Hi, My husband and I are planning a quick trip to Spain, flying in from London.

What city would you suggest spending the time in? We would probably fly into either Madrid or Barcelona, would want someplace in one of those cities or a short 1-2 hours train ride away.

All we really want to do is relax have some great food and wine. beach would be fun or a romantic town. Any suggestions??

Thanks in advance for the help!
Heather

This is one of the perennial Spain questions.

Barcelona-one of the world's unique cities in terms of style, design, and joie de vivre. Small beach in Barcelona good beaches within a few hours.

Madrid-world class museums and a great hub for visiting many worthwhile nearby towns. No beaches in sight.

Romantic is a relative term.

Madrid does not have a beach so the choice is going to have to be BCN. All the other things on your wish list can be found in both cities.

Sitges is a resort 45 minutes from Barcelona.
Barcelona is more relaxing, easier to get around , on the sea.
IMO much more romantic than Madrid ( the city I also like)

Go to vibrant Bilbao with the famous Guggenheim museum from London HR in one hour. http://www.vueling.com/booking/booki...ciona-tu-vuelo
http://www.guggenheim.org/bilbao

Direct bus from the airport to Belle Epoque San Sebastián in 70 mins. The culinary capital of Spain (if not all of Europe, 17 Michelin stars in a town with some 180 000 people. Every little bar/restaurant serving less than great food are out of business in two weeks). Some of the finest city beaches in Europe. A favourite summer destination for the Spanish and French elites since the mid 19th century.

Going now would be perfect, a couple of months before the city is invaded by hordes of predominantly Spanish and French tourists. http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/11/18...l/18hours.html

If you go, I can point out a couple of "musts" in and around my favourite city on the planet.

I think you are limiting yourself tremendously by making it a "Barcelona or Madrid" question. You can fly direct from London to Santiago, Seville, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, Bilbao, Tenerife, Ibiza....etc, etc....I would NOT consider Barcelona nor Madrid for a stay given the vacation parameters you posted.

I would go with Palma, Bilbao, Tenerife, or Valencia. BTW, which month are you going?

San Sebastian is romantic.

Thanks everyone for the amazing input! Looks like we have some decisions to make!

We booked our tickets for Barcelona and are looking at spots around there.

We will be going at the end of May over Memorial day weekend.