My husband and I just booked a very last minute trip from May 22-June 2(10 nights sleeping). We are flying in and out of Barcelona, and are staying the first four nights in Barcelona in an apt.

We are trying to decide if we should to Madrid for 2-3 nights and then stay in a smaller town before returning to Barcelona for our last night or if a more interesting trip would be to Sevilla and then return to Barcelona. Or if there is a more interesting itinerary we haven't thought of, we'd love to hear that as well.

While we do like cities/museums, etc., we also love small towns, pretty countryside, etc.

Also, how reliable are the flights within Spain?

Thank you!

flights from Barcelona are reliable...you can fly to Seville after you land in Barcelona for 4-5 days.
(and visit Córdoba )
or go to Madrid right away (visit Toledo and Segovia) for 4-5 days
Spend time in Barcelona at the end of the trip .

It's a tough choice, but I think I would choose Seville over Madrid in this case. Cordoba is a good suggestion too.

Agree with Danon

If it's pretty countryside, then you need to head to the Basque Country, Green Spain.

You don't need flights - all linked by train, far less hassle and the journey is then PART of your enjoyment and experience, not an interruption to it.

Just book trains between Barcelona, Madrid or Seville from around €30 upwards using www.loco2.com or www.trainline.eu

City centre to city centre at up to 320km/h (200mph)

You print your own ticket.

Thanks for all of your input-much appreciated.

To Man_in_seat61 - I checked the train and it is around 5 hours or so - is it a pretty train ride?

Man,
yes, trains in Spain are great, but if one is already at the airport
and there is a good connection why go to the city.
I took AVE from Barcelona to Madrid
and also flew B-M after landing in Barcelona.
Whatever is more convenient and a good connection.

OP has stated the first 4 nights are in a Barcelona apartment, so that is a given.
What about train to Madrid, and do some of the towns from there - Toledo, Segovia, Avila, Valladolid, Valley of the Fallen. These can be done as day trips from Madrid (saving yourself the frustration of driving in those medieval hilltop towns and trying to park). You can do a car rental for a day and go into the national park if you are wanting a true nature break.
Seville on the other hand is an easy 5 days including a day trip to Cordoba. Keep in mind it is already heating up there. Personally, anything over 3 hours by train, I prefer to fly, but that is a personal choice.
There is of course, the other option - Valencia and more coastal towns along the way - by train.

Tough choice. Really.

I'd easily pick Madrid and Seville over Barcelona. But I can't choose between Madrid and Seville.

Seville is your typical Spanish city: narrow streets, traditional tapas bars and flamenco venues, Moorish architecture...

Madrid is modern Spain: big art museums, wide boulevards,crazy nightlife..


Depends what type of experience you're looking for.

If you're planning a return trip, I would do Madrid and leave Seville for another trip focused on Andalusia.