What can we not miss in our two week trip to Spain?

February 6, 2010 3:24 PM

What can we not miss in our two week trip to Spain?

My husband and I are going to Spain in April. We already have hotels booked in Madrid, Seville, Granada and Barcelona. If you have been to any of these places (or the areas surrounding them), what should we not miss? I know we'll go to the Prado in Madrid, the pueblos blancos in Andalucia, the Alhambra in Granada, and the Sagra Familia in Barcelona, but otherwise, we're wide-open. My husband and I like to be outdoors - are there any good places to do an easy to moderate hike? What about birdwatching (in particular flamingos)? We also love history and want to learn about the culture. I guess it boils down to us not minding touristy things but also wanting to get a real feel for the country. Thanks!

posted by emilyv to travel & transportation around Spain (8 answers total)

There are lots of previous AskMefis that attempt to answer this question:

Bizarre Museums of Spain
Where to go in Southern Spain
Food in Andalucia
Make the Most of a Trip to Spain
Must-See Madrid
Madrid Advice
Romantic Week in Spain
Spain by Car

posted by Colonel_Chappy at 3:47 PM on February 6, 2010

I would not miss the National Art Museum of Catalonia in Barcelona. Your ticket is good for two visits, and the museum also provides a very good free audioguide in the language of your choice. If you love history and want to learn about culture, this museum is top-notch.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 4:27 PM on February 6, 2010

There's a bar in the corner of the Placa Reial in Barcelona, called Glaciar. The waiters are hostile, the toilets are dreadful. It's not cheap anymore. It's the best place in the world.

While you're in Andalucia be sure to visit Ronda. It's a modest city in a spectacular location. Drive there, stay, walk around.
posted by tigrefacile at 5:41 PM on February 6, 2010

Toledo is cool, and not far from Madrid.
Try to stay in some Paradores. (Not sure if that link is the official site, its just the first one that came up in my Google search. But you'll get the idea.)
posted by spilon at 9:14 PM on February 6, 2010

In Madrid, the Museo de Arte Reina Sofia is great, if you can stand more museum after the Prado. Reina Sofia has Guernica, etc., is more contemporary.

In Barcelona, if you feel like leaving the city, make the effort to get to Gaudi's Park Guell in the suburbs, because it's worth it. You might also try a daytrip pilgrimage to Montserrat for the sake of the mountain landscape if not the Black Madonna. The funicular up to the shrine is dramatic.
posted by egret at 9:58 PM on February 6, 2010 [1 favorite]

Always find time to make to the coastline! You will be so glad you did!!
posted by Muirwylde at 10:04 PM on February 6, 2010

I saw the bullfights in Madrid and it was a really unforgettable experience. They happen several times a week and tickets were only $5. Not for the squeamish, though.
posted by PercussivePaul at 11:27 PM on February 6, 2010

There are maybe 10 bar stools around a tiny, tiny resturant in La Boqueria in Barcelona. It is called "El Quim" and though you may have to awkwardly wait behind a stool for someone to get up so you can sit down, IT IS COMPLETELY WORTH IT. I personally recommend the baby squid over egg. I wish I was there right now. Amazingly good.
posted by haveanicesummer at 10:12 AM on February 8, 2010