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Sue Fitzmaurice
“You must go on adventures to find out where you belong.”
SPAIN
Madrid, Seville, Valencia, Barcelona
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1/5
13
days
03/14/22-03/26/22
Spain is the first country I visited in Europe and certainly won't be my last. Spain was an easy choice for me, as I've always dreamed of seeing castles, drinking Spanish wine, enjoying the nightlife and shopping, and eating authentic tapas. I visited Spain on a solo trip and met so many amazing people while staying in hostels.
2 weeks in Spain
Madrid
Madrid would be my starting and ending point for my solo trip to Spain. Flying into Madrid was the most affordable option, but I made my way around this gorgeous country via train. I spent 2 full days in Madrid and 1 more at the end of my trip to finish up anything I missed. As I exited the airport and took a taxi to my hostel, I was eager to get out into the city. My first stop was, of course, a coffee shop (Chocolateria San Ginés) where I temporarily attempted to mask my jet lag. Below are the places I visited that I believe should definitely be on your Madrid to-do list! Please note that I arrived in Madrid at the tail end of a sand storm that was sweeping over the city and that is why the sky is gray/orange in some pictures.
Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor is Madrid's town square located right in the center of the sprawling city. You'll find shops and restaurants in between stunning architectural buildings. This is a perfect spot to sit, relax, take in the city's history and even people watch. If you're looking for something to eat nearby, make your way to the oldest restaurant in the world, Sobrino de Botin.
Mercado de San Miguel
Mercado de San Miguel is the most famous indoor market in Madrid. This place is busy at all times of the day because it truly is an amazing place to try all sorts of authentic Spanish dishes, tapas style. I definitely visited here more than once during my couple of days in Madrid for a quick snack or a glass of wine in between roaming the streets and alleyways.
The Royal Palace/ Palacio Real
With 3,418 rooms, The Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest palace in Europe by area. You can take a tour of some of the rooms within the palace, but I decided to roam the grounds for free.
Day Trip to Toledo & Segovia
A day trip to Toledo & Segovia is well worth it! You'll step back in time as you travel by bus to Toledo, which looks like an unreal fairytale town. You'll travel through the streets with a guide who teaches you the history of the city along with seeing beautiful cathedrals. Afterwards, you'll make your way to Segovia where you get to explore the city on your own. Here you will see the Alcazar of Segovia, which was the inspiration behind the queen's castle in Snow White.
Other Things to do in madrid:
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Malasaña neighborhood
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Debod Temple
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Puerta del So
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Museo National del Prado
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Retiro Park
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Convent of Descalzas Reales
Sevilla
From Madrid, I hopped on a 2.5 hour train and arrived in Sevilla. This was my next destination, located in southern Spain. Sevilla is a beautiful Spanish city full of winding cobblestone streets, palaces, plazas and flemenco dancing. The city has a refreshing citrus smell, as the streets are lined with orange trees! I spent 3 days exploring Seville and finally got a bit of sunshine.
Catedral de Sevilla
One of the first places I visited in Sevilla was the cathedral, which also has a bell tower (La Giralda) with amazing panoramic views of the city. The Catedral de Sevilla is the world's largest Gothic catedral. Inside you can see the tomb of Christopher Columbus.
Plaza de Espana
A trip to Sevilla wouldn't be complete without exploring the Plaza de Espana. Make sure to have your camera ready, as there is so much beauty to capture. The plaza is full of colorful tiles, bridges, canals, fountains, all while you can hear live Spanish performances. After visiting the plaza, make time to stroll through the gardens at Parque de Maria Luisa.
Royal Alcazar de Sevilla
The Royal Alcazar is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a must do in Sevilla! Purchase tickets beforehand to skip the lines. You could spend hours venturing through the magnificent rooms, completely in awe of all the architecture and details. Make sure to also explore the magical gardens all around. I think I spent a total of 3 hours here! It was a bit tricky to find, but don't leave without seeing the famous Baths of Doña María de Padilla. They were built around the 12th century and are insane to see!
Other Things to do in Sevilla:
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Metropol Parasol
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Barrio Santa Cruz Neighborhood
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Flamenco Show
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Day trip to Alhambra
Tapas, Tapas, & more Tapas:
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El Rinconcillo
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Ovejas Negras
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Mateos Tapas Bar
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Casa Remesal
Valencia
Next destination was Valencia! I hopped on yet another train and took in the views for 5 hours and arrived in a new city to explore. Without knowing, I came to Valencia during the Fallas festival and was surprised by fireworks while exiting the train station. Valencia is a bustling city with so much to do and is very walkable.
Central Market
Start your morning off at the iconic Central Market, one of Europe's largest. The exterior of this building is beautiful and it gets even better once you get inside. Enjoy the dozens of aisles of fresh produce and meats!
City of Arts & Science
Walk through the Turia Gardens and Gulliver Park on your way to the City of Arts & Science where you'll find a more futuristic side of Valencia. This complex has a variety of things to do:
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L’Hemisfèric: Imax Cinema and Planetarium
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El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe: Interactive science museum
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L’Umbracle: metallic structure with an open-air garden
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L’Oceanogràfic: oceanographic aquarium
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El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía: opera house and performances of other artistic shows
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Assut de l’Or Bridge: a bridge connecting the south side of the city
Plaza del Ayuntamiento
Be sure to visit Plaza Redona and take the opportunity to climb to the top of Santa Catalina Tower where you'll see epic city views. Head to the touristy area of Plaza de la Reina where you can find the Valencia Cathedral and try some famous horchata.
Other Things to do in Valencia:
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La Lonja de la Seda
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Quart & Serranos Towers
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Colon Market
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Plaza de la Vigren
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Ruzafa Market
Barcelona
The last stop in my Spain journey was Barcelona. I was the most excited to visit this city and and it did not disappoint. This city has it all; a rich history and culture, gorgeous beaches, huge parks, easy transportation, foods from all over the world, and all things Gaudi. If you're planning to visit Spain, Barcelona is a must!
Park Guell
A trip to Barcelona wouldn't be complete without roaming around Park Guell. This is an easy destination to reach by metro. This park has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984 and is the second most visited attraction in Barcelona. You could spend hours getting lost here! Book tickets ahead of time to safe yourself some time.
Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Familia absolutely blew me away! Every single inch of this building, inside and out, is stunning and so intricate that it doesn't even look real. There have only ever been 2 moments in my life where a place has brought me to tears. Tears of being overwhelmed with emotions and happiness, and a sense of "I can't believe I'm here right now." This was one of those moments (the other was Garden By the Bay in Singapore). This place is a must visit!
Casa Balto
Casa Balto is one of Gaudi's most famous and signature works and is an architectural wonder. You can purchase a ticket to go on a tour to learn about the inspiration behind the designs in each room.
Arc di Triomf
The Arc di Triomf is a beautiful monument seen from afar in Barcelona. Enjoy walking around the area and be sure to stroll through Parc de la Ciutadella. This 77-acre park is a green oasis in the middle of a bustling city.
Other Things to do in Barcelona:
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El Born neighborhood
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Tibidabo
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Las Ramblas
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La Boqueria
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Gothic Quarter
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Barcelona Cathedral
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For amazing rooftop views, get a drink at the rooftop bar at Hotel Colon
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Barcelonaeta Beach
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Picasso Museum
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El Bunkers del Carmen
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