Itinerary help for March mother/daughter trip

Caveat: I hate cold, wet weather and have never traveled to Europe in March. I did go to Andalucia in early April 2019 and was pleased with the weather except for two chilly, wet days in northern Andalucia at the beginning of the trip.

What city/cities are you flying into and out of? On a trip of this length, that would majorly affect the itinerary I would choose.

It appears that you have just 7 full days on the ground in Spain. The arrival day (maybe also your first full day) will probably be significantly affected by jetlag. I would definitely not want to deal with three different hotels during that time and would be inclined to choose one base worthy of multiple days of sightseeing that also offers good side-trip possibilities. Personally, I would not be willing to insert a flight in the middle of so short a trip, nor would I be willing to give up a huge chunk of my vacation to shift between two distant cities.

Weather-wise, Andalucia or the east coast would be my preference; the center of the country could still be quite chilly at that time of year. I haven't researched March weather in Spain, but I wonder what it's like at that time of year in Mallorca; it might also be suitable. Palma has some interesting architecture (including modernista buildings), and there are lots of scenic side trips and smaller towns to explore. It may not have enough big-city-quality museums for you, though.

Barcelona works, or a combination of Barcelona and Girona. Either would allow a side-trip to Figueres for the Dali Theatre-Museum (a quicker trip from Girona). Girona is a charming, historic smaller city that should appeal to your daughter. Figueres, unfortunately, is pretty much all about the Dali museum. The medieval town of Besalu is accessible by bus from Barcelona or, more quickly, from Girona. There are many other options in Catalunya, but you are almost certain to have a hard time dragging yourselves away from Barcelona. If you stay somewhere like the Gracia neighborhood, your hotel will not feel as if it's in a large city.

The weather would probably be warmest in the south; you could spend the entire time in Seville and take a few side trips, but it's a big, bustling city and your daughter would probably prefer to have some nights in a quieter environment. You could combine stays in Seville and Cordoba or Seville and Granada (maybe squeezing in a day trip from Seville to Cordoba). This area is more about historic sites and charming mudejar architecture than art museums. There are attractive side trips to small towns from both Seville (including Carmona) and Granada (including Priego de Cordoba). Granada is at altitude so is likely to be chillier than Seville and Cordoba.

I like both Valencia and Malaga, but they don't have as many major sights as Barcelona or Seville. Given the time of year, I wouldn't prioritize being on the coast to the extent of choosing a secondary city like Valencia or Malaga. I am not a beach person, but I don't think March would be beach season anywhere in Spain unless you just want to walk on the sand.

Thanks so much for your reply!

We're from Northern California and are very partial to the coast which was why we were looking at coastal cities. From my research, it seems like the weather along the coast will be very similar to our weather here – temperate and possibly a bit wet. We don’t have our flights yet but will likely fly into Barcelona. Additionally, we don’t mind traveling between cities and have an interest in taking the high-speed train rather than flying.

When considering Valencia or Malaga, which one would you recommend, based on our interests above?

On the Malaga-vs.-Valencia question, others may be better equipped to respond since I've spent less than 3 full days in each. I'd say probably Malaga, but it's a very long train ride from Barcelona. Do you really want to turn your 7-day vacation into a 6-day (or less) vacation by spending over 6 hours one way on a train? Take a look at the schedule on renfe.com. The day of the week matters.

You can take a fast train between Barcelona and lovely Girona. It takes 38 minutes.

Barcelona's on the coast.

My visits to Spain have all been in February and/or March. Andalucia is the warmest, driest part of Europe. Barcelona is quite mild as well, but you can have somewhat chilly winds. Rain is always a possibility at that time of year but on the whole, there's more sunshine than not. Excellent Spanish wines and food are abundant.

I lived for several years in the Bay Area and spent many, many happy hours along the coast from Big Sur to Astoria. I fear you will find the Spanish coast disappointing in comparison.

As acraven has pointed out, you should count the number of nights you have in Spain. Subtract one and that is the number of days you have to enjoy. Even if your flight lands early in the morning, figure on 3 hours to get through the airport and to your hotel to drop your luggage. You will be jetlagged and likely sleep-deprived. So that first day is often just a blur as you struggle to stay awake until nightfall. Most transatlantic flights leave in the morning, so you can't count your departure day as a "day" in Spain. Even if the flight is early afternoon, you won't have more than a couple hours for a last-minute walk around or a bit of souvenir shopping before going to the airport.

If you're flying round-trip Barcelona, you need to spend your last night in Barcelona to be sure you make your flight (e.g., bad weather, bad accident, strike can be a problem otherwise). Since you have little more than a week, if you go to Andalucia you will spend a lot of time transiting. Barcelona is a fascinating city with lots to offer and plenty of day trips to boot. Valencia is lovely, especially the modernisme architecture, but that would mean losing about 1/2 day going there and another 1/2 day returning. OTOH Barcelona has tons of modernisme sights, and bits and pieces throughout town. I've taken the TI architecture tour and it opened my eyes to a lot of things I had never noticed before. I would encourage you to spend all your time in Barcelona this time around. Take the train to Girona for a day to see the cathedral and the well-preserved medieval quarter. Tarragona is a good day trip and a lot of the train ride along the coast is scenic.

You have hit the jackpot with two of the travel forums most experienced travelers (Chani and Acraven) responding to your request. Set strong value in considering their responses.

Spain is huge and each region is akin to entering a new country in terms of geography, culture and experiences. Consider what is more important, to "see there" or to "be there" during nine days of travel.

Barcelona and it's easily traveled surrounding area offers a HUGE menu of opportunities to absorb. The public transport interlinks easy access from subway to trains allowing the ability to make day trips to a variety of locales. I strongly encourage you to take a deep dive into researching the menu of opportunities and hope Enric, Bill Sinclair and Carlos offer some of their expertise (I think Carlos lives in the SF area).

Tempting as is the thought of "needing" to see another region of Spain, I encourage renting an apartment and staying in Barcelona while mixing in a number of day trips.

I have stayed in Malaga and would not recommend it as a location for a first time to Spain visit. For all our visits to Spain we have not been tempted to visit Mallorca.
While Barcelona is a "large" city the "feel" is quite different from other large cities.

Keep doing your research and good luck on creating the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful journey.

I think many of us who have been to Spain more than once would recommend Andalucia in March with that time frame--small, lovely cities, so much to see. I liked Malaga, but it is not close to the highlights of the region. Beaches will be dismal in March, but the more interesting ones to me are near Cadiz, still likely not ideal for March.
If you are set on Barcelona, then Barcelona and the small towns near it are the ideal solution--as suggested above. I think Valencia would be tacking on another large city.
Mallorca looks amazing and is high on my list as a nature nut, but I think it's a place for better weather, a car, more time.

If you choose Barcelona, then also spend some time on the Costa Brava, just north of the city to have small town experiences. Visit Dali museum in Figueres and Cadaques.
If this were my trip, I would fly Madrid to Sevilla and also visit Cordoba, Granada.

One idea for visiting places in the off or shoulder season is to stay in fewer different places and plan day trips. That gives you a better chance to see the weather forecast and readjust what things for what days in real time. We have used that strategy in UK and in Italy to advantage.

If you are interested in visiting those smaller quaint towns, villages, and out of the way places a car is invaluable, especially in a big country like Spain. Will you have access to a rental car?

Since you are short on time (8 nights I think?), I'd limit to just one city with a few days out in the surrounding countryside.

You could pair:
Madrid with the rural and underrated Extremadura region to the west, spend a few days in Cáceres‎.
or
Barcelona then head south along the Costa Dorada, visiting beach towns, like Sitges, and medieval villages like Miravet.

You all are amazing!!! Thank you so much for your input and insight! We're going to pivot in our thinking. My daughter asked today, "How many days would we need to be in Spain before it made sense to visit both Barcelona and Andalucia? Maybe I can extend my spring break." So, amazing Spain team - how many days for both Barcelona and Andalucia?

I would want at least 12 days to include both Barcelona and part of Andalucia. I really have a strong aversion to long train rides or flights within my vacation though!

Yes Barcelona and Andalucía (on opposite ends of the country) is going to be very tight and feel like the amazing race. For an American the comparable would be trying to cram New York City + Southern California. To be honest, with only 8 nights available, I'd drop Barcelona (even though it's my home town), and just focus on Andalucía to save your sanity.

If you start adding the nights 3-4 nights in Barcelona, 2-3 nights in Sevilla, 2-3 nights in Malaga, 2 nights in Granada 2 nights in Cordoba, 3-4 nights for the white hill towns, 3-4 nights for Costa De la Luz.... etc.

Exploring Andalucia is akin to the state of Washington.
For just the confines of Barcelona I would recommend five nights.
I would recommend 3 nights for Seville, I night in Cordoba and and 2 nights in Granada.
But then you would need to add time for going from point to point and probably end up with more memories about modes of transport than being with your daughter.
Slow down, you move too fast, you got to make the moment last!

I'll go with 5 nights in Barcelona (though I spent 10 nights there), but I think 3 nights is too short for Seville. That would end up being little more than 2 days, and Seville is a large city with lots of sights. I'd also add 1 night to Marbleskies' minimums for Cordoba and Granada, but a traveler only has so much time...

Because you will be in Spain in March, I highly recommend visiting Andalucia. Summer is very, very hot in Andalucia! Spring and fall are perfect times to visit. If you choose Andalucia, fly into Madrid or Seville, depending on what flights are available from California.

Looks like you have 8 nights on the ground, right? If you fly into Madrid, take the train to Seville upon arrival.
Option 1:
Seville - 5 nights with a daytrip to Cordoba.
Granada - 2 nights
Spend your last night in Madrid if you are flying home from Madrid.

Option 2:
Seville - 4 nights
Cordoba - 1 night
Granada - 2 nights
Madrid - 1 night

Have you purchased any guidebooks? If not, I encourage you to do so. I used Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, and Michelin Green Guide.

Seville is a beautiful city architecturally and with awesome historical and cultural sites, such as the Alcazar, Seville Cathedral, Casa di Pilatos. Wander through Triana, Barrio Santa Cruz, visit the gorgeous Plaza de Espana. Take a carrige ride, see a Flamenco show, eat delicious food!

Granada has the Alhambra which is amazing. One of the most spectacular sites I have seen. The Albayzin neighborhood is so interesting to explore. There is the Granada Cathedral.

Cordoba has the magnificient Mezquita, Roman Bridge, Palacio de Viana with its 12 lovely patios, explore the Juderia, with its white-washed buildings, narrow lanes and flower pots.

If you travel to Andalucia, you can use trains or the ALSA bus for every leg. No need to rent a car.

kmkwoo had some great options.

Been to Malaga, its OK and some nearby places are nice like Granada or Rhonda, but disappointed with Costa del Sol beaches.

You ignored Seville, my favorite city in Spain. Barcelona is also great.

If you ARE able to extend, and can fly multi-city, I might choose 4 nights Seville, 1 night Cordoba, 3 nights Granada, & 4 nights Barcelona. Depending on how flights would go.

All of those cities are down to personal preference. I am not as fond of Barcelona as a lot of people - and love Granada a lot more than some people. :)

Edit: I have been to all those in March - but not on the same trip.

I like TexasTravelMom's suggestion of flying multi-city, especially if you include Barcelona and Andalucia. For example, fly into Barcelona and home from either Madrid or Seville. If you only visit Andalucia, is it possible to fly into and out of Seville instead of Madrid? I like Madrid, which has some awesome art museums, but you don't have the time to see everything.

BTW, we really enjoyed Malaga, but for a first-time trip to Andalucia, since you don't have the time, I would omit Malaga. Seville, Cordoba, and Granada have so much interesting history and culture. The Alhambra, the Alcazar, and the Mezquita are all amazing.

Don't neglect to read up on the smaller towns outside Barcelona. BCN seems like it is staying on the list, and I just don't think you have time to do both justice. (Mom's money, mom's choice!)

I see references to weather, suggesting Andalucia as a good pick for warmer weather in the month of March.

I spent a glorious three weeks in Spain in March of this year: Madrid, Sevilla, Cordoba, Toledo, and Granada, then ending in Barcelona.

The most valuable items I brought with me were, in the following order: (1) warm jacket, (2) umbrella, and (3) knit wool cap.

You may get lucky, but you also may have mostly rain and cold, as I did. So be prepared.

Nine days minus arriving/departing+jetlag = short vacation.

Food for thought: what if you were to set base in ONE place and, apart from visiting the city, you could easily do day escapades to very different places each time you did without wasting your precious time checking in/out and having to board this or that?

I'll state my case to see if it entices you:

You set your base in Barcelona and stick to the Catalonia region.

Funny your daughter's observation regarding Barcelona as a "modern" city... does she know the city was founded in 215 BC? The city consists of 10 districts and 73 neighbourhoods each one with its own history and personality, from the Old City -the cradle of Barcelona- containing remains from our Roman, Visigoth and Jewish past, as well as the Golden Era during the Middle Ages, to neighbourhoods like L'Eixample containing architectural marvels built during the revival of the 19th century Modernism, to the vibrancy of the buildings of the 21st century in Vil·la Olímpica or the bohemian town-like slow life in the historic district of Gràcia... among others. See more: https://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/ and also https://www.barcelona.cat/en/discoverbcn

But a little beyond the city, within a radius of two hours or less by train or bus, you have a myriad of places to visit: Tossa de Mar, Cadaqués, Besalú, Girona, Vic, Tarragona, Sant Sadurní d'Anòia, Sitges, Montserrat... And surprisingly, they can be very different from one another: mountainous Montserrat or quirky little coastal Cadaqués, medieval Besalú or wine country in Vilafranca del Penedès... the variety is really something noting that Catalonia is barely the size of Maryland.

Say you 'invest' four full days in Barcelona -that's the "bare minimum" to know Barcelona, plus say two half days (arrival and departure day)... that leaves you four days to make four wonderful escapades to different places with different vibes... without having to worry about checking in/out of the hotel or having to take a long-distance train or a flight... that's "optimizing time" in my book.

Do a google search of the places I've mentioned :) and then check www.catalunya.com for more ideas on escapades.

You are most likely confined to arriving and departing through the international gateway airports of Barcelona and Madrid.

For me, this would be a minimum ….

Day 1 - Fly in to Barcelona (4)
Day 2/3/4 - Barcelona
Day 5 - Fly to Granada (2)

Day 6 - Alhambra 

Day 7 - Late train to Cordoba (2)
Day 8 - Mezquita
Day 9 - train to Sevilla (3)
Day 10/11 - Sevilla 

Day 12 - Train to Madrid (2) 

Day 13 - Madrid (highlights)
Day 14 - Fly out of Madrid

Welcome back, David! I wondered where you had gone! (maybe nowhere for a couple of years….🤣🤣)

Thank you. << waves back >>

Deeply appreciate everyone's responses. Due to some additional scheduling challenges, we are going to focus our stay on the Andalucia region and will follow the excellent suggestions above. Will post again for specific recommendations as things take shape.
Mil gracias!