We use only bus or train transport. Our second trip. Not repeating Barcelona, Toledo, Granada, or San Sebastian. Where to add 1 extra day? Thanks!
Madrid 2n.
Cordoba 1n.
Seville 2n
Arcos, El Bosque, Grazamela, Ronda, 1n, or driving (w/ another couple this one day) to Antequera 1n(can a car be rented in Seville and dropped off in Ronda?
Madrid, change trains, then to Segovia 1n
Avia, then to Salamanca 2n
Zamora 1n
Valladolid 1n
Leon 1n
Lugo, then to Santiago 2n
A Coruna, then to Ovedo 2n
Santander 2n (day trip to Altamira)
Bilbao 1n
Bayonne, France 1n
SJPdeP, Roncesvalle, hike to Zubiri 1n
Pamplona 2n
Buros 1n
Madrid 2n
Posted by
Washington DC
28083 posts
I've been to all your Spanish destinations except Zamora, Valladolid, Lugo, the smaller white Andalucian villages (I have been to Ronda) and Zubiri. I think you're moving terribly fast and it's all going to devolve into a big blur. When, for one thing, are you going to take care of your laundry?
Of those known to me, the first two I'd axe to provide more time in other places are Pamplona and Avila, though Pamplona may be a good place to commune with pilgrims. There were a lot of young folks around. In that same area I definitely preferred the much less touristy Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Santander itself is even more skippable, but I understand that it's your base for Altamira. Be aware that Altamira needs to be prebooked. Check carefully on current procedures for doing that so you don't get yourself stuck in the pleasant enough but underwhelming city of Santander with not much to do for 2 nights you can ill afford to waste. Santander does have a great beach, though.
I liked both Leon and Burgos a lot. Leon's entertainment/tourist district seemed larger, so that might be the better place to put your extra night. I'm glad you already have 2 nights for Oviedo since you're stopping in A Coruna along the way, and it's worth quite a bit of time for wandering around, as is Oviedo.
Bilbao's another possible candidate for the extra night since it has the Guggenheim, the Bellas Artes Museum and a nice historic district (Casco Viejo).
Some quick Googling suggests that you may have to take a taxi from Zubiri to Pamplona. It's not far and won't break the bank.
Sorry that I can't comment on your driving trip through the white villages beyond saying that Ronda is worth more than a quick stop.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I count 27 nights total, with x11 single night stays.
By public transport this will be exhausting. Are you sure you are up for it?
I would find this more manageable, especially with regards to maintaining energy levels/motivation over 4 weeks.
Madrid 3n (day trip to Segovia)
Cordoba 2n
Seville 3n
Ronda 2n
Salamanca 2n
Valladolid 1n
Leon 1n
Santiago 2n
Oviedo 2n
Santander 2n (day trip to Altamira)
Bilbao 2n
Pamplona 2n
Burgos 1n
Madrid 3n (day trip to Avila)
Posted by
Spain
162 posts
I agree with above comments. If you can, why not wing it? it is so easy to get around in Spain, you don't necessarily need advance tickets, so you go when you want, stay longer if you want. I would stay 2 nights in Cordoba.