We are spending 9 days in Spain in June/July, starting in Barcelona and then flying home from Madrid. Our plan is to spend 3 days in Barcelona and then 6 in Madrid-Toledo-Sevilla (We will take the AVE train to Madrid). My question is this: What is a realistic plan for the later portion of our trip. Is Madrid-Sevilla-Toledo too much for 6 days? We are trying to keep our pace somewhat relaxed. Would we be better off simply splitting the time between Barcelona and Madrid and taking day trips to places like Toledo? Would we regret skipping Sevilla? We have never been to Spain, or Europe, for that matter, so everything will be new for us. Thanks for any suggestions.
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
2941 posts
I'll never be tired to say it... less than 5 days in Barcelona (or more if one-day escapades are included) is missing a great opportunity to really know the city and the region. You could fill a whole month of activities without getting bored.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
There's a difference between 9 nights and 9 days (which usually means 10 nights). Here's one option that you can lay out on a calendar, if you have 9 nights, but most people would not call it relaxed:
Fly into Barcelona and spend 3 nights (2 full days for sightseeing)
Depart Barcelona on 8:30 train and arrive Sevilla at 14:00 and spend 3 nights (2 full days)
Train from Sevilla to Madrid 2.5 hours and spend 3 nights (2.5 days, part of which is for a side trip to Toledo)
Or you could take an early morning flight from Barcelona to Sevilla, arriving before noon; see www.skyscanner.com for airline tickets.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
With only 9 days (8 nights), I would skip Sevilla on this trip. Southern Spain (Andalucía) is a whole trip in itself. 9 days would be fine to split between two major destinations and there are plenty of daytrip options from both Barcelona and Madrid. Or you could spend a couple nights in Toledo too (which is better than just a daytrip). For example, you might spend 4 nights in Barcelona, 3 nights Madrid and 2 nights Toledo. You won't get bored with that schedule and it'll be a little less rushed than adding in Sevilla.
Posted by
OP
Arizona
5 posts
Thanks for your replies. I should clarify: we are spending 9 nights, so 10 days.
Posted by
FL USA
1527 posts
There is an ample diverse menu of opportunities to fill five days in Barcelona and four days in Madrid.
Both cities offer wonderful subway/bus/train service providing excellent access to near by day trip opportunities. Barcelona also offers a chance to dip your toe in the Med w their public beaches.
Most important to maximizing the time of your visit is to immediately adjust to staying out late. Do not allow your USA tummy feeding schedule dictate how you spend your time. Spain truly does offer wonderful late night experiences plus the evenings are much cooler!