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 )

August in Madrid will be baking (and I like Madrid but would not go back in August). Consider south Spain - Malaga, Valencia or even somewhere like Ibiza - it is easy to avoid the Brits on the piss street parties, the rest of the island is lovely.

North Spain (San Sebastian etc) is lovely as well.

its absolutely do able and very easy to go to madrid and then onto the beach. I would reallly not advise, at all, to visit madrid in august though. most madrilenians leave if they have half a chance, or stay indoors as it's unbearably hot to be outside. Just go to the beach if it's august .. or to the north of spain (but the opposite is true there, so take a brolly and waterproofs).. Enjoy, whatever you do.

I think it's a great idea but I'd consider Malaga and Torreblanca/ feungirola.

The train goes direct from the airport to Malaga (30 minutes)

Then is about 45 minutes from Malaga to the coast and that same train can take you back to the airport.

It's a great train service and really cheap.

Ds and I often stay in Torreblanca and use the train to visit Malaga and feungirola.

Trains are pretty good in Spain,it's easy to book online and usually much cheaper than over here for longer distances.

I've just booked a flight to Madrid (£35) and a train to Malaga £40. Then will go to grenada to see alhambra and stay in the mountains. So city, beach, mountains. Flying back from grenada. (£41). I'm slightly worried about the heat but only doing a full day in Madrid.

I need to know about your flight!!!

Where from and when, what airline?

Our most recent flights were about 750 for the two of us. Gatwick, Iberia express

Seville and Madrid will be bastard hot in August.
Málaga is a lovely city and has the beach and train links to other towns like Fuengirola.
I liked Valencia but thought the actual beach was very meh and the área around it very run down but maybe I have been spoilt by twenty years living in Andalucía.

Have you thought of Barcelona? Lovely city and beaches. We recently went to Madrid, did segways round the city (not sure how old your kids are), loved the old part.

A beach holiday in that heat is one thing but the city you might find just too much in August

Madrid was 40 degrees last June, nearly killed me. I couldnt imagine August

Maybe you would like Tarragona? Lovely place, not overrun with tourists and great beaches including 2 fabulous ones that are a very short walk from the town centre. There are lovely shops and restaurants and some wonderful Roman ruins and historical sites to explore. Train from Madrid (direct) costs about €39 per person (one way) and takes around 2hr20min.

Flights from Bristol- don't get in until late but direct and cheap.

We are flying to Madrid in august and doing a driving tour around southern Spain with a few days in Madrid at the end. Average temps seem to be 31 degrees. I don’t think that’s too bad with air con but I can tolerate the heat. Flights from my local airport were peanuts.

Just to add, flying back to UK you would need to get flights from Reus (about 12km from Tarragona centre). There are flights to various UK airports, hopefully one that will be right for you.

Do a Malaga combo with somewhere like Nerja or Marbella if it's in budget

madrid in august will be really very hot. Like very hot with no relief.

31!!!!

I think a bit of expectation management is in order!

Yes, doable of course. Alicante, Malaga and other places like Barcelona are on the fast train AVE. Madrid would be very hot but a nice city. Great museums and very good food options.

Bellac11 that’s what Google suggests. It might be hotter and feel hotter than that but if you have air con just have a siesta during the hottest part of the day.

Well as I said last June was over 40 the week we went, they had a severe heatwave that was flooring some of the Spanish, let alone me

This June they have had quite a lot of rain and our family were complaing it had been 'so cold recently'. However we had several days of around 31 and 33. The rest were late 20s, still too bloody hot for me

And air con only goes so far, believe me. Despite hopping on buses when we could to get the air con, it was hard hard work.

Google doesnt know nothing!!!

Well only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun. However Madrid in August is probably only suitable for those that love the heat.

In Valencia atm and it’s lovely with amazing architecture and delicious food, but already very hot. I prefer Madrid but have only ever been in July.

Love Costa del sol! Daughter spent a month in Malaga a couple of years ago and loved it so I want to go too!! We’ve stayed along the coast from Mijas to Sabinillas and Puerto Duquesa. Absolutely beautiful!

We’ve just done this actually, we stayed in Valencia for a week and did a day trip to Madrid using the ave, it was about £30 each and took about two hours. Look at the Renfe website.

I agree - just fly to Malaga and explore round there. There's lots to do and beautiful places a bus ride away. Explore Marbella and Estepona. Lots of authentic tapas bars, very friendly locals in Marbella and Estepona and miles and miles of golden sand. Estepona is beautiful to stay too. There are some great accommodation choices down there.

I live in andalucia, it will be closer to 40 in August.

Madrid is hot hot hot you need air con in august for sure! The trains are great and cheap