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I'm thinking of heading over there in a couple of weeks, where is best for a bit of culture, scenery and nightlife. I'll most likely be going on my own so would like a lively hostel. I've never been to any major Spanish city and was thinking to start with Barcelona but is there much there other than Gaudi, pickpockets and Lionel Messi. Any advice or suggestions are welcome, I'm off to check out lonely planet!
Madrid.
San Sebastian.....combine with a few days in Bilbao, or cross the border to Biaritz and Bayonne. I love the Basque Country, was there Saturday night.....may be a recession but the Spanish are doing their best to numb the pain with alcohol and dancing.
Barcelona but is there much there
The Baghdad Club 😉
😯
What's San seb got in the way of things to see? Madrid looks pretty I'll research more.
Madrid's got plenty in and around the city. Give us a shout for any info, I only lived there for 10 yrs.
You could do worse than drive down along the coast from Girona, through Barcelona, and onto Valencia.
Madrid's great for a long weekend, not so good for a couple of weeks.
Give us a shout for any info, I only lived there for 10 yrs.
No you didn't, you lived out in the boondocks, far from civilised life!
Okay San Seb sounds good, what's the nearest airport?
Be careful you don't want to hurt the feelings of the Catalonia's
they don't take to kindly to be called Spanish.
I liked Barcelona a very nice contemporary and very cultured place
Try Murcia i visit here a lot, a;so has nice towns surrounding too
and very easy access via country lanes or quick motorways or trains
http://www.euroresidentes.com/euroresiuk/guides-spain/guide-to-murcia.htm
No you didn't, you lived out in the boondocks, far from civilised life!
What are you on about? We had at least one train pass through the village, on, erm, [s]most[/s] some days. OK, so we didn't have a Telepizza or Carrefour or Taxis or etc... 😐
I'd still push for Madrid as there is so much around and about, but the north coast is quite spectacular too. You won't be disappointed.
I live in san seb, let me know if you come over.
San Sebastian you can fly to Santander or Bilbao. Well served by buses. We went on the ferry to Santander from Portsmouth I think. Was pretty good, more like a cruise liner.
San seb has great beaches and a lovely old medieval town. One of my favourite places on the planet. Biarritz more chi chi, lovely.....and French. We did a big ride in the Spanish Pyrenees, loads of lovely towns to explore. Ainsa is gorgeous.
Barca and Madrid are brimming with class and culture. Can't go wrong in Spain and the people are great.
Sunnrider what do you do down there?
Granada is great, as is Cordoba.
San Sebastian is a great city. Drop me a mail if you want and I'll point you in the direction of the hostel we use for our surf / stag trips. It's really lively and a good base for exploring the city. Lots and lots to do and see in San Sebastian. If you get bored of it you can be in Bilbao in an hour. You can also surf and bike if you're after more active days.
For flying you're best into Bilbao (1hr transfer on bus) or Biarritz (about 30min transfer on bus). Of you can train it via Paris and Hendaye. Or ferry to Santander / Bilbao.
Personally I don't think Biaritz is worth a trip, there's loads of other little towns that definitely are. Hondarribia, Zarrautz, San Juan de Luz, Pamplona, etc etc.
Every part of Spain has something to offer, great country.
Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, Malaga down the coast.
San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander, Oviedo, A coruna along the North coast.
Inland - Leon, Salamanca, Madrid (my favourite city), Caceres, Zaragoza, Granada, Cordoba.
etc etc...
Have a look here and try to make a visit coincide with a fiesta.
www.fiestas.net
Granada. Plenty of culture, the Alhambra palace for laughing at American tourists and of course one extremely big range of mountains for skiing, walking and cycling.
avoid barcelona. it's just manchester with gaudi and tapas, not to mention endemic pickpocketing. madrid is a much more interesting city.
personally i'd head to andalucia. granada, cordoba, sevilla, beautiful mountain villages. just don't go in july and august unless 40 degree heat is your thing.
How about Seville. We had a few days there and really enjoyed it. Madrid sucked, was like being stuck in London but hotter!
bcn's not too bad,but I remember cordoba being lovely.
not been up north,but have heard nothing but good about asturias,basque country and some of galicia.
might be a bit of an easier climate to bear,I'd look at that as well.somewhere high up/next to the sea.
people are allright,always ask what your bike weighs tho.
I live just south of Valencia & looking at weather maps on national TV I'd choose carefully if you want lots of sunshine. The mountainous bits of Spain seem to rain all the time.
Biking by the coast is fine in the summer heat as its mainly flat & you get a cooling breeze. Lots of forest areas & bike paths along beach.
If you avoid touristy areas it can be v reasonable - coffee is 1.2e, pint of Amstel 2e, decent lunch with wine 10e.
Hope it helps, I know the area Valencia - Alicante if you are down this way pm me, happy to help.