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New Itinerary. Please help.

I now have us flying into Madrid on the 22nd. Staying in Madrid for 3 nights with a side trip to Toledo. Then rent a car and drive to Barcelona and drop it off. In Barcelona for 4 nights with a side trip to Sitges and Montserrat. Rent a car and take a scenic route via Valencia stay there. Then drive through Murcia to Granada stay there 2 nights. Ronda for 2 nights. Sevilla for 2 nights.

6/22 arrive in Madrid
6/23 Toledo
6/24 Madrid
6/25 drive to Barcelona
6/26 Barcelona
6/27 Sitges
6/28 Montserrat
6/29 drive to Valencia
6/30 drive through Murcia to Granada
7/1 Granada
7/2 Granada
7/3 drive to Ronda
7/4 white hill towns
7/5 drive to Sevilla
7/6 Sevilla
7/7 leave.

Posted by
5294 posts

Kecvh,

A few thoughts...

  • Have you considered taking the AVE (high speed) train from Madrid to
    Barcelona?

  • You will get to Barcelona much faster! It will take 2.5 hours via
    AVE vs 7-8 hours via car.

  • I've not visited Valencia nor Murcia, but I'd think you'd need more
    than just a few hours in each of these cities.

  • I'd probably skip driving from Barcelona to Granada & I'd take the
    train instead. By doing this, you will have an extra night (skipping Valencia) that you
    can add to Sevilla.

  • You mentioned that you will spend 2 nights in Granada, but your
    itinerary shows 3 nights (6/30-7/2)

  • You may consider staying 2 nights in Granada & 4 nights in Sevilla,
    especially if you've considered taking a day trip to Córdoba (from
    Sevilla)

  • Make sure to book your Alhambra tickets as soon as your Granada dates are set, because they do sell rather quickly: http://www.alhambra-patronato.es

Enjoy your trip!

Posted by
1560 posts

For so many reasons this is an impractical itinerary.
One, you are driving when the best method of travel is trains.
Two, you are not giving adequate consideration to how much car travel consumes in terms of time and stress ( e.g. you are traveling during the heat of the summer which impacts returning to a car baking in the sun, impact of heat upon luggage (cosmetics are the first to melt), security for luggage while you are away from the vehicle, parking, impact of heat on you, repeat... Parking, traffic tickets are payable in cash on demand at the spot of the violation (if you are pulled over, have you an IDP?).
Three, even by train/bus you are attempting to visit too many destinations in too short a time.
Please refocus upon the opportunity to create wonderful memories of experiencing being in destinations in lieu of creating memories of traveling from destination to destination.

Posted by
2768 posts

Why would you rent a car to drive from Madrid to Barcelona? This takes over twice as long as the train, and it doesn't appear you are stopping anywhere along the way where a car would be needed. Just take the AVE!

There appears to be very little time for Murcia and Valencia. I suppose you could see the very broad highlights of each - but it will be limited. Look into parking in these cities. And especially Granada - it has very strict limits of where you are allowed to drive. Much of the core city is restricted to cars of residents of the area and taxis. I suppose the Barcelona to Granada drive works as a way to see a tiny bit of these areas, but I'd consider flying or taking a train to Granada. Or spending another day on the drive, see more of Valencia. But if you really like road trips...

After Granada, the car makes more sense, if you want to get out and explore the hill towns. I assume you return the car in Sevilla? One day is very tight for Sevilla. Then you fly home from Sevilla?

Posted by
3643 posts

In my opinion, you have shorted Barcelona and Seville. You allotted each only one full day. Barcelona, especially, is chock full of sights to keep you busy for much, much longer. I would skip Valencia and Murcia. You could also trim one night off Granada. Fly between Barcelona and Granada. As others have advised, take the train from Madrid to Barcelona. Spain is a big country; and much of the interior is rather dry and barren, not scenic driving. Any time you save by following this advice should be added to Barcelona and Seville.