Hi,
We'll be taking the train from San Sebastian to Barcelona in mid-September. We're considering breaking up the trip with a night along the way so as to not spend half a day just sitting on a train. The two major cities along the way are Pamplona and Zaragoza. I've heard good things about both places. Any suggestions as to which would be a better one-night stop or alternate ideas? Thanks.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Zaragoza has a lot more history and is verging on being spectacular.
Pamplona has more of a big village feel and is more of a wandering around, enjoying the grub, type of place. Except during fiesta, it's verging on being sleepy. I like it better.
Go to Zaragoza.
Edit: Read you response to Bob's post. How about cut a day out of San Sebastian (which you'll wear out in a day anyway unless you have side-trips in mind) and do both? I lived on the north coast for three years and have been back off and on -- San Sebastian is nothing but a big tourist/vacation spot with a pretty good, but crowed, beach.
ReEdit: Now I've read you other thread. I ain't about to talk you out of San Sebastian. Go to Zaragoza.
Posted by
OP
Las Vegas, NM, USA
24 posts
Thanks Ed.
I've seen other posts stating that Zaragoza is a very nice place--not so famous, but very welcoming and charming. The other thing I like about it is that it is closer to mid-way between San Seb and Barcelona.
Posted by
Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
629 posts
Pamplona and Zaragoza are worth a visit but we would spend the extra night in San Sebastian or Barcelona.
Posted by
OP
Las Vegas, NM, USA
24 posts
Bob,
Thanks for the thought, but we already have several nights in both San Sebastian and Barcelona. Also, I am a big fan of off-the-beaten-path sorts of places. We are better able to see and experience non-touristy Spain in such places. Thanks.
Posted by
OP
Las Vegas, NM, USA
24 posts
Thanks for the comments, Ed. San Sebastian is our big tourist moment of the trip. We really enjoyed lounging around there last year. Also, we're kind of food-crazy, and we really enjoyed food in the bars in San Sebastian. We'll hang out there a couple of days and enjoy the beach and food and maybe take a side trip. After that, we'll hit Barcelona and its big tourist sites (probably via Zaragoza). After that, we've got 5-6 days to roam the countryside in a car where we'll enjoy "hardcore," non-touristy Spain.