This is my first time in europe and i really want to go to spain. i want to see most of spain, or at least the major cities. any suggestions for a possible itinerary?

Start by looking at a guide book - most include some sort of itineraries.

But a couple of questions: 1) When (time of year)? 2) For how long?

Search for a thread by Comfyshoes for ideas. I will top it for you.

will traveling in june for 3 weeks. i was thinking about something along these lines. but i reall want to go to barcelona. also what is the best way to get around.
Day 1. Arrive in Madrid
Day 2. City tour and a quick trip to a little village called Chincon (personal reasons) (stay in madrid)
Day 3. Visit Prado Museum, plaza Mayor, and Royal Palace (stay in madrid)
Day 4. Visit Toldeo (stay in Madrid), evening at a bull fight (stay in madrid)
Day 5. Open day in Madrid. Likely Real Madrid Stadium? etc (stay in madrid)
Day 6. Visit Segovia (stay in madrid)
Day 7. Visit Avila (stay in madrid)
Day 8. Visit Salamanca (stay in madrid)
Day 9. AVE to Sevilla (walk neighborhoods, and then dinner at La Juderia restaurant, then attend flamenco at la casa de memoria, stay in Sevilla)
Day 11. Walk, walk, walk in Sevilla! (Cathedral, Alcazar, Plaza de Toro) Stay in Sevilla

Looks like you are following ComfyShoes' itinerary like I plan to. Spend a few days in Seville, soak in the nearby cities such as Granada, Cordoba, etc, and then take AVE to Barcelona for the remainder of the time. Most spanish cities can be walked easily but going to nearby cities would a problem. If you are doing Madrid to Seville in AVE and then on to Barcelona on it, you may not have a need for a car unless you visit nearby cities.

how long does it take to see sevilla? Is it worth it to stop in cordoba?

You need to read and figure out what you want to do! Get Fodors' guide on Seville. I am keeping four days to see this beautiful city at a slow enough pace. Also get comfy's detailed itinerary and google Seville for more information.

Depends on what you want to see in Sevilla, but a few days would cover the main sights.
I loved Cordoba and could have spent more than a couple days there, but it is an easy day trip from Sevilla to see the mosque--which I highly recommend. (Or you could possibly take a train from Madrid, hang out in Cordoba a while, then continue to Sevilla the same day).

what other cities are worth visiting? i was thinking about basque country?

Please help me! is this too much. what reconmndations do you suggest?


Day 1. Arrive in Madrid
Day 2. City tour and free day (stay in Madrid)
Day 3. Visit Prado Museum, plaza Mayor, and Royal Palace (stay in Madrid)
Day 4. Explore City
Day 5 Explore City
Day 6. Visit Toledo (stay in Madrid), evening at a bull fight (stay in Madrid)
Day 7. Visit Cuenca (stay in Madrid)
Day 8. Visit Segovia (stay in Madrid)
Day 9. Visit Salamanca (stay in Salamanca)
Day 10. Visit Avila (en route to Madrid )
When in Madrid go to Cordoba via AVE
Day 11 Explore city (stay overnight)
Day 12 Explore City leave at night to Sevilla
Day 13. Explore city (dinner at La Juderia restaurant, then attend flamenco at la casa de memoria,)
Day 14. Walk, walk, walk in Sevilla! (Cathedral, Alcazar, Plaza de Toro) Stay in Sevilla
Day 15.explore City
Day 16 explore City
Day 17 Visit Cadiz
Day 18 Visit Granada (Stay in Granada)
Day 19 AVE to Barcelona Stop in Zaragoza and Calatayud
Day 20 Explore city
Day 21 Explore City
Day 22 Visit Montserrat
Day 23 Explore City
Day 24 Go To Valencia (Stay night)
Day 25 Explore City and Leave for Madrid to go home

I loved all the places you've mentioned visiting! I gave them all more time than you are planning to do, so if you've got more time, you might consider adding time in some of these locations. In particular, I don't think Salamanca is well-suited as a day-trip from Madrid - too much to see there, too much time to get there and back. But we all travel at different paces! Granada, Cordoba, and Ronda are all reasonable additional locations given your plan - and all, IMHO, worth seeing. Hope that helps!

We were posting at the same time! I personally think your revised plan is much better.

any recommended hotels or activites?

Visit the cathedral in Madrid, as well as the Reina Sofia and Thyssen museums. I'd also go to the Debod (spelling?) Temple and Retiro park.

what is the best way to get to valencia from barcelona, and from valencia to madrid?

Updated interary!! Please comment! is there something on the way i should see, add/remove some days in some cities, different modes of transportation?

Day 1. Arrive in Madrid
Day 2. Explore City
Day 3. Explore City
Day 4. Explore City
Day 5. Explore City
Day 6. Visit Toledo by train (stay in Madrid)
Day 7. Visit Cuenca by train (stay in Madrid)
Day 8. Visit Segovia by train (stay in Madrid)
Day 9. Visit El Escorial by bus (stay in Madrid)
Day 10. Train to Salamanca, Explore Ávila on the way (stay in Salamanca)
Day 11. Explore City (stay in Salamanca)
Day 12. Train to Madrid, when in Madrid, AVE to Sevilla, explore Córdoba on the way (stay in Sevilla)
Day 13. Explore City
Day 14. Explore City
Day 15. Explore City
Day 16. Visit Cádiz by train (stay in Sevilla)
Day 17. Train to Granada, and then train to Valencia (sleep on train)
Day 18. Explore City (stay in Valencia)
Day 19. Explore City
Day 20. Train to Barcelona (stay in Barcelona)
Day 20. Explore City
Day 21. Explore City
Day 23. Explore City
Day 22. Visit Montserrat (stay in Barcelona)
Day 24. Train to Madrid via AVE (Explore Zaragoza and Calatayud on the way)
When in Madrid board flight home

day 17 makes no sense

I am sorry , but how are you "exploring" Zaragoza and Calatayud on the way on one day (day 24)??? Never been there but it sounds like a frenzy! Also, is there an AVE train between Barca and Madrid??

Also, agree with prior poster about day 17. Why the rush out of Granada and then spend 3 nights in Valencia??

well i was planning to explore granada for a day then head out to valencia at night. there will be an AVE lina running to Barcelona when i intend to travel (2008)

I can recommend a hotel in Madrid: I just stayed at Hotel Europa, in Puerta del Sol. It was friendly, clean and safe, with a terrific location and price.

Many thanks to Fodor's posters for recommending it to me when I was planning my trip -- I'm passing along the suggestion now. Enjoy your trip!