First Trip to Spain many questions (Portugal also)

You don't say what you like to do, what you want to see. With 5-6 adults I'm sure you have varied interests. But, regardless, with that short a time I'd think about Spain, or Portugal, but not both. Travel between Spain and Portugal is not easy and will take a full day away from your limited time. We spent nearly 3 weeks in Spain last summer, not nearly enough. We are going to Portugal in 2017. You could fly into Barcelona, spend a few days, train to Madrid, see the great art, the Royal Alcazar, train to Sevilla, fly out of Sevilla (we took the train back to Madrid to fly home as there was a significant savings). You'll see three great cities. There are fun day trips from all three. You won't spend a ton of time dealing with airports, the last thing you want on a 12 night vacation. With that short of a vacation the only time you want to see an airport is when you arrive in Europe and when you leave.

Having just spent 89 days in Spain without ever getting to Seville or the rest of Andalucía, I heartily agree with Alan. There's tons to see in Spain (and a great deal of variety), way more than you have time for. Alternatively, you could hit a lot of (but not all of) the key sights in Portugal in the amount of time you have.

Do try to add extra days if you can, because as you do more research you will keep running into enticing things you'll have to skip. If you have 12 nights, you really have only 11 usable days. The first (partial) day you'll probably be jet-lagged.

Using public transportation for your day trips will not be a problem. There are many really good options that can be accessed by train or bus.

Thanks for the feedback. Funny but what you have suggested is what I had originally thought about doing until I was told that train travel is not great and flying maybe more cost effective and faster. We are all very flexible. Scenery, architecture, small quaint towns & villages and some Art. Have no problem with foot travel. I will be renting through Airbnb. Good food from the area, but nothing fancy. My last European trip was to Switzerland and their train travel is bar none from there we went to Italy and it was not even comparable. I have been told that about Spain. So if you can give me some day trip ideas and anything else you can think of that would be great. We will try to make the most of our time I do not want to waste time flying if I don't have to.. Do you know anything about car rental.

thank you again. Now I will starting looking at Air fare and determine if we arrive and leave via same city of two different ones. So I guess I would love some suggestions of what to see in all 3 places Barcelona, Seville & Madrid as those were my first choices. Also would love to know what areas would be best to look for a rental in each area that would be close to public transportation and good for walking.

I agree with Alan, I'd also choose Spain or Portugal but not both.

Since you only have 12 nights, which translates to 11 full days, I'd choose 2-3 destinations.

Have you considered visiting Andalucía?

Fly into Madrid >> Córdoba (1-2N) >> Granada(2-3N) >> Sevilla(4N) >> Madrid(4N).

If you're set on visiting Barcelona, then split your time between Barcelona & Madrid and add day trips to each.

Enjoy!

Edit to add...
I was writing so didn't see your reply. I also agree with Acraven's advice.

So I guess I would love some suggestions of what to see in all 3 places Barcelona, Seville & Madrid as those were my first choices.

I'd strongly suggest for you to get some guidebooks to read as there is so much to see & do in each of the cities on your list.

I find Barcelona, as a city, more interesting than Madrid, but you can certainly find people who disagree with me. Madrid has 3 important art museums and a royal palace. Plus other museums, obviously. Rick's "Spain" guidebook has a walking tour that highlights the sights around the Plaza Mayor, including the San Miguel Market (tapas central). Otherwise, the city seems a bit bland to me, though not unattractive.

But Madrid is pretty much peerless in its access to world-class day trips--though the cities I'm about to mention are worth an overnight stop. My favorite Madrid sidetrips are Toledo (huge historic district), Segovia, and Cuenca. Cuenca is a quick trip on the AVE going toward Valencia, but the tourist hordes seem not to have discovered that yet, and it is not overrun. You'd save a lot of money by getting that particular train ticket early, if you're willing to pin down the date and time around the time tickets go on sale. Cuenca has an enticing historic district with hanging houses along a ravine and two smallish but worthwhile modern art museums. Plan on catching the bus from the AVE station or taking a taxi.

Barcelona itself has a wide variety of museums. MNAC has a broad collection that includes frescoes rescued from medieval churches, other architectural elements and a modernism exhibit, as well as the more typical paintings and sculptures. But what's really special about Barcelona is its dozens of fanciful modernista buildings. Some of the latter require timed tickets and/or have lengthy lines, so refer to your guidebook or ask here to determine which ones need advance planning. The city tourist office runs several walking tours that are worth checking out.

Barcelona also has great day trips. I guess the primary ones are Girona (with a large historic district, two great cathedrals, a very worthwhile fine arts museum, and a wall you can walk on), Montserrat, and Figueres/Cadaques for their Dali sights.

I haven't been to Andalucía recently so will leave that area to others.

If you do end up getting to Portugal, a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra is highly recommended.

After looking at airfare possibilities and rentals. Along with the suggestions received so far thinking possibility flying into Barcelona, then taking the train to Seville and ending in Madrid to fly out. Will most likely only do 2 nights in Madrid and do 5 in each of the other two places. Then we would basically do day trips. Wondering if anyone has input on the fast train. Thanks for your help again

... Cheryl... you should read more, LOL!.... http://thecityfix.com/blog/five-best-high-speed-rail-networks-in-the-world-josh-marks/ ... and if you just wonder what's like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDHsN2_9amo

I don't think Granada is practical as a day trip from Seville, if that matters. ViaMichelin estimates a driving time of just over 3 hours each way with no stops.

Thanks so much Enric You are right I do need to do a lot of research. I was just looking for a good starting place. I always get great advice from these Forums. Would you have any advice on neighborhoods to stay in in Seville, Barcelona and Madrid. Then I will research and check out day trips from these areas and see what we can get in. Hoping for 14 days!

We had 2.5 weeks a few years ago in Andalucia and Madrid and it wasn't enough -- and we had already spent 5 nights in Barcelona on an earlier trip. I would focus on Spain and prioritize. The one thing I would absolutely see is the Mezquita in Cordoba -- you can do it in an afternoon, but it is the most impressive thing we saw in Spain (with the Alhambra, the Alcazar in Seville and the Sagrada Familia all tying for second)
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2013/09/27/the-mezquita-at-least-the-catholics-had-the-good-sense-not-to-destroy-it-when-they-desecrated-it/
Spain is full of amazing places and lovely food. We flew into Paris, cat sat for two weeks for friends, then flew to Seville and flew home open jaw f rom Madrid. I liked Seville better than Madrid but the Prado is terrific and we wish we had had another day there. If you are not museum people or are pressed for time, the Reina Sofia and the Thyssen can be skipped -- but the Prado and its Spanish art collection is a must. We need to go back to Madrid just for that.