We have a vacation planned to Spain next month and I would like to tap into the community’s wisdom. We will be visiting Seville, Madrid and Barcelona. Total trip time is 9 days.
We already have hotel reservations in the heart of each city. We also have some tours already reserved (described below), but would welcome hearing about other things to do. Also really want to hear about restaurant recommendations, but note that one person is a vegetarian, and another has a nut and shellfish allergy (so things like seafood-only restaurants are out).
Here is what we have planned out so far:
In Seville, we have a private walking tour scheduled, but nothing besides that.
In Madrid, we have reservations for the Prado museum and the Royal Palace Tour.
In Barcelona, we have reservations for Park Guell, Sagrada Familia, and La Pedreda, Casa Mila. We also have a day trip to Montserrat planned.
We spent a few days in Seville a few years ago at the end of a trip to Portugal - we loved it. It is a beautiful city with a lot to see and do. In terms of attractions we enjoyed: the Alcazar palace - beautiful with some interesting moorish architecture, the bullfighting ring, the piazza d’espana (site of the worlds fair) and the main cathedral were all great. The weather should be nice - we were there at the beginning of July and it was very, very hot every day. We were able to eat at several Michelin starred restaurants at a ridiculously reasonable price - there was a lot of seafood and pork on the menus - not much chicken or beef (that I recall). Sadly I don’t remember the names of the restaurants but we didn’t need reservations even though we were on the cusp of high season.
From Madrid a day trip to Toledo would be a great option if you have time (possible on your own by train without much difficulty). I thought it was much nicer than Madrid.
Cordoba is also an easy day trip by train from Seville, but if I had to choose one or the other I’d pick Toledo.
Segovia and Toledo are both worth a visit. Both are day trips from Madrid, less than an hour by train.
If you want to see the Guernica, you may want to add a visit to Reina Sofía in Madrid. There is always a crowd for that, so it may be worth taking a look at timed tickets.
ETA: Plaza Mayor had a good selection of restaurants. We also had a vegetarian in the group. IIRC, we ate the most delicious vegetarian Paella at a restaurant there.
In Barcelona, iff you have a car, you should to to go to Figueras, home of the Dali museum; very worth the time and travel. The drive is beautiful, the museum is fun and quirky, and the town is lovely.
In Seville, a drive to Grenada is about 2hrs, and worth the time to spend a day at The Alahambra
In Seville itself, walk across the Parasol for great views, and lots of cafes and places to eat - great people watching from below.
Casa de Pilatos is a ‘must visit’; lots of influences, paintings carvings etc. It used to be partially inhabited by a Contessa, she may have recently died, not sure.
Here is a company which offers free walking tours of major European cities. Great tours and knowledgable guides
Third the Alhambra and highly recommend going at night. I loved the mosque/church at cordoba also, but didn’t make it to Toledo so can’t compare. I didn’t love Seville, not sure why all these years later, but did like Cadiz. Madrid is a big vibrant city - try to get out at night because that’s when it really comes alive.
I have lived in Madrid and Sevilla, and I just was there for 2 weeks and visited both places in October. I stayed at the Hotel Alfonso XIII (a splurge for sure) but across the way is an amazing, unassuming restaurant that was best restaurant of our trip. So when you visit the Alcazar and the Jewish quarter (beautiful super narrow streets), go to Cristina Bistro. Get the salmorejo (thicker gazpacho). If you like tuna, order the atun rojo encebollado- very unusual but delicious!
In Madrid, I of course shop and walk. I have been to all the museums so of course there is that, but of course take a stroll to Retiro park, walk on Serrano to see shops, and I always go to Nuevos Ministerios location of El Cortes Ingles supermarket to bring back all sorts of goodies. The top floor of the department store has “Gourmet Experience” where you can have wine and relax.
If you are a foodie, go to Calle Ponzano. That’s the new hot spot where all the cool bars/restaurants are. We went to Sala de Despecie and it was a fun interactive experience. A little pricy, but so much cheaper than something you would get in a restaurant in the States.
If it’s of relevance or of interest to you, walking tours of the old Jewish quarters in Seville, Córdoba, Girona, Barcelona, Segovia, and Toledo. Jews thrived and contributed greatly to Iberian culture for nearly 1500 years, until the Inquisition.
with 9 days for 3 cities, I assume your time will be really jam-packed. Can you tell me how many days in each city?
Seville - can go to Alcazar Seville, Catedral Sevilla and Plaza Espana. It depends on how long you want to spend but you can easily spend half day in each of these spots. Side trip can be to Cordova to see Mesquite de Cordova (1 hr train ride). That will be at least a half day trip. Another side trip will be to Granada to see the Alhambra but the reservation I believe is sold out quickly.
Barcelona and Madrid - part of the experience is to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere. Same as Seville. Unless you want to take a photo op and leave.
Madrid you can visit Reina Sofia (see Picasso’s Guernica), walk from Prado to El Retiro Park. Walk from Plaza Mayor to Basilica and Palacio Real. Can see the Templo Debod after the Palacio Real.
Daytrip to Toledo is recommended - see the Catedral and I suggest you stay until dusk and see the City from Mirador del Valle - you would LOVE it! I didn’t have a chance to go to Salamanca and Segovia unfortunately.
We stayed at an NH near Nuevos Ministerios. If you are near the Prado, this place was good, too.
Of course you will be going to see the Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, you can see the Mercado San Miguel (kind of touristy).
If you are on Fuencarral, there is a cross-street that is all shoes- Calle Augusto Figeueroa.
Nearby, (barrio Chueca) there are really good restaurants. Restaurante Morgana- it’s Galician. Their meat and octopus is delicious, but their cheesecake is a must!!
All these restaurants I posted are small, so a reservation is needed. I preferred lunch- most times I’d have no problems to make reservations for 2:15. There would be no one there, but by 3 it was packed.
I did go here for dinner, though, which is about a street or so over from the Morgana restaurant. Also excellent!
If you are looking for a splurge meal in Barcelona, Abec was able to accommodate food allergies and preference according to a family member who went this year.
We’re going this spring so I’m going to follow this!
For those going to Sevilla, I would visit the hotel where I stayed. It is gorgeous and the location where they filmed Lawrence of Arabia. There are several bars/terrazas to have a glass of wine and sit outside. Truly a beautiful hotel to see!
We took a guided tour of Sagrada Familia which I’m so glad we did. Think I would have missed so much if we had not. If you take the staircase up just know there is no railing on one side–my kids loved it but when they got back down they assured me that I would NOT have liked it in the least!
Parc Guelle is worth the visit. We weren’t able to get tickets but just wandering around the perimeter and the walk there was worth it.
Las Ramblas is fun but it is a hot spot for pickpockets so be forewarned. Same with Sagrada Familia
Another upvote to visit the Alhambra.Quite worth it.
Madrid – do not miss Reina Sofia. If you love art, Picasso’s Guernica is housed there. Lots of super chic eateries around there too. I recommend a day trip to Segovia as well. Their pork BBQ is legendary. A great wine shop near the Salamanca district (high end shopping) is Lavinia Lavinia | ¡Todos los mejores vinos !
They used t have a tasting room upstairs with lots of Cava varietals.
Sevilla – My favorite city in Spain. I love the vibe. You can catch an authentic flamenco performance at this place: Casa de la Memoria . Not the tourist trap variety either. Take a fan as there is no AC.
Granada would be a great day trip. If you go to Granada, pay to take a guided tour of Al Hambra. Makes a huge difference.
Barcelona – A day or ON trip from Barcelona could be Valencia. Go to one of the fabulous beach-side restaurants for authentic Paella misto and Horchata.
Cordoba – the cathedral is great to see but that’s about it. You will get the general idea of how churches were converted to mosques and back to churches if you visit the cathedral in Sevilla and Al Hambra.
Food in sevilla – definitely try Rabo de Toro.