pizzalova

Hi folks, travelling to Spain for the first time with my wife. We'll be there from Oct 3 - 17. I've been reading this very helpful forum and went through some of Maribels Guides. I think I've narrowed down our itinerary, but would appreciate any advice before finalizing.

We're in our early 30's and are mostly looking for a good sense of culture. We enjoy walking around towns and cities, some shopping, history and most of all food and wine. Looking forward to Spain .

Here's where I am now:

- Days 1-3 (3 nights): Madrid
- Day 4: Rent a car and spend the day in Cordoba, then drive to Sevilla for the night
- Day 5: Spend the day in Sevilla
- Day 6: Drive to Marbella for the night
- Days 7-8: Drive to Grenada and stay 2 nights (with day trips on day 8)
- Day 9: Drive to Valencia and spend the night
- Days 10-16: Drive to Barcelona, return the car and stay for 5 days (fly home early on 6th day)

I'm pretty set on 3 nights in Madrid and 5 in Barcelona. I'm tentative on everything in between, especially the night in Marbella. Is it better to spend another night in Sevilla and just drive through Marbella? Would you change any of the other timing or perhaps include another city to stay overnight in?

Thanks!

nytraveler

If you're set on 5 days in Barcelona, so be it. But, IMHO Andalusia is the most fascinating part of Spain since it's so different than anyplace else in Europe. I would have 2 days in Barcelona and add the rest to Seville and Cordoba.

WomBatt

All I will say is -

Ensure for all cities you know your way to your accommodation/parking arrangements (do not rely on sat/nav).

Marbella - why?

lincasanova

Unless you are stopping in some towns on your way to Córdoba I would take the train and not pick up the rental car until I left Sevilla. Carmona is a lovely town you will enjoy outside Sevilla.

If you do drive to Valencia I would suggest a hotel near the new science center more than anything for the easier parking facilities on the street than in the center.

Definitely stop in Peñiscola on your way to Barcelona if it is not pouring rain. It is a lovely picturesque seaside castle town ( the old section) and worth a stopover.

If you like caves, at Vall d'uxó, just 40 minutes out of Valencia off the Barcelona road you have the longest European navigable cave. It is quite interesting as you go on a flat punt boat with a guide and see the lit interior. There are plenty of cafés there for visitors as yu wait for the next departure. "Les Coves de San Josep"

Cowboy1968

Dito on what lincasanova said about the train until you get to Sevilla.

Not sure if I would add Marbella. Or rather used that time to go to Granada via Ronda. Or used any other route that takes you through at least one or two white villages.

Granada to Valencia is quite a drive. You could stop in Elx/Elche to see the palm trees and the botanical garden. Or in Xàtiva to visit the castle.
But either stopover will shave off more of the little time you can spend in Valencia. Not an easy decision.

lincasanova

From Granada the cave houses at Guadix are an interesting stop if you haven't already seen one.

A stop at Lorca is interesting, then in Elche as mentioned. By now you may want to overnight.

Total from Granada to Vlc is only 5 hours if you do not stop, but a shame not to go a bit slower with the car.

If you want to sleep past Alicante, Altea, javea or denia would be a pleasant waterfront stopover.There are some new hotels even in Calpe that seem to take advantage of the beautiful coastline views, although some of these towns, themselves, are not much to look at.

In javea and Denia parking is not so bad off weekends, and Altea has a waterfront parking area.

CathyM

One day for Sevilla is extremely short. And 3 nights when you're jetlagged the first day is short for Madrid. You're covering alot of ground in just 2 weeks. I'd consider only visiting 2 areas versus 3 (Madrid, Andalucia & Barcelona). This will give you more time to enjoy the places you are visiting at a more reasonable pace.

Egbert

I don't like all of the traveling around this big country. It doesn't look like fun to me. I would skip Barcelona and Valencia. I would go straight to Sevilla (Cordoba is best as a daytrip from Sevilla)for 3-4 nights, then I would bus or train to Granada for two nights. There is no need to rent a car in Andalucia and it's a hassle to have one in Seville and Granada. From Granada I would head to Malaga for one night and take the AVE train back to Madrid for 3 nights. I would skip Marbella.

cherrybomb

I think you have too many places in, especially as overnights and a lot of driving. If you really want to get a good feel of each place, a day won't cut it.

I disagree on shortchanging BCN, especially for food, wine and nightlife. I also think it is a nice walking city.

I would nix Marbella and Valencia this time around and add days to Seville or Granada. Alternately, I'd keep Valencia and nix either Granada or Seville. You could then add another night to Madrid.

oopsy

I've been to Spain twice, 10 days in Andalusia and 9 days in Barcelona. I really liked Andalusia, but Barcelona amazed me and I can't wait to return. So, while I agree with others that you perhaps have a bit too much in here, I would suggest you keep Barcelona in there. Perhaps this:

Days 1-4: Madrid, AVE to Seville
Days 5-7, Seville
Days 8-9, Granada
Days 10-16, Barcelona

I would take a cheap flight (try Vueling) from Granada to Barcelona.

pizzalova

Thanks everyone, for your thoughts. From our past experiences with Europe, I think the pace of seeing 3 areas (ie. Madrid, Andalusia and Barcelona) is consistent with what we've enjoyed.

I've taken Marbella out completely, so now my schedule looks a lot like what Oopsy has suggested. Considering skipping the drive from Madrid to Seville and picking up the car in Seville to start our driving trip. I'd still like to drive along the coast to Barcelona though, as we find drives very enjoyable... so may keep Valencia only as a pitspot so we don't have to drive 8.5 hours in one day. Lots of good suggestions for what to do along the way! Are there other cities in between Granada and Barcelona that you'd all suggest other than Valencia perhaps?

oopsy

On the drive from Valencia to Barcelona, you might want to stop in Tarragona. It is supposed to have some wonderful Roman ruins (it's on our list as a possible day trip for next year's trip to Barcelona). In fact, you might want to make a stop there, drop your rental off there, and then take the train to Barcelona.

lincasanova

"Are there other cities in between Granada and Barcelona that you'd all suggest other than Valencia perhaps?"

Besides the others I have already mentioned,

Peñiscola

lincasanova

hmm. I see I HAD mentioned that in my first post. Sorry!

milliebest

We did the same trip a year ago. I agree with everyone- you don't need as car in Madrid,Cordoba, Seville or Granada. We flew Ryan Air from Granada to Gerona and just took the bus into Barcelona.

Egbert

Tarragona is nice.

nsalerno

We were in Barcelona and Andulucia last fall for 2 weeks early Nov. Stayed 4 nights Sevilla ,3 nights in Granada and 2 nights in Cordoba. We loved Sevilla and Granada but thought Cordoba needed only 1 night or should be a day trip. If you need recommendations for a hotel/b&b we were very happy with our choices in Granada and Sevilla. We flew ryan air from Barcelona to Granada and then took the bus to Sevilla and Cordoba. Then the train to Madrid for 1 night before we flew home.

pizzalova

nsalerno, I'll take you up on your offer for a hotel recommendation in Granada. Many hotels are booked solid, however. The hotel I'm in now (Suites Gran Via 44) seems to be neither in the town nor near the Alhambra, so not sure if it's great from a location standpoint. It's certainly not cheap, either. (Was recommended by a friend).

nsalerno

In Granada we stayed at www.alcubilladelcaracol.com. It was a lovely place with a wonderful view of the mountains from our window. Very clean and a great breakfast. A short walk downhill to the town, We paid 120 euro per night 1 yr. ago.They even let me use their computer. We had a guide of the Alhambra. Her name was Anne Gangemi @granadapicnictours.com. 120 Euro for a full day tour and she was great.
In Sevilla we stayed at Hotel Amadeus. www.hotelamadeussevilla.com also a great place 107 euro per night. Also very clean and great location. Had lots of character.

Hope this helps.

pizzalova

Yep, I know of this hotel in Granada, but it is unfortunately full. (Price is still 120-130 Euro/night, depending on the room.) Same situation with Amadeus.