Madrid, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Toledo:
What should I see in the 1-3 days I have in each place?
What local foods should we definitely try?
How should we spend the siesta hours?
Any shows that you would recommend?
Of the major sites, do you have any recommendations for making the most of the visit?
Any back door secrets?
All suggestions are appreciated!! Thank you!
Just to qualify things a bit more, to help get useful suggestions . . . anything you particularly like, or would not be at all interested in? Art museums, history museums, castles, parks, certain food ingredients, sports . . . etc? Also, when are you visiting, as some things work out differently at certain times of year.
Depends on the time of year you're there, but a Zarzuela show in Madrid is unique - kind of a Spanish opera/melodrama.
You can get a sightseeing overview at http://www.ricksteves.com/europe/spain, but any "back door secrets" that Rick's team have are shared in the guidebook.
I will be in Spain Nov 21-30. I will likely go to one Art museum, beyond that I would rather see the cities' architecture, view points, climb bell towers, FOOD, and cultural shows! Thanks for asking!
http://www.euroresidentes.com/euroresiuk/guides-spain/guide-toledo.htm
"In the 13th century the Moors, Christians, & Jews lived together in harmony." (Paraphrased)
The above link lists places of worship (cathedrals, synagogues, etc) among other places. One synagogue has a museum attached to it if I remember correctly.
When we were there, we went to a business that dealt with swords, and stringing wire.
While in Madrid my group of youths attended a bullfight.
There is plenty to see. What to see depends on what you like.
saweber95 - We were in Madrid last November and it was Zarzuela season! Check out www.teatrodelazarzuela.mcu.es/en . We reserved tickets from home for a theater box along the side, and picked them up at Will Call just before the performance. At Intermission, step out to the bar for a glass of cava. A digital screen above the stage provides lyrics in Spanish and English. The lighting and costumes were fabulous, and this tradition goes back well over 100 years in Madrid.
The Prado art museum is perhaps the world's best, but it's BIG. The Reina Sofia has great modern art, including Picasso's Guernica. If you're planning on just one museum, though, and aren't necessarily set on one of the two above, consider the Thyssen-Bornemisza, which we also visited, and were very pleasantly surprised by its substantial, quality collection.
Bullfighting season has ended for the year, but Rick Steves' guidebook mentions some Madrid bars that reflect a bullfighting culture. We didn't take a siesta - places we went were open thru the afternoon and people were out and about. Haven't followed up on the current situation, but there was a garbage strike a year ago and the sidewalks were filled with trash - hopefully you won't encounter anything like that this November! Also, compared to home in Colorado, it got light later in the day and seemed to get dark early.
Jamón (ham) is king, and there are different levels of aging and quality, priced accordingly. Jamon Ibérico de Bellota is the finest. Get papas bravas (fried potatoes covered in spicy sauce). Two places where we got great Spanish food (in the La Latina neighborhood in Madrid) were Rayuela at Calle Morería nº 8 (www.tabernarayuela.com) and Juana La Loca at Plaza de Puerta de Moros, 4. And whether in Madrid, Granada, or elsewhere, don't miss churros con chocolate!
In Cordoba you could easily spend the siesta hours just wandering around the old section of the city near the river. If you are feeling a bit weary and worn from all the walking and site-seeing, schedule a massage and try out the baths at Banos Arabes de Cordoba. This is actually a small hotel or bed and breakfast and guests have unlimited use of the baths. If you enjoy archaeological digs, visit the fabulous excavated complex of Arab buildings at Medina Azahara (Madinat Al-Zahra). When I saw this many years ago, it was a bit rough but now there is a website, a terrific visitor center, and easy transportation between Cordoba and the site. Write if you have specific questions.
In larger cities there are generally no "siesta hours". Stores and restaurants remain open all day. We did not encounter any "siesta hours" in Cordoba when we were there. In smaller towns or more rural areas you might find siesta being observed, but not in big cities like Madrid or Sevilla.
I would suggest trying to find a patio tour if you will be Cordoba during the summer. We went on one when I was there and it was fantastic! Homeowners in the old town compete with others to see who has the most beautiful and elaborate floral displays in their patios. The tour we took was in Spanish, but you might find an English one.
You don't say the time of year so I'll give you general things.
Madrid: The Prado. If it's nice weather check out the Retiro park and/or botanical gardens next to Prado. I also liked Temple Debod (moved from Egypt when they built the Aswan Dam).
Seville: Cathedral, Alcazar, and surrounding area are great. See a flamenco performance. Walk to the river and see the Golden Tower.
Cordoba: Mesquita and surrounding quarter (including a very old Synogogue) are great.
Toledo: Walk the twisty streets, great art in situ.
Granada: Alhambra, Sambra performance in a cave home. Lots of other sights.
I have a trip report on this site called Spain: clean toilets and affordable lodging. I talk about Tapas quite a bit. It can help you with what to expect from different menu items.
The biggest sights are open during siesta, call ahead to check.
