What did your teens love about Spain?
 

Hi! We're a family of 4 with two teens (17 and 18 - girl and boy) who want to travel to Spain this summer. DH and I have been to Spain and, based on our trip, think the kids would love Andalucia (some time in Madrid, then Granada, maybe Cordoba, see Ronda, Gibraltar). However, the time we can go, because of their school and summer activity schedules, is August. We relize the South of Spain is pretty toasty during that time, but we're from Florida, so it's not like it's toasty at home, too.

Should we stick with an Andalusian itinerary? Or should we perhaps go to Valencia, and then head North to Barcelona? Somehwere else?

I'm looking for people who have taken their older teens there, and for feedback on what their teens really liked (and didn't!).

Our kids are at the tops of their classes, academically, have each had 5 years of Spanish study (not fluent because they are too shy! I am fluent in Spanish) and love learing about different cutlures, art, nature... pretty much anything! They love trying new food but that will obviously be accomplished no matter where we go.

Thanks!

Well Barcelona would certainly be more temperate and has lots to love with the Gaudi and other Modernismo sights. I'll let someone else comment on HOW HOT IS IT because certainly some of the sights in Andulucia are don't miss but maybe you could limit your time there, just enough to see the highlights and then go to aother part of the country. You don't say how long your trip will be. I think the Spanish like to go to San Sebastian in the summer for "the shore" - I am visiing there for the first time in May and really looking forward to it.

Thanks, suec1! We will be there for 9 days, only, unfortunately. So not a whole lot of time to "traverse" the country.

I went to Sevilla and Cordoba with my son when he was 13 and he loved it. He also likes Madrid very much and the day trips to Toledo and Segovia we have done from there.

I would never recommend to anybody to go to Andalucia in the summer, but you seem to be aware of the weather situation. Dont understimate it though, pace yourself.

With 9 days I would recommend 4-5 days In Sevilla (with a day trip to Cordoba. You could even do a day trip to Granada , but it will be a very long day. Or you could do an overnight in Granada and stay 3-4 nights in Sevilla instead) and 4-5 days in Madrid, with optional day trips to Segovia and Toledo.

IMO, Gibraltar is not worth effort.

Oh, really? Why don't you think Gibraltar is worth the effort? My husband and I had great fun ther seeing the little museum, touring the caves inside "the rock," visiting the Barbary Apes, and enjoying the pub fare (it was pretty expensive though, I will admit). We wanted to take the ferry to Morrocco when we went, but the winds were too strong (this was in April). We thought the two teens would get a kick out of the apes and the tunnels/caves, and would enjoy telling everyone they went to Africa over the summer! We stayed at The Rock hotel, which we thought was very quaint, in an old Agatha Christie sort of way (and it was so cool to read bout it in the third "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" book!)

Nine days, Spain, Morroco, and Gibraltar?

You will certainly become closer to them as you will spend most of your time in cramped cabs, planes, and trains.

I hope you have time to see the places you want to impress your kids with. Maybe you can wave as you pass by.

I also visited the sites you mention during my one day visit to Gibraltar (we did it as a stop during a cruise). I thought it was mildly interesting , but since you have only 9 days I wouldnt consider sacrificing one day in Spain to visit Gibraltar.

They (18 and 15 at the time) loved the time they weren't with their parents (I'm the dad) in Barcelona. Lots of other young people. Shopping for junk. Eating street food.

We visited Spain last July with our teens (16 and 13 at time). Older teen absolutely loved Granada/Alhambra. Bought and actually read "Tales of the Alhambra" while we were there. We had early morning tickets, so heat wasn't a problem. It's a dry heat.

Plan for afternoon siestas, downtime, breaks for cool drinks etc. Then go out again for late dinner as sun goes down.

We also spent time in Madrid (daughter wanted to hit all 3 major art museums), then headed for mts for cooler weather and hiking - Pena de Francia in West and Pyrennes in north (more to our son's interest). Nice to balance the big city/museum touring with small towns/physical activity.

Kids enjoyed staying in a castle Parador (Cardona), trying new food everywhere, watching street performers from flamenco (Granada) to band of instrumentalists at a small bar who taught us the local dances (La Alberca).

Have fun!

Thank you, Dusty Roads! Just the sort of info I was seeking.

Sevilla, Granada, Madrid is more than enough for 9 days. I might add a night in Malaga before taking the high speed train back to Madrid where I like to end my trip with a couple of nights. Don't spend time trying to get to Gibraltar, really not enough time to go to Ronda. Did anyone mention how hot it will be? Easily could be 105 degrees everyday in Andalucia.

I forgot to answer the question. In Sevilla, the Alcazar, Giralda, and bullring, in Granada the Alhambra and the Gypsy caves of Sacromonte, in Malaga the Alcazaba and the fact that it's the home of Antonio Banderas, (maybe they will not know who he is, he's no spring chicken).

@Egbert - thanks for the great concrete answers! And, all they need to know about Antonio Banderas to be impressed with Malaga is that he is Puss in Boots in Shrek!!! :)

@Dusty Roads - we also love to hike so we will have to find some places to do that as well.

Thanks everyone for the great tips!

I took my teen son and daughter to Spain and they both LOVED Gibralter, not only for the apes but we also hiked down from the top of the rock, and visited the caves on the way down.

Their other favorites were Seville, Toledo where we also spent a night, and Cordoba. Those were mine too.

Well I won't dispute that your kids would probably enjoy the apes at Gibraltar but it's more about how to spend your time. Some of this depends on how much you like to move around - me, I don't like to pack and unpack alot; traveling with two teens and 9 nights, I'd really be inclined to limit the moving about. If this were my trip I'd chose two destinations, either Madrid and Seville or Barcelona and Seville (I think Barcelona is the better option but in some ways Madrid works easier with the high speed train). Esp. in Seville you can sightsee early in the day, then have some down time then go out at night again with the natives - they are really night crawlers.

I have said before that I think if you do Seville and Cordoba you do not need to add in Granada ("experts" may disagree). But the Alcazar and gardens in Seville plus the Mezquita will be an excellent exposure to the Moorish period of Spanish history.

I agree with suec1 that Gibralar is out of the way and probably is not a good fit. You did not mention how much time you have so you might fit it in if you have enough. Down near Gibraltar you can even take a day trip to Tangiers in Morocco on the hydrofoil. The city is nothing special but the old Suk (market) is fun - a taste of the mid-east and could be very interesting for your kids. My son really liked it. I briefly mentioned Toledo and it is also a special place that the kids liked a lot, particularly the little shops and exploring the winding alleys. Toledo attracts a lot of day trippers, but completely changes character at night.

Personally, I would spend more time in Barcelona, Madrid etc as opposed to so much time down south. I was there with my now Husband a few years ago in July, and Andalusia really slows down as most residents leave the heat. Granada was great for the Alhambra, and Seville was nice too. I didn't find there was much to do in Ronda and the other small towns we visited.

I have been to Barcelona twice and it is amazing. So much sightseeing to do and a great energy. Your kids would love it! Plus, you can go to the beach if you want a day to unwind and relax by the water. Madrid with a day trip to Toledo would also be wonderful if it can be worked in.