Rough Itinerary - September

Posted by JenLad on 02/11/18 10:35 PM

Hello all,

I posted a while ago with a rough itinerary and have drastically narrowed the trip based on suggestions (as well as our priorities). I'd love feedback on our itinerary. The train times are based on same day of the week trains on the Renfe May schedule, since there are not September times yet. We are late-30s, active, and mainly interested in architecture, history, and culture (art museums are not usually a huge priority).

Fri - overnight flight from US
Sat - arrive Madrid 8.20, train Atocha - Seville Santa Justa (12.00 - 14.32), walk/orient/eat, overnight in Seville
Sun - Seville - Alcazar, possible Devour Seville evening tour
Mon - Day trip to Cordoba; 8 - 8.45 train; Mezquita is open Monday, but will we have a hard time finding lunch and dinner?
Tues - Seville - Cathedral/Giralda, Barrio Santa Cruz, Plaza de Espana
Weds - Travel Seville to Barcelona (8.50 - 14.25), las Ramblas, Boqueria (or would it be better to see in the morning of another day?)
Thurs - Barcelona - Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo/Mila/Eixample
Fri - Barcelona - Bari Gotico/Cathedral, Park Guell?
Sat - Barcelona - Montjuic, Magic Fountain
Sun - Depart for US

Would love any feedback. Are the times realistic? Are there things we are missing, and if so, where should we add them? Thanks!

Posted by Jazz+Travels

Chicago

02/11/18 10:48 PM

7845 posts

This works for me. But if you could just fly into Seville (I know it may have been more expensive) so you don't have to stop in Madrid that would be better.
Buy or take out a travel guide out of the library on Spain so you can determine for yourself the things you maybe missing based on your own interests or so you can refer to what people recommend and see if you agree or not.

I don't see why you think you would have problems eating on the daytrip to Cordoba; a lot of tourists go there.

Posted by JenLad OP

02/11/18 11:01 PM

15 posts

Thanks @Jazz. It looks like a flight would put us in about an hour earlier, and so that may be easier. My husband is a bit uncomfortable with small planes, so I'll have to do some convincing! I have the RS travel guide and the DK, but I would love to see other recommendations. These are the things that, based on guides, we absolutely must do. Re: Cordoba - I'd just read that Sunday and Monday lots of things close. We love smaller, family-run, more authentic/less touristy places, so we want to make sure it's still a good idea to to go Cordoba on a Monday.

Posted by jaimeelsabio

Mid-Atlantic area

02/12/18 12:05 AM

6543 posts

Same comment as Jazz. It makes no sense to fly into Madrid if you want to go to Sevilla. As far as Barcelona, unless you’re pre purchasing tickets to get into a place, it really doesn’t matter which day you visit the locations. Just have a list of the places you want to see. Since the Boqueria is right at Las Ramblas, it makes sense to visit it while you’re there. When you see the different places could be determined by where your hotel is.

Posted by David in Brisbane

Brisbane, Australia

02/12/18 01:22 AM

7175 posts

You lose all day on Wednesday to train travel.
I would take a train Tuesday afternoon/evening, so you only lose a half day from your overall sightseeing time.

Sunday
Cathedral etc as per your current plan for Tuesday.

Monday
Cordoba and the Mezquita - I wouldn’t worry about the fact that it’s a Monday.

Tuesday
am. Sevilla Real Alcazar
pm. Train to Barcelona
AVE 3941
Dep 14:50 SEVILLA-SANTA JUSTA (Spain)
Arr 20:22 BARCELONA SANTS (Spain)

Then you have four full days in Barcelona, Wednesday to Saturday ...

Day 1
BOOK a first up visit to ...
•Sagrada Familia
Then head to ...
•Hospital Sant Pau
•Eixample - Passeig de Gracia, Casa Mila & Casa Batllo

Day 2
BOOK a first up visit to ...
•Palau de la Musica Catalana
Then head to ...
•Las Ramblas - La Boqueria, Placa Real
•Bari Gotico - Cathedral

Day 3
BOOK a first up visit to ...
•Picasso Museum
Then head to ...
•El Born - Basilica Santa Maria del Mar
•Parc de la Ciutadella & Barceloneta

Day 4
BOOK a first up visit to ...
•Park Guell
Then head to ...
•Plaça Espanya - Las Arenas, MNAC
•Montjuic - Olympic Ring, Castello, Miro Museum