Train Travel in Spain: My Top Tips and Highlights
Having tried most types of holidays and, for the first time, not having to think about what the teenager would enjoy, we decided to travel around Spain—a country we both love but haven’t explored much. We were inspired by the BBC TV program Celebrity Race Across the World, where they have to travel around different countries, and one of them was Spain.
This blog includes the train journeys we took, the hotels we stayed in, and the restaurants we ate at that were beyond delicious. Also included are the things I would highly recommend you do, as well as how long we stayed in each city.
First stop: Barcelona. We stayed two nights, which I think was enough. We did a lot of walking while we were here, which we loved—just taking our time, wandering the streets, soaking up the atmosphere, and exploring.
Barcelona Hotel: Radisson Blu 1882. This 4-star hotel, located near the Sagrada Familia, features a rooftop bar and a small rooftop pool, making it perfectly placed for visiting. The Sagrada Familia, the famous temple, which has been under construction for over 130 years. The rooftop offers a brilliant view of the temple and is the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail while admiring this incredible building. Be sure to visit in the early evening, as the bar closes around 9 p.m. You can opt for a room with a view of the Sagrada Familia; however, we didn’t, and our view was of a residential area—not quite the same, but cute nonetheless.
Things to do in Barcelona: Without a doubt, book to visit the Sagrada Familia, it is simply stunning. If you are not afraid of heights, book the towers when you buy your tickets; the views are breathtaking but not for the faint-hearted, and the walk down the steps could be challenging for some, as it’s over 500 stairs. I also recommend taking the cable car up to the Montjuïc mountain; the views are spectacular, with a panoramic view of the city.
Markets are a must when you are in Spain. We went to Mercado de la Boqueria, often described as the mother of all food markets. I would suggest going when you’re hungry—or even if you're not—as there is lots of delicious food to be sampled and experienced.
Restaurants in Barcelona: Thanks to TikTok, we found two gorgeous places to eat, both very different. Tapeo, located at Montcada, 29, 08003 Barcelona, is a tiny, busy tapas restaurant with people queuing out the door, so it’s one to book in advance. The food is gorgeous and flavoursome, and for the three of us, including wine and beer, it cost £120. It’s a no-frills kind of place that focuses purely on producing the best food with a great atmosphere.
The second night, we went to a completely different vibe. Bocagrande is a stunning seafood restaurant with the most delicious food and wine to match. The service was great, and the team was so helpful in suggesting dishes and wines. While it has less of a busy vibe than Tapeo, it’s beautiful all the same. I would also suggest you book, as there didn’t appear to be a free table. The cost for this meal was £250, though it would probably be less if you don’t have a teenager who can eat a lot and is always hungry.
Next Stop: Valencia. We took a train to Valencia from Barcelona; I would suggest booking these in advance, and we used the Trainline app—it was so easy. The train journey was just under 3 hours, and it was a beautiful way to see the coastline and all the small fishing villages. We stayed only one night in Valencia, but if you can, I would suggest staying two nights—it’s probably better.
Valencia Hotel – Only You Valencia. This hotel is perfectly situated and so close to the shops and restaurants. They claim to have the best breakfast in Valencia, and I can confirm—incredibly, it’s not one to be missed.
Things to do in Valencia: I didn’t know what to expect, and we nearly didn’t visit here, but I am so glad we did. It’s home to paella and Agua de Valencia, a delicious classic Spanish cocktail, as well as some of the most beautiful architecture. We took a hop-on, hop-off bus tour since we were there for such a short time, and I am so pleased we did, as we got to see the beautiful city and hear all about its history. We walked through the parks to visit Valencia’s La Ciudad de las Artes y Las Ciencias, where you will find one of the most beautiful complexes of buildings surrounded by water. It is home to museums and exhibitions celebrating the arts, science, and the natural world. Just walking around the 35-hectare complex is an experience in itself.
Next Stop: Madrid. This wasn’t our initial plan as we wanted to do the coastline and visit Alicante and Cartagena before heading to Granada, however, the trains weren’t on our side. Two hours travel and were into the hustle and bustle of the capital. I can't recommend travelling by train in Spain enough, the seats were spacious and we often booked first class as it wasn’t massively different in price.
Madrid Hotel: Hotel in Central Madrid | Hyatt Centric Gran Via Madrid. This hotel might not be for everyone, as it is literally in the city center, but the convenience of this location is unmatched—everything is within walking distance, and the rooftop bar was the main draw for us. The rooftop bar is very popular with both locals and tourists; however, if you are a hotel guest, you have priority and can jump the queue.
Things to do in Madrid: The Royal Palace of Madrid is one of the largest palaces in the world, with over 3,000 rooms, and is home to the Spanish royal family. This is a must-see, and I also recommend booking your tickets in advance and opting for the audio tour. Plaza Mayor is also worth a visit; it’s one of the oldest and most iconic squares, and at Christmas, it has the most incredible traditional Christmas market.
A definite must is the San Miguel Market—be prepared to be spoilt for choice. I recommend going ready to eat, as there are so many delicious food stalls ranging from tapas bars to seafood stalls.
I nearly forgot, if you love chocolate, start the day with churros dipped in hot chocolate. Many places offer these, but the most famous is Chocolatería San Ginés, which has been serving this sweet treat since 1894 and is now world-famous.
Next Stop: Granada. We took the train straight from Madrid to Granada and it took approximately 3 hours to travel through the heart of Spain. The scenery was ever-changing from wall-to-wall olive groves to the rising mountains, truly beautiful.
Granada Hotel: Seda Club Hotel. This luxury hotel is so different to all the other hotels it’s more of a small boutique-style hotel with personal service and attention to detail. Not to forget a rooftop bar overlooking the Cathedral.
Things to do in Granada: If you don’t have a lot of time, prioritise the Alhambra Palace. This is truly an experience not to be missed, and a guided tour is a must, as this palace is steeped in history. The views are spectacular, the buildings are enchanting and beautiful, and the gardens of the palace are stunning.
You should also spend time walking through the charming streets and alleyways, which are packed with small, enchanting shops.
A restaurant recommendation from the hotel, which offers the most spectacular view of the palace, is Carmen Mirador de Aixa. Not only does this restaurant provide the best views and a chance to watch the sunset over this beautiful city, but the food is delicious too.
I hope you have enjoyed this blog, please let me know if you have enjoyed this and if you would like more of these on our next trip to Iceland.
Thank You For Reading
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Bye for now,
Fiona x