Three extra days in Spain - Recommendations?

[LivingHopeGirl]

We will have 2 full days (3 nights) after we finish the Camino, spend a couple days in Santiago, and take a day trip to Finisterre before we need to be back in Barcelona. Any recommendations for best place to visit in Spain in that amount of time?

 

[Tincatinker]

Madrid

 

[ShoshTrvls]

Madrid is an amazing city, and definitely should be visited. However, if for some reason you don't want to go that far out of your way, about 3-1/2 hours south of Barcelona is Valencia, which I consider to be a "perfect" city (which is saying a lot). It has a lot of history but also some interesting more modern architecture, a beautiful center city and historic district and is entirely walkable. There are several very scenic and quaint towns nearby such as Denia, and while you didn't say what time of the year you will be there, if it is the summer, there are many nice beaches there as well. Plus, it is the home of paella so, really, what more could you want?

 

[roving_rufus]

My question- how are you intending to get from Santiago to Barcelona- as that might shift y answer

 

[LivingHopeGirl]

Madrid is an amazing city, and definitely should be visited. However, if for some reason you don't want to go that far out of your way, about 3-1/2 hours south of Barcelona is Valencia, which I consider to be a "perfect" city (which is saying a lot). It has a lot of history but also some interesting more modern architecture, a beautiful center city and historic district and is entirely walkable. There are several very scenic and quaint towns nearby such as Denia, and while you didn't say what time of the year you will be there, if it is the summer, there are many nice beaches there as well. Plus, it is the home of paella so, really, what more could you want?

Thank you for your thoughtful response. We will finish the Camino in a couple of weeks, so our extra days are in mid October. I like your idea of Valencia. We were thinking about Tarragona because of the Roman ruins, but Valencia sounds like it may have more to offer…

 

[LivingHopeGirl]

Madrid

Thanks.

 

[LivingHopeGirl]

My question- how are you intending to get from Santiago to Barcelona- as that might shift y answer

Train

 

[CTLawGal]

Since you're headed through Barcelona.... I would suggest going there, spending a day at Montserrat - amazing monastery and beautiful hiking trails (there is a Camino that goes through there), or perhaps take a train to Valencia for a few days.

 

[henrythedog]

With two days spare. You probably don’t want to spend too much time in transit, or try to do too much.

Go straight to Barcelona. If you’ve not been there before there is a huge amount of things to see and do.

If you’ve been to Barcelona, but not Montserrat; do that. The logistics take some understanding and I’d advise overnighting so as to attend vespers. Take your own wine (not to vespers).

Otherwise - Madrid. It’s on a super-fast line to Barcelona.

 

[CTLawGal]

You probably don’t want to spend too much time in transit, or try to do too much.

Exactly this - what I was thinking but neglected to articulate.

 

[roving_rufus]

Train

Barcelona plus Montserrat are great if you haven't done them.
If you do the train route via Madrid (rather than the long journey directly) then Madrid is a great stop.

Personally I might like a rest rather than cramming in sightseeing at the end- maybe head to Barcelona and then out of the city to a spot on the coast

 

[KFH]

Since you're headed through Barcelona.... I would suggest going there, spending a day at Montserrat - amazing monastery and beautiful hiking trails (there is a Camino that goes through there), or perhaps take a train to Valencia for a few days.

I second Montserrat. One of the most amazing places we've ever been. Easy train from Barcelona and back. Ride up the cable car. Use the funicular. Walk the trails. Fantastic.

Also-- did you spend enough time in Barcelona on the way in?

Be sure of your actual travel time spent. Santiago to Barcelona is a long way and trying to do too much is a real possibility.