I am traveling to Spain in June. I plan on spending a few days around the northern coast and the last two days in Madrid. I've been both places, so I'm currently thinking this is enough time. My question is what to do with the remaining (about) 7 days. I've done Barcelona, and not interested in revisiting that area at this time. Do I venture into France, near Bordeaux? Thinking of heading to the southern coast, but wondering if it will be too hot? What about the Western part of Spain? I'll be renting a car, as it looks like that will be the easiest way to get around. No kids and very flexible. Thank you!

We spent a month driving from France to Malaga and back through Madrid. I think given that you have seen Barcelona and the northern coast, then it might be worth venturing to a couple of new place. Both Bayonne and Biarritz are nice as is the area around Dune du Pilat and Archachon. Bordeaux is also a great easy city to spend a few days in if you want to venture outside of Spain that far.

Otherwise, I think the areas "around" Madrid is nice. It would be easy to spend some days in Salamance, Toledo and Avila for example.

The south is nice but I think it depends on how much you like the beach and longer drives. In June it is likely to already be hot and pretty full of tourists. Plus I think it is stretch with 7 days to really be able to get somewhere and relax before you have to turn around again. Plus Andalusia IMO needs at least 7 days for just Granada, Cordoba and Seville. It could work if you return the car in Barcelona versus needing to get north again. Also, I know this isn't the direction you are thinking, but if you want nice beach, Roses, which is north of Barcelona is really nice and you could explore the Med side of France.

I haven't been to Coruna yet so can't comment, but I bet there are some nice places to explore that directions as well.

From the northern coast going to Madrid you could visit the area in between: Burgos, Segovia, Avila, Salamanca (these are the ones I visited).

I really enjoyed Salamanca last year. Also Biarritz and Bayonne. For details see: https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/ and use the search box.

Thank you, all!

San Sebastian and Bilbao are two great and very different cities close to eachother along the Atlantic/Northern coast. And the Basque culture is unlike anything you'll find in the rest of Spain.

San Sebastian:http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...stian-tourism/
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/tr...pain.html?_r=0

Bilbao: http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...ilbao-tourism/
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/24/tr...bao-spain.html

Spain is surprisingly different from region to region, part of the cause of its eternal political turmoil but a real attraction for visitors. I like Bilbao enough to have visited twice. It surely is a contrast to the southeast coast. Its airport has international connections so you might be able to fly in there to start your tour, then home from another city.