We have a stopover in Madrid for 3 nights this summer on our way to a family celebration in Italy - I am traveling with my husband and 5 year old son - we love to travel but this is our first time in Spain - of course there is very little to see in 4 days - but I was wondering if I could get some advice from people who have spent time in Spain - as I am sure Madrid is a very fascinating city I do not think I want to spend the time in Madrid as it is a city I would prefer to see more of the beautiful coastal areas of Spain - or I would prefer to be in Barcelona - I also read that Costa del Sol is very touristy and built up too much - I would have to fly to any place to spend the 3 nights in Spain - as driving would be too time consuming - I would love to be near the water - and feedback would be just wonderful!

Although I would stay in Madrid and I don't think you would like at all the crowded coast in summer...maybe you can go to Barcelona or nearby Sitges. Sitges is a beautiful coast village, it's very near from BCN airport so it would be easy for you to come back to Madrid.

many thanks for your reply - I will look into Sitges - and then we could also stay in Barcelona - I just wanted to get a very small favor of an area that is very special - as I am sure there are so many - in Spain - to take advantage of a very short visit - and I wanted to be somewhere fun for my child.
Any feedback on Hotel Arts in Barcelona? Or another thought was Granada and La Bobadilla - I was interested in the Marbella Club - but they request 7 nights -

the hotel arts also has a kid´s club.

what month is this?

we would be there the end of June - thank-you I did not know Hotel Arts has a kids club-looks like a beautiful modern hotel.

If you are considering the Hotel Arts, then you should take a serious look the Casa Fuster*****GL, probably the most impressive hotel in Barcelona. It's located at Passeig de Gràcia, 132, one of the premier addresses in Barcelona. The hotel has a pool on the roof and the best views of Barcelona.

My other recommendation would be the Hotel 1898****GL. The 3 suites have small heated pools while there is a heated pool on the roof and one on the lower level.

It would be difficult to beat either of these hotels for service and style.

the location of the ARTS hotel is not necessarily "special", but is on the beach, but a bit off the beaten track.
unless you like beach properties, there would be no other reason to stay there except for the kid´s club IF it is open already your dates.

sitges will give you a small town feel, strolling, less traffic, or..

since you are landing in madrid, coming down to the valencia coast is much closer, then you could go to altea, an artsy town, and enjoy javea, denia and altea, moraira area.

www.infocostablanca.com

valencia is worth a stopover, too, and a couple days at small towns with easy 3.5 hour access to madrid by car or train.

http://tinyurl.com/27dwqx

there is a beautiful castle hotel (parador),ALARCON, on route from madrid to valencia ( car only) that will give you some great photo opportunities, giving you an insight to medieval spain.

http://tinyurl.com/yu5nd8

there are so many places to choose from, depends on how much time you want to spend TRAVELLING between them.

For 'beautiful coastal areas' I would lean toward the Costa Brava (northeast of Barcelona). Alternatively, I might recommend the north coast (from Laredo in Cantabria to Llanes in Asturias) as preferable over the Costa del Sol. My favorite coastal area is the Atlantic coast of Galicia (i.e., Baiona & Vigo).

Late June should be a good time to visit: not too hot; not too crowded

thank-you all for the wonderful suggestions - I really appreaciate it very much - if I wanted to keep it easy and not travel that much for just 3 nights - being I must land in Madrid and would prefer not to spend the time in the city during the summer without a pool for my child (although he is an good sport) where would be a special spot - it could be expensive - it is a special trip - to stay where we could drive from Madird stay 3 nights and drive back to MAdrid for our flt to Rome - any ideas -