Hi,
We plan to travel to Spain in June (June 17 -26) - leaving San Francisco on June 17 and return to SF on June 26. We are a family of four with two older boys, ages 15 and 18. As you can see we will have about 8 days in Spain and want to definitely see Barcelona. Here are my questions:
We are thinking 3-4 days in Barcelona and would have about 4 more days. Here are the potential options:
Go to Costa Brava area - road trip from Barcelona (or)
Go to Madrid - Toledo (or)
Go to Southern Spain (Seville / Cordoba / Granada)

My thoughts are Southern Spain will be too rushed and we may not justify it. Madrid and Toledo might not be as exciting for my boys (given their ages)
I am leaning on the Costa Brava option, it would be different seeing the coastal towns etc. and overall our trip will not be trying to do too much in the short time we have.

I would like to hear what suggestions you may have. This is our first time in Spain, we are overall high energy and out and about people. But we don't have an option to extend the number of days etc.

Thanks a lot.

I think you're right, Southern Spain would be too far, for too little time. I assume you'd have to backtrack to Barcelona or Madrid for your return flight. If you are flying direct to Barcelona, I think I'd just stay in that region.

I would visit Barcelona, then rent a car and drive up and along Costa Brava. The coast is beautiful, and I assume it should be cooler near the water. Some places to stay overnight are Cadaques and/or Girona. We stopped in Tossa de Mar, Calallela Palafrugel, and S'Agaro.

Yes, another vote for Girona and things further north, you could even cross into France and maybe Narbonne. Lots of art, lots of cycling and beaches.

Yes, we would have to ultimately fly out of Madrid or Barcelona, so additional time to get there.

Thanks so much KarenWoo. We will probably go with this option.
How many days would you recommend for the coast including Girona? I have to still research more on this area and what we could do etc.

Looks like we will go with Girona and the coastal towns on that side. Had not considered crossing into France, let see. Thanks.