Hello,

We're planning a trip in September and would appreciate your thoughts and advice. We're both in the design field and will be interested in the art and architecture in Barcelona and Madrid. We'd like to visit the Alhambra, so advice here would be great. Also planning some leisurely travel along the Costa Del Sol or Costa Brava.

We'd like to visit the Guggenheim in Bilbao but it seems rather difficult. I've only found a train from Madrid or a flight from Seville. Is there more to do in Bilao to make the trip worth more than a visit to view the Guggenheim? Being seasoned European travelers we know better than to over extend ourselves, so a more compact visit is likely within the two week timeframe that we anticipate.

Thanks,
R

September is a great time for Spain. Andalucia will still be a bit warm if it's early Sept. (But better than August)

When in Sept?

2 weeks is not a lot of time if you want to visit:

Barcelona
Madrid
Seville
+/- Bilbao

If you allot 3 days to each city listed above, there goes your 2 weeks. I'm not seeing any extra time for "leisurely travel along the Costa Del Sol or Costa Brava."

We were in Bilbao on a day trip from Santander - saw the museum and the "old town" . There is more to see but I would not take days "away" from Madrid, Barcelona, Seville., Granada to travel to Bilbao....
Exploring Art and architecture in Madrid and Barcelona can take a lot of time. Seville can be really hot in Sept.
Flying in Madrid and out of BCN is an option (or the other way around)
Agree with PP: not much time for leisurely travel..

You've been to Europe so you know that it is best savored slowly. For art & architecture, Barcelona, Madrid (for the museums) & Granada (for Alhambra) would be the absolute must sees with Sevilla very, very close behind. Bilboa, Figueres, Cordoba etc would be second tier imho. Work around the must sees & add Nerja for some beaching. And plan to go back.