How long should I spend in Madrid, Seville, Granada, and Barcelona?

Question

I will be in Spain in April 2009 for 8 days (10, if you count the travel days). I'll be going to Madrid, Seville, Granada, and Barcelona. (Yes, I realize that's a lot for 8 days, but the timing and the cities are a bit out of my control, so I'm just going to have to cram as much in as I can.) Does anyone have suggestions for how I should divide up my time in these four cities? I was thinking of just doing 2 days in each, but should I devote more time to a particular city? I know Madrid and Barcelona re larger, but it seems as if a lot of the attractions they have are museums and I'm not a huge museum buff (am just planning on going to El Prado in Madrid). I am more interested in castles, palaces, the Moorish elements of Spain, tapas, parks, etc.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I have only visited Barcelona of the cities that you are planning to go and I can tell you it's very diverse, exciting and cosmopolitan. The architecture, if it's your thing, is just great to explore and look at. Wandering through the narrow streets, taking in the atmosphere, drinking wine and eating tapas, shopping, the coffee bars, it really is a wonderful city. No moorish elements here, but lots of catalan culture, great food and interesting people. I would say 3 days but you could probably get away with 2 if you're pushing it. I was there for a long weekend and barely saw 25% of the city so any which way you cut it, you don't have enough time already!

Answer 2

Spend equal time in each city.  In your time frame, there is sufficient to keep you occupied in all cities for 2 days.  

Madrid has excellent tapas, especially if you're a bit away from tourist places - tourist bars around Sol generally don't offer free tapas.  Spend some time in the Malasana area of Madrid which is great.  Go to the Prado one day and Retiro Park the next.  Walk around in the centre and go check out Palacio Real.

In Barcelona you can take a walk along the beach, visit La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell.  It's a lovely city to walk around, especially in Barri Gotic.

I recently spent the weekend in Seville and it's one of the most beautiful cities I've been to in Europe.

Granada is famous for gigantic tapas - I didn't buy a meal the whole time I was there and just ate with my drinks.  The Alhambra is a must to visit and it's also a beautiful city just to walk around.

I personally see no benefit in spending one day in Madrid or Barcelona to spend an extra day in Granada or Seville.  You will be doing a lot of travelling whilst in Spain which gets tiring so stopping for a couple of nights in each place will make it easier.

Answer 3

well, if you're interested in the Moorish elements, make sure you spend adequate time in Granada and Seville. They have loads of moorish architecture. Barcelona and Madrid though, are great cities and have fantastic nightlife.

Answer 4

I personally would spend most time in Barcelona, then Seville, Granada and Madrid. Liking the Moorish elements would take you to Sevilla and Granada. Remember when planning your outings to enquire what hours places are open. They could close at 2.00 for siesta and some places close on Mondays.

Answer 5

3 in Madrid or Barcelona take your pick after reviewing some travel sites regarding monuments, art, etc. on either city. (2 in the loser). Then 2 days in Seville and one in Granada.

Granada has some of the best arab palaces (Generalife, Alhambra) and gardens but one day is enough.

On your way from Madrid to Seville make a quick stop in Cordoba and spend half a day in Cordoba visiting the mosque (Mezquita) and the moorish section of town next to it.

Answer 6

We did a similar trip in 9 days but unable to visit Barcelona.  We flew  to Madrid and rented a car the following day after arrival.

1st day- in Madrid

2nd day drove and stayed in Cordoba in a great govt hotel that was an old monastery on a hill overlooking Cordoba. (drive about 4-5 hours)

3rd day-drove to Sevilla sightsee and dinner (drive 4-5 hrs)

4th day- spent morning in Sevilla then drove to Granada. Drive 6 hrs.

5th day sightsee in Alhambra and other castles and parks. Spent night in another old monastery next to the Alhambra.

6th day- Drove to Toledo (drive 6-7 hrs.) and spent night across from Toledo at another beautiful monastery overlooking the City of Toledo.

7th day- Sightsee Toledo in the morning around 2pm drove to Madrid about 2hrs.) spent the night in Madrid

8th day sightsee Madrid.

You can add one day in Madrid when you arrive and one day when you return on the 8th day.  This will complete 10 days and you will have made a great round trip of the 5 picturesque cities I mentioned. This was an unforgettable trip for us.  The govt sponsors the monasteries we stayed in so they were excellent accomodations and historical.  Make reservations with plenty of advance time.

Answer 7

Oh boy.

I've been to all four cities. I love them all. If it's really the Moorish elements you like, Sevilla would be the place - the Alcazar is a "must see". It's also the most relaxing of the three, in my opinion, for tapas (look for a nice place along the river near the Torre del Oro). Granada is right up there as well - the Alhambra is amazing.

Madrid is of course busy, and often madly busy at night. Barcelona is much more laid back, with some nice parks as well.

If I were you, I'd try to put in a little more time in Seville and Granada, then Barcelona, and a little less in Madrid.  

Answer 8

right when u arrive rst than the next day drive to all of those cities u mention pick up some wonderful ladies * wink wink* go back to ur hotel do them all at once then let them give a grand tour of their home city then rest then go on a plane back home