Ok, I know this has been talked about on multiple levels but I just can't find what I'm looking for. I HAVE to be in Costa Del Sol from Nov 3-6 after that hubby and I are free to do what we want until flying out on Nov 13. We are thinking up the coast from Malaga to Barcelona but not sure where to go. We will be renting a car as we love to see the county and hate waiting at airports. It also frees us up to do unexpected things along the way. Barcelona is non-negotiable as it is a "bucket-list" item and we will most likely fly home from there. I love art, cathedrals and food and hubby likes fun and relaxation. What are some "must-do's" or "not-to-be-missed" places/activities?? I'm thinking at least Granada and Valencia but not sure after that. HELP!!!
Posted by
Washington DC
28100 posts
I don't think you have time to do more than Granada, Valencia and Barcelona. And I'd basically just be using Valencia as a quick overnight stop in order to maximize my time in Granada and Barcelona. However, if you're very interested in Roman ruins, Tarragona would be a mandatory stop.
You need a guide book. We could each tell you where we'd like to spend the time, but your interests might be totally different. I, for example, would be happy never to see another Roman or Greek theatre.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I agree that you really don't have time for more than Granada, Valencia and Barcelona.
Nov 7. Drive Malaga to Granada
Nov 8. Alhambra
Nov 9. Drive Granada to Valencia
Nov 10. Late Euromed train from Valencia to Barcelona
Nov 11+12. Barcelona sights
Nov 13. Depart Barcelona
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15791 posts
I visited Barcelona, Malaga and Valencia in March. Lots to see and do in all of them, especially Barcelona. According to Google maps, it's longer to drive from Malaga to Valencia than to take the train (Renfe shows an 18.10 train that takes 4.25 hours via Cordoba) - and that's driving on the highways, not along the coast. It's just over an hour by plane, and that's the way I'd go. Both Malaga and Valencia airports are probably quite small and fairly close to the town centers, so little "waiting time." With only 6 days, I'd choose either Malaga or Valencia. Taking into account both your loves/likes, frankly, I'd fly to Barcelona and spend all the time there.
Posted by
47 posts
We are doing a similar trip in October. We pick up a rental car after visiting Seville, spend 5 days enjoying Ronda and Granada and then plan on driving to Valencia to drop off car before taking a train to Barcelona the next day. Can anyone give me some ideas about the trip between Granada and Valencia? We will allow most of a day.
Posted by
Washington DC
28100 posts
Rome2Rio.com says that's 500 km. (about 300 mi.) and estimates 5 hours' driving time, which seems quite optimistic, even without rest or gas stops. You might also try viamichelin.com.
The direct bus makes 3 stops (at least two of which are probably at least 20 minutes each for smoke/toilet breaks) and takes 7 hours 40 minutes. So the upper bound is less than 7 hours.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you for your tips and for convincing us to fly! The drive would be a big time waster for sure. So far we have decided to rent a car at the airport in Malaga to get us around locally. We are staying south from the 3rd and return car and fly to Barcelona on the 8th the fly back to the states on the 13th. This should give us enough time to spend time at the beach, visit Granada and possibly take a day trip to Tangiers and 4+ days in Barcelona. Once we are in Barcelona there should be enough easy transportation that we won't need a car. Our southern visit will include scuba diving, a quad tour, a day in Granada (Alhambra), etc. Any must do's in Barcelona??? Museums, shows, etc?? Anyone take a cooking class? We have also found some great prices on rentals at homeaway.com which will allow us to do a little cooking and also wash clothes. It's finally coming together!
Posted by
Washington DC
28100 posts
Barcelona has a lot of fabulous sites, and a great variety of them. Grab a guidebook and see what sounds appealing to you. For some of the sites it would be prudent to buy tickets in advance, because ticket lines can be quite long. A recent guidebook should provide that information.
Many people consider La Sagrada Familia a must-see. If you're in that camp, be aware that there's one (timed) ticket for the church and a separate (also timed) ticket needed if you want to go up one of the towers. Just within the last day there has been a separate thread about LSF. Look for it if you're interested in seeing the church.
As for the rest, we all have our preferences, which may well not be yours. I loved the modernista architecture and visited just about every pay-to-enter modernista site in the city (of which La Sagrada Familia is just one). That would be way overkill for most people, I assume.
I remember seeing one or two brochures about food tours on display in the tourist office located beneath Plaça de Catalunya but did not take one of them. The tourist office has a 16-euro English walking tour of the Barri Gòtic that I thought was good value for money. Other tours are offered as well, plus of course there are private tour companies.