We are planning on visiting Spain in May, flying into Barcelona and spending 3-4 days there before flying down to Andalucia. We plan on spending about 1.5 weeks (give or take) in Granada, Ronda, Cordoba and Seville. We aren't sure if it is worthwhile to extend the trip to Toledo and Madrid or if we should fly home (Seattle) from Seville. We are retired, and reasonably fit seniors. The length of the trip is flexible, we enjoy sightseeing and learning about the local culture, visiting gardens, and doing some hiking. Visiting museums is of secondary interest. What do you recommend regarding a visit to Toledo and Madrid?
Posted by
11156 posts
Definitely visit Madrid! If you are interested, take a day trip to Toledo by train.
Posted by
424 posts
Toledo is great and Madrid has it's charms but based on your itinerary I would skip them and fly home from Seville. ±10 days is nowhere near exhausting the possibilities of Andalusia. A little research will undoubtedly yield some fascinating possibilities in Andalusia, or Catalonia where you can add more time. No bad choices.. Brad
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6504 posts
If the time is flexible, why not add a few days in Madrid and Toledo? Madrid is easy to reach by train from Seville via Cordoba, and you could fly home (indirectly, as with all these cities) from there. Or you could take the train from Barcelona to Madrid, then on to Andalucia from there. Toledo is an easy day trip from Madrid, or better an overnight (but without train service to the southern cities, so you have to return to Madrid). You can connect all the cities you mentioned by rail, but you might want a car in Andalucia.
Madrid is probably best known for its world-class museums, but also has beautiful parks, historic places, and a very walkable center. Toledo is also a beautiful city even if you're not into El Greco. Since you're making those long flights and spending that airfare, and have the chance to extend the trip, why not see as much as you can?
Posted by
2 posts
The CordobaPatio Festival maybe going on while you are there. It is in May. Many patios are decorated with colorful flowers for the festival
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8142 posts
Flights coming home to SEATAC will need to make connections at Heathrow. You have 3 airlines flying non-stop from there including British Airways.
The only non-stop flights to Heathrow out of Spain are on British Airways from Malaga, Madrid or Barcelona.
You probably will want to make Madrid your last stop before flying home.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
6541 posts
Since time isn’t a constraint, add a week and visit Toledo, Salamanca, and Segovia. You could even squeeze in a couple hours for Ávila. They are within an hour of each other by car, and an hour from Madrid.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7302 posts
Madrid is a very rich destination that I would not omit. Just as a tiny example of what you are missing are two by-reserved-tour-only convents with lavish interiors and some art that never travels. You can be alone with hundreds of major paintings in just the least visited museum, the Palacio des Bellas Artes.
Air travel realities also important.
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2375 posts
There is no requirement to visit locations that don't appeal to you.
I have occasionally gone places that didn't appeal if it involved a minor detour. Sometimes it was a pleasant surprise, sometimes it was exactly the "eh" I thought it would be.
Posted by
161 posts
Slightly off the topic of your question, but perhaps relevant all the same: since you expressed an interest in gardens, you may want to look into Aranjuez, in the vicinity of Madrid. Though I've made several trips to Spain (and though I'm a fan of Rodrigo's "Aranjuez Concerto"), I haven't been there yet; but I am aware that it is famous for its palace, parks, and gardens.
Posted by
OP
Seattle
30 posts
Thank you so much for your recommendations and advice. I'll do a little more research and then we'll settle on an itinerary. If anyone has additional advice, it's always appreciated.