Whirlwind Three-Week Trip of Spain

Hi, can you post the itinerary? We went to Spain for three weeks in 2017 and probably covered several of the locations. That trip was our first time to Spain, and I read the entire Rick Steves book preparing for it.

This was our itinerary and the number of nights at each. We were originally supposed to fly home from Malaga, but our airline switched their options, so we had to take the train back to Madrid and return from Madrid.
Toledo- 2 nights, Madrid-3, Cordoba-1, Sevilla-4, Ronda-2, Granada-3, Nerja-4, Malaga-1, Madrid-1

This link has the details & thoughts about our trip:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/1st-time-to-spain-trip-report

We’re going back to Spain next year.

I edited my post and included the itinerary for 21 days. Thanks for reminding me!

That’s helpful!

I would drop Nerja and give that day to Granada, especially since you will be at Nice, France.

Research specifically what you would be doing in the San Sabastian area since that area is somewhat out of your way. If you’re taking a day trip while in Sevilla, I would add an extra day to Sevilla.

Generally I would advise looking at each location, determine what you want to do, look up the amount of travel time to reach the next location, check into the next hotel, etc. to see where you want to add or subtract days.

One day in Madrid is certainly short-changing the country’s capital. At the very least I’d cut the proposed day trip from there and make Toledo a day trip from Madrid. (It’s a nice overnight if you have the time, but this itinerary doesn’t really allow for it.)

Rick's itineraries always seem to short-change the larger cities, so I think you need more time in Seville and Madrid. And I wouldn't go to Montserrat with so little time in Barcelona.

I'm not a beach person so I've never bothered with Nerja. I'd recommend Malaga instead.

Cordoba is essential on a trip of this length. Arcos is worth a few hours if you have a car in Ronda. Folks like Jerez for the sherry bodegas and horse-related activities, and it's right on the train line between Cadiz and Madrid. But neither of those places should be chosen over Cordoba.

I like the Basque County, but I wouldn't spend so much time traveling there for just two days. Also, April's not the best time of year for an area that tends to be coolish and overcast or rainy even in mid-summer. I'd use that time to see Segovia and to add to Seville/Madrid/Barcelona.

I would skip the San Sebastian area in April, too, especially just for two days. April is one of the rainiest period with about 50% chance of rain; I have not-so-fond rain-related memories of childhood vacations in nearby Biarritz over Easter...
Add a day or two to Madrid, a day or two in Andalucia, and you have what I think is a perfect trip!
Plus, it will be easier to fly from Madrid to Nice.

What about Valencia?

I would spend a minimum of 4 nights in Seville. Seville is a beautiful city with many, many important historical and cultural sites. Additionally, it's a wonderful city just for wandering and enjoying the architecture, the plazas, the fountains, etc. Take a carriage ride around the city. See a Flamenco show.

I would also spend 2 nights in Cordoba, another very pretty city with narrow lanes, white-washed buildings, patios and flowers. The Mezquita is amazing, but there are other interesting sites as well.

I would also spend more time in Madrid which has some outstanding art museums.

You don't have to follow Rick's itinerary to the letter, do you? Taylor it to your specific interests and travel style. The problem with Rick's itineraries is that he has a lot of 1 and 2 night stays. I know it says "whirlwind" but with a whirlwind trip you will spend a lot of time on trains, buses, etc.

It would help if you start writing an itinerary listing one or more sites you want to see each day. Then you can see how many nights you need per city and you can see which cities you can skip or what cities you want to add.

I spent 4 nights in Seville, 2 in Granada, 2 in Cordoba, 5 in Madrid, day trip to Toledo.

I missed Nerja but it looks appealing because it may have extremely ancient ruins nearby that might be tombs that remind me of something i saw in Greece.