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I've only been to Barcelona. Loved it. Be prepared to eat late and stay out late. Dinner is at like 9pm. Also be prepared to eat a lot of pork products.

For me the highlights was all the Gaudi architecture: Sagrada Familia, Park Guelle, Casa Batllo, etc. We also really enjoyed the Picasso museum.

What an awesome friends trip! I went on a school trip many years ago, so I'm no help on what to do now.

@daniellemybelle: I got engaged in Madrid, Spain! It is a beautiful country and you are going to lovely cities. My husband struggled a bit with the food, but he is a pretty plain eater. Have a blast!!

And eat churros con chocolat !!!

@Freckles: San Sebastián was fun! Great beach town but hard to get to

Honestly if you go up North, Santiago de Compostella is gorgeous and has great history

Ask @erinpye. She is a Spain expert, I think!

I love Spain. I can't remember specific restaurant names, but you definitely need to try the following foods: churros con chocolate, chorizo or pretty much any sliced ham products, manchego cheese, croquetas de pollo or jamón (chicken or ham croquettes), sangria (obv. if not pregnant), assorted olive/cheese plate, gazpacho soup.

In Seville, there's the Torre de Oro, Alcazar, Plaza de España, Catedral (and La Giralda tower), University of Seville (Carmen's former tobacco factory!), super fancy hotel: Hotel Alfonso XIII (which is right next to the University), barrio Santa Cruz which has tons of winding paths and tiny shops and a statue of Don Quijote. There's also always a bull fight if you're into that sort of thing.

In Granada, the Alhambra is stunning. Worth a side trip. I also really enjoyed the history in Toledo and Córdoba.

The buildings and parks in Barcelona are breathtaking. You'll have to get paella there!

Be SO careful of pickpockets- literally do not even hang your bag on the seat you're sitting on, and keep your hands on your bags in the metro, if you take it. Pickpockets are rampant and so good.

Other than that, Spain is AMAZING! I lived and studied in Madrid in college, in Leon (in the north) in high school. Go to the Prado, el Parque Retiro, El Escorial, the Plaza Mayor, and anywhere that piques your interest! Madrid is gorgeous! Also, obviously go to la Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, and the Parque Guell. Eat everything and have some traditional tortilla and some chorizo frito for me! You will LOVE Spain!

Eta: Picasso's Guernica hangs in Madrid too, at the Reina Sofia museum, and is worth a see.

I've been all over Spain, but never to Barcelona. I haven't been back since I was I in my twenties, and I would travel very differently now then I did then. Regardless, just roam around, eat well, and drink great wine. The cuisine is amazing: chorizo, Gambas, pulpo, jam on Serrano..... I'm so hungry. Spainards are friendly and live it up!

In Madrid you must see the Reina Sofia museum. Seriously, it's my favorite art museum. Sevilla is beautiful. I spent a month hiking the Camino de Santiago. Northern Spain has a lot to offer too! Check out Bilbao.

So jealous!

I've been to Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, Toledo, Granada, Córdoba, and Seville. Barcelona and Bilbao were probably my favorite cities, but I really don't think you can go wrong - Spain is a great country! The Alhambra is great if you can make it, and be sure to hit the Renia Sofia in Madrid.

@T.H.O.U.: we brought money. I'm not that adventurous. It was amazing!

I went on a 10 day trip there a few years ago. I loved Seville and Barcelona the most. I visited the Alhambra but was not as wowed by it as I thought I would be. Rick Steves and tripadvisor were my favorite references for figuring out where to eat as well as asking the locals.
I hope you have a wonderful time!

@erinpye: I saw bullfight too and I walked out 10 minutes in, so disturbing.

@daniellemybelle: awesome trip!!! If you plan on going further north.... We flew into Bilao, there quickly, saw the Guggenheim, then travelled to and really enjoyed San Sebastián, st Jean de Luz & Biarritz (those last two are actually in France just over border)...... But they are all beach towns and so fun, great food & people!!

I loved Seville and Barcelona! The Gaudi buildings and the old palace and gardens in Seville were my favorite parts of the trip.

And yes, be very careful of pickpockets! I was very vigilant outside but my bag was still stolen by someone who went inside my hotel dining room while I stepped away to get breakfast.

We were in Barcelona a bit over a year ago. We stayed in a great Airbnb in the Eixample neighborhood which was a good mix of shops, restaurants and close to transit. There are tons of cute neighborhoods to stay in though. In addition to the other suggestions, if the weather is nice, go to the beach! We were there in October and while it was a bit too cold for us for swimming, many people were in the water. I also really liked the beach area and there are lots of places to eat.

@erinpye: @BandDmommy: Maybe it was because we went to the oldest bullring in the city, but to me it was really about pageantry and the show, not about killing the bull. And my sister is a huge animal person, so if anyone would have found it upsetting, it would have been her, and it didn't bother her.

Went to Barcelona and San Sebastián before TTC LO1. Highly recommend San Sebastián for the food if you can make a side trip!