We are arriving Madrid and traveling by train to Barcelona, but we have already done this journey and seen Madrid, Toledo, Zaragoza and Barcelona...what/where should we go? We like to travel to new places and see different sites. We would rather not move places every day, but a couple days in a couple different towns/cities would be nice. We are going on a cruise, so will be stopping in Valencia, Malaga, and Gibraltar...
Posted by
Washington DC
27132 posts
Madrid has a bunch of excellent day trips even if you've already seen Toledo: Segovia, Cuenca, Alcala de Henares and (smaller) Chinchon. I've overnighted in both Segovia and Cuenca. Cuenca is a workable day trip only if you take the fast train; those tickets can get very costly if not purchased early.
Girona, north of Barcelona, is a very good option as a base. The city itself has multiple sightseeing targets, including a still-partially-walled historic center. Then there's the trip to Figueres to see the Dali Theatre-Museum (smart to buy tickets online a few days ahead); both fast and slow trains are available. You can go farther north to Cadaques (train to Figueres then scenic bus ride to Cadaques) to see the white-washed former fishing village, which is beautiful though touristy. There's a Dali home a 15-20 minute walk outside Cadaques, in Port Lligat (must pre-book). Another good side-trip from Girona is medieval Besalu, which has public-bus service. It takes a while, but is workable--or was in 2016.
Posted by
Denver, CO USA
412 posts
We loved Sitges. 28 minutes south of Barcelona on the R2 sud.
Spent 3 days there.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7562 posts
Zaragoza is right on the train line between Madrid and Barcelona, easily worth a night or two.
Posted by
Hudson Valley
2267 posts
Traveling exclusively by train limits the options to stop between the two cities, as the high-speed service connecting them has limited stops.
My first thought, and the easiest solution, is that there is no harm in visiting either Madrid or Barcelona a second time. They are rich cities and always have more to explore. (Especially when you consider daytrips.)
On the route is Zarragoza, which you've seen. Tarragona is also an interesting small city on the coast, with a wealth of Roman ruins in and around.
Depending on how your 4 days actually fall, maybe more of a detour to parts of Spain that are very different from what you have or will see—you could go northeast from Madrid towards the Basque Country, or, combine a train from Madrid and a flight to Barcelona, Galicia via Santiago de Compostela.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you so much, we will look at these suggestions. I only limit us to the train, because busses can make me car sick and I really do not want to rent a car. We love to see new areas and explore, and finding somewhere as a "base" and venturing out from there seems like our best bet. We loved Madrid, and may spend an additional day or two there, but saw the things we needed to in Barcelona, but did not venture out of the city to any of day trips there, they are also worth looking at.
Posted by
la rioja
532 posts
As mentioned, traveling by train can be a bit limiting.
A possible itinerary could be Madrid to Burgos. Spend two days in Burgos. The cathedral is worth the visit. Then take the train to Logroño. A two day stay without a car is possible. There are few wineries in the city you can walk to like Bodegas Franco Españolas. You did not mention food as an interest, but the Calle del Laurel, and San Juan are great places for a tapa bar crawl.
From Logroño you can get a train into Barcelona.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15585 posts
There are several excellent day trips from Barcelona. I've been to Figueres to the Dali museums and walked around the town. Girona is well worth a full day. Tarragona is another good one. A friend did a small group tour to several villages. Check out the Barcelona TI website - they list everything including concerts and walking tours.