Spain vacation itinerary suggestions
 

Hello all,

I was hoping to get some help planning out a 2-week itinerary in Spain. We'll be going there in September 2015, with our 18-month old. This is what I currently have, does it sound reasonable?

Fly into Barcelona (3 days)
Fly to Granada (2 nights, 1 day)
Seville (3 days)
Madrid (4 days), fly out of Madrid

Thanks!

Do not miss Cordoba. Fly from Barcelona to Madrid them train to Cordoba, Granada, Sevilla and back to Madrid.

I am currently planning our next trip to Spain (also in September) and this is our plan:

Fly into Madrid, drive to Cuenca, stay 2 nights.

Explore the area, spend one night in Albarracin.

More exploring, especially interested in off the beaten path places, prehistoric rock and cave paintings , castle ruins.

One night in Alcaniz.

Drive toward the coast, probably stay two nights in Tarragona.

Drive to Monserrat, visit a Facebook friend, drive to Zaragoza, spend the night.

Late checkout from the Zaragoza hotel, drive to Madrid for supper, (staying near the airport) fly out the next morning.

I am wondering if Tarragone is worth two nights? Or should we skip th ecoast altogether and spend a couple of nights near Zaragoza?

Mark

Thanks alvamo. We'd also like to drive a bit if possible. Can we take a car from any of these locations you suggested?

alvamo.... Why on earth would one criss cross and fly to madrid and then train back to Madrid?

Your trip as planned is very logical. If you want to go to Cordoba, also, you can do it on way to Madrid on AVE train leaving luggage at bus station across the street, or as day trip or overnight, as you please.

The fact you are traveling with a baby might lend me to think the Granada, Sevilla, Madrid will be very tiring.. museums.. palaces, etc.

You will just have to pace yourselves and see what you can.

Your itinerary is just fine as is. You might stop in Cordoba on the way to Madrid. Of course it's possible to use a car between these places for lugging along all the baby stuff, but you'd probably have to garage it in the cities. I wouldn't drive to Madrid. Empty spaces, not much to see.

It really depends on what YOU want to see and experience. For my tastes, this trip would not be satisfactory, as I would have to skip too many wonderful things.

I recommend that you get a few good guidebooks (always a good investment, IME) or consult a few at your local library. Identify the things that interest YOU and note their opening hours. Mark things on a calendar, along with transportation, time to check into / out of hotels, etc.

Please note that many places in Spain are closed for hours during the middle of the day and are often closed on Mondays (and Sunday afternoons), too. Play accordingly!

Kja,we like history, architecture and getting to know a bit of the local culture. If your tastes are similar, I'd love to hear suggestions on what to include. Right now, I am just trying to make a broad plan, will refine it over time.

"Kja,we like history, architecture and getting to know a bit of the local culture. If your tastes are similar, I'd love to hear suggestions on what to include."

My interests include art, architecture, culture, food, and wine. FWIW:

I spent 4.5 full days (5 nights) in Barcelona; worked for me -- but I was on the move from morning to night EVERY bit of my time there, and that time did NOT include any day trips.

I spent 3 nights - about 2.5 days -- in Granada; about right for me. Note that you need AT LEAST two nights for the Alhambra, IMO, so that you can see it during both the day and then, later that day, during the evening.

I had 2 days in Sevilla and seriously regret that I did not have more. (I had planned on more, but lost a day to an unexpected disruption.) That did NOT include any side trips. I spent 2 full days and nights in Cordoba, rather than visiting it from Sevilla. If I were to go again, I would plan on AT LEAST 3 full days in Sevilla, and maybe more.

I had 4 full days in Madrid -- but also 2 full days and nights in Toledo, and a day and night in Segovia, and part of a day and night in Avila....

Spain is a wonderful destination, with incredible richness and variety in what it offers. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful experience no matter what you choose!

If you like small towns, once you fly to granada get a car there and enjoy stopping in villages along the way .. there are plenty of attractive little calm places to see if that is something that appeals to you. With a baby it MIGHT be easier than keeping to schedules of transportation.

Your original plan is good and should be great for your interests. Just beaware that September is normally very, very hot in inland cities such as Granada, Sevilla and Madrid, so you could end up with the seven last days in very high temperatures.

In Granada you are close to the Med and the cooler climate down at the coast, for example in Almuñecar. A fabulous drive from Granada as well: http://www.holavalencia.net/2010/02/...and-almunecar/

In Sevilla you are quite close to 3000 year old Cadiz (Phoenician Gadir) by the sea: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/cadiz.htm

And from Madrid there is only a 90 min train ride with the high speed AVE train to coastal big city Valencia with great beaches ++: http://www.visitvalencia.com/en/home

I thought September had his weather. How bit does it get? I am actually now thinking of doing the reverse journey, so start in madrid and end in Barcelona. Is that a bad idea based on weather then?

More Barcelona than Madrid would be the choice here. But it's your trip.

Great time to go but it can still be hot.... Cooler up in the Basque Country and the vineyards and winerys will be splendid -just coming into harvest...

Average highs in Sevilla in September is some 90F, but it can easily get over 100F some days. Normally hot throughout September in the Spanish inland. (wetteronline.de)

Average highs in Barcelona in September would be some 80-85F.

For history, genuine atmosphere and a cooler breeze by the sea, consider 3000 year old Cádiz (Gadir) or 3000 year old Malaga city (Malaka) (close to Sevilla and Granada respectively).
Video intro to Malaga: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...pt-secret.html
Video intro to Cádiz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33JUrGwZQLY

Malaga city info (going myself this September): http://www.malagaturismo.com/en
http://www.andalucia.com/cities/malaga/home.htm

Cádiz info: http://www.cadizturismo.com/?set_language=en
http://www.andalucia.com/cities/cadiz.htm

i am leaving to Barcelona in a weeks time. Since I love driving so my itinerary is like this. Arriving in BCN and hire car from airport. 2 nights in Barcelona, 2 nights in Valencia, 4 nights in Malaga. there is much to do in Andalusia. Try Airbnb, you will get very very good apartments. if you need more details, ask me.

i wouldn't collect the car until i left barcelona