We are planning to arrive in Barcelona and Sept 10 and leave Barcelona on October 8. We would like to go to Porto, Lisbon, and south Portual. Also stops in Valencia, Madrid, Granada, Seville and possibly the Straits. Can anyone suggest a route. We also want to go to Mallorca.
Posted by
Paris
6887 posts
Hi,
It will be hard to stretch the route all the way to Porto and Mallorca at each end. If you don't, you can probably do something workable in 30 days.
But to get better advice it is better for you to draft a suggestion first, then we can comment it.
Also, think twice about driving all the way, you might want to take planes and trains between Barcelona and other areas.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15582 posts
To put it into perspective, the total area of Spain and Portugal is almost as big as Texas, but there are few roads like the US interstates. Most, especially those connecting the two countries, are more like country roads. The most populated parts of Spain are connected by modern fast trains. In Portugal there is good train service between the main cities. Most people fly between Spain and Portugal because land connections are so slow.
Posted by
Sevilla
1296 posts
Do you mean arriving in a few weeks? You need to get a wriggle on to get this organised.
You also need to decide if you really want to travel so much in such a short period and wouldn't prefer to stay longer in fewer places. But what you plan is possible, if not desirable to all:
- after Barcelona, railway to Madrid, then Trenhotel sleeper to Lisbon (much nicer than flying)
- from Lisbon, rail to Porto, then drive a car to & around southern Portugal
- coach from south Portugal (e.g. Tavira), to Seville. Then hire another car to travel to Granada via the seaside/Straits
- from Granada fly to Majorca, then fly on to Valencia (or, better, use the ferry), then railway to Barcelona. And home. Phew.
Posted by
7659 posts
Why do you want to go to Mallorca? The beach? If you focus on the history, art and culture, skip the beach.
The key places to see in Spain are Barcelona, Madrid (Toledo), Granada and Seville. Visiting those places the way it should be done will take you 2 1/2 weeks.
Portugal, Lisbon, Sintra, Evora, Obidos, Porto and the wonderful Douro River Valley will take another week and a half easily.
Do some research on the places that you want to see and study what there is to see.
If you are an art lover, you will love the Prado in Madrid. If you like Picasso, that museum in Barcelona. Toledo is a must see and 3-4 days in Seville. The Alhambra in Granada is a must. Other places are nice as well, but is my take.