48 hours in Barcelona or day trips from Madrid?
Dec 10, 2017, 5:15 pm
#1
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48 hours in Barcelona or day trips from Madrid?
I will be in Madrid for work. Before that I am spending a couple days in Toledo.
I am done with work late Thursday and do not fly out of Madrid until the following Monday morning.
So I can either stay at the same hotel in Madrid and do day trips to Salamanca, Segovia, etc. or Friday morning train to Barcelona. I would have to come back Sunday evening to get to the Madrid airport for my Monday AM flight.
I have never been to Barcelona or the cities surrounding Madrid. While I really want to see Barcelona, not thrilled with the idea of 3 different hotels in 4 nights or the 5+ hours of train rides.
Any thoughts?
I am done with work late Thursday and do not fly out of Madrid until the following Monday morning.
So I can either stay at the same hotel in Madrid and do day trips to Salamanca, Segovia, etc. or Friday morning train to Barcelona. I would have to come back Sunday evening to get to the Madrid airport for my Monday AM flight.
I have never been to Barcelona or the cities surrounding Madrid. While I really want to see Barcelona, not thrilled with the idea of 3 different hotels in 4 nights or the 5+ hours of train rides.
Any thoughts?
Dec 10, 2017, 7:12 pm
#2
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Go to Barcelona. You can be there by noon Friday without a super early wake up (or by lunch ~2pm if you want to sleep in) and stay until ~6 pm Sunday. Barcelona is a can’t miss if you haven’t been. And the train stations in both cities are very centric. If you do 2 day trips from Madrid, you will spend as much time in transit. You wouldn’t have to change hotels, true, but I would do Barcelona. Food, design, atmosphere, architecture, the sea ...
Dec 11, 2017, 1:07 pm
#4
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Since it is a weekend the AVE trains are pretty pricey for the good times. Since I am staying near the airport Thursday night anyway, I am thinking about taking an Iberia flight. Cheaper and less distance to travel on Friday morning. Yeah, I know I need to get to/from BCN, but it looks like I can just take the rail from BCN to very close to my would be hotel in Barcelona.
Dec 15, 2017, 9:28 am
#6
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I adore BCN but I think several of the areas around MAD are great. Segovia, Avila, El Escorial, etc. But you really need a car if you are going to do that or transit will take you too long. So are you OK with driving? If not, go to BCN
Dec 28, 2017, 7:36 pm
#7
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An update. Booked Vueling air from MAD to BCN Get in Friday around 11am and depart Sunday around 9pm. Bad thing is I am taking the last flight out on Sunday with a fairly early Monday morning MAD-ATL flight. Hopefully, Vueling is reliable.
I will see the highlights, but also like to see the non touristy areas. I like wandering around neighborhoods, finding hole in the wall restaurants etc. Any suggestions on areas, food, places to drink?
I will see the highlights, but also like to see the non touristy areas. I like wandering around neighborhoods, finding hole in the wall restaurants etc. Any suggestions on areas, food, places to drink?
Jan 22, 2018, 10:18 am
#8
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Go to Barcelona. You can be there by noon Friday without a super early wake up (or by lunch ~2pm if you want to sleep in) and stay until ~6 pm Sunday. Barcelona is a can’t miss if you haven’t been. And the train stations in both cities are very centric. If you do 2 day trips from Madrid, you will spend as much time in transit. You wouldn’t have to change hotels, true, but I would do Barcelona. Food, design, atmosphere, architecture, the sea ...
Flew in Friday noon. Even if I would have had to have flown out Saturday morning it would have been worth it. Barcelona is an amazing place. And I did very little of the touristy stuff. I spent maybe 30 minutes on Las Ramblas, saw the Sangrada Familia from the outside, same with the Gaudi places.
I did however, wander the streets, sit in random cafes, talked to locals, watched salsa dancing in a park, sat on the beach with a beer in hand. Best 48 hours, well 54 really, that I have spent in a place.
I am happy that I went when I did as I could see the season crush of tourists making it a different experience. It was crowded even in this low time.
But thanks for the encouragement to make the trip. Even the flight was easy. Although Vueling gives Spirit a run for their money on leg room!
Jan 22, 2018, 3:48 pm
#9
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I am on my way back from Spain. Spent the weekend in Barcelona. This advice was probably among the best I have ever received here.
Flew in Friday noon. Even if I would have had to have flown out Saturday morning it would have been worth it. Barcelona is an amazing place. And I did very little of the touristy stuff. I spent maybe 30 minutes on Las Ramblas, saw the Sangrada Familia from the outside, same with the Gaudi places.
I did however, wander the streets, sit in random cafes, talked to locals, watched salsa dancing in a park, sat on the beach with a beer in hand. Best 48 hours, well 54 really, that I have spent in a place.
I am happy that I went when I did as I could see the season crush of tourists making it a different experience. It was crowded even in this low time.
But thanks for the encouragement to make the trip. Even the flight was easy. Although Vueling gives Spirit a run for their money on leg room!