Spain is part of Europe and yet unique in its cultural tapestry. We loved our visit to Spain in May, weather was great, and we had nice long days to see everything. Our itinerary included: –
- Barcelona – 2 nights
- Granada – 3 nights
- Seville – 3 nights with a day trip to Cordoba
- Madrid – 3 nights with a day trip to Toledo
Each city had its charm, but Granada and Seville were my favorites. We were able to visit the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the Alhambra in Granada, the Alcazar in Seville and the Royal Palace & the Prado in Madrid.
Spain’s top attractions must be booked months in advance to avoid disappointment of not being able to get tickets last minute. For example, the Alhambra tickets we booked in Jan for our May trip and all the other main sights we booked months ahead. Even train and bus tickets tend to sell out, so planning and booking tickets earlier is best.
In all except Madrid, we went on a free walking tour using www.guruwalk.com, free but tips per person expected. And it’s only fair when a guide spends 2.5 hours or so providing an excellent introduction to the town. Great way to learn about the history and culture of each city. We averaged about 16000 steps per day, sightseeing Spain’s beautiful towns.
Few suggestions:
- Need good walking shoes, earphones for audio commentary, anti-theft purses or, money belts
- Luggage items should be locked, when on trains, buses etc
Petty thieves are common all over Europe and be aware that any commotion may be distraction by thieves. We took seriously the safety tips and were extremely careful and vigilant at all times. Each of us carried Travelon anti-theft bags which we found very useful and convenient.
See below links to each of the towns we visited.