Where to go in Southern Spain?

June 27, 2009 3:45 AM

I'm going on holiday to Spain with my mother. We're flying into Barcelona in August (bad time, I know!) for four days and then have 12 days to make our way to Casablanca before she starts a tour of Morocco. So I need to plan our time in Spain. I thought five days or so in Menorca, but it seems difficult to get to cheaply. I thought about catching a train to Valencia for a few days, then heading to Seville/Grenada/Cordoba before Morocco- what must we see or avoid?

Further points to make: We don't have a car, so we need to go places we can get around on foot or by public transport and the odd taxi.

My mother is 60, super fit, but not a fan of crowds. I am a little worried about the heat in Spain in August, hence trying to stick to the coast where (I hope) its a bit cooler.

We want to see Spain (first time for both of us) but also relax and have a holiday - and avoid 'lager lout' resorts!

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

posted by curious zoe to travel & transportation (7 comments total)

Valencia is a good idea. It's a beautiful city and with the beaches can easily keep you entertained a couple of days.

If avoiding heat is a factor, Seville and Granada are probably out as in August these get pretty damned hot. You should try Malaga, which despite having a bad rep as being full of lager louts, is a lovely historic city away from the resorts and you're right - the sea breeze does cool it down.

Nerja is a nice little town near Malaga - quite a few English and Germans but not too louty. Tarifa and Cadiz are other spots on the coast that are worth visiting.

Also: Trains don't always go everywhere in Spain (especially if you're not travelling between two major cities) and coaches are sometimes the best option - try Alsina Graells if you can't find a train that takes you where you want to go.
posted by rose selavy at 4:14 AM on June 27 [1 favorite]

South Eastern Spain in August will be incredibly hot wherever you are.

Valencia is beautiful, I'd highly recommend it.
posted by fire&wings at 4:29 AM on June 27

Go through Madrid. A few days in Madrid will be great. See the Prado and Plaza Mayor, do a day trip to Toledo or Segovia. Then go south to Cordoba, Sevilla, or Granada.

If you go through Madrid, you can use the AVE (high speed train). 300 mph, it is your best travel option within Spain itself.
posted by Flood at 5:28 AM on June 27

I'd say Malaga is a no brainer since your ending near there. I imagine air conditioning exists on AVEs but not usually other trains. Or you might consider renting a car if you want to stay near the coast, that might better fit your mother's tastes.
posted by jeffburdges at 6:32 AM on June 27

A few days in Madrid will be great.

Not in August it won't. It's very, very hot and a lot of places (though not the museums) are shut down for August as the locals migrate away to cooler climes. It's a great city and everyone should really visit the Prado at one point or another, but I suggest not doing it in August.

Sevilla is gorgeous however and a great place to go see a flamenco show. It's a great city for walking around in too. Highly recommended.
posted by slimepuppy at 7:07 AM on June 27

Ronda is a beautiful city in southern Spain with a dramatic bridge. I also like Nerja. There are some caves near Malaga, which can be a cool place to visit if the heat gets to you. I'm also a big fan of Gibraltar, which has such a weird mixture of British food and Spanish spoken with an Andalusian accent.

Madrid in August is dead. Everyone is gone, many small shops are closed for the month and the heat is overpowering. You'll find yourself wandering empty streets looking for an air-conditioned restaurant that's open. I love Madrid, but August is not the best month to experience it.
posted by daneflute at 11:09 AM on June 28

Thanks all! The plan is now Barcelona - Valencia - Seville - Malaga - ferry to Morocco - Tangiers - Casablanca then home for me, travelling around Morocco for my mother. Will try and potentially do day trips to Nerja, Cordoba etc. And definitely avoiding Madrid this time!
posted by curious zoe at 5:39 AM on July 5