Spain - where to go
 

We've booked our flight to Spain in late May. We arrive in Barcelona and leave from Madrid. We have about 9 full days. Should we just stick to Barcelona and Madrid? How long in each city? Should we try to squeeze in anywhere between Barcelona and Madrid? Is a trip to Majorca worth it, or would that make things too hectic? Day trip to Sitges, stay a night or two or skip it all together? Thanks for your suggestions!

Barcelona and Madrid are the two really big cities in Spain and as different as they can be. I would stick with the two + perhaps a couple of day trips, would give you a taste of the huge diversity of Spain.

Barcelona is capital of the Catalan region which seems to be closer than ever to seek independence from Spain (read Madrid "domination"), while Madrid is as "Spanish" as it gets. Barcelona is cutting edge architecture, culture, food, the large medieval Gothic quarter, strong regionalism etc etc., while Madrid is world class museums, majestic buildings and squares, and loads of differnt districts giving a kind of small town feel even to the center of town. Fabulous tapas bars, restaurants and nightlife. Los Gatos (The cats) - as the madrileños are called - don't go to sleep at night...

Updated site on Madrid: http://www.esmadrid.com/en/portal.do
and on Barcelona: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/

What are your interest? Have you never been to Spain before? May is not really beach weather, but it can be warm and sunny.

Does this mean your UK v. Scandinavia thread is null?

I went to Barcelona for a couple of days when I was younger and poorer. I loved it then and look forward to experiencing it again at this point in my life. We like all the things most tourists like: great food and drink, hip neighborhoods, fun museums and relaxing.

Yes BigRuss, my other post is null. Plane ticket fluctuation is crazy! Glad we found a good ticket to Spain!

I would stick to the 2 cities but from Madrid there are some places to go for the day by train. Toledo is only 30 minutes away on the train and is a fabulous walled medieval city. Segovia is also worth seeing not least for its Roman aqueduct and its incredible castle.

With 9 days, you will need to be selective, and only YOU can decide what things most suit YOUR interests. I recommend that you get some good guidebooks (or spend some time with a few in your local library), identify the things you most want to see in each location, note their opening/closing times, and mark them on a calendar. Then pencil in your transportation, add some time on either side (for getting to/from the train/bus station or whatever, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting oriented, etc.). Then see how things fit together.

You'll see some wonderful things no matter what you decide!

>I went to Barcelona for a couple of days when I was younger and poorer. <

If this was more then a dozen years ago, how things have changed!