We are going to Spain in May for a 16 night honeymoon. I have been before to Barcelona and Madrid and preferred Madrid but are definitely going back to both because my husband hasn't gone yet. We like food, walking and exploring new areas, people watching and nightlife. Not big on museums. I have two itineraries we came up with but can't decide on which makes more sense. Which would you prefer and do the day trips sound good or should we add in other places instead? Thanks!

1.
Barcelona- 3
Valencia- 2
Madrid- 3 (w/possible Toledo day trip)
Seville- 3 (w/possible Cordoba day trip)
Granada- 2
Marbella- 3 (to relax at end)

2.
Barcelona-3
Madrid-4- w/Toledo day trip
Seville- 4 w/Cordoba and possible Ronda day trip
Granada-2
Marbella- 3

I would clearly prefer your second option. Option 1 is too rushed and does not enough justice to Madrid/Castilia and to Sevilla/Andalusia.

Also, I personally find Valencia not too overwhelming (compared to your other destinations), so it won't be a great miss.

You said 16 nights? Makes 14 full days. The day of departure does not count and the day of arrival is largely spoiled by jet lag. And you need half a day to travel between destinations. More arguments to skip Valencia.

Will your honeymoon be right after the wedding? If so, maybe put the beach time in the beginning to get over the wedding stress. And to get over jet lag if you're arriving in Spain after a long overnight, multi-time-zones flight.

No honeymoon is not after the wedding. We knew Spain would not be a good relaxation spot after for us so we planned it for later on.

I'd forget Marbella and do Málaga instead. Check out the newly remodeled Gran Hotel Miramar (http://www.granhotelmiramarmalaga.com). It should make the perfect ending to your honeymoon. Great location and the food, as well as everything else, is much better in Málaga.

Robert2016- The hotel looks amazing. We are looking for beautiful beaches and great restaurants for our last few days. Is this Malaga? Maybe a little sightseeing but probably want the last few days to be more low key.

It depends on your preferences, but option 1 would be WAY too rushed for my tastes. Actually, Option 2 would be too rushed for my tastes, too, so you might give some thought to trimming it.

If you are looking for the "best" of Spain, then I would think you would want to be sure to include Cordoba, Granada, and Toledo. JMO.

I strongly back Robert's advice of Málaga and the by then newly reopened and spectacular Gran Hotel Miramar right on the Malagueta beach. Originally from 1926. Was here a few weeks ago, looks fabulous, 9000m2 gardens, five "culinary spaces" within the hotel and great offers for the spring if ordered now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s6t-9Rsl7s

Málaga has got a fabulous both cutting edge and traditional food scene. Arguably the leading food city in Andalucía now, ten restaurants in the Guia Repsol, the Spanish equivalent to the Michelin guide. Had a fenomenal meal in Óleo last time in Málaga, best we've had the past year and that includes five days in food paradise San Sebastián: https://www.guiarepsol.com/es/gastro...locality=|7367

New York Times now recommends Málaga as one of three Spanish cities in their 2016 "Where to go" list. The two others are Barcelona and San Sebastián: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...isit.html?_r=0

Oyy looking online there are so many conflicting recommendations on whether to do Marbella or Malaga! Marbella looks like our type of scene for a relaxing last few days. Is Malaga similar to the other cities? Should we do both? Could take out a day from Seville?

Marbella doesn't really reflect Andalucia: "Marbella is known as a glamorous resort town and is a favourite location with the rich and famous, boosted by foreign residents who are seduced by the lifestyle."

Kimhe, I agree to every word you have written, but the New York Times list is crap. It is totally arbitrary and it is misleading to consider Bordeaux the "best" city in France as well as Korcula the "best" place in Croatia. I bet the editors tossed dice when they made up this list.

Marbella is a flashy tourist destination, could be perfectly fine for some days on the beach, some great and expensive restaurants, night-clubs etc. Málaga is a big Spanish city with the best and most laid-back genuine Andalucian atmosphere, and fabulous food, culture, theater, concert and nightlife scene.
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/andalucia/malaga

Video intro to Málaga (and nothing in Marbella beats the Gran Hotel Miramar): http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...pt-secret.html

I agree, Malaga is a far more interesting place than Marbella. The beaches around Cadiz are a lot nicer than on the Costa del Sol. If you really need beach time I would go there (actually I would go to the North coast or Mallorca but that doesn't fit into your time frame.)Cadiz and Malaga are both great small cities.

Málaga city beaches: https://www.spain-holiday.com/Malaga...ty-beach-guide

Some great tapas bars in the heart of town: https://www.spain-holiday.com/Malaga...bars-in-malaga

Málaga roof-top terraces: http://www.malagacar.com/blog/leisur...ces-in-malaga/

And you have of course the Gibralfaro Parador: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/para...aro.en-gb.html

And not exactly a small city, pop. 570 000.

I was looking into Cadiz as well but found more resort type hotels that we are looking for in Marbella. Cadiz seems more authentic but looking at the city pictures online Marbella just looks so pretty and relaxing.

Go for Marbella if you're looking for resort type hotels.

Some fabulous restaurants here, many in the Repsol guide, and one with three soles (suns): https://www.guiarepsol.com/es/gastro...locality=|7423

Six Marbella restaurants listed in the Michelin guide, Dani García has got two stars: https://www.viamichelin.com/web/Rest...a-437482-41102

And in Barcelona, I recommend to make a reservation at Tickets, the paradise version of traditional tapas style restaurant run by the Adrià brothers of the world's by far most awarded restaurant this century, now closed El Bulli. Very affordable Tickets was up on the list of the world's 100 best restaurants after one year (#77), and jumped this year to #41. http://www.theworlds50best.com/

The basic concept is traditional tapas prepared and presented as you never would imagine and with tastes to the maximum. Iberian ham, Spanish cheeses, olives, croquetas, tomatoes, anchoas, shellfish, Iberian pork etc etc plus some surprises from out of this world. Just tell the waiter how much you would like to spend and what kind of food you like, and then leave it up to the kitchen to make it an evening never to forget. Have had both lunch and dinner here, some 15-17 small dishes each with wine/cava/beer has been some 70-75€ pp. Lived very much up to the high expectations.

You can normally only book online and only two months in advance. Tables are literally gone 10 minutes after midnight two months prior to every day year around, so you have to be online on midnight Barcelona time two months ahead to book a table. http://www.ticketsbar.es/web/en/

And had a fabulous meal at Somodó last week, nine courses tasting menu for 35€/pp. Must be the best deal in town. http://www.somodo.es/
http://www.spottedbylocals.com/barcelona/somodo/
http://www.barcelona-metropolitan.co...s-somod%C3%B3/

Thanks kimhe. We love eating out and trying new places so will definitely have to try some of those. Problem is with tickets I wonder if thy do vegetarian haa. I am vegetarian which I know is kinda difficult in Spain! Lots of cheese and bread for me.

Last time in Tickets was with a vegetarian friend (well, he eats fish and seafood), and the tomato salad, the sensational arificial olives (the signature starter at El Bulli), the manchego cheese air-bags etc. etc. makes being a vegetarian no problem. As said, just tell what kind of food you like, how much you like to spend and they'll make it a meal you'll never forget.