So I have about 6 full days to see spain, looking for tips. My girlfriend and I arrive to Madrid mid-day on day 0 which we will count as a write-off day (will see what we can in Madrid). Day 1 we will obviously do Toledo. Day 6 we must leave by ship from Barcelona. I have long wanted to visit alhambra in Granada, and am even thinking of staying in the Parador there. What other stops should we make in southern Spain? How much time should we budget for Barcelona? Thanks for the help!
Posted by
Arlington, VA, USA
123 posts
Spend at least 2 nights in Madrid ... We stated in Mihas as a base and did day trips from there, with a car. Don't know if you'll have a car but in southern Spain, if you have time, try a day trip to Ronda. It's truly magical. We also did a day trip to Granada and the Alahambra is magnificent. Seville is also wonderful you woul dneed at least a day and night. Barcelona has so much to see and do. Staying at least 2 nights (with 2 full days) will just give you an inkling of how great this city is. Try to stay in a hotel on Las Ramblas. We stayed at HOTEL LLORET, Rambla Canaletes, 125 08002 Barcelona. Good 1 or 2 star, right on the "main drag" close to everything. Clean, safe, inexpensive, elevator, quiet (request a room in the back, not on the street), big rooms & bathroom (although it had a tub with hand-held shower only). Current reviews on Trip Advisor of this hotel indicate it's being/has been renovated (?)
Don't miss Gaudi sites: Sagrada Familia, Picasso museum, and try to get up to Montserrat (morning visit?) - it's amazing. Have fun!
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3287 posts
Spain is a large country. With 6 days you barely have time to visit Madrid, Granada, and Barcelona. Two nights Madrid, train or bus to Granada ( that takes half a day right there) two nights Granada ( make your reservations for the parador now), fly to Barcelona for your last 2 nights. You could cut Granada to one night if all you want to see there is the Alhambra.
Posted by
Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
629 posts
Will you ever be returning to Spain? If YES, I would spend most of the time in Madrid with day trips to Toledo and Segovia. Granada needs a stay of 2 nights to make the trip worthwhile - save it for a future trip on a tour of the south. After this short visit to Spain - YOU will return! If Granada is a priority - use 2 of your nights there. Give yourself 2 nights in Barcelona prior to the ship and you will be rested and have had a good TASTE of Spain. We could easily spend all of the nights in either Madrid or Barcelona. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2727 posts
You won't see anything but the road or train tracks in six days if you try to get to Granada too. I loved Granada but you don't have enough time to get there and see it properly, especially if you plan to take the train (it's a long train ride from Granada to Barcelona). If it were me, I would plan Toledo day 1, Madrid days 2 and 3, high speed train to Barcelona Day 4, Barcelona day 5 and 6. Plan to go back.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17433 posts
We spent 3 nights/2 full days in Granada, most of it at the Alhambra, and that wasn't enough. I agree with CL-getting to and from Granada will eat up a whole day of your limited time, a half-day for travel in each direction. According to your count, since you are leaving Barcelona on Day 6, you really only have 5 days. Do you want to spend one of them on train/bus/airplane, leaving only 4 for sightseeing and enjoying what you came to see? If you love the feel of medieval towns, you could spend a night in Toledo instead of making it a day trip. Then return to Madrid (30 minutes) and take the high-speed AVE train to Barcelona (2.5 hours). You can get a 60% discount on those tickets by buying 62 days in advance on Renfe.com.
Posted by
OP
calgary, AB
2 posts
thanks for all the responses! very helpful!