My husband and I are going to Spain in may for 11 days flying into Madrid and out of Barcelona. Deciding on going to a few cities in Northern Spain (San Sebastian, Bilbao) OR Southern Spain (Sevilla, granada). Seems more common to go to southern Spain, but northern Spain seems to offer more excitement. Thoughts?
Posted by
Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
629 posts
We enjoyed both areas in April/May of 2010. The north is beautiful but will be cooler and can get some rain. The south will be warmer, more so in Sevilla than in Granada. If you go to the north take your College sweatshirt and jacket - if you go to the south wear your cargo shorts and white T shirt! Both areas are amazing and offer lots of 'excitement' for you. Enjoy Spain!
Posted by
Whittington
984 posts
'excitement'- in what regard? Is this a young person's excitement which can be found every weekend, almost anywhere in the western world? What are you interested in, what is your vision of Spain, where will you find these interests or this vision if you want to see those 'sites'? Now choose.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23343 posts
I think it depends on what interests you. Southern Spain because of the Moorish influence is very different from northern Spain and the rest of Europe. Personally think the history of southern Spain is far more interesting than northern Spain. However, with 11 days and the Madrid/Barcelona pattern I would stay in northern Spain. The logistics would be easier.
Posted by
Tucson
4162 posts
Are you planning any time in Madrid or Barcelona? You could divide your time between just those 2 cities and use up all 11 days especially if 2 of those days are travel days. Are you taking the train? Spain is huge. Use the DB website (http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en) to check the travel times between cities for your planning. My husband and I have been to almost all the places you listed. We took the train, and the bus between San Sebastian and Bilbao. On the fastest train, it's about 3 hours from Barcelona to Madrid, the same from Madrid to Sevilla and twice that between Sevilla and Barcelona. Likewise, it's about 6 hours from Madrid to San Sebastian or from San Sebastian to Barcelona. These are not insignificant amounts of time when you have only 11 days. We preferred the south for the history and architecture. The north was hilly and green and more like the rest of Europe. Either of your options would work, but there will be lots of travel time.
Posted by
Orlando
516 posts
Loved Seville, Granada, and also check Cadiz. Very fun beach town. If you stay in Barcelona, check Tossa De Mar, Stiges, and Girona.
Posted by
Marin, CA
527 posts
We went to San Sebastian in early June and it's very special but when it rains which it did one of the three days it was very dreary and there was not much to do. We loved Granada and Seville is nice. Both are fun, interesting and different from Barcelona and Madrid. As you are going in May I would definitely go South.