In our 2017 run in Madrid, we seized the chance to visit Segovia, Salamanca, Toledo, and Avila. Sadly, I lost the photos from that trip. Enchanted by Spain’s beauty, I promised I’ll return and explore its other magnificent cities.

May 24, 2024

After an unexpectedly long three-hour meeting, I did a French exit, facing a flight in two hours. To beat the rush hour, I took my first Angkas ride! Despite the heat, I was grateful I did as I arrived just in time.

Made it to our flight and relaxed. Eagerly anticipating our first stop. Seventeen hours later, we arrived in Seville.

Our accommodation was Iberflat Fabiola, ideally situated at the heart of the city’s main attractions. It provided all we needed – a kitchen, fridge, and even a washer, though we couldn’t figure out how to use it 😅

Seville was an enchanting first stop, with its myriad alleys, each revealing something fascinating.

Plaza de España, the most famous square in Seville was simply stunning! The row of buildings is being used today as government institutions.

Seville Cathedral, a transformed mosque into a Catholic cathedral, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s largest, as well as the largest Gothic church.

Real Alcazar. A tip: purchase tickets ahead of time. We queued at 8:30 am for two hours to secure same-day tickets. We got tickets for 1:30 pm. Remember to bring passports, as photo ID is required for ticket purchase. This historical palace is breathtaking. We strolled and soaked in its splendor.

Metropol Parasol, acclaimed as the world’s largest wooden structure, has been a top urban attraction in Seville since its 2011 inauguration.

Our next destination was Granada, a journey of less than three hours by train from Seville.

We stayed at Hotel Inglaterra, a no-frills, clean hotel in an excellent location. Just 100 meters away, and you’re in the city center.

The Alhambra stands as Granada’s crown jewel and is among the most magnificent structures we’ve ever encountered. This vast Moorish fortress was erected in the 1200s by the Nasrid dynasty’s founder, a Muslim monarch who governed this area. The Alhambra is not just the prime attraction of Granada and Andalusia but also one of Spain’s most frequented sites.

We weren’t able to get tickets as we thought we could buy them on the day itself. One of the staff said you have to buy months in advance 😬 Good thing there are public places inside the compound which can be visited and allowed us to appreciate the grandeur of the place.

The Catedral de Granada, located at the heart of the city, ranks as one of its most stunning edifices. As with numerous Spanish cathedrals, it was constructed atop a mosque following the ‘Reconquista’ era when the Christian monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella reclaimed the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors.

The Royal Chapel of Granada, initially part of the adjacent Granada Cathedral complex, serves as the final resting place for Spanish sovereigns, Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand, the Catholic Monarchs. Beyond its historical significance, the chapel also houses a collection of art and items linked to Queen Isabella.

Monasterio de San Jeronimo is a splendid church encompassing several cloister buildings and is currently home to a community of nuns. It is included in a multi-site ticket that covers the cathedral and royal chapel.

Exploring the ancient streets of the Albaicín neighborhood is arguably the most enchanting activity in Granada. Going there is quite captivating; a stroll from the center, following the river’s stone walls, over quaint cobbled streets and bridges lined up with stores all the way uphill to Albaicín.

For those keen on hiking, venture into the hills above the neighborhood to reach the remarkable Mirador de San Nicolás viewpoint. The splendor of this spot is unmistakable, with views of the Alhambra and the Generalife gardens, set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s a panorama that captures the essence of Granada’s historic and natural beauty.

Malaga was our next destination, just a two-hour train journey away. Upon arrival at the train station, the city’s modernity was immediately apparent, with its expansive commercial areas.

Our accommodation was in Pasaje Chinitas, managed by HeloLiving, which we loved for its minimalist style. The apartment was fully equipped, and we even managed to figure out how to use the washing machine 🙂

Before heading to our first itinerary for the day, we grabbed a bite at the highly recommended tapas bar – Casa Lola 👍

The entrance to Malaga Cathedral includes a recorded tour guide, which covers 18 significant points within the cathedral, providing a clear and precise historical account in about an hour. Each point is numbered, allowing visitors to input the number into their handset at their leisure.

For fans of Picasso or cubist art, the Pablo Picasso Museum is a must-visit. While we’re not fans, we visited the museum to explore his diverse and vibrant artworks.

The Alcazaba de Málaga, is a stunning 11th-century Moorish citadel. A tour of the Alcazaba can be completed in under an hour. We opted for the combined ticket, granting us access to the Castle of Gibralfaro as well. The castle is accessible via a 45-minute hike, with intervals for rest, offering a glimpse of Mediterranean nature within the urban landscape. The quintessential Malaga snapshot, featuring views of Muelle 1 (the harbor) and the bullring, is captured from this vantage point. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best spots to photograph the city.

Had a fun time running in the morning along the harbor with luxurious yachts lined up in the clear, blue waters which makes you want to jump in.

Chanced upon this bust of Rizal while running. Learned this was installed in 2016 as gift of the Filipino people to the Malagueño people in honor of the friendship between the Philippines and Spain.

Our final stop in Southern Spain was less than an hour away from Malaga.

Typically, I search for accommodations within a 1-kilometer radius of the city center, and our modest hotel, Conde Cárdenas, was conveniently located.

Córdoba experiences some of the highest summer temperatures in Spain and Europe, with average highs around 37°C (99°F) in July and August. During our visit in late May, temperatures soared into the 40s! To escape the heat, we retreat to our hotel between 4-7 pm.

Córdoba is renowned for its Moorish architecture, with the Mezquita-Catedral as its most famous example. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, it now serves as a cathedral, and the designation has been extended to include the entire historic center of Córdoba.

The Mezquita Cathedral de Cordoba is an astonishing sight, unlike anything we’ve seen anywhere else in the world 🤩

Now a Roman Catholic church, its history as a mosque is palpable. The coexistence of decorative and symbolic elements from both faiths provides a unique and profound spiritual experience.

For those who have visited the Alcazar in Sevilla and the Alhambra in Granada, the Alcazaba may seem less grand, but it’s still worth visiting if time allows.

Just a short distance from the Alcazaba is the Roman Bridge, a privilege to behold and traverse. It’s not often one gets to walk across a bridge that dates back centuries. The remarkable Roman Bridge, originally constructed in the 1st century BC, has undergone numerous renovations and restorations throughout its history. It offers stunning views of the river on one side and the town and cathedral on the other.

We also tried a couple of bars near the Mezquita to have a feel of the local scene 😋 Bar Santos was highly recommended online.

As our journey through Andalusia concludes, we reflect on our trip through Southern Spain as a wonderful adventure. Now, we look forward to our next destination!

Despite a series of mishaps, including a missed connecting flight, train, and hotel stay, we were rewarded with another unforgettable journey.

Cinque Terre, a picturesque ensemble of five quaint villages nestled on the cliffs above the Mediterranean, has long been on my bucket list, and it did not disappoint.

The most efficient way to traverse these villages is by train, with departures every 15-20 minutes and brief travel times between stops. The Cinque Terre Card, priced at 28€, offers unlimited train travel between Levanto and La Spezia and includes hiking and bus fares, proving to be a cost-effective choice.

Upon arrival, we ventured to Monterosso, the furthest village. We decided to hike to the next town, which took about 1.5 hours.

After navigating the challenging 3.7km path with an elevation of 764 feet, Vernazza greeted us with its stunning beauty, rightfully earning its place as one of Italy’s ‘most beautiful villages.’

Embracing the tourist spirit, we indulged in calamari and fries for 13€ and a glass of local wine for 7€.

Continuing our journey, we skipped Corniglia, the smallest of the 5 villages, and made our way to the next town – Manarola, famed for its picturesque Porticciolo di Manarola. This captivating harbor, encircled by natural rock pools, is a popular spot for swimming among tourists, ourselves included. The crystal-clear, azure waters teeming with fish proved irresistible to us!

We continued to Riomaggiore, the first of the Cinque Terre villages when travelling north from La Spezia.

Cinque Terre was everything I imagined and more. I was glad we made this trip.

Last 4 days of vacation.

We’ve reached the final stretch of our journey.

Flew to Bologna and opted for an overnight stay before continuing to Barcelona.

We maximized our short stay by visiting the square to admire the Bologna Cathedral, Neptune’s fountain, and the Two Towers, while attempting to finish a generous serving of mortadella for 15€ which proved too much for the 3 of us (I packed it for breakfast the next day 👍)

Tip: The primary transportation method in Bologna is the bus. Purchase tickets before boarding. Tried tapping my credit card but didn’t work. Fortunately, the driver didn’t call our attention, perhaps noticing our confusion.

The next day, we took the Marconi Express from the central station to the airport, costing 13.5€ each and taking just 8 minutes.

Less than 2 hours later, we arrived in Barcelona. We acquired the 3D pass for unlimited transportation.

Euro Hotel is modern and conveniently located about 800m from the Europa/Fira station. Really nice but if only Euro Hotel wasn’t cheaper, I’d stay in Ona Barcelona again (where we previously stayed) 😊

After settling in, we revisited the bustling La Rambla and Barcelona cathedral. Happy to experience the cathedral’s engaging 3D interactive history – proof they are also keeping up with the times.

La Boqueria is on top of next day’s agenda. It is a large public market in Barcelona, and one of the city’s foremost tourist landmarks. It is home to more than 300 stalls renowned for selling some of the freshest produce—including meats, vegetables, cold cuts, sweets, and seafood. Amazing selection of so many foods to snack on or have a meal.

Palace Güell, one of Gaudí’s early yet innovative works is a must see. Gaudí was commissioned by his patron, the industrialist Eusebi Güelli, to design this city palace. It is one of the most magnificent buildings of modernism and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1984. Although the Palau Güell was one of Gaudí’s first major works, you can already see what will eventually make the architect famous worldwide: attention to detail, the integration of multiple decorative elements, the use of special techniques such as woodwork, ceramics and glassware and the use of particular geometric surfaces, often inspired by nature.

All that ends with what is undoubtedly the highlight of the visit: the rooftop of the residence, which boasts of 20 chimneys typical of Gaudí’s style. Leave it to Gaudí’ to transform chimneys into works of art.

Barcelona’s weather is predominantly warm year-round. We spent a delightful time soaking up the sun and atmosphere at Barceloneta Beach, wishing we could return the following day if only time allowed.

With our flight scheduled for the evening, we visited Sagrada Familia in the morning. Having missed this in 2017, we ensured our entry this time to witness the breathtaking artistry. Photos and videos cannot capture the enchantment of the cathedral. Experiencing Sagrada Familia confirms it: Antoni Gaudí was a genius and a visionary.

This trip is the most relaxed we’ve had for quite some time (no marathon, no triathlon!) and while I’m having a hard time deciding which part of this trip I like the most, there is no doubt that the visit to Sagrada to see the massive, soaring, unique, monumental, eye-popping and jaw-dropping edifice was the perfect ending 😘

TYL for your provisions and for guiding us in our trip.

Now, it’s never too early to start planning for the next adventure, right? 😉