europe. A favourite for Spanish and French summer visitors for the past 150 years. Recently voted #5 city in the world by Conde Nast Traveler. Plenty of affordable hostales/pensiones, especially in the Parte vieja/Old town: http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/en/
http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...stian-tourism/

And Madrid is plain fantastic. The museums, the parks, the tapas bars, cafes, concerts, theaters, nightlife etc. etc. The madrileños are called "los gatos" (the cats) for a reason. The center of Madrid is like a collection of very diverse local feel areas around grand avenues, parks and plazas. http://www.esmadrid.com/en/portal.do
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Old Jul 24th, 2014, 06:23 PM
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Of these two, option # 1 seems far better to me.
Enjoy!
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Old Jul 25th, 2014, 06:05 AM
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I suggest sticking with 5 days in Madrid and 5 in Barcelona - so much to do and see in these world class cities, plus you already have day trip excursions in mind from Madrid. From Barcelona you can do an easy excursion to Montserrat and get out for a hike in nature.

With a 2 city itinerary you also minimize the amount of time just getting from place to place. You can always come back and see another part of Spain another time!
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