We will traveling to Spain in May 2017. Spending four nights in Madrid, five nights in Barcelona, and three nights in San Sebastian. First trip to Spain. We are in our mid-60s. Would like recommendations for accommodations for these three cities. Priority is for locations central to most visited sites (museums in Madrid and Barcelona)/ease of transportation to these sites. Trying to save walking steps for the actual sites rather than the travel to and from. Have budgeted for up to $250-275 USD per night. Definately would consider B and Bs/Inns/Pensions if in convenient location. Thanks for your help!
Posted by
Port St Joe Florida
513 posts
I recommend you use a hotel booking website - I have used booking.com for the past several years and I am very satisfied with them. I have a comment on your itinerary. I would most definitely plan. at the very least, to take one of those days in San Sebastian and day trip to Bilbao. On a trip to that area a couple of years ago I spent 3 nights in San Sebastian and 2 in Bilbao. I realized later that I had gotten them backward - the 3 days in San Sebastian were more than I needed (or wanted) to see the city (I get all the beach time I want at home and I am not a great "foodie") and I would have enjoyed an additional day exploring in Bilbao.
Posted by
OP
23 posts
Jack-
Thanks for your response. We will take your advice and plan time in Bilbao. While in San Sebastian we plan to take a food tour and spend a little time near the water. Living in central Ohio, we enjoy any time near water/beach area.After spending time in Madrid and Barcelona, we included San Sebastian as a more relaxing couple of days prior to heading to Bordeaux and then Paris. Again, thanks for your comments.
Posted by
Washington DC
28082 posts
San Sebastian has a lovely beach, and you can spend a good bit of time walking from one end to the other. In May it may be too cool to go in the water. I remember seeing surfers in wetsuits all along the northern coast, and I didn't get up there until June.
In Bilbao be sure to see the historic district as well as the Guggenheim (if you have an interest in contemporary art). I also enjoyed walking through what I call "the downtown area", which has a lot of very nice architecture from (I assume) the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Bilbao is no longer a grotty port city.