Hello. We are thinking of going on a cruise from Barcelona on either 9/2 or 9/9 and doing 7 nights in Spain before the cruise. I read that the August weather is hot and some places are closed. Would it make a major difference if we arrived in Spain on 8/26 or 9/2? I say the later date is better and my husband thinks the earlier date is better. Please let me know if this itinerary sounds doable: 2 nights Madrid, fly to Sevilla for 3 nights (doing a day trip to Cordoba), train to Granada for 2 nights, fly to Barcelona for 7 night cruise and then 2-3 nights in Barcelona. It's kind of a lot but who knows if we will ever go back to this area again. Thank you for your assistance. Linda
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16321 posts
I would go in September.
Your itinerary looks fine to me, but I suggest you take the AVE train from Madrid to Sevilla. It is faster than flying ---only 2 hours 35 minutes from city center to city center. You will spend much more time than that with travel from Madrid to the airport, 2 hours security time, flight time, and travel from Sevilla airport into the city. If you purchase tickets in advance on Renfe, you can find Promo fares as low as €28,70. Buy your tickets for the Cordoba daytrip at the same time.
The flight from Granada to Barcelona does make sense as this is a longer train journey.
Posted by
LaGrange, Ga, USA
1178 posts
Agree with the comments above...AVE Train is the better choice for Barcelona to Madrid. Depart from the Sants station and arrive at the Atocha Station in Madrid about 2 1/2 hours. Your tickets will have the car number and seat number on them. There is a snack car on the train as well. Carry your luggage and store as you enter the car...and great scenery as you travel the miles.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
One week won't really make a difference in weather but a lot of businesses (shops+restaurants) do close down in August.
The last weekend in August for that reason is a very busy travel time in Spain, and should be avoided.
2 nights in Madrid may leave you wanting when you factor in jet lag (especially if you plan on visiting the big 3 art museums).
Perhaps a 1 night stop in Cordoba en route to just 2 nights in Sevilla - definitely use the AVE train.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Would it make a major difference if we arrived in Spain on 8/26 or
9/2?
The weather should not affect your decision to arrive in Spain on 8/26 or 9/2. It's only one week. At least, it's not a difference in weather that could be predicted ahead of time by any of us.
Posted by
OP
Seattle
25 posts
Thank you all for your responses. We had not thought about the Ave train from Madrid to Sevilla. We forgot that Europe's train service is great in comparison to the US. If we had to cut out one night somewhere, where would you cut? Thank you.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I would cut the night in Seattle before you depart.
ie. Leave a day earlier !!!
Posted by
55 posts
You may need to take the bus from Cordoba to Granada. I have heard that train service in and out of Granada is suspended from mid-March for 6 months due to renovating the tracks. Double check, to be sure, but have a back-up plan. The buses in Spain are quite good: inexpensive, efficient, and comfortable.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
I would go the latest date available. Even a week increases the odds (after all it's all still up to chance, it's weather) that you will have comfortable vs. super hot weather.
Sounds fun. You might like my trip report from Spain, it covers a wide range of topics:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/spain-clean-toilets-affordable-lodging