Planning a trip next May-June for about a month, with time spent in Spain, France and little bit of Switzerland. I've watched all of Rick's shows on Spain, read the guide book and keep flipping on where I want to go. Had originally thought about flying into Madrid, training to Seville and finishing up in Barcelona before heading into France. Was thinking about 4-3-4 nights, but after reading an earlier post, I now wonder if I want to go to Madrid. It's another big city with not much history, so I was thinking time might be better spent visiting Granada or somewhere else near Seville, starting the trip here and then finishing up in Barcelona. I like to travel in a straight line. Curious to what your opinions are. Is Madrid worth a visit over Granada?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Granada comes close to being unique because of the Alhambra and its significance to Spanish history, So it is not a true apple to apple comparison. Madrid at 500 years is the youngest of European capitols but it has a lot to offer and a lot of history even if the buildings are not that old. It is not Rome or Paris but still very interesting. For my interest I would visit Granada over Madrid but that is mostly because I am more interested in the Moorish influences of southern Spain. But I don't know what your interests are.
Posted by
13 posts
Straight line could be Malaga, Seville, Madrid, Barcelona then on to France. Malaga has an international airport. Then you could split your days up and take short trips from those four main cities. From Seville, do Granada and Cordoba maybe. From Madrid, Segovia and Avila or wherever, etc depending how many days you want in the cities. The AVE would be transportation, and feeder trains or buses. Your trip sounds fantastic! Good luck!
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I am going to stand up for Madrid here as it seems to be getting an increasingly rough time on these forums.
As opposed to having "no history", it has been settled in Roman times, still occupied through the Middle Ages and the Spanish capital since 1562. Spend an afternoon in the La Latina district near cobblestoned Plaza Mayor and you cannot avoid history. The Monastery of Las Descalzas Reales and the Royal Monastery of La Encarnación, behind nondescript facades, are both soaked in history with some truly breathtaking interiors. http://www.patrimonionacional.es/en/real-sitio/monasterios/6095
http://www.patrimonionacional.es/en/real-sitio/monasterios/6144
If you had just 11 nights I would squeeze in both, flying from Granada to Barcelona.
3 nts Madrid
2 nts Sevilla
2 nts Granada
4 nts Barcelona