When my friend, Colleen and I decided to visit our friend, Theresa living in Huelva, Spain, we decided to make it a 10-day trip exploring the south of Spain. However, as we did our research, getting from Huelva, to Sevilla, to Granada, to Valencia – okay you get the point – was pretty costly by bus and train. We happily discovered that renting a car for the week was cheaper than taking public transportation. Renting a car gave us the ability to drop by towns on our way to our next destinations and stop in places we wouldn’t be able to if we were traveling by bus or train. At times we had to deal with the hassle of finding a place to park our car overnight, but in the end, we were glad for the flexibility and freedom the car gave us. And in the process, we got to experience the south of Spain, seeing eight incredible Spanish cities.
SEVILLA: a beautiful Andalucian city, Sevilla is a place where you stroll the streets and people watch while gobbling up your share of tapas and churros with chocolate.
Activities:
Alcazar Palace: another beautiful piece of architecture, we never actually went inside just walking around it. However, my friend said it is well worth the trip inside!
Maria Luisa Park: we rented a four-wheeled bike and pedalled our way through the Maria Luisa Park. It was a perfect end to our day in Sevilla, cruising through the relaxing park. We also happened upon a medieval market going on.
Plaza de España: located within the maria Luisa Park, the patio offers brilliant architecture from the renaissance rival in Spain.
Activities:
Alcazar Palace: another beautiful piece of architecture, we never actually went inside just walking around it. However, my friend said it is well worth the trip inside!
Maria Luisa Park: we rented a four-wheeled bike and pedalled our way through the Maria Luisa Park. It was a perfect end to our day in Sevilla, cruising through the relaxing park. We also happened upon a medieval market going on.
Plaza de España: located within the maria Luisa Park, the patio offers brilliant architecture from the renaissance rival in Spain.
CÓRDOBA: a UNESCO World Heritage site, Córdoba has one of the largest Old Town’s in Europe. The architecture of the city reminded me of the beautiful South American cities of Cartagena, Colombia and Colonia, Uruguay. The charming streets showcase the Spanish balconies, patios and courtyards flowing with flowers. Take your time to wander the streets and peek into the courtyards and patios of the homes.
La Mezquita: the cathedral and former Great Mosque, is a must see site. The building was first built in the 10th century and represents the many religious changes Córdoba underwent. Inside you can wander through the columns admiring the Islamic architecture as well as the Cathedral built within.
La Mezquita: the cathedral and former Great Mosque, is a must see site. The building was first built in the 10th century and represents the many religious changes Córdoba underwent. Inside you can wander through the columns admiring the Islamic architecture as well as the Cathedral built within.
GRANADA: The Alhambra is the main attraction of Granada, however, as many of its Adalucian cities, the streets of Granada are worth the stroll.
El Alhambra is an Islamic palace and fortress built in the mid-10th century. Similar to La Mezquita, El Alhambra is a stunning example of Islamic architecture. The views of Granada from the fortress are some the best in the city.
Night life: Granada's bars make a great bar crawl since every drink you buy at a bar, is accompanied with free tapas. This makes for a budget friendly meal and night out especially for those on a tight budget means.
ALICANTE: we only stopped one night in Alicante on our way to Valencia. In the morning we went to the beach for two hours. Personally, I don't think it is one of the best places in southern Spain. However, I know many friends who have spent time in Alicante and loved it.
VALENCIA: Spain's third largest city, Valencia is home to paella, horchata, and Agua de Valencia, a local cocktail made of cava, orange juice, vodka and gin. Make sure to try all three before leaving the city!
We were lucky enough to be invited to stay with Colleen's brother's host family, who treated us to a Valencian dinner of paella and grilled sardines. We also tried paella at one of the restaurants we wandered up to that had nice outdoor seating.
Nightlife: at night boliches are created in parking lots with nothing than partying bodies and BYOB drinks. Grab your choice of drink at a local mercado and find yourself a boliche.
El Alhambra is an Islamic palace and fortress built in the mid-10th century. Similar to La Mezquita, El Alhambra is a stunning example of Islamic architecture. The views of Granada from the fortress are some the best in the city.
Night life: Granada's bars make a great bar crawl since every drink you buy at a bar, is accompanied with free tapas. This makes for a budget friendly meal and night out especially for those on a tight budget means.
ALICANTE: we only stopped one night in Alicante on our way to Valencia. In the morning we went to the beach for two hours. Personally, I don't think it is one of the best places in southern Spain. However, I know many friends who have spent time in Alicante and loved it.
VALENCIA: Spain's third largest city, Valencia is home to paella, horchata, and Agua de Valencia, a local cocktail made of cava, orange juice, vodka and gin. Make sure to try all three before leaving the city!
We were lucky enough to be invited to stay with Colleen's brother's host family, who treated us to a Valencian dinner of paella and grilled sardines. We also tried paella at one of the restaurants we wandered up to that had nice outdoor seating.
Nightlife: at night boliches are created in parking lots with nothing than partying bodies and BYOB drinks. Grab your choice of drink at a local mercado and find yourself a boliche.
COSTA BRAVA: possibly the best choice we made in our drive along the coast, was to make a last minute decision to head to Costa Brava. Beautiful beaches, fresh seafood, quaint towns, and Salvador Dali's museum are what we were awarded with.
Salvador Dali Museum: About an hour and a half north of Barcelona is Figueres, where Salvador Dali’s weird and corky museum is located (the architecture with large eggs lining the top of the building is a good indicator that you have arrived at the right place). Arrive early to beat the crowds and get about a good hour to having the museum to ourselves. The majority of Dali’s collection is located in the museum including many of his paintings, sculptures and contraptions.
GIRONA: long over shadowed by its larger sister city of Barcelona, Girona’s historical quarter is filled with medieval mansions, courtyards and the Cathedral that are all worth seeing. We only stopped for a few hours which were enough to see the main areas. Girona makes for a great day trip or stop over point from Barcelona.
Salvador Dali Museum: About an hour and a half north of Barcelona is Figueres, where Salvador Dali’s weird and corky museum is located (the architecture with large eggs lining the top of the building is a good indicator that you have arrived at the right place). Arrive early to beat the crowds and get about a good hour to having the museum to ourselves. The majority of Dali’s collection is located in the museum including many of his paintings, sculptures and contraptions.
GIRONA: long over shadowed by its larger sister city of Barcelona, Girona’s historical quarter is filled with medieval mansions, courtyards and the Cathedral that are all worth seeing. We only stopped for a few hours which were enough to see the main areas. Girona makes for a great day trip or stop over point from Barcelona.
BARCELONA: you can spend a whole week in this city and still not see it all. The architecture and vibrancy of the city is shown day and night. Note: Barcelona is notorious for pick-pocketers. Watch your belongs at all times!
Sights to see: these suggestions only touch the surface of things to do. There is so much more!
La Rambla: mile long walkway bustles with tourists, shops, cafes, artists, and human statues. Just watch your belongings: it supposedly is one of the most pick pocketed place in the world. On one of my trips to Barcelona, I actually witnessed a pick-pocketer running away from his victim as several people ran after him.
Mercat de Sant Josep: the market right off of La Rambla is a great place for eating and people watching. In the morning grab a fruit smoothie and enjoy it while strolling the aisles of the market.
La Sagrada Familia: a Gaudi legacy, the church is more spectacular on the outside than inside. I've been there twice and each time paid 8 euros to enter the cathedral just to see scaffolding. It's been 4 years since I've last been there, so perhaps they may almost be finished inside...maybe.
Park Güell: another spectacular Gaudi legacy, the park highlights some of his breathtaking artwork.
Museu Picasso: a great museum but one I found only could hold my attention for a brief moment. Unlike the Dali museum, I was into the first two floors of Picasso and then my attention span started wavering for the last few floors.
Casa Batlló: possibly one of the coolest/creepiest architectures in Barcelona, is Gaudi's House of Bones. Even if you don't pay to go inside, the outside is still a cool building to witness.
Night: again only touching the surface with suggestions
Bosc de les Fades: someone mentioned there was a hidden fairy bar and we immediately were obsessed with finding it. After wandering the streets and finally finding it tucked away behind the wax museum, we were disappointed to find that we had come the one night it was closed. Since we were leaving the next night, we decided to return during the day. The place was empty as most bars would be during the day but we found an enchanted world of a forest and bridges with mythical creatures. If I return to Barcelona, I will make sure to come here again.
Magic Fountain of Montjuïc : another recommendation, we headed to the Avenida Maria Cristina to catch the fountain show at night. Not a must see, but it was fun and cool to see.
Sights to see: these suggestions only touch the surface of things to do. There is so much more!
La Rambla: mile long walkway bustles with tourists, shops, cafes, artists, and human statues. Just watch your belongings: it supposedly is one of the most pick pocketed place in the world. On one of my trips to Barcelona, I actually witnessed a pick-pocketer running away from his victim as several people ran after him.
Mercat de Sant Josep: the market right off of La Rambla is a great place for eating and people watching. In the morning grab a fruit smoothie and enjoy it while strolling the aisles of the market.
La Sagrada Familia: a Gaudi legacy, the church is more spectacular on the outside than inside. I've been there twice and each time paid 8 euros to enter the cathedral just to see scaffolding. It's been 4 years since I've last been there, so perhaps they may almost be finished inside...maybe.
Park Güell: another spectacular Gaudi legacy, the park highlights some of his breathtaking artwork.
Museu Picasso: a great museum but one I found only could hold my attention for a brief moment. Unlike the Dali museum, I was into the first two floors of Picasso and then my attention span started wavering for the last few floors.
Casa Batlló: possibly one of the coolest/creepiest architectures in Barcelona, is Gaudi's House of Bones. Even if you don't pay to go inside, the outside is still a cool building to witness.
Night: again only touching the surface with suggestions
Bosc de les Fades: someone mentioned there was a hidden fairy bar and we immediately were obsessed with finding it. After wandering the streets and finally finding it tucked away behind the wax museum, we were disappointed to find that we had come the one night it was closed. Since we were leaving the next night, we decided to return during the day. The place was empty as most bars would be during the day but we found an enchanted world of a forest and bridges with mythical creatures. If I return to Barcelona, I will make sure to come here again.
Magic Fountain of Montjuïc : another recommendation, we headed to the Avenida Maria Cristina to catch the fountain show at night. Not a must see, but it was fun and cool to see.