Hi all!
I'm an American currently living in Barcelona. My brother is visiting me in August, so we're planning a short jaunt around Spain. We're planning to do two to three days in each of the following cities: Bilbao, Madrid, and Seville. I'm wondering if this is just a crazy fast itinerary? Would we do better drop a city off the list?
Thanks,
Nicole
I'm not sure there are two to three days worth of things to do in Bilbao. I think I would just stick to the two locations and spend a bit more time there.
I concur with Nancy... two destinations tops.
I found Bilbao a very attractive city, and it has some good day-trip possibilities, but I agree that for such a short trip three cities are too many. I'd omit Bilbao and devote at least 3 days to the Madrid area, probably making a day-trip to Toledo, Segovia or Cuenca, depending on your interests. Cuenca is very picturesque and has some modern-art-related sights.
One important fact about Bilbao at the moment: The city's #2 museum, the Bellas Artes Museum, has been closed for weeks due to a strike by the employees of the company providing visitor services. No one seems to have any idea when the situation will be resolved.
Dang, acraven, that is really disappointing. The city I'm most excited about visiting is Bilbao - after a couple months in Catalunya I feel like it will be super cool to see the other autonomous region. Plus I'm craving some greener foliage. At least there's still the Guggenheim.
Now I'm thinking we'll just spend one night in Bilbao before heading to Madrid. I'd really like to do all three cities - it's my brother's first trip to Spain, so I feel like we have to really pack in the sights, you know? Then we'll be kicking it really chill in Barcelona once we get back, so the trip will have a laid back, cultural aspect to it as well.
In that case: I really enjoyed the free English-language tour offered at the Bilbao Guggenheim at about 12:30. You go to the info desk to get a little sticker which is your ticket for the tour. Capacity is limited, so you want to hit that desk well in advance. The info people warn that it's not a tour of the museum collection, more about the founding of the museum, but I found that not to be the case (perhaps varies by guide??). My tour did, indeed, discuss how the museum came to be in Bilbao and the various construction materials, but it also covered the lower floor pretty comprehensively. Afterwards, I walked back through those exhibits very briefly but otherwise concentrated on the top floor. I don't remember the running time of the tour but am pretty sure it was 60 to 90 minutes. With a serious interest in the museum, I'd be tempted to show up by 11 or 11:30, try to pry from the info desk folks an assurance that the tour does not visit the upper floor, then head up there. You'd be able to cover a good bit of that floor while waiting on the tour, assured that you had a spot on the tour.
Of course, also check on the status of the Bellas Artes Museum. The T.O. right beside the Guggenheim should have current info. There's an announcement on the museum's website, too, which one hopes will be removed promptly when the museum re-opens.
The Casco Viejo (old quarter) is picturesque and worth a wander. I also enjoyed walking along the river and through the "downtown" area with its many handsome 19th century buildings. Rick recommends the boat tour on the river, but I never found time for that. I opted to go to Bermeo, a picturesque town on the coast. Took a train, probably the FEVE, which is slow but goes through pretty countryside. The Basque Country is so, so much more attractive than the country around Madrid. Not speaking of the many great side-trip cities accessible from Madrid, of course.
I spent two days in Bilbao last Fall and thoroughly enjoyed it. One day was devoted to the art museums - the Guggenheim has great art both inside and outside of the museum- and the other was just a "chill day" spent wandering around the old town (cathedral, Plaza Nuevo, etc..) and relaxing in cafes.
From Barcelona ...
AVE train to Madrid (3 or 4 nights) - possible day trips to Toledo and Segovia
Alvia train to Bilbao (2 or 3 nights)
Bus to San Sebastian (2 nights)
Fly Vueling to Barcelona
I found the San Sebastian area to be nice, but not sure it's worth the time given your itinerary. Bilbao was a quick in and out for us. I was bored after visiting the museum. Lol I would say do Madrid, Toledo and Sevilla instead.
If you like the food scene,I would go to San Sebastian and try some of the great food and enjoy the beach and the scenery,Bilbao is about an hour and a half.All of you destinations are worth visiting although Seville is a longer trip but well worth it.
Mike
