Spain Itinerary with Teen Boys

... you're spending too little time in Barcelona. I would rethink that. There are far too many things to do (other than museums and churches, LoL!). And then there are also quite a few great day escapades from Barcelona into the Catalan countryside worth exploring.

I share Enric's love of Barcelona. Check out the Camp Nou Experience. I have no idea what it is, but I think it's soccer-related.

You will be traveling during the summer and may encounter very hot weather in Andalucía. Some locations there have July-August record high temperatures over 110 F. You might consider a shorter beach break there and spending the rest of your time in cooler climes. On average, Madrid and surroundings are about 5 degrees warmer than Barcelona during the summer. I assume it will be more pleasant at Montserrat, and there are reportedly good walking opportunities there.

The planned Granada visit would be quicker by car than by public transportation from Nerja, which appears not to have train service. Here's the ALSA bus schedule for a random weekday in June. As you can see, the first sane departure time doesn't get you to Granada until 12:15 PM. There's more to see there than the Alhambra.

I loved the 2-week trip I made to Morocco several decades ago and would gladly return. I would not bother with a quickie visit to Tangier. And did I mention that it will be hot?

Soccer - not my thing but I've heard excellent things about visiting the stadium in Barcelona. In general I think you want more time there. Another day, especially if you are coming in from North America and will be jet lagged. The architecture, food, beach, and general feel of the city should go over well with teens (and you!)

Madrid - I like it, but unless you love art museums I find it less interesting than most other places in your idea list. Skip it this trip unless someone is dying to see the Prado or Reina Sofia (which are second to none!)

Nerja - lovely but not for 4 days. If you have a car look into the villages north for a day trip - the Alpujarras - nice hiking.

Spend at least one overnight in Granada. My boys (younger than yours) loved the Albayzin and San Nicolas viewpoint as well as the views of the Alhambra.

Seville is quintessential Andalucia. I would definitely spend some time there.

Perhaps go Barcelona to Seville on Day 5
3 night there, get car at end of stay
Go to Ronda (1 night)
Then on to Granada and Nerja

I did want to add that I know that Nerja sightseeing does not warrant the number of days that we have there but I figured it would be a good way to relax at the mid-point of our trip before the second 2 weeks of our trip. On our month-long trip to Europe two years ago, people commented that we had too rigorous of a schedule so I was trying to "do it right" this time so that we have a few days to relax (we survived our rigorous trip quite well though!). Nerja is supposed to be a little cooler than the rest of the Costa del Sol.

I understand that it is going to be very hot in southern Spain in the summer. We are from NC and it gets very hot and humid here in the summer as well. So I feel like we will be well trained! We survived Italy in the summer as well so unless Spain is severely worse than Italy's summer heat, I think we can manage.

Thanks for all of the tips so far - keep them coming!!!

Your boys will love the trains. Even though they are pretty cool, I still hope they're not the highlight of the trip for them.

Day 1 - Fly in to Barcelona (3 nights)
Day 2 - Full day Barcelona
Day 3 - Full day Barcelona
Day 4 - AVE train to Madrid (3 nights)
Day 5 - Full day Madrid
Day 6 - Day to Toledo or Segovia
Day 7 - AVE train to Seville (3 nights)
Day 8 - Full day Seville
Day 9 - Day to Cordoba - Mezquita
Day 10 - Pick up car. Drive to Ronda (1 night)
Day 11 - Drive to Nerja (5 nights)
Day 12 - Nerja
Day 13 - Day to Granada - Alhambra
Day 14 - El Caminito del Rey
http://www.caminitodelrey.info/en/
Day 15 - Nerja
Day 16 - Fly from Malaga to Scotland

My son was 14 when we took him to Spain and all he wanted to do was go to castles. He loved the castle and windmills at Consuegra, south of Madrid. There are a couple south of Granada at Lanjarin and Salobrena. There were also some castle ruins at Fuengirola. Just northeast of Granada is La Calahorra castle but don't believe it's open to the public. Rather than spend so many days in Nerja, maybe split that time between two places. Almeria was nice and its Alcazaba was very nice. With a rental car you open yourself up to more possibilities without having to worry about bus or train schedules. As far as futbol, once you have a fairly firm itinerary check for​ games on the days you'll be in town. The boys might also be interested in seeing a bullfight.

Sounds like a fab holiday is on the cards!

For football fans definitely book a tour around Barcelona stadium, Camp Nou well worth a visit.

Like previous commentators, I would spend another day or two in Barcelona before heading down to Andalucia.

I live in Malaga province and there is so much to do that you may have skipped over. Nerja is beautiful but I would maybe shave a day or 2 off and explore more of Andalucia. 3 nights in Nerja is enough to unwind.

You mention Tarifa, Ronda, Seville which are all beautiful as much as Gibraltar is fascinating. These are all not too far away from each other so you could factor in a 2 night stay and select a few of these to visit. Costa de la luz is also a beautiful place to visit which hugs the coastline past Gibraltar on route to Portugal.

Malaga City is definitely worth a visit now and is often overlooked by tourists but has been redeveloped at considerable expense with funding in recent years. I love the place as I've managed to explore every nook and cranny off the tourist track. For more info on things to do and places to visit this Malaga blog is definitely worth a visit and features articles on other places to consider el Chorro "Spanish lakes", "Old Town" in Marbella, Mijas Pueblo village etc...

Also please factor in the climate when you are coming over you mention summer so Im assuming August for your holiday and its stifling inland so Granada, Seville and Madrid can be overpowering to some people. Malaga, Gib and Tarifa are coastal.

I think your time in Barcelona is fine, if you go to Monserrat.

Madrid is a great choice for the middle of your trip. The Prado Museum is great. Other sites in Madrid are worth a couple of days. Also, you can take day trips to Toledo (a must), Segovia and possibly Avila.

You missed going to Seville, which is worth two or three days. I would try to fit in Sevile instead of beach time, since you can go to the beach in the USA. Costa Del Sol is not that great, in my opinion. Granada and the Alhambra are great.

If you're from North Carolina you'll have no problem with the Spanish summer heat. It's hot but not as humid as NC.

Agreed that Spain is generally less humid than the southeastern US--though Barcelona felt pretty humid last August--but the amount of time spent outdoors as a tourist is quite different from the way most Americans spend live their lives at home. We tend to move around in an air-conditioned bubble most of the time; we're not outdoors pounding the pavement, waiting on buses, etc.

I think Madrid is a great choice because there is a lot to see in the city and there are several amazing day trip options (Segovia, Toledo, Cordoba).
In the city, the boys might enjoy the archaeological museum which shows the history of Spain from the ice ages, through Rome etc. The labels are in English and the galleries are well arranged and a pleasure to be in. When I was there I saw a lot of kids who were really engaged- it's an amazing museum!
The Royal Palace has a fantastic armory, which the boys might prefer to seeing the state rooms. If you do go to Madrid, the area near the palace is a good one to stay in. You can walk to Plaza Major, the market, the beautiful gardens in front of the palace and good restaurants and shopping. I stayed at Hotel Mate Mario in August and had a very positive experience.
The temple of Debod is an Egyptian temple set in a park.

When in Nerja, I am sure you are already planning on setting one day aside to take a trip to Granada to see the Alhambra!

Enjoy your trip! Before my trip I was so nervous about the August heat but it was fine!!!

Hi,
Just a few thoughts. I too have a 14 year old boy and trying to plan a Southern Spain trip that balances his wishes versus his older sisters who like museums, is difficult!

We have been to Barcelona and agree need more than one day. Park Güell in Barcelona is just fun, lots of interesting things. We loved Monserrat outside the city is a nice trip and interesting mountains and Abbey, if they are up for that.

Haven't been to Southern Spain yet, but in my research I have found an interesting activity, Canyoning, here is a link to a tour group: https://www.garnatatours.com/en/featured/20-canyoning-rio-verde-in-granada. There are a lot, but this give you what it is.
Also, there are guided vehicle or hiking trips into the Sierra Nevada's which might be nice in the heat of the summer.

Also, I am sure you know there are caves in Nerja.

Good luck