I am running the Barcelona Marathon March 2. Starting March 4 I have until March 9th or 10th to explore Spain. Will not be renting a car, so any highlights I should definitely visit?
I can fly home from a place other than Barcelona.
Posted by
cincinnati
80 posts
you should definitely see madrid and toledo. you can take the AVE almost all the way from barcelona to madrid and then the AVE to toledo. I wouldn't miss these cities. You can also take the AVE from madrid to cordoba and sevilla. you can make this a day trip (although it is a loooong day!!). If you really wanted to see the alhambra you could try to take a budget flight to granada and see that, although granada is a bit out of the way of the major cities and no AVE connections to get you there quickly on the train. hope this helps.
Posted by
OP
Campbell River
10 posts
Thank you for the suggestion. Would it be reasonable to do a triangle - Barcelona to Granada to Madrid?
I keep hearing about Alhambra so am wondering if it would be worth trying to fit it in.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Can I assume you'll have seen enough of Barcelona, and will leave there on 4 March? If so, leave that morning for Granada, flying via Clickair for as low as 20 Euro all in (http://clickair.com). Book tickets to see the Alhambra that afternoon (it's worth it). On the 5th, take the bus to Sevilla (about 3 hours, as fast as the train and a lot cheaper), spend two nights there. On the 7th, take the AVE high speed to Madrid. On the 8th, take the AVE to Toledo for a day trip. On the 9th and 10th, explore Madrid, then fly out of there. To make this work, you're going to have to make sure you book your air ticket now, and get to the Sants train station in Barcelona as soon as you arrive to book your Sevilla-Madrid, and Madrid-Toledo-Madrid trips. Book your Alhambra tickets now over the web, since admission is restricted there, and you want to make sure you can get in (http://alhambra-tickets.es). That's a fast tour, but it'll whet your appetite to return...I guarantee it!
Posted by
OP
Campbell River
10 posts
Thanks for the info about click air, etc.
Another thought, what about skipping Madrid and flying out of Lisbon? Are Madrid and Toledo definitely not to be missed or would Lisbon be more interesting?
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Madrid and Toledo over Lisbon, any day! Better use of your time as well, since getting from Sevilla to Lisbon will waste a lot of time, unfortunately.
Posted by
OP
Campbell River
10 posts
Thank you Norm for all your help. I have booked a flight on Click air to Granada and reserved my Alhamba tickets as you suggested. And, yes, we will end our journey in Madrid.