Have 8 days to spend in Spain and will be flying in to Madrid and back through Barcelona. How many nights in each is recommended ? Best day trips from each? Anywhere else to stop along the way via train? We will not have a car...TIA
Posted by
Chicago
565 posts
Hi Alyssa.
Why not split it down the middle? The Prado deserves pretty much a day to itself and Madrid has fantastic day trips. Toledo, El Escorial, and Segovia are all very easy trips. I didn't take any day trips from Barcelona because I'm not a huge beach person, but there's so much gorgeous architecture to see and Catalan cooking classes to fill your time!
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
3071 posts
Oh dear Emily, but there's sooooo much more than beach in Catalonia for a day trip from Barcelona.... Montserrat, Besalú, Tarragona, Vic, The wineries at El Penedès, Girona....
And in Barcelona itself, uff! don't get me started: art, culture, leisure, architecture, gastronomy, history, music, sports.... yes, and beach :) www.barcelonaturisme.com
Posted by
FL USA
1560 posts
Three nights in Madrid which provides opportunity to do a day trip to Toledo (or pace of your choice)
AVE RENFE train to Barcelona and remainder of time there.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I too would split it down the middle, 4 nights in each. From Madrid spend a day in Toledo and perhaps another in Segovia/Avila (depending on your love of Madrid's art museums). My favourite day from Barcelona would be Girona/Figueres, or to Sitges for a seafood lunch.