Places of Interest in Spain

Hi,
Nine nights isn't a lot, it's basically three nights each in Barcelona, Seville and Madrid, or maybe 4-2-3 nights respectively, with a day trip to Toledo from Madrid, but none from Seville. I'd favor Toledo over Córdoba; Granada would have to replace Seville if that's your priority (you can also fly there from BCN and train to Madrid); Valencia is not a first time Spain must see; Lisbon is for another trip!

Nine nights is only eight full, non-jetlagged days. Your arrival day may find you totally non-functional; I am a sleep-deprived zombie.

In addition, every time you change hotels it costs you at least half a day, so there is no way to have three 3-day destinations on this trip. I would absolutely stick to Barcelona and Madrid as bases. Both have good day-trip options (including Toledo from Madrid), and there are beaches near Barcelona. Changing hotels a second time is not something I would want to spend my limited time doing.

As your landing point where you'll be dealing with jetlag, Barcelona needs extra time. I'd split my nights 5-4 or even 6-3, depending in whether you plan much time in Madrid's art museums (I'm guessing not with a toddler) and whether you want to day-trip to Segovia (or Cordoba--but that's about a 4-hour round-trip) as well as Toledo while you are staying in Madrid. The Cordoba trip would be painfully expensive if you didn't buy the train tickets early enough to snag a promo fare. Toledo and Segovia aren't bad at all.

The places you've mentioned are all good destinations (though I rank Valencia well below the others), but uprooting your family a second time on a trip of this length will leave you with insufficient time everywhere.

Spain is a lot bigger than you think. If you like to spend your time in airports or in transit, that is one thing, but if you want to actually see 'places of interest', you need to rethink the number of places you are traveling to. Certainly forget Lisbon. If any of you don't 'do' heat well, then I also suggest you forget Seville. It can still be in the 90s or over 100. This link is to Wunderground which I like to use for historical rain and temp data for where I vacation
https://www.wunderground.com/calendar/es/seville/LEZL/date/2017-9
Check the past 5 years for a better 'average' than ones you can find posted in tourist sites.
Barcelona and Madrid can easily use 5 days each. But ff you are a fast paced short attention span(not meaning that in a bad way) family, then bus to Valencia and take the train from there to Madrid. It isn't a favourite of mine or a high numero uno type city, but it has a beach and a big green space for toddler to run around in. When you can give yourself more time, then return to Andalusia and see it properly.

I suspect you are going to want a 3rd city centre, so choose one of the following: Seville, Granada or Valencia....not a combo. Granada would also be hot like Seville, btw, and is going to be less toddler friendly. If you have money to throw at it, some have taken day tours from Seville to Granada, but I wouldn't recommend it with a toddler.

Of course, hit your local library for travel DVDs, guidebooks, etc., With your very limited time and a toddler you are suggestion way too much. Save Lisbon, Granada, etc., for you next trip. Far too much travel especially with a little one. First, the toddler will dedicate you time schedule more than you may anticipate. Beach weather around Barcelona will be turning by late September. Still nice but it should be cooler. The first day and night is a throw away because of jet lag. So you really only have 8 as mentioned earlier. 3 or 4 in Barcelona and 5 or 4 in Madrid is the max. If 5 in Madrid a day trip to Toledo or even Avila and Segovia (would be a long day) would be possible. Both cities have parks for the toddler to run around.

You are getting similar advice but here is mine anyway: stick to Barcelona and Madrid. On a short trip like this anytime you need to travel by plane is a lost day so don’t do that. There is plenty to see in these two cities. Barcelona has walking neighborhoods, great architecture, the Sagrada Familia (a do not miss), a great food scene, beaches. Madrid has a lovely park, museums, strolling, and is your take off for a day trip to Toledo. Don’t try to squeeze in Sevilla, Cordoba, etc. You don’t have the time and won’t enjoy it. Lisbon is off the table-connections with Spain are poor. You say this is a leisure trip, so start planning with that in mind. Great trips are ruined every day by trying to squeeze in too much. If you have not already, get the Rick Steves Spain book, it is full of good ideas. And do this soon as September is not far away and I’m assuming you don’t yet have accommodations, tickets for sites you need to buy in advance.

All, many thanks for the great feedback to get me started! I will definitely pick up guidebooks, but getting feedback from many real people who have had a variety of experiences (vs. single or a handful of authors' views) helps a lot when getting started! I love the videos from Rick Steves! I am sure the book is as awesome! Thanks again!

Yes, the trip is less than 3 months away and I need to start booking soon. I just booked the flight to Spain yesterday.

We are definitely a "fast family". We did 4 cities in Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima) in 8 days / 9 nights, including transit in the bullet trains a couple of years ago. Walked a lot and saw everything we wanted to and the toddler was a 1 yo baby then. Best trip yet!

So 3 cities in Spain sounded reasonable at start. Your suspicion was right!

Did not know about 100F temps in Seville. Will definitely reconsider. I like the idea of adding Valencia instead.

Nights 1-4 Barcelona
Nights 5-6 Valencia
Nights 6-9 Madrid

Thanks again everyone! Time to hit the library and get some guidebooks :)

Just be prepared. There is a world of difference between 1 year old in arms/stroller baby and an independent minded three year old toddler. Just back from the trip with the 3 year old who pretty well controlled the pace of the trip. Two years ago as a babe in arms all she did was eat and sleep and a great traveler.

That's a great point, Frank!

I can't recall, but think Rick doesn't cover Valencia in his Spain book. You might need to get a different publisher from the library for that. My other beef about his books (but not apply to your fast pace preference) is that his 'on your own' routes just don't seem to take into consideration the time it takes to manage the logistics. For example, his Spain in 14 days is just too fast paced to fit it all in. You might as well set a timer...45 minutes Prado, depart, head to Reina Sophia (10 minutes), look at Guernica (7 minutes), leave..... for many, not realistic - particularly with toddler temperament and short legs. just sayin' so you can keep it in mind.
Enjoy.

Good to know. Thank you! I will plan accordingly, Maria.

I have also read that finding vegan-friendly meal options are difficult to find. Besides Happy Cow app, which I have installed already, any other suggestions?

They eat a lot of meat there, but Spain is also good about listing items as GF, vegetarian. Can't remember about vegan - but then I tend to stay in short let apartments particularly for personal food options.
I found food restrictions brings out a lot of travel blogs. Perhaps google for it. Happy Cow is a pretty great site. Didn't realize it also has an app.

Yeah, there is a free app and a paid one. That $3.99 I paid was well worth it for the Japan trip and I still have it for trips going forward!

It's my understanding that most cooking is done with olive oil (not animal fats), not much with eggs or cheese. There are lots of tasty vegetables and fruit available.

Because you don't really know how fast you'll be able to move with a toddler and a stroller, consider planning for two cities with lots of day trips, and maybe getting to Madrid just for your last night. Barcelona has beaches and day trips. The train ride from Barcelona to Sevilla is 5.5 hours. Flying will take almost as long, door-to-door, as the train with a lot more hassle. Cordoba is nearly an hour less time on the train. You could even do a day trip to Granada to see the Alhambra (about 1.5 hour train ride), and Sevilla is less than an hour away by train.

In Spain you should always ask your server about included meat. Ham is a very popular ingredient. It is used to season vegetables and is often included in sandwiches or salads that appear at first glance to have just cheese (which I realize you will normally wish to avoid) and vegetables. The menu del dia is frequently hand-written on a chalkboard without the detailed descriptive information you'll often find on printed menus. Be careful there.

I bought some convent-made cookies in Toledo and noticed lard included on the list of ingredients, which was posted in English as well as Spanish. I don't know how common that is, but you should probably find out the Spanish term so you can avoid it.

In Spain a "tortilla" is a thick potato omelet, typically served in wedges and widely available. Great for vegetarians, not for vegans. "Revueltos" are scrambled eggs, commonly offered on the lunchtime menu del dia. Ham is a frequent ingredient, but I presime you would want to avoid the eggs anyway.

Chani, great idea! Make BCN and Cordoba as my two hub cities with day trips from there.

Acraven, yes no eggs. I am considering buying and keeping a loaf of bread and jam/jelly from a grocery store and keeping it as a back up in the hotel room. Hopefully, we'd never have to use it!

Every little corner store I've been to has had at least packages of peanuts for sale. Sometimes there are other nuts and pouches of dried fruit. Corn nuts, which I assume have little protein, are popular, so check labeling carefully to avoid buying those by mistake.

If you keep your eyes open, you'll rather often see cups of cut-up fruit at open-air markets and perhaps larger supermarkets.

Do a google search for Vegan eating in Barcelona. Blogs are writing about healthy eating in Barcelona. Options recommended Vegatalia, Flax and Kale, Terresa Carles, and Bohl. Menus online.

Unable to try Macrobiotic Zen Restaurant in Barcelona.

Here is an unexpected twist! I will be in Barcelona toward the trail end of Fiestas de la Marce!

Good news is that I get to enjoy the festival; bad news is that all site-seeing places will be closed and/or crowded that week.

P.S. Need to book the hotels ASAP!!

I think the good news is that you are going to three major cities and there will certainly be places that serve vegan food.

Spain has a (perhaps partly deserved), reputation for not being always easy for vegetarians (as opposed to vegans). Because, for example, pork is used quite a lot to make broths for meals otherwise seemingly vegetable only (such as some soups and paella), or lard is used in pastries (though, I guess as a vegan you'd already be suspicious of those given the eggs, etc likely used).

In the three cities you are visiting, I don't think you'll have a problem and will find places promoting vegan dishes. In Valencia, horchata should be vegan, though you may want to check they've not used milk. There will also be halal restaurants, which doesn't mean vegan but at least means they're not using pork lard.

Try this restaurant in Barcelona; Teresa Carles, http://teresacarles.com/. It is in the Las Ramblas area. We ate there about 3 weeks ago and it was great. Almost went back the next evening. FYI, I am a dedicated carnivore. Definitely need reservations during the busy times.

acraven - good idea on the dried fruit and nuts! Hopefully they have English labeling -- my Spanish skills are very basic. (We got such items in Japan, but I think one of the packets possibly had some shellfish)
sl.wolf - I'll look up those restaurants. Thank you!
Nick - Horchata looks yummy! I will give it a try if they actually use tigernuts milk only. Thank you for the tip on the lard as well!
Ed - Teresa Carles looks amazing! Will definitely visit at least once! Thank you!
Alan - Thank you for your comments as well, no matter how much value it's adding to the conversation.
Others, please don't pile on ;-)

Given the festival, I might just spend more time in Barcelona and just do 2 cities. The festival looks like an awesome cultural experience!

Hi Tr, if you can make it out to our city festival La Mercè (Sep 21-24), I would highly recommend it!

The festival itself is huge, there are 100s of events spread throughout Barcelona's squares, streets, museums, and parks. The best part - all the entertainment is free. This is something that we put on for ourselves, not just for tourists. If you want to experience the traditional Catalan culture like a local, at least for a few days, this is a great opportunity.

During La Mercè, make sure to check out our Castellers, which are human towers built by teams of the local communities. Also something that is really cool is the Correfoc, which I would describe as a pyro-musical with synchronized fireworks, there is usually a big one at the base of the Montjuïc mountain.

Carlos, it sounds amazing! I land in Barcelona on Sep 23 at 11 am. So I will have 1.5 days to enjoy the festival. I am looking forward to taking part in the festivities!

Glad to hear it! Just in case here is the official website of the La Marcè festival in English: https://www.barcelona.cat/lamerce/en

I don't think they have fully updated it for 2019, but I would use this as a resource for your planning when they do update. It allows you to easily search for specific events based on location, dates, and subjects. It's from the official city website of Barcelona, so it will have the most accurate information.

I suppose several streets are closed off due to the festivals. Any thoughts on which areas to stay -- both for ease of access from the Airport and for proximity to the festival activities? Safety is of course important, and budget is for moderately prices 2-star or 3-star hotels.

Hi, during La Merce I would not shy away from any 2-3 star hotels in Barcelona in your price range that you can snag. No matter where you will be there is sure to be events close to you, though the most spectacular would probably be closer to the Ciutat Vella and Montjuïc. In general, I also tend to recommend the Gracia area, one of my favorites, but I have not been there during La Merce.

Carlos, thank you for the help! I have looked up a guest house (pensión) in Ciutat Vella area , close to Placa de Sant Jaume.

Two questions:
-Is that area safe at night? I heard that area south of Luice station is somewhat unsafe.
-How about staying in guest house from safety standpoint? It's a basic one-star guest house, but reviews are good.

Plaça Sant Jaume? This plaça (plaza) and its immediate surroundings are very safe, as it is where our Town Hall and Regional Government (Generalitat) are located :) if you want to be in the heart of the action I can think of no better area.

Tr; lookup the Hotel Eco Boutique Hostal Grau in the Las Ramblas area. It is a two star hotel and we would stay there again. Very helpful personnel, clean and reasonably priced; can't ask for much more.

Perfect! Thanks Carlos.

Ed - thanks for the suggestion. Will look it up