Should I propose in Barcelona, Granada, or Seville this July?
 

Hi there, I'm planning to propose this July during a trip to Spain. She's the travel planner, so I have our itinerary, but I don't know much about each of the locations, which means I am having a very difficult time figuring out which location to focus on.


Proposal Spot Preferences:

1. Beautiful scenery
   
2. Not very busy (this one may be tough)
   
3. Prefer earlier in the trip
   

Our itinerary is as follows:

• Barcelona: 14th - 17th
  
• Granada: 18th - 19th
  
• Seville: 20th - 24th
  
• Madrid: 25th - 28th
  

My question: Based on my Preferences and Itinerary, would you strongly suggest either Granada or Seville over Barcelona? If not, I'll probably just focus on Barcelona.

If anyone can at least point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it!

Of the cities you named Seville is my favorite. But if you want to do it early in the trip then Barcelona. It will be busy but you'll draw a crowd, and you'll get a round of applause when she says yes.

I suggest you propose either before or after your trip so you can adjust depending on her answer. How awkward to be traveling together if she says "no thanks."

Someone mentioned that Seville may be super hot, and implied that it may be notably more uncomfortable than other spots. If that's the case, I really should probably favor somewhere else b/c she's the type that 'melts' in the heat. I know it'll be hot everywhere, but is the notion that Seville will be the hottest one you'd agree with? Someone else also mentioned Alhambra as being somewhere that would be busy, but that I could find somewhere shaded and quieter to do it. Agree? Disagree?

I probably should've included that she's been nudging me to do it, and picked out the type of ring she wants, etc -- it's a formality at this point really, but I still want it to feel like more than that for her. I'm also certain that her preference is for me to propose while we're abroad.

Granada has lovely restaurants, called Carmens, that face the Alhambra which is beautifully lit at night. They are located in El Albacin, the old Moorish quarter of the city. I think a proposal there could be quite romantic or dinner first and a proposal afterwards. I think this is the one we ate it but there are several: https://www.abenhumeya.com/carta-aben-humeya-ingles. There are also some lovely gardens in Granada should you prefer a more private setting.

Congratulations! Yes, Seville will be very hot.

One idea would be to go to the Alhambra first thing in the morning (you don't need a ticket to access most of the site) and find a quiet spot to propose. If you get there before 10am (or better before 9), you can likely find a relatively private spot among some rose bushes or near a fountain. That would certainly be a memorable place to get engaged! You could also go to the Mirador San Nicolas, where you'll have a great view of the Alhambra. Again, go in the morning for privacy.

If you want to do the proposal in Barcelona you could go to the steps of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, which looks out on the city. It's not very private, but it's pretty. If you go early, you woudn't encounter crowds. The Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau site in Barcelona is also very beautiful. It's made up of a number of late 19th century hospital buildings. I know that doesn't sound romantic, but the buildings are beautiful and the grounds have lovely landscaping. It's also a quieter, less-visited site in the busy city. The Palau de Musica is also a grogeous jewel-box of a site. Perhaps if you had tickets for a tour, you could contact the site ahead of time and ask if it's possible to have a few minutes in the concert hall to make the proposal. I keep mentioning privacy because most women I know don't want a super public proposal. Unless you know that she loves big, public grand gestures, I'd err on the side of finding a quieter spot.

Good luck! Please come back and let us know what you decide!

After sleeping on it, I have another idea. Ask her what she is looking forward to seeing the most in Spain. As an example, let's say she mentions the Alhambra. When you get to the Alhambra, look at her face and body language. If it seems to be the magical moment she expected, then go for it and make the moment even better.

Or alternatively just propose to her in a nice restaurant, or when you are relaxing and enjoying a view, or whatever, without making a big public thing of it. It is between the two of you after all.
You will know when the moment is right. Go with your gut, and don't feel it has to be somewhere spectacular to make it "special". It will be special and memorable no matter where.

Seville in the Summer is like walking on the sun. Granada is at a higher elevation and is cooler.

Since the Magic Fountain in Barcelona seems to be turned off because of drought, I would vote for Seville. Maybe at night in front of the Giralda Tower when it’s illuminated (really pretty and romantic, I think), or at the Plaza de Espana which is also a beautiful setting.

If she, or the both of you are Christian/Catholic, and plan to get married in a church, then here is my recommendation: do something unique, and personal.

Do some research about small beautiful churches in Barcelona - perhaps one that's nearby where you are staying that you'll be certain to pass by either on purpose or coincidentally.
It could also be a chapel in a larger church like Sagrada Familia.... but I would go small. It could be a church with a name that means something to her. Her middle name, or her mother's name, or favorite aunt, or grandmother..... Something personal to show you've put some thought into it.

Walking by the church early in your trip you could out of the blue say something like "oh, I heard this is a cool church - i want to go in...."
Find a meaningful place in the church - near the altar, or by an apse, or somewhere else memorable - by windows with the light shining through, or whatever....
& propose there.

If you are of another religion, then you have those options as well.
If a church isn't appropriate for the 2 of you, then plan b is pick somewhere like a unique little park, or other outdoor setting where she'll never expect it, but will be memorable...


ps. P_M's idea of the Alahmbra would fit my idea of unique.... There are so many arches, apses, naves, nooks & crannies, etc..... Personally I'd find something earlier in Barcelona, but I like P_M's thinking.

I can’t imagine a more romantic place than the Alhambra in Granada at night. Walk back down into the old town center - an engaged couple! The walk in the dark is lovely too.

Think about whether she'd want an audience and a round of applause. I know I wouldn't.

I’m a classicist when it comes to proposals and would prefer a private setting such as a restaurant than a tourist site, but that’s me. And I lean toward proposing sooner than later because that ring would be burning a hole in my pocket - and she’s probably wondering when you’ll pop the question!

I found this and thought it had some fun ideas: https://www.foreverbarcelona.com/rom...ose-barcelona/

I have no specific places in mind, but I’d look for romantic restaurants with a view especially if they have a terrace. Just a concept, nothing specific.

I LOVE and second the idea of proposing on the steps near the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya--although I would pivot to the beautiful, grand stone stairs to the west of the museum near where the escalators are. I looked it up on Google Maps and they are called Escales Amb Fonts. I was there on International Museum Day and a HUGE auto show was nearby and there wasn't a soul on those steps. I took some photos and thought a movie scene should definitely be filmed there. I only wish you would have a professional photographer capture the moment. Congratulations on a sure-to-be romantic trip in your future.

I think you need to propose when the time feels perfect and right for you. You will know. just keep the ring in your pocket

My son was so nervous when he proposed on a vacation. My only advice is to do it early so you can enjoy the rest of your trip.

I think proposals should be private, also, not a performance event. To me, a restaurant is not private at all. YOu are guaranteeing a performance that way, seems to me. It will b e public, restaurant staff in on it, she might squeal, whatever.

Of course this isn't a surprise, does anyone propose by surprise any more?

I think some nice outdoor place is better than a restaurant, if you aren't going to really do it privately, which would be when you are alone.

Or, another possibility is to take a page from Mayor/Secretary Pete Buttigieg and author Chasten Glezman Buttigieg who became engaged at an airport terminal:

Lovely start to a trip!

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...eg/3928568001/

I second the church proposal in Barcelona. Neither my husband or I is religious but we found Santa Maria del Mar to be very peaceful and quite empty. Also very cool (as in not hot). https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp...TF-8#cobssid=s