Where would you suggest we go for our first visit to Spain?

As you have so little time, if you have an interest or something of Spain you wish to see, I suggest you provide it along with the time of year.

I am looking at going in February. I have never been there so I am looking for leads for a few 'must sees' to chose from.
Thanks for replying!

Thank you for your reply James. I am researching Spain, and in addition I am asking here for personal favorites.
Hell? We were already stationed there, not looking to go back anytime soon.

First, may I say I find your conversation with James very amusing. I was stationed in Germany for 30 months and thus began my love of Europe. So much so that 40 years later I have purchased a small retirement / vacation home in Europe. Now to your question: I have been to Spain twice recently, but not south of Barcelona. In Barcelona I would recommend walking the Ramblas. Start at the top and walk down to the marina. It's a moderately long walk with many interesting people and markets. Check out http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/albums-en/ramblas/ Beware the pickpockets in Barcelona. They were not aggressive, but I'd say they were numerous. There are some excellent off season hotel deals to be had north of Barcelona with light rail service right into the heart of Barcelona. Where are you flying into Spain? We also loved San Sebastian and the little coastal villages to the west. That is Basque country which decidedly different from any images I had of Spain. Very green and rugged. The drive from Bilbao to Barcelona reminded me to the Swiss alps at first, but later got very flat and boring. I would not suggest that drive to anyone who didn't have lots of time to kill.

With only 3 days, I would chose one of the biggies: Madrid or Barcelona. Both have a completely different vibe. One couldn't really compare the 2 as we are dealing with apples and oranges. If I had a choice, I would do 3 days in Barcelona. Walk the city, visit the Picasso museum, tour all the Gaudi sites including his cathedral. If you have time, side trip to Figueres to see the awesome Dali Museum.

I would spend two nights in Granada and one night in Cordoba. The Alhambra and Mezquita are not to be missed, and both towns are highly scenic and small enough to take in with the short time you have available.

Seems like youy are doing this backwards. Since you are also asking what is the cheapest way to get to Spain from Germany, why not let that drive your decision? Some destinations in Spain are undoubedly cheaper/easier to reach than others, depending on your starting point in Germany. Also, why not check with a travel agent in Germany for fly/stay packages? Seems like winter is the time for these---I've seen deals in travel agent windows in the past. You might find a good package for Barcelona.

I'm with James - you must have some idea of what interested you about Spain in the first place. What attracts you? If you just ask for "must sees" you will end up with a list of everyone else's choices. There is so much to see in Spain that you can't go wrong with whatever you choose. We can help you narrow it down logistically once you have decided on what you might want to see.

Patty, when you say you were stationed in Hell, do you mean Hell in Norway? I didn't know there was a base. James, that's a good suggestion...

'I would not suggest that drive to anyone who didn't have lots of time to kill.' It's an easy five hour drive. Zaragoza, right at the midpoint, is one of the great cities of Spain - - it's just never made Mr Steves' list.

How about flying into Malaga, really great city, fantastic tapas bars etc .
Also from Maria Zambrano rail station in Malaga you can travel easily to Cordoba and Seville .We did this trip back in March over 6 days , would thoroughly recommend .

My version of Hell would be Adak, Alaska; 1000 miles west of Anchorage in the Aleutians (akin to Bodo, Norway, but more isolated). Took orders there to keep my family together while avoiding a similar sentence on an aircraft carrier. The weather was so dismal that if we saw the sun we'd take the day off from work (maybe 8 days of sunshine a year). We all went crazy together; my wife became a psychologist following that experience. Oh, Spain..., I'd vote for one or two of Granada, Sevilla, and Cordoba with the short time you have there.