We will be visiting the following cities May 2018 and I am now in the process of looking for lodging except for Madrid where I will be using points for Marriott.. I am looking at airbnbs as we like having an apartment. What I need help with in all these cities is what area is the best for us to stay in.. we are an older couple who like to walk so not afraid to walk with luggage if need be 15 mins though not too much more.. we do not plan to drive if we can help it.. will be training it where we can and flying when distance is to far so sometimes coming from the train station and sometimes airport.
We are not into nightlife and need quiet place at night to sleep so if an area will be noisy at night that will not be good for us. I have done some research but its getting complicated so any help would be appreciated, an area in each city that is a good base to see the top sights from. We will do day tours if there are places we should see away from where we stay. Also not adverse to taking public transit if there is a good reliable system. Thanks!!

Barcelona fly to Majorca
Majorca fly to Madrid (poss Palma as it is central but I have read in May it should not be noisy at night)
Madrid train to Granada
Grenada train to Cordoba
Cordoba train to Seville
Seville fly to Porto
Porto train to Lisbon
Lisbon

If you are only going to be in Granada for two nights or so & can afford it, stay in the parador is my recommendation.

I personally would stay in the Principe Real area of Lisbon, and not in the Chiado or smack in the middle of Barrio Alto, which is often most recommended for tourists. I enjoyed the area around Rossio, but it is a kind of hotel ghetto in some parts.

Based on my one experience of Sevilla I would stay across in the river, in Triana, but haven't done it yet.

The one area I would avoid in Porto is the riverbanks, which are touristy to the max. Nor would I want to be out of town in the direction of the ocean, which some people prefer. I stayed in a Mercure hotel above the Sao Bento train station and liked it, but other areas that would tempt me are around the cathedral and also streets in the vicinity of the Av. dos Aliados.

I loved the Conde Duque area of Madrid, and had little affection for the Atocha train station area and the museum triangle area.

Great thanks this is a start! Keep the suggestions coming

Parador is wayyy out of our price range so any other suggestions for areas in Grenada would be helpful. Thanks

The Hotel America is a few steps from the parador but since I haven't stayedd there would recommend reading lots of reviews (which you should for any place mentioned to you on the internet).

Should also add that if you have a lot of interest in touring Granada beyond the Alhambra (but highly recommend you tour the Alhambra at night as well as the gardens in the morning), then you might want to stay in the center of the town in Granada (but can't give a personal recommendation).

I went on a solo trip to Spain and stayed in hostels in Barcelona and Granada and splurged on a quiet hotel in Seville. You may not be interested in the actual places I stayed in but I avoid noisy places so you may like the neighborhoods I chose. I took public transit or walked everywhere. Here's a blog post I wrote about my trip:
http://fanofblank.blogspot.com/2014/...-in-spain.html

In Lisbon we stayed in an Airbnb in Baixa - it was a little noisy from the tram below but it was a great location. Post about Portugal:
http://fanofblank.blogspot.com/2017/...nd-sintra.html

Enjoy trip planning!

In Lisbon I recommend Baixa House serviced apartments downtown in the Baixa neighborhood. Gorgeous comfortable apartments with lovely staff. Kitchens have an espresso maker and are well stocked with coffee, granola, fresh yogurt, cheese and ham every day. In the afternoon they drop off a home made tea cake to enjoy. The very best part is the fresh bread left on your doorknob every morning. And not too expensive- maybe $110- 120/ night. We loved it. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks for the tips..efarr99 I checked out Baxia House and the prices are great you are correct the only thing I don't like is they don't seem to show pictures of the apartments so I really dont know what I am getting. WHich one did you stay in and is it quiet at night for sleeping?

lindygirl..your blog is wonderful and I will read through all you did in Spain as well the place you stayed in Lisbon..did the tram make a lot of noise at night.. we are light sleepers and that is a big issue for us noise during the day is fine

Check out the Lisbon rental agency Rent4Days if you haven't already. I had a good experience with renting from them

http://rent4days.com/

We stayed at Chez Nous Guesthouse in Lisbon. It was very reasonable and quiet. Run by two delightful women. There were shared bathrooms, however. Private toilet rooms and a room with 4 private, locking shower stalls. Didn't bother us two very late 50's people. Enjoy Spain and Portugal, two of our favorites!

Adding that this place was super easy to public transit which we took often--subway and bus. And the women who own it were super helpful with insider tips and information.

Hi. We stayed in the Gulbenkian apartmaent in Baixa House. It was on an upper floor with elevator access -definitely some street noise in the kitchen and living room from the trolley going by. But the bedroom is tucked into the interior and was very quiet. You can see the apartments on their website. Truly chic and comfortable- each room is designed after s garden in Lisbon.

Ok great Lisbon is good for now I think I will look into Baxia

thanks all now I need some areas for the Spain cities mentioned -- also need Porto

massimop just wondering why you felt about what you said below..what was it about Triana?
"Based on my one experience of Sevilla I would stay across in the river, in Triana, but haven't done it yet."

Thank you all for the Hotel recommendations but we are really looking at apartments. Baxia House is a definite strong possible--I am still looking at Airbnb or other apartmentsfor the other cities looking in the 100 us per night range or less. Safe, clean good location quiet with a good bed.. all priorities. Just was not sure what areas would give us (safe, quiet at night)

Barbara, the tram is definitely noticeable. We stayed in the room facing the street so we heard it at night. But we lived in San Francisco for many years and were used to "city noise." The Airbnb had a fan that we kept on which helped. Glad you're all planned out for Lisbon. And thanks for reading my blog! Glad it helped!

What do people think of Placa Espanya area in Barcelona --I see an apartment I like in that area.. looking for central enough but safe and quiet for sleeping at night.

That's one of the busiest areas of BCN, so hard to tell if that particular apt would be quiet. We enjoyed the El Born neighborhood. It was quiet because the streets are pedestrianized. . Atmospheric old part of the city but very safe with tons of great restaurants and right by the Picasso Museum. Better than the gothic quarter in that regard I think. We walked most places. Hop on hop off bus stop close- took it to get to Sagrada Familia and Park Guell. Good luck!

thanks efarr99 glad you mentioned Park Guell we see a place there we like as well.. would that be better? I will check out El Born as well

we have tagged 4 places one in sants, one near Park Guell one near les corts station then the one in Placa Espanya we are going to the Barcelona Tennis open so wanted to be not too far from there or from transit from there as we will be returning later in the evening and not sure how safe certain areas are

For Seville and Granada we used Veo apartments. They were great.