Which is the best city to visit in Spain?

Question

Of your opinion, tell me what you think is the best city and why to visit in spain. Give me some activities, food, scenery, hotels, prices, etc... I am planning a trip to spain and any advice will help (Serious only)

Answer 1

everyone says barcelona because of gaudi.

gaudi was great but he's history.

it's 2007. go to valencia because santiago calatrava is now.

and because they have the best paella. and it's a very, very spanish city, with a beach!

Answer 2

I'm gonna vote for Sevilla,  the most "Spanish" city.  Madrid is great.  Barcelona is way cool, too.  But be careful there, it's the worst city for pickpockets, and the water tastes

awful (tap water is fine elsewhere, but you MUST buy bottled in Bacelona, so that's an added expense for some).

Granada is great, too.  but if you can only see one city, I say Sevilla.

It's the capital of Andalucía, and one of the largest cities in the country.  It´s the home of Flamenco, and Bullfighting, and wherever you go, things look exotically Spanish.  

What to do:

Start at the Cathedral, and then climb the Giralda tower.  That's the one thing you MUST do,  even if you only have half a day.  Then, move on to the Alcázar, the royal palace built in the style of the Moors.  Next, go to the María Luisa Park, and the Plaza de España, and Plaza de América.  There are three museums there...Archeology, Arts and Customs, and...I can´t remember what the third one is.  The architecture is to die for.  

If you feel like a little splurge, do this in the horse and carriage ride you pick up at the Cathedral.  If you and your party understand Spanish, they give a tour.  It cost about 60€ (plus a tip) for the full (park included) tour.

Definitely take in a bullfight if you think you can stand it (Sunday evenings - and festivals)  only 10€ for cheap seats, so if it runs too long for you (seven bulls can be a long time for the uninitiated), you can just go on.  

Also, make sure you can get to a flamenco show.  Try not to go to the big extravaganzas.  Try to find something more "authentic" than Patio Sevillano.  La Carbonería is supposed to be good, but it opens really late, and we didn´t get there.

Barrio Santa Cruz.  Plan to get lost.  This is the old Jewish Quarter, and the most desirable place to live, if you can afford it.  Neat shops, neat restaurants-bars, atmosphere, pretty balcony gardens.  Very typical.

If you still have time to do more, well, you have to have sweets at La Campana, at the North end of Calle Sierpes.  Best chocolate truffles in the world!  Not bad for the other pastries, either, but I just heard that the Ice Cream (which used to be home made) is Ben and Jerry´s, so...guess I´m not sorry I missed that...Just down the block is Corte Inglés, the department store, which, I´m not especially fond of, but if you´re short on time and want to buy souvenirs, it can be a good place to shop.  I can´t remember whether the one in Seville has a grocery store, or if those are only in the big cities, but my friend found a lot of neat´gourmet gifts in the one in Barcelona.  

Also, if you´re into a little wandering for shopping, at the South end of Calle Sierpes, at the Plaza Nueva, go to the far end of the Plaza, (not cattycorner) and you´ll find a little clothing shop that sells Agua de Sevilla, orange blossom perfume.  It´s one of the only places you´ll ever find it.

Casa de Pilatos - Pilate´s House, so named because the man who built it went to Jerusalem, and returned wanting to build a replica of the Vía Dolorosa, which starts at Pilate´s house.  He started it at his own house, which then became known by that name.  It´s a marvel of Sevillan architecture.  

The Archive of the Indies, if you´re a history buff - all about the colonization of the New World.

The Torre de Oro - Maritime museum in the building through  which  all the gold from the New World passed to be counted.

Triana neighborhood - they don´t really think they´re part of Sevilla, sort of the sailors´ neighborhood, sort of the red-light district, sort of a traditional neighborhood.  Very interesting, very Andaluz.  This is where I was told to go see a flamenco show, but we were short on time, and didn´t make it.

Museo de Bellas Artes - Fine arts museum, second only to the Prado within Spain.

Hospital de la Caridad - can´t remember what the art is there, but it used to be a Charity hospital.

Hospital de los Venerables - former old folks´ home, I think it was for religious people - monks, priests and nuns.  Art and Architecture.

Prices:  Vary greatly:  You can probably find a place on the internet for around 50€ night, or you can stay at the Alfonso XIII for 300 - 500€.  The cheapest, you want to check the reviews.  I almost took a place that I then found out was  "noisy all night long".  Wouldn't have bothered me, but my husband is a light sleeper.  I changed my lodging before I booked that one.  Dodged a bullet, I think.

For more:  check out Sevilla5.com  Best website I've found anywhere.  

If you're staying for a week, check out the apartments.  I got a really good deal on that site.

Best places to stay include:  Hotel Alfonso XIII, most expensive.  Hotel Doña María, in Barrio Santa Cruz, great location!  Not cheap, but sort of middling.  Any place in Barrio Santa Cruz is a great location, but closer to the Cathedral is best.  We stayed in Arenal, which is across the main street (Avenida de la Constitución) from the Cathedral.  Also a great location.  Sevilla5 gives both those neighborhoods as going much further north than they really are, so make sure you check the map and go for someplace close to the Cathedral.  

Great side trips from Sevilla:  

Itálica - Roman archeological site

Cádiz - Seaport town, lots of history

Jerez de la Frontera - to visit the bodegas (wine cellars) where they make sherry

Arcos de la Frontera - the beginning of the White Towns Trail, worth driving if you have the time, Grazalema National Park and about 9 "White Towns"  Hill towns that are largely whitewashed, very typically Andaluz.

Córdoba - Splendid Cathedral which used to be a mosque, one of the only ones the Christians didn´t just level and start over.

Answer 3

Hey im Spanis, whatever you do dont go to Madrid!!!! It´s the most stressfull city i´ve ever lived in. If you wanna have a nice time I´d say go to Palma de Mallorca.

Answer 4

Lucky you! I strongly recommend Madrid. Here are some activities to do and a suggestion on where to stay: Good luck planning your trip!

Sitting in Sol or Sombra at the Bullfights: A bullfight can be one of the most evocative and memorable events in Spain, and the best place by far to see one is at the country's biggest plaza de toros (bullring) at Ventas (on the eastern border of Madrid's Salamanca district close to the M-30 highway). Tickets are either sol (sunny side) or sombra (in the shade); you'll pay more to get out of the sun. Peak time for attending bullfights is during the capital's San Isidro fiestas in May, when 4 consecutive weeks of daily corridas feature some of the biggest names in the bullfighting world.

Seeing the Masterpieces at El Prado: One of the world's premier art museums, on a par with the Louvre, El Prado is home to some 4,000 masterpieces, many of them acquired by Spanish kings. The wealth of Spanish art is staggering -- everything from Goya's Naked Maja to the celebrated Las Meninas (The Maids of Honor) by Velázquez (my favorite) and the dark vision of Goya's Disasters of War etchings. El Prado also boasts a number of Botticellis, Titians, and French Impressionists, but don't try to take it all in in 1 day: The museum's overall collection is simply too vast to absorb in a single visit.

Feasting on Tapas in the Tascas: Tapas, those delicious bite-size portions washed down with wine, beer, or sherry, are reason enough to go to Madrid! Original favorites were cured ham or chorizo (spicy sausage). Today you might sample gambas (deep-fried shrimp), boquerones (anchovies marinated in vinegar), albóndigas (meatballs), tortillas (tiny omelets), or calamares (squid). Among the best areas for a tapeo (tapa "crawl") are bustling Plaza de Santa Ana and the labyrinthine Cava Baja.

Lounging in an Outdoor Cafe: In summer Madrileños live it up on café terrazas till the early hours. Prized spots are the wide tree-lined Paseo del Pintor Rosales on the western edge of the Argüelles district, overlooking the Casa del Campo, and the elegant cosmopolitan swathe of the Paseo de la Castellana, Paseo del Prado, and Paseo de Recoletos. In Lavapiés, the colorful Calle Argumosa also offers a fashionable spill of alfresco bars.

Relaxing in a Genuine Literary Cafe: Once upon a time the city had several distinguished old-world cafes where intellectuals, artists, and lesser mortals would gather to enjoy a leisurely chat or stimulating tertulia (social gathering). Today the sole survivors of these legendary 19th-century watering holes are the ornate Gran Café de Gijón (tel. [phone]) and the more austere Café Comercial (tel. [phone]), both graced with traditional columns and high windows with views of the ever-changing scenes outside. Lingering unhurriedly over a coffee in either is a real treat.

Shopping the Rastro: Madrid's teeming flea market represents a tradition that's 500 years old. The place really gets going from around 9am on, with shoulder-to-shoulder stalls stretching down Calle Ribera de Curtidores. Real or fake antiques, secondhand clothing, p**n films, Franco-era furniture, paintings (endless copies of Velázquez), old books, religious relics, and plenty of just plain junk are for sale. These streets also contain some of the finest permanent antiques shops in Madrid. Warning: Keep an eagle eye on your wallet or purse; this is a pickpocket's paradise.

Sunday Strolling in the Retiro: Spread across 140 leafy hectares (350 acres) the statue- and tree-filled Parque de Retiro was originally designed as the gardens of Buen Retiro palace, occupied by Philip IV in the 1630s. In 1767 Charles III opened part of the gardens to the general public. On Sunday mornings before lunch vendors hawk their wares, magicians perform their acts, fortunetellers read tarot cards, and large Disney-style moving models of Tweety Bird and Bugs Bunny delight the kids. In the central lake (presided over by a 1902 monument to Alfonso XII) you can rent a boat and laze away the hours on the glittering waters.

Picnicking in the Casa del Campo: On a hot summer's day enjoy an alfresco repast in the shade of a fragrant pine in the heart of Madrid's largest park and look back at the shimmering city skyline. Afterward go boating on the lake or take the kids to the zoo or Parque de Atracciones. You can get here by teleférico chair lift or by Metro to Lago.

Nursing a Drink at Chicote (tel. [phone]): The 1930s interior at Madrid's most famous bar looks the same as it did during the Spanish Civil War. Shells might have been flying along the Gran Vía, but the international press corps covering the war drank on. Postwar regulars included writers, artists, and film stars like Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner. Today it's one of the smart, sophisticated spots to rendezvous in Madrid.

Experiencing the Movida: Very roughly translated as the "shift," or the "movement," movida characterizes post-Franco life in the capital after Madrileños threw off the yoke of dictatorship and repression, giddily drinking, dancing, and generally having a ball à la Almodóvar. To get the feel of this still inexhaustible phenomena, head for the highly liberated nocturnal (and after-hours) fun zones of Chueca, Huertas, and Malasaña, and sample the big clubs around Calle Arenal like Palacio de Gaviria.

Wandering around the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales: A haven of unexpected peace in the bustling heart of Madrid, barely a stone's throw from the Gran Vía, this charming former medieval palace was converted into a monastery in the 16th century by Philip II's sister Juana. Ornate frescoes, Flemish tapestries, and paintings by the likes of Titian and Zurbarán fill its chapel-lined interior. Only 20 visitors are allowed in at a time, so be prepared to wait.

Exploring the Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial (49 km/30 miles from Madrid): Philip II, who commissioned this monastery in the 1530s, envisioned it as a spiritual fortress against the distractions of the secular world. Today it remains the best living example of religious devotion in Renaissance Spain. Within its huge granite walls -- more awesome than beautiful -- are the tombs of Spanish kings and a priceless repository of ancient books, tapestries, and masterpieces by Goya, Velázquez, and other artistic giants.

In the very heart of Old Madrid, off the Plaza Mayor, Hostal la Macarena (tel. [phone]) has been housing readers comfortably and well -- all for an affordable price -- for decades. Surrounded by ancient buildings, the little inn is modest itself, but its welcome is warm, its staff accommodating, and its price is right.

Answer 5

Hello-

It really depends on the type of thing that you like to do/see.

If you like museums and such, I would also recommend Madrid.  It has several great museums (Prado, Reina Sofia), it also has the Royal Palace, and the famous Retiro Park.  In the outskirts of Madrid, you can visit other small towns like Toledo, famous for its gold-decorated artistry, Segovia, famous for its aqueduct and beautiful palace...

If you are more of an Architecture buff, Barcelona may be for you.  There you can see many famous buildings of Gaudi- His Sagrada Familia is very impressive, and the Casa Milá is interesting too, but my favorite is his Guell Park.  You can also visit the "olympic city" on the mountain Montjuic.  Las Ramblas is a famous street that you can walk down, and there are several museums to see, for those who like those.  There's a Picasso museum, a Miró museum, a ship museum, and a wax museum (although I wouldn't necessarily recommend that one).  The cathedral is also very pretty, and the market is interesting to see.  In the outskirts, you can go see the bodegas of Cavas codorniu.

I think, though, that visiting the south was most impressive for me.  Maybe there aren't so many things to see, I can't really remember everywhere I went anymore, but I was very impressed by what I did see.  If you were to go to Granada, for example, you must see the Alhambra- it's spectacular.  It's been awhile since I've been to Granada, and that's, of course, what I remember most.  You can also go see flamenco dancing.  You could take a side trip to Córdoba, too, and visit the Mezquita- also gorgeous.

As for bullfighting... not my thing- I couldn't watch it myself, but you should be able to see it in any of those cities, if you wanted- depending upon the schedule of each city.

Food and pricing of everything depends on where you go.   At lunchtime, I'd recommend eating a "menu"- which is a fixed meal for a usually low price.  They're usually advertised on a chalkboard or sign on the street.  Usually you can choose between several first plates , then from several 2nd plates.  Usually one drink is included (wine, beer or water), as is either coffee/tea or dessert.  It's a great way to try new things at a decent price.

Answer 6

I am Spanish, but i think there no only one good city to visit here, or if u visit only one city ur image of the country are going to be poor.

If i were u, I´ll visit:

Madrid, and the Austrias places... i say, it the capital of the country and surely ur plane took land there, so its a good place to begin ur trip.

The best places in Madrid are:

Palacio Realhttp://www.esicomos.org/Nueva_carpeta/LI...

The Sabatini Garden´s near  Palacio Real,

http://comunidad.muchoviaje.com/CS/photo...

La Plaza Mayor

http://www.scultura-italiana.com/Fotogra...

In Madrid, but not in the city, U must see the San Lorenzo del Escorial Place is amazing...  of course, u have to see El Valle de lso Caidos and La Silla de Felipe Segundo

http://www.cs.utah.edu/~bigler/pictures/...

http://www.viajestambre.com/imaxes/galer...

http://terraeantiqvae.blogia.com/upload/...

Thats all in Madrid, near Madrid theres amazing cities like Avila Segovia or Salamanca.

The hotels are not so expensive, a normal hotel with 3 stars is not so expensive and are well equiped.