Travelling to Madrid and maybe seaside??? Crazy idea - is it doable?

[Bubblyb00b]

I know I might be a bit naïve thinking I can pull this off, but my plans for August unexpectedly went belly up and I need to organise something so DC will not end up spending all holiday hauled up in our flat. I always wanted to visit Madrid. So I was wondering if it would work for us flying there, staying in the city for a few days, then moving on to some place with the beach (via train, maybe, as I don't drive?) and then going home from there. I usually book a package holiday but this time was wondering if I book flights and then just wing it - AirBnb, whatever! It could be a cool adventure, right? Or a massive disaster?

Also would like to add that I don't have a heap of money, maybe 1.5k maximum.

I would really appreciate any ideas and suggestions! I only been to Barcelona and Seville, and to Majorca ages ago. Maybe we should go to a different pace? Maybe its a stupid idea altogether, and I should just find a beach holiday in Greece, or stay home and accept I screwed up?... Any comments welcome )

Sure why not. I often fly into one city and out of another, it just makes sense if you want to see multiple destinations and don't want to be backtracking on yourself. You could get the train from Madrid to Malaga in around 3 hours.

I find the flights to Madrid really expensive, but then I refuse to fly easy jet/Ryan air (although I may well have to for other destinations).

Accommodation isnt cheap either (we always do an airbnb)

The other thing Ive noticed is that when Ive looked briefly into it, the train services are not all that. We dont drive abroad (Im too scared!) and so would love to move around but having looked at a couple of locations, it seems quite difficult to get around on train without losing a lot of time doing it. However I have only looked north, so perhaps if you went from Madrid to the south coast it might be more doable

However, I have been to Barcelona and not only would I say its better than Madrid (sorry Madrid) but it has a little town beach as well, that might be a better bet.

I should add we visit Madrid a lot but not as a holiday, which is why we still go even though there are better places!

Years ago we flew into Madrid for a few days then took an overnight train to Lisbon. Lovely trip.

What about Valencia? Great place.

Madrid is extremely hot in August, very often over 40 degrees. I’m from the area and I avoid it in July and August like the plague! It’s a great place though

Of course, why not? Though I third that Madrid will be very hot. Can you fly into Malaga (which I totally love, massively underrated city) and jump on a train elsewhere from there?

I heard a lot about Valencia, maybe should go there... Any other cities like that? Not necessarily in Spain? I did not like Barcelona and did not like the beach (also, last time I was there, there was a huge incident on La Rambla so really bad memories). I mean, I did not dislike it, either - but dont want to visit again, that's all.

@LaviniasBigBloomers this sounds interesting, where would you suggest we should go from Malaga?

Valencia is perfect for what you want (and is cheap)

Girona north of Barca very nice & better value
Lovely county side around it and close to seaside.
Ryanair fly there so I expect good value

In Andalusia (the region in the south of Spain, Sevilla and Malaga are there) it is mostly bus transport rather than trains. I lived in Malaga for a few months (the city, not the Costas further along!) and I used to always get the bus (coach) to see my friends in Madrid, but I think there may be a train option to Malaga too. The best sandy beaches around Malaga are west of the city in my opinion, San Pedro has lovely sand and is nice but it is about an hour on a coach from Malaga city. The buses were inexpensive but whether or not this is an option for you will depend on the age of your son and whether you are comfortable going on them without a car seat. I wouldn't take my 4 year old on a coach in the UK or abroad without a proper car seat, but some people do.

I've been to Valencia but my judgement is clouded by the fact it rained heavily all of the time we were there and my memory of the beach was that it was ridiculously windy and we couldn't even see the sea because of how far the tide was out and how grey everything was! I don't know how you get there from Madrid though.

I'd go to Malaga full stop. It's a lovely city. The beach is much nicer than Barcelona..the train from Malaga will take you as far as fuengiriola or you could bus it up to Nerja which is just 😍. Its so easy. The train from the airport will take you to the bus station from there you can catch a bus up to Nerja. But Malaga really is lovely..

I was looking at flights to anywhere in Europe recently from Heathrow for over the summer and oddly Madrid was coming up as having the cheapest flights.

Seville? Gorgeous place. It's a little inland so has a different vibe.

Or you can do Cadiz, which is also on the coast, a slightly longer journey but totally doable.

What I would say is that European trains are brilliant. Pick the cheapest flights going from your nearest airport and there's going to be at least one other brilliant destination just a couple of hours away. It's a brilliant way to travel, DS and I did a big train trip a few years ago.

Another recommendation for Valencia.
The perfect city imo with lovely beaches, a beautiful 'old town' and the spectacular City of Arts and Sciences.
All within walking distance- plenty of shade along the river bed linking everywhere and easy cycling if you prefer.

Of course it’s doable. Air Europa & Iberia are currently offering one way flights from Madrid to Malaga (for example) on a random weekday in August for around €60. Alicante & Palma are cheaper on Ryanair. Use Skyscanner to search then book online direct with the airline, not via a middleman.
I really wouldn’t go to Madrid in August, though. It will be hot AF, which is why the locals all try to get out & go to the coast where it’s just hot.

Valencia is lovely. Malaga also fantastic and Granada is an easy trip from there.

A couple of years ago we did a bit of a toad trip along the north coast of Spain and ending a few days in Madrid. No reason you couldn't do it the other way round or by train. The North Coast if Spain is lovely - San Sebastian, bilbao, Santander or further west - loads of 'beach' places to visit and not that far from Madrid compared to the south.

*Road trip 🙄

Agreed. The north of Spain is fabulous, and feels a million miles away from the ‘Brits on the piss’ brigade on the Costas.

You’re better off going to a Spanish city on the beach. Valencia is fab as lots to see and big city but also brilliant beach.

God avoid the north coast of Spain in august. Went as a teen eurocamping it pissed down every day. My dad is a total sun seeker and was driven to distraction ! May as well have been in Wales.

We have done it a few times.

Pros:
A lot of people take their holidays in August so the city is less busy than in the rest of the year
Because of that you can get good deals in hotels -we tend to use hotels in the conference area (Ifema I think??). Hotels have pools and excellent air con which IME can be hit and miss in air bnbs.
Flights are not too pricey
The airport is not busy that time of the year

Cons
A lot of people take their holidays in August so some of the independent small shops might be closed
It's hot as hell. If you have trouble with heat, don't go to Madrid in August.

We normally drive and the roads are beautiful - new and empty in August. We have done trains, too and they are great and modern. However you will need to book in advance and might need taxis / subway / buses to get to stations etc.

Absolutely you can. I love Madrid and would recommend Valencia too. Have stayed in Airbnbs in both places. Easy to travel between the two by train.
Madrid will indeed be very hot in August though!