I'm looking for some guidance on a trip I'll be taking in summertime to Spain - and I'd like to hear if anyone suggests that time be extended in any of these cities - and reduced in another. We'll only be going to a small amount of museums:
Saturday - arrive Madrid very early from US
Tuesday morning - high speed train to Seville
Thursday morning - fly to Barcelona
Depart for US on Sunday morning

I would spend less time in Madrid, but see one of the three great art museums and the Palacio Real.

Stop in Cordoba for a day to see the Mezquita (Great Mosque), it's on the way to Seville. The Cathedral and Real Alcazar make Seville worth two days.

I would also try to get to Granada to see the Alhambra, but there's only so much time in a week! Actually, I prefer Andalucia to Barcelona, but you have to see for yourself.

I have to disagree with lostinplace regarding Madrid, one of Spain's most vibrant cities. Also, since this planned trip is during the hottest time of the year, a Spanish summer, I'd suggest looking further north after spending the first few days in Madrid. I'd go with Madrid, Barcelona and Green Spain.

Hi

Yes another vote for Madrid. And Seville will be stinkin' hot. So go north as suggested. Try San Sebastion. Gets alot of good reviews.

Drop Seville in a hurry; bad idea for a summertime, rush itinerary as your appears to be. Head out to Barcelona on Wednesday instead with day trip(s) from there. You do not have a lot of time to go all over the place, so pick two home bases max.

Spend less time in Seville and more in Barcelona.

I agree, Seville and the south in general will be way too hot. Barcelona is wonderful, and so is Madrid -- I hadn't been to Madrid in years but recently took a business trip there, thoroughly enjoyed it, and am eager to go back. San Sebastian is terrific also, and it will give you a pleasant break from the heat elsewhere. So, instead of Andalucia you might substitute a trip up San Sebastian. You'd probably have to fly, because it's pretty far from both Madrid and Barcelona.

My sister and I visited a number of cities in Spain in September 2004, over a span of three weeks. Were I to have had only eight days, as you do, I'd skip Barcelona and Seville and spend the entire time in Madrid and environs, including Avila, Segovia, Salamanca, and Toledo, all of which are stunning and not far from Madrid.

The folks are correct about Sevilla in the summertime.

You are trying to pack too much into less than a week.

When you arrive in Madrid, store your bags in your hotel and start exploring. Try to stay outdoors for the first day, to acclimate...or store your bags at the train station and take a day trip to Toledo.

Toledo, Segovia and El Escorial all are good day trips from Madrid and there is plenty to do in that short of a time. You could even take a day trip to Cordoba, as the train is very fast.

Try not to miss the Guernica in the Reina Sofia. Try to find a hotel in the Puerto del Sol, a nice spot in the major pedestrian zone. Easy walk to the Plaza Mayor and, in the other direction, the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen muesuems.

My advice in order of price, quality, and atmosphere.

Number one with a bullet barcelona, not even close,it has everthing, food, beach, art, intensity, and its cheap.

2. Seville, it may be hot but it's very nice.

3. I like madrid, but my least favorite in spain. Great art.

Spend more time in barcelona.

Sevilla in the summer is brutally hot. Did it once, never again! I like Madrid a lot and I am one of those few people that don't care about Barcelona. I would do Madrid 3 days and if I could get a decent fare to San Sebastian go there for a 2-3 days. From there you could do a daytrip to Bilbao.

What's wrong with Sevilla in the summer. That's when it's best.

Does everybody (except lostinplace)afraid warmth?

Sevilla is alive at night and it's always the best time to be there in summer.

Blackduff

It pulses at night, incredible.

Nothing "wrong" with Sevilla in the summer other than being a 102 degrees in the shade. If you don't mind that, by all means go. The positive is that at least it is dry heat not humid.

Did Mbuti mention the date of this trip?

Of course Sevilla gets warm in the summer but all of Spain gets hot in the summer. Barcelona gets pretty warm in the summer and the humidity is much higher than Sevilla. In August you can expect somewhere 35 degrees Celcius (ca 95 F) so don't think it's cool. It's right on the Mediterranean and the humidity is high.

Blackduff

Sevilla is a beautiful city but definitely sizzling HOT in the summer. Try the Catalunia region, Barcelona or even the Balearic islands...Formentera. Or maybe go to Valencia or along the coast.

in response to blackduff <<Does everybody (except lostinplace)afraid warmth?<< I grew up in Puerto Rico and I would NOT spend an hour in Seville in the summer!! You can have it!

frankly, its not like you are ging there for weeks on end. so... you are hot for two days.

if you want to see sevilla, i guess it is the only chance you have, so.. go enjoy it. just make sure you get AC in the hotel there and EVERYWHERE.

WOW! Thank you everyone. I will take all of this into consideration. I appreciate your very honest feedback.

I wisited Spain in August some years ago. Yes, it was hot but at the age of 30 it was not much of a problem.
Now, 20 years later, I would not do it.