I am going to spain in late May.. any suggestions on where to go, what to see while I am there? I may venture over to Portugal also.

Running of the Bulls is in July, so I am SOL there.... but looking for other suggestions.

Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. All of Gaudi's buildings (and the parK) for that matter.

Prado Museum, Madrid and...
visit the undeground plaza where locals meet to taste all different snacks and wines each bar is famous for.

Having local madridian in the matter isa definate plus,
it's not exactly touristy place
;_)))

The bulls run at 8 in the morning and it's scary as fuck, hehe.
I did it a few years ago, the bulls always go for the foreigners.

As you are going to be in the north, head up to San Sebastian, lovely city and the best food in Spain, and if you like art, then Bilbao for the Guigenhiem.

If you keep going West along the north Atlantic coast you get Santander, (lovely beaches) Asturias (nice cider), and the Galicia (amazing coast, forests and food).

You can get into the north of Portugal this way.

Madrid is a great city, it gets overshadowed by Barca, but it's still a lovely place to see, just be careful in the big park there, you will probably get mugged.

But again if you like art you've got the prado, alot of Goya.

Barca on the med coast is a must, loads to do see and fun to party in, then down the coast for Valencia if you fancy another big city to explore.
From there you can hop on a ferry over to the Balerics if you want a few days of partying *Ibiza*, or complete peace *Formentera*.

If you keep going south from Valencia along the coast, there's some lovely towns, as well as some shite * Benidorm* but you'll end up in Alicante, where I live.

The South.

Granada and Seville are both worth a visit, the coast is a bit shite though, but it does have the rare gem. But from Sevile you can keep going west into Southern Portugal.



Last edited by el pres at May 7 2004, 11:39 AM

Southern Spain was my favorite.

Segovia (north of Madrid) has an awsome castle on a cliff, with caves underneath were the lepers used to live. It was pretty damn impressive.

Toledo has a huge castle with a wall surrounding the entire city.

Sevilla has the roman ruins and ancient aquaduct. Cristopher Columbus is buried there too (i think). This is where I took in my first Flamenco show.

Cordoba is famous for their wood fired leg of lamb. Every restaurant claims to have the best.

Granada has the alhambra, a huge compound that belonged to the moors when they occupied spain.

Then of course you have the southern tip of Spain, the Rock of Gibraltor.

Barcelona seemed modern compared to Madrid, but it still has its history.

I forgot what northern city has the caves with prehistoric writing on the walls, but that was cool too.

Spains history of war and occupation was violent so the museums accompanied by my dads story telling was fascinating to me at 14 years of age.

If money and time permitted I would definitly like to go back.

Alta mira near Santillana del mar
http://usuarios.arsystel.com/santillana/es...ol/altamira.htm

Near Santander.

I've spent some time in Valencia, and the beaches of (playa) Gandia.
Nice area... just my suggestion.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Did anyone mention that unfinished cathedral?

That looks truly amazing!

Everything in Spain is worth seeing. It's probably my favourite European country.

I've been to Barcelona, Granada, Sevilla, Madrid and San Sebastian... and still want to see more.

Ahhhh... I think it's time for a siesta.

Nice thread - I'm bookmarking for August 2005...

Stop #1
Pamplona - run with the bulls

Stop #2
Ibiza - get smashed for a week

I did need some stuff to get some more stops in between #1 and #2 !

:yowsa: