I am in the early stages of planning a trip for this June with our family of 5 (kids age 14, 12, and 9). We have 12 days. We have booked flights in to Barcelona and out of Madrid. I would love to see Granada and Seville and Ronda. And would love some time at the beach. But I don't want to be constantly on the move. We don't need to hit every major sight and don't need time in art museums. I am struggling with the right itinerary. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Posted by
Midwest
2768 posts
I would say the big things are Barcelona, Seville, Granada, Cordoba, and Madrid/its side trips like Toledo and Segovia.
I would start with a few days in Barcelona - 4 nights (maybe do the beach there?), then Seville for 3, Cordoba for 1 (can be a day trip from Seville if you add a day) and 2 for Granada, then the final 1-2 in Madrid.
Of these, Madrid is the least interesting if you don’t care about art museums. Personally I’d just head there the evening before your flight and spend more time in Barcelona or a beach town in the south like Nerja
Posted by
Washington DC
27156 posts
I think this trip is too short with too many desired destinations to make a special trip down to the coast from Seville or Granada. If the beach is a must, I'd knock that off while in Barcelona, though I have no idea whether the water will be warm enough in June to immerse yourself. The beach would be a good activity on the first day, which is so often a visit to Zombieland.
A large number of Barcelona sights are so busy that you really must arrive at the entry point with tickets already in hand unless you're up for spending an hour or more in line and possibly not getting in at all. This is tricky when you have only a few days in the city and have no way of knowing exactly how much time you'll want at each sight (usually a minimum of 90 minutes) and how much time it will take you to get to the next place. These are the places you need to read about and put either in the "Yes" or the "No" column so you know what needs attention before you depart from the US (assuming Barcelona is your first stop):
- Picasso Museum (an utter madhouse; skip it if you're not big fans)
- La Sagrada Familia (decide whether you want to ascend a tower and walk down or skip towers)
- Parc Guell (outdoors, can be hot; look at weather forecast and decide whether early AM is a must; the most isolated location of the modernista sights listed here)
- Casa Mila (La Pedrera)
- Casa Batllo (the most crowded of the Gaudi sites in my experience)
- Camp Nou soccer experience (may require purchase way in advance; I do not know)
- Palau de la Musica Catalana (tour required; offered frequently in English)
The city has a lot of other attractions that do not require advance arrangements, but the ones listed above do. My favorite walk-right-in (so far) sight is the Sant Pau modernista site.
I especially liked the Barri Gotic walking tour run by the tourist office.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Time means Barcelona will have to be your beach stop. Book accommodation need Barceloneta.
Day
1. Arrive Barcelona (3 nts)
2. Barcelona
3. Barcelona
4. Fly to Granada (2 nts)
5. Visit to the Alhambra
6. To Ronda (1 nt)
7. To Sevilla (3 nts)
8. Sevilla
9. Day to Cordoba and visit to the Mezquita
10. To Madrid (3 nts)
11. Madrid
12. Day to Toledo or Segovia
13. Depart Madrid
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15589 posts
As I often do, I'll take David's good itinerary and make it better (and I hope my friend David will accept that comment in the gentle spirit it was written).
First, how many nights do you have in Spain? 12 days is not the same as 12 nights. You'll want more time in Barcelona to enjoy the beach and get over jetlag. There are also water adventures to enjoy and some great day trips. Ronda is expendable, so drop it - not worth the hassle of moving 5 people for a one night stay.
I like Cordoba more than Sevilla. The history and culture are the same. Cordoba is less travel time from Granada and to Madrid. Cordoba is smaller and quieter with a horse show at the Royal Stables, the Mezquita (best sight in Spain after the Alhambra), and a much better preserved medieval historic center. You could daytrip to Sevilla or save it along iwth Ronda for your next trip. 2 nights in Madrid is enough. Don't try to cram in too much. Instead of the art museums, take the family to the excellent Naval Museum (be sure to bring your passports for entry) and ride the HOHO bus around town or take a walking tour. Go to the San Miguel Market for tapas.
Barcelona (5N), fly to Granada (2N), train/bus to Cordoba (3N), train to Madrid (2N). Total 11 nights, 12 days. If you have 12 nights, add to Barcelona or Madrid.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you for all of the replies!
Upon further research we are thinking of the following itinerary, but we still have a few open ended questions:
Fly in to Barcelona - transfer to Costa Brava (3N)- we are still trying to determine final destination. We will likely be carless so that is a consideration. With jet lag hopefully we can unplug and enjoy some small town Spain in the meantime.
Barcelona (3N)
Fly to Granada (2N)
Train to Seville (3N)
Train to Madrid (Cordoba on the way) (2N)
Fly home from Madrid
Final itinerary question - what is the best home base for Costa Brava? We are considering Callela de Pafagruell, Tossa de Mar and Begur. We likely won't have a car - but will only be staying for 3 days.