What to do/see in Spain for 10 days alone
 

(32 year old laid-back female) I'm headed to Spain by myself in early June for about 10 days. Besides what's listed in every tour book (museums, tapas, etc), what should I see/do? I was thinking of Madrid for 5 days and Barcelona for 5 days, but then someone said I shouldn't miss Seville, and I'd like to see a "white city".
I'm more of a music and adventure gal (rafting, canoeing, swimming, ATVs, etc), so this is going to be a totally new experience for me. I'm not all that into museums (but will see a few anyway), like beaches, love beer, like shopping (but I'm not rich nor stylish),and am just starting to enjoy wine. I can't find any red wine tastings/tours for just a few hours unless I want to book a private tour. Should I really do any of the tours in Madrid and Barcelona, or just view stuff on my own?
Are there any events going on during the first 2 weeks of June?

You could visit MAD-BCN OR Mad-Sevilla and wider Andalucia--lots of nature stuff you could do. I would not try to visit all three.
To choose fun things to do that appeal to you, check out In Your Pocket, another newsletter is http://lecool.com/.
The Spanish beer was surprisingly good, and I am usually a Belgian trappist kind of gal.

A knowledgeable introduction to wine and tapas in Madrid: http://tapastalk.wordpress.com/tapas-bars/

Organized tapas and wine tour in Old Madrid with a member of the Spanish Wine Tasting Association: http://www.walksofspain.com/

Shopping the Madrid way at El Rastro market: http://www.madrid-guide-spain.com/el-rastro.html

The city’s greatest flamenco festival with some of the best flamenco artists in the world through all of June:
http://www.flamenco-world.com/notici...ca19042010.htm

2/6: Belén López (dance):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1aHoufqeBw

5/6: Estrella Morente (song):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUJA52_oDn8

6/6: David Palomar (song):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq4WDTXGtCQ

10/6: Miguel Poveda (song). From Almodóvars latest movie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3CJiJX-qLE

11/6: Israel Galván (dance):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfmCd-caWUU

12/6: José Mercé (song):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRadQwNsq_Q

15/6 Enrique Morente (song):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqQsKbBRe_Q

16/6: Pastora Galván/ Joaquin Grilo (dance):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptVfjoWYkRo

Madrid cultural calendar June 2010:
http://www.esmadrid.com/en/portal.do?TR=C&IDR=579
http://www.esmadrid.com/en/portal.do


Sevilla has got one of the best tapas scenes in all of Spain: Lots of great places, but you should definitely check out Eslava, El Rinconcillo, Bodega Santa Cruz and Cervecería Giralda.
http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/category/eslava/
http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletap...l-rinconcillo/
http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletap...ga-santa-cruz/
http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletap...ceria-giralda/

Excellent site with all kind of information about Sevilla: http://www.exploreseville.com/

Barcelona is also a fantastic city...

In Madrid: Funky shopping on Fuencarral St. Subway stop: Gran Via.
Then, head to a tiny tavern called "La Ardosa" at Calle Colón 13, where they serve draught beer and vermouth on tap (rec tapa: croqueta or salmorejo). They posses a diploma honouring them as the Best Pilsen Beer Bar in Spain, awarded by the Czech master beer brewers. Also, "La Ardosa" installed the first draught Guinness in Madrid. "La Ardosa" is located in the East Side of Malasaña, a vibrant neighbourhood full of unpretentious bars and clubs (alternative, funk, indie) and bohemian cafés.
http://www.fashionfromspain.com/icex...9956_0,00.html
http://www.laardosa.com/

Since you are going in June I would go to Madrid, Seville and Granada with a trip to either Cadiz or Malaga for the beach. Seville deserves 3 nights and Granada 2. This best represents the romantic myth of "Old Spain", Flamenco, Bullfighting, Moorish vibe, etc. etc. that most of us (americans) are hoping to experience on a first trip there. It becomes unbearably hot in July. Do a tour if you want but you don't need to. Spain is a fun laid back, relaxed culture (especially down south) and it's sometimes best to just walk around, get lost, stop for tapas and beer frequently and people watch. Read Maribelsguides.com to ensure that you will have a great trip.

With just 10 days I would concentrate on only 1 or 2 areas. I'd probably group the areas like this: Madrid (Toledo, Segovia), Barcelona (Girona, Tarragona), San Sebastian (Bilbao, Hondarribia) and Sevilla (Granada, Cordoba).

If you choose one area you'd have time to also visit (or even stay for a night or 2) in the cities I have put in parentheses and even more. If you choose 2 areas you'll have time to visit the main city and maybe a daytrip to one or 2 of the cities in parentheses.

Which area you choose depends on your travel preferences and what you want to see in Spain. Spain is very different as you travel from one region to another - more so than any country I have visited. For example, Barcelona is part of Catalunya and San Sebastian is in the Basque country. As Egbert notes, Andalucia is the land of flamenco, guitar and has a much more visible Moorish influence. Madrid is the capital and very "spanish" feeling with top museums, a fun vibe and great nightlife.

Which area(s) you choose depends on which draws in your interest. And everyone is different - which is why you rarely see everyone on this board giving the exact same recommendation for a trip itinerary :) Whether you choose 1 or 2 areas depends on how in depth you want to visit the area, the pace of the trip you want, and also if you plan to return again (and can see more).

You really couldn't get better advice anywhere than from these posters (not including myself). Spain is so big and different that it is best done as three separate trips. Once you do this one you should plan your next trip next summer to one of my favorite places in the world (along with Seville and Granada)San Sebastian, the most beautiful city I've ever seen!

bookmarking

Beer? In Spain?

I'd only drink Spanish beer if it's fermented from grapes. The Spanish word for that is vino.

beer in Spain is excellent..
given a hot day , I would rather have a glass of cold beer than vino ;the night time is another story.

I've had Spanish beer. Thanks to the EU open borders policies, there are excellent beers in Spain. They come from Netherlands, Belgium, Germany . . .

. . . forgot Ireland (you will find SCORES of Irish[-style] pubs in Spain). As I said above, I'd only drink <b>Spanish beer</b> from grapes. I've made the mistake of drinking Spanish beer from not grapes.

So yes, I've had excellent beer in Spain -- it was called Guinness.

Hi Cathy M.,

I'll be going to Spain by myself in the end of june.Will stay 6 nights in Barcelona and was thinking 2 nights in San Sebastian.What do you recommend in Barcelona,any specific tapa places,nigh clubs,beaches,flamengo shows,cafes???Have you been to this restaurant there, call Sant Pau??What about music festivals,any ones??You think end of june will be terrible hot?Also where should I stay in San Sebastian,what is there to see besides the beaches?Any beach you recommend?
Have you been to Bearritz,believe is in the border with France?If yes,how far in from San Sebastian?Do you go by train?Thank you,Talitha

Madrid, Barcelona and Seville all good and miles apart.

Seville has some good horse riding locally

Picos d'europa is a bit of wilderness in a european country. Rooja reasonably close by for wine tasting as is Rias Baxas

Barcelona has Freixenet and Torres close by for a wandering wine tasting

to talithafalkenburg_04

I suggest you start a new thread for your questions, but as I see you are new on Fodors and it might have some relevance for the original poster mknichel:

The El Born area in Barcelona is great. Superb tapas bars, restaurants, cafés and a vibrant atmosphere. Also quite close to the Barceloneta beach (10 mins walking):
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html

El Cordobes is the most renowned flamenco tablao in Barcelona, in fact one of the best in all of Spain. Until July 1st they are running the performance De Aki Paka (From here to there). With among others the brilliant songer and dancer (quite unusual for flamenco artists to both sing and dance these days) Ana Salazar who have performed at all the most important flamenco festivals. http://www.tablaocordobes.com/home/general/en/1/

San Sebastián is my favourite town in Spain, have visited almost every year since the late 80's. Hostal Alemana is great value and excellent location 50 metres from the famous La Concha beach. http://www.hostalalemana.com/ingles/
Bearritz is about an hour away with bus, excellent public transport in general in the area. The coast to the west of San Sebastián is also great with lots of charming fishing villages such as Getaria, Lekeitio etc.

This will give you an idea of faboulous and food-crazy San Sebastián (you should stay more than two days...)
http://marshlands.blogstream.com/

The Spanish themselves would go in great numbers to both these coasts in summer. Great food, great culture, great beaches and not that hot.

So many great responses. One to read Maribels guides. You can also e-mail her with your questions and get an informative response. Richard

Try the Mahou beer when in Spain. Or perhaps the Alhambra or Mesquita beer on the roof-top terrace in Casa de Granada, close to Plaza Tirso de Molina in Madrid? 6th floor of C/ Doctor Cortezo 17.
http://www.tripfilms.com/Travel_Vide...ada-Video.html