It's still a ways off but then that is half the fun of European travel the months of planning. I have been looking through Rick's Spain book but also need some information from the Helpline community. Ours will be a short, week's visit in mid-April. Questions: How warm does it get in Madrid and Barcelona at that time of year? Will there be bullfighting or is that too early in the year? I also could use any and all lodging and dining recommendations regardless of cost. Thanks much.
Posted by
Seattle
50 posts
Bullfighting is illegal in Barcelona, so that's out. At that time of year, your best chance of seeing bullfighting is the week before/week of the Spring Fair in Sevilla, which is from April 29-May 4 in 2014. That early in the season, they MAY have amateur bullfighters (novilladas) on Sundays in Madrid.
Posted by
FL USA
1520 posts
Elevation of Madrid is higher than Barcelona so it will be cooler, expect warm 60's in Madrid with 70's in Barca. Accommodations: forget hotels, check out renting apts. We no longer stay in hotels due to better value, choice of locations/accommodations and convenience of kitchen. Take a dive into the web sites, we have used several and always been satisfied. Food: as a rule we do not plan our trips w specific restaurants in mind as we do our best to eat in non tourist areas. However, strongly recommend you take a tapas tour to get a great mix of tapas and drinks. Tripadvisor has a number of choices for tapas tours, we enjoyed the one in Madrid best.
Safe travels!
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
I was in Madrid the first week of May last year, and it was windbreaker weather. I was there, and in Barcelona, in August this year, and the weather in both Barcelona and Madrid was the same - blistery hot. Barcelona, though, at least had a breeze from the water. Madrid was just HOT. Based on that, I wouldn't expect a lot of difference in the weather between the two cities. Madrid is higher, but Barcelona is farther north. This year, they still had snow near Segovia (west of Madrid) at the end of April, when last year, everything was green. Since your trip is only one week, apartments won't work for you. It would be tough to find one in either city for less than a week.
Posted by
FL USA
1520 posts
Apartments will work for less than a week stay, we have done them for as little as two nights. Does not sure if Nancy has ever rented an apartment based on her comments.