AboutVíctor Díaz Expertise I live in Madrid,and travel frequently to Valencia. I have also travelled to many places all over spain, if haven't been there i'd try to help anyway providing my knowledge and links.
I enjoy trekking in the mountains, and know pyrinees, Picos de Europa and mountains in the center.
Question We will be going to Madrid for 3 days, then San Sebastian for 3 and finally Barcelona for 4. My husband wants to rent a car and I want to use the train. Would it be a scenic drive? Are gas prices high right now? If you had to choose to a train for one leg of the trip which would you choose?
And just for fun, any "local's only" recommendations while we are there?
Thanks you!!!
Answer Hello Elizabeth
It's not an scenic drive, specially along Ebro valley from San Sebastian to Barcelona via Pamplona and Zaragoza, mainly farmland and arid hills most of the travel (and tolled highway).
From Madrid to S Sebastian the landscape isn't also specially nice in my opinion, only when passing from the central plateau to the north coast is more scenic (via tolled highway) but i wouldn't do this part of the travel by car just for the landscape.
Notice San Sebastian is Donostia in basque and both names use to be showed when choosing a city.
I will vote also for train connections if you don't plan to stop along the way to visit towns and even do the one of the leg in a couple of days. If your aim is just moving as fast as possible and still see some landscape.
If i have to choose the car for one part of your travel i would probably choose Madrid-San Sebastian with one stop at least in Burgos to see the cathedral.
By train
Mad-SS takes about 5h20 cost from 50,10 (offers available for about 30euros at renfe site currently) There are a couple of trains daily from CHamartin station.
SS-Barcelona
A couple of trains daily from 40euros (offers available too) the fastest train takes 5h30.
MAd-SS, 450km, 4h30 most on highways and 15,90 on tolls (tolled stretch is Burgos-SS.)
SS.-Barcelona, 570km, 5h40 and 42euros on tolls (most part of the highway is tolled)
A more scenic route by the foot of the pirineos mountains is much longer as it's mainly by conventional roads (mainly in good conditions) the recommended scenic route by Michelin would take about 8h despite is shorter, 530km.
Gas prices: Diesel is almost 1euro/liter. With 50euros you may do about 900km with a diesel car.
Recommendations:
In Madrid: if you travel this summer and you plan a daytrip to Toledo or Segovia, if it is warm in Madrid it will be worse in Toledo, i would choose Segovia as it's not as warm there and also a nice daytrip. Don't miss Prado museum at least, focus on main masterpieces as the museum is huge. Nightlife for all ages by Santa Ana square and Huertas street.
In Barcelona: you may do also a half daytrip to Montserrat. Don't miss anything regarding Gaudi. Bcn museums are not as good as those in Madrid, ony if you are into modern art you may enjoy Picasso museum and Miro foundation (and also add Reina Sofia in Madrid).
