3 weeks in Spain

The choice of a car depends on what smaller towns you need/want to use the car to see. Between the big cities, train is faster and much more convenient, so you'll more likely use a mix of transport, rather than all car. It's fine to pick up and drop off a car in different locations in Spain without any significant fee. Plan the destinations first, and then see what transport works best.

Rick's new Spain 2017 edition has just hit bookstores. You can also get some itinerary ideas at https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/spain/itinerary.

Three weeks is a good amount of time. We took the RS Best of Spain tour and that is about 2 weeks. Laura is right- do some research on what areas you'd like to see, then plan the travel part. If I had one city to return to it would be Sevilla. My wife would choose Barcelona. Spain has something for everyone. You can see Barcelona, train easily and quickly to Madrid, take a night to see Toledo, then train to Sevilla, take a day trip to Cordoba. You can train back to Madrid or fly home from Sevilla. Those are just ideas. Spain is big, lots to see. You won't see it all, don't try. Do have fun! We loved it!

While Madrid and Barcelona have the nonstop flights to the US, Spain has many other airports, and it's often the same price to fly to them. Before booking flights, plan your itinerary. For instance, if you want to start in Andalucia, fly into Malaga, Seville or Granada, then go to Madrid, then go to Barcelona and fly home from there. And if you do want your itinerary as above, check prices both ways. I saved $80 by flying into Madrid and out of Barcelona than the reverse, for no clear reason.

As said above, a car will be a help for certain destinations and a hindrance for others. For instance, just to get from Barcelona to Madrid, the high speed train is more than twice as fast as a car would be; but if you're stopping over at places on the way, then you may want the car. Spain has high speed trains only on certain routes; for others, a bus can be a good alternative, as buses in Spain are much nicer than those in the US. And don't overlook the possibility of a flight within Spain to connect regions. Particularly from places at ends of the country (like Santiago or Granada), it can be faster than the train, although hopefully the high speed trains from Granada (now under construction) will be ready in time for your visit.

My husband and I did 3 weeks in Spain in April 2015. Itinerary was this:
Flew into Malaga (3) This was during Semana Santa. Day trip to Nerja
Bus to Granada (2)
Drive to Ronda (2) day trip driving Zahara, Grazalema
Drive to Sevilla (3) with stop in Arcos de la Frontera
Train to Jerez (2) day trip to Sanlucar de Barrameda
Train to Cadiz (2)
Train to Cordoba (2)
Train to Toledo via Madrid (2)
Train to Madrid (3) Day trip to Segovia. Fly home.

We made a decision to focus on Andalucia as we didn't want to be too rushed, hence omission of Barcelona. That's the next trip! Whatever you decide, don't rush. Spain has a lot to offer.

I strongly encourage you to fly into Barcelona and out of Seville.
With three weeks please examine the following frame work:
A week in Barcelona without a car and taking several daytrips via metro and trains.
Train to Madrid, third largest city in Europe (hint) and spend three/four days, without need for a car. Daytrip to toledo via train.
Train to Granada with four/three days, definitely without a car
The above locales offer an opportunity to rent apts, more economical, space, kitchen and often a clothes washer. Three weeks can be a long journey.
Departing Granada, rent a car! Meander to Seville over the course of a couple of days. Be sure and spend a night in ronda.
Then goto seville and immediately return the car. Spend the remainder of your time there.
Others can help fill in the details, but a car is not needed for this journey.

The first thing for you to consider is Semana Santa which begins with Palm Sunday on April 9 and culminates with Easter Sunday on April 16. Choose whether to embrace it, taste it or avoid it. It is celebrated throughout Andalucia and crowds during that week can be the highest of the year as are hotel rates. Look into it and decide, then let us know and we'll help you plan your itinerary. Also, it would help to know what your interests are - art museums, scenic hiking, folklore, medieval architecture . . .

Lynn,

There are so many options!

My mom & I spent 3 weeks in Spain last October & we took a very leisurely trip (my mom is in her late 80's)
We had already visited Barcelona & Madrid on a previous trip, so we spent most of our time in Andalucía & Toledo on this trip.
This was our itinerary: Flew into Madrid >> train to Córdoba (5N) >> bus to Granada (4N)>> bus to Sevilla (5N) >> train to Madrid>> Train to Toledo (5N)>> Madrid ( 1N).
I had considered visiting Ronda after Granada, but decided to skip it due to my mom. She became exhausted each time we relocated from one destination to the next... thus the slow paced trip. We enjoyed our slow paced trip because we gave ourselves the luxury of time to explore & savor each of our destinations.

Enjoy your trip!

With the luxury of 3 weeks.

5 nights in Barcelona.
Fly from Barcelona to Granada.
3 nights in Granada for the Alhambra.
Drive between Granada and Seville visiting the white hill towns (2 nights in Ronda, 1 night in Arcos)
5 nights in Sevilla.
5 nights in Madrid.

Day trip options:
Girona and Tarragona from Barcelona.
Toledo and Segovia from Madrid.
Córdoba and Jerez from Sevilla.