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Itinerary too packed?

Posted by on

First time to Spain, and we want to primarily hit Madrid and Barcelona with Andalucia in the middle. Thinking of a way of fitting in Tangier/Gibraltar as RS itineraries often do, but wondering if this is too much or even worth the side trip at all. Would love thoughts.

Day 1: Arrive Madrid in late afternoon

2: Madrid

3: Madrid (possible day trip to Toledo)

4: Madrid

5: Train to Sevilla, rent car

6: Sevilla

7: Drive to Ronda

8: Drive scenic route to Tarifa either via Arcos or another white hill town route

  1. Day trip to Tangier, another night in Tarifa

10: Drive in morning to Gibraltar to take funicular up etc., then long afternoon drive to Granada

11: Granada

12: Flight to Barcelona

13: Barcelona

14: Barcelona

15: Flight out from Barcelona

Posted by
557 posts

Doable but, you'll be exhausted. Is this a vacation or a march to check-off as many destination boxes as possible?

Gibralter will likely be boring unless you're thirsting for an ale and fry. You'd be best crossing-off that entire section of your itinerary and enjoy more time in Ronda. If you need coastal onto your itinerary, check out Malaga or, Marbella or, plan some beach time once you reach Barcelona.

Posted by
20213 posts

I think it works. As long as you work out all the transportation details very well. About half the pace of a RS tour.

What is important is does it work for you?

Posted by
2014 posts

And more time in Barcelona is needed.
I think your feeling the itinerary is too packed nails it.

Posted by
7157 posts

Going to Tarifa from Ronda is about a 2hr 15min drive taking the toll road. If you go via Arcos de la Frontera it adds about 40 minutes to the drive.

Posted by
28082 posts

You will have no need of the car until you start driving to Ronda; you'll just have to pay to park it in Seville. And Seville does need more time.

Morocco is a fascinating country, but Tangier is not a good destination. Wait until you can give Morocco more time and head to places like Fes and Marrakech. Both have flights from many European cities; you don't have to settle for Tangier just because you'll be in southern Spain this year.

I think missing Cordoba is a shame, and two days and a few hours is short for Barcelona, a city that doesn't take well to blitz visits because so many of the most popular sights require you to pre-purchase timed entry tickets, else you'll be stuck in very long lines. How is a first-time visitor supposed to figure out how much time to allow for the various sights? This can lead to bits and pieces of slack time scattered throughout the day and an inability to pack a lot of sights into one 24-hour period.

Posted by
1700 posts

I like History Traveler's suggested itinerary. I would also include Cordoba.

I haven't been to Morrocco yet but so many people compare Tangier to Tijuana. Not a very good representation of Morrocco. I wouldn't create my itinerary based on Rick's itineraries. He packs too much in.

Possible itinerary could be:
Madrid - 3 nights
Cordoba - 1 or 2 nights
Seville - 3 or 4 nights
Granada - 2 nights
Barcelona - 4 nights

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