bambrosia

I'm taking my family of 4 to Spain and none of us have ever been, however we're fairly well traveled and are pretty well versed in Spanish. We will arrive in Barcelona on Thursday, March 29th and will depart Madrid on Monday, April 9th.

What problems will the Semana Santa pose as far as travel and availability of attractions?

At this point, our itinerary has 4 days/nights in Barcelona. From there we are considering a flight to Seville for a 3 night stay, Granada for another 2 nights, then Madrid for our final 2 nights.

My questions:

Is it too much time in Barcelona even considering a jet lag?
Is the ease and efficiency of a flight to Seville worth the expense of Valencia and the coast?
How about the time in Seville and Granada?
We will be in Madrid for the weekend, Sat-Sun and leaving on Monday morning... What are the recommended sights considering the expected closures due to the Holiday?

Are there any events surrounding the Semana Santa that I should not miss experiencing in the cities we are traveling?

Any other feedback?

kimhe

Semana Santa is huge in Spain. Especially in the South it's - at least for outsiders - a strange mix of worship and fiesta 24/7 for a whole week. Everybody out in the streets to watch the processions, restaurants and bars are packed long into the night etc. Museums and sights will normally be open, and even if many shops are closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, the cities will be more crowded and alive than ever in a very special way. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Week_in_Spain

Sevilla has got one of the most famous Holy Week celebrations in the world. The years main event, and hotel prices will be sky high. http://www.exploreseville.com/events/semana-santa.htm

If the Sevilla celebrations seem too massive or if it's hard to find accomodation, perhaps go to nearby small town Carmona for a more relaxed Semana Santa: http://www.andalucia.com/province/se...rmona/home.htm

Granada would also be on its feet, to say the least: http://granadamap.com/santa/

More sombre celebrations in Madrid and Barcelona: http://www.gomadrid.com/semana-santa/
http://barcelona.de/en/barcelona-easter-time.html

kimhe

...and you should have a look at this to the point introduction to Semana Santa in Andalucía. Could be an experience never to be forgotten, but be prepared: http://www.andalucia.com/festival/easter/home.htm

danon

We were in Seville during part of SS last year.
Although it was interesting to see ( using the word loosely, considering the huge crowds )
some of the activities , I would like to go back and experience the city another time.

CathyM

I definately don't think you have too time in Barcelona. In fact I'd consider adding a day or 2. I normally recommend 4 days minimum for Barcelona and more if you want to do any daytrips (Barcelona has some wonderful daytrip options). However, your first day will be likely jetlagged.

Have you already purchased airfare? The reason I ask is you only have 2 nights for Madrid. I'd almost consider skipping Madrid alltogether as it's such a short time. Then you could add a day to Barcelona and a day to Sevilla. You're trying to cover alot of area and cities in just 11 nights. Not to mention it's during Semana Santa which will be going full force in Andalucia.

kimhe has provided you with some excellent links on Semana Santa. I personally love this time and although it's crowded it's a very special time to visit. Make sure you have purchased your bus/train tickets from Granada to Sevilla and your train ticket from Sevilla to Madrid in advance as much of Spain is traveling during these holidays and you don't want to get stuck. If you haven't booked accomodation, particularly in Sevilla, you'll probably want to ASAP as the prices are at a premium and most places may be booked by now. Granada will be similar but probably not as pricey.

bambrosia

Yes, my flights are booked. Should I consider dropping my two nights in Granada to pick up an additional night in Seville and an additional night in Madrid? Or some other re-arranging of dates. I am finding it difficult to find accommodations with less than the 3 night minimum in the South. Not impossible - just less availability.

Also, I am finding some appealing apartments on Friendly Rentals. Is there feedback on this company?

Thanks again - the wealth of knowledge and insight on this sight is truly amazing!

CathyM

It would be a pity to visit Andalucia and not get to visit Granada (IMHO). Personally I'd drop all the time in Madrid and save for another trip, especially since you've only got 2 days to visit as it is....

What time is your flight from Madrid to home? If it's a morning flight I'd take a late train the night before back to Madrid from Granada(or bus or even get a cheap flight). Depending on the timing of your flight out of Madrid you may also be able to fly Granada to Madrid in the morning. An even better idea may be to fly from Barcelona to Granada, then go to Sevilla. Then your final leg of Sevilla to Madrid would only be 2.5 hours by high speed train versus 5 hours from Granada. If you have an early afternoon flight you may be able to then take the train in the morning from Sevilla to Madrid.

I'd add a day to Sevilla (taken from Madrid). This would give you the 4 night minimum and also enough time for a daytrip to Cordoba (which is another must).

But I must admit I am biased towards Andalucia and especially during Semana Santa.....

I've never used Friendly Rentals for Sevilla. I have used sevilla5.com and they are very professional and reliable. An apartment may be a good solution for you particularly with a family of 4. It may not be any more expensive than 2 hotel rooms and you'll have alot more space.

bambrosia

My flight is @ 6:00 AM - so the late train to Madrid might be ideal. I'll look at the differences of timing from Granada or Sevilla.

So with CahtyM's suggestions, at this point I would be 4 nights in Barcelona, 3 nights in Sevilla and 2 nights in Granada. I then have one more night which does not including the late night travel night. Should I add to Barcelona, Sevilla, or Granada for the remaining night? I am leaning toward Barcelona to ensure plenty of time for a day trip and it would accommodated expected jet-lag.

Thanks!

CathyM

I'd add to Sevilla so you'd maybe have time for a daytrip to Cordoba and also meet the 4 night minimums. Also, if you do 4 nights in Barcelona, then 2 in Granada it will put you in Sevilla on Wed, April 4. Thursday is the HUGE day for Semana Santa. Most tourist sites will be closed Thursday afternoon and Friday. Processionals will start in the afternoon only to have another set (the most famous) start at midnight. So it's around the clock! If you stay the extra day in Barcelona it won't put you into Sevilla until Thursday and your first 2 days alot of the sites will be shut down. There's still plenty to absorb and see. But I'd want 4 vs 3 nights in Sevilla due to the holiday closures.

But that's me. I could see a very good argument for adding a day to Barcelona too. Perhaps we can start adding hours to the days in order to get more time in our trips

Pegontheroad

If you plan to be in Sevilla during Semana Santa, be aware that prices in MANY hotels double. I paid $200 for a hotel whose rooms were usually about $75, and I felt lucky to get a room. You may not be able to find room reservations in Sevilla this late.

After my experience last year is Sevilla (TOO MANY PEOPLE!) I decided to go to Málaga for the whole of Semana Santa. I spent 3 days there last year and loved it. It was much more manageable, and the processions were wonderful.

In Sevilla, it rained 4 of the 5 days we were there, so there were no processions. I was disappointed to miss those processions, which is why I'm returning this year.

danon

As PP said, if it rains all the processions are canceled.
Also , since the processions go on at different times at different parts of Seville, one may have problem
getting to a hotel or a train/ bus station for a while.

CathyM

Yes, last year was the worst year I've experienced as far as rain goes during Semana Santa. Hopefully it will be better this year after the last year. And yes it can be crowded in Sevilla during Semana Santa particularly in certain areas where they have the processionals. But I wouldn't give us Sevilla for another city if it was my first trip to Andalucia unless crowds are a particular phobia or concern.

bambrosia

Funny - you all should chime in. I thought I was set with a plan... but then I went to yoga and came out, thinking I'm not sure I'm up for the chaos - particularly with my two daughters 11 and 14. Though, the experience would be memorable and significant I have no doubt! An all-nighter in the streets of Spain amongst the celebrations... how cool is that?!?

On the other hand... Malaga and Carmona have been suggested... or do I skip the whole South and focus our limited time (11 days and 11 nights) somewhere else knowing I could end the trip with several days in Madrid and still get to experience a processional?

CathyM - your feedback has been fantastic and it has come with a qualified bias. Thank you.

I'm open to more feedback, for sure!

kimhe

Would be a real pity not to go South and experience Semana Santa the Andalusian way when you are in Spain at this time of year. Sevilla is the full package, but wonderful Málaga at the coast has been mentioned as a great and not that crowded alternative. The celebration in villages and small cities would of course be much less crowded still, but it's just as serious and festive. Going with the locals through the most important week of their year in a smaller place might even be a more profound experience.

Semana Santa in Málaga: http://www.andalucia.com/festival/easter/malaga.htm

Small Almuñécar on the coast some 50 mins east of Málaga:
http://www.almunecar.com/Visitors_Gu...ster_Week.html

To get you in the mood, here's one of the major floats from the Triana district (Sevilla) entering famous and narrow Calle Sierpes the spectacular way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHf2o...eature=related

The malagueña Diana Navarro singing a typical saeta - a mournful flamenco style song - during Semana Santa in Málaga. Saetas are often sung in the streets or from balconies during the processions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8KwqZIAqps

CathyM

Just have to chime in that there will be crowds in almost every town that has processionals.

In fact the worst crowd experience I had was not in Sevilla but in Cordoba on Calle Alfaros which is near the official route. Every time I took a shortcut I took to avoid the crowd and get to a normal area it dead-ended into the crowd. But once I was able to get out of this quite congested area (after several attempts) it was somewhat normal in other parts where the processionals were not passing at that time.

Same thing in Cadiz where the area around the Cathedral and along the offical route are jam packed. But once outside of this area it's fine.

Even in the small villages everyone in town is out to see the processionals so it will be quite crowded in the center or the action.

Malaga is on my list for Semana Santa next year - but I'm sure it's the same story.