We are traveling to Spain December 15-25 and spending three days each in Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville. The s is a family trip with two grown children ages 25 and 20. If we had to pick one tour, excursion, event in each city for a family that has never been to Spain, what would you recommend in each city?
Thanks in advance for your recommendations!
At least for Barcelona and Madrid, it depends on what you're interested in. For example, art museums are a big deal in both cities, but your group may not care about them.
Are you arriving in Spain on Dec. 15 after an overnight flight from the US or Canada? Are you flying back home on Christmas Day?
Have you purchased your airplane tickets? If so, what are your arrival and departure cities?
Arrive actually on the 16th in Madrid. 16-18 Madrid, 19-21 Seville, 22-24 Barcelona. Fly back to the US on the 25th. The dates list the nights staying in each city.
For Seville, the Alcazar and the Cathedral. Madrid, the Royal Palace and/or the Prado. If you like cultural stuff like museums.
Perfect! Thank you.
In addition to Tommymac's list , we also went for a flamenco show in Seville- Please do include a flamenco show in Seville if you think you would enjoy it. We went for the show at Casa De La Memoria, and it was lovely!
We also opted for a free walking tour by Runnerbeans in Madrid, this involves 2-2.5 hours of walking/ standing so you might want to include/ exclude this based on your interest. We really enjoyed the tour, it ended at the royal palace and we chose to explore the palace on our own post that.
Madrid - Prado OR Reina Sofia Museum. Really do both but you asked for one!
Barcelona - Sagrada Familia
Seville - Flamenco concert.
Second Choice would be
Madrid - the other museum I mentioned above
Barcelona - gaudi House - casa Mila or Casa batllo
Seville - Alcazar and cathedral
All these are excellent food cities so a food tour would be a great choice in any/all. An evening tour lets you save daytimes for sights and gets you dinner
Another vote for the Royal Palace in Madrid. I was really sad that you aren't allowed to take photos instead-the place is stunning.
I'm not a Gaudi fan, so my pick for Barcelona is the Palau de la Musica - stunning. My choice for Madrid would be a day trip to Toledo. If you like palaces, the one there is very good. If you like painting, either the Prado or the Thyssen or the Reina Sophia - depending on which periods you prefer - the Thyssen is mostly Impressionist era, the Prado before that, the Reina Sophia after that. Sevilla - the Alcazar and a performance at La Casa de Flamenco, but my top choice would be a day trip to Cordoba to see the Mezquita. You could stop in Cordoba either between Madrid/Sevilla or Sevilla/Barcelona and store your bags at the bus station across the street from the train station.
Madrid - wander Retiro park. If it’s too cold, then visit the Prado
Sevilla - cathedral and its Geralda tower
Barcelona - Sagrada Familia
I’m going to have a bet each way and make 2 choices in each city.
Madrid - Royal Palace and Prado Museum
Seville - Real Alcazar and the Cathedral
Barcelona - Sagrada Familia and Barri Gotic
Since you're probably going to visit Sagrada Familia, take the 10 minute walk to Recinta Modernista St. Pau. This Modernista hospital complex was designed by Montaner and is just wonderful. After the crowds of the Gaudi sites, this is a beautiful respite - your photos will look like you're in a Modernista town.
Seville flamenco at casa de la memoria
Barcelona: street art tour and Casa Battlo
Madrid: museums, Rick Steves audio walking tour
Thanks to all for your feedback and perspective. Definitely useful information.
