I am looking at a plan B for the end of my 3 week Spain trip coming up. I have 4D/5N between Madrid and BCN airport (Nov 14-18). I have an airport hotel for the night before flight. Buses from Valencia go to the airport so I am looking at Valencia as a possible 2-4 day stopover; but know nothing about it.
I have heard of it historically, but know little to nothing about it currently. By this part of trip, I could be happy with shorter days of visiting sites, and more days of parks, beaches or just chilling out somewhere. Is it a packed cruise port? I am a birdwatcher and heard it isn't too bad for that, but that is just an aside.
Should I consider some little place on the bus/train route between Valencia and BCN instead?
Plan C would be to stay in Madrid (or environs - Segovia for example) and train to BCN.
Thoughts? Recommendations?
Thanks.
Posted by
Washington DC
27175 posts
I haven't been to Valencia, but others here have made positive comments about it. Other options:
Cuenca, a very atmospheric hill town on the AVE line between Madrid and Valencia. It has two nice modern-art museums and hanging houses a long a ravine. I suspect it will be windy and chilly in mid-November. The AVE ticket price may go quite high if you wait till near your travel date to buy.
With a car you could go from Cuenca to Teruel (less than 3 hours), a very nice, untouristy town with a flock of mudejar towers and some art deco architecture as well. Very interesting. Unfortunately, this is a you-can't-get-there-from-here situation if you're limited to public transportation. Without a car, Teruel pretty much needs to be approached directly from Valencia or Zaragoza. Like Cuenca, Teruel sits on a hill and might be drafty.
Zaragoza is worth an overnight and--as noted above--is a connecting point for Teruel. Just for wandering around, I preferred Teruel, but Zaragoza has a very impressive mudejar palace and is larger.
Down in Madrid's orbit:
Toledo (especially) and Segovia are both worth overnights. So is Salamanca.
Alcala de Henares is a college town accessible from Madrid via commuter rail. Very pretty historic area. Good for a day-trip.
I'd want to be near BCN the night before my transatlantic flight even if strikes were not a possibility.
Posted by
OP
Ontario, Canada
4574 posts
Thanks, acraven.
I do have a BCN airport hotel booked for the night before, as I mentioned.
I will have spent a few days in Toledo, but I appreciate the other environs recommendations. After I had set my itinerary, I started to learn more about the outlying castle towns and there are a few of interest so this might be an added opportunity.
I prefer not to drive, thanks. I expect by the later part of week 3 I want easy peasy - driving isn't that. I have considered Cuenca enroute to Valencia, so thanks for the details.
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, Usa
11 posts
Valencia is a beautiful city. I love just walking around and taking pictures of the architecture. I haven't been to any museums but I think there are some, and a nice aquarium. It's very flat so very walkable.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15591 posts
I enjoyed Valencia. Pretty buildings, interesting museums, lots of history. Check out the Las Fallas museum. Start with the TI's walking tour . . . and hope you get a good guide . . . some are great, others not so much. It's not a big investment so it's worth a try.