Didn't see any posts on this topic in the past few years, and seeing as my wife and I are hoping to head back to Spain in the fall, I thought I'd get a feel for the current sentiment on the MM boards.

The scenario: My wife and I are planning a short trip to Spain from the US in late-Sept/early-Oct this year (maybe 5 or 6 days), and we're trying to decide on a destination in Spain. She has never been to Sevilla, but fell in love with Barcelona on her last visit. I have never been to Barcelona, but fell in love with Sevilla during my first trip to Spain in spring '01.

We want this to be a fairly relaxing trip, so we're resigned to spending the whole time in just one or the other, and taking time to relax and explore the city. Any thoughts/votes/preferences?

Also, are there any newer developments, must-see places, etc. that we should weigh into our decision? (It's been about 5 years since either of us has been in Spain).

Thanks for your thoughts/opinions.

In my opinion Sevilla is the most beautyful city in Spain. Barcelona is much bigger, richer, modern and cosmopolitan than Seville.

It's not easy to make a decission, but I consider Seville more romantic and more tipically Spanish.

If you go to Seville, 3 days will be enough time to visit the city. Then you could go to Córdoba and Cádiz, wich is regarded as the most ancient city still standing in western Europe (founded by Phoenicians about 1100 BC).
Oh! Don't forget to visit the Sherry Cellers.

I been to both and stayed over a week in both places. Sevilla was to me a more relaxing and slower pace than Barcelona.

But I did full in love with Barcelona, especially it architecture. I think it is the best city in Spain to walk around in. I can remember with a big smile on my face, each morning I had to deicide where to have my coffee. At the local cafe? At the market La Boqueria? Down at the beach? Up in the mountains?

I did them all!

Bill


Bill

i tend to agree to me Sevilla beats Barcelona any day; not to say Barcelona is that bad;just comparing it with Sevilla.

stay around barrio santa cruz or Triana and there is nothing like that in Barcelona. Then if you like more modernistic outlook on cities Barcelona architecture will astound you,especially the l'exeimple quarter near Passeig de Graçia.

I'm not a huge fan of Samantha Brown, but her "Passport to Europe" show is very popular and she does go to some wonderful places. On tonight's episode she will be in Sevilla, so maybe that will help with your decision!

You can catch her show tonight on the Travel Channel at 8:30 and 11:30 ET.

I took some pictures last Semana Santa in Sevilla. May be they will help you to decide.

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SpecialFX & wife aren't going to Spain during Semana Santa: they're going to be there late Sep to early Oct.

I've spent time in both cities. Sevilla is nice but if I must choose, I vote for Barcelona, like favorite sons Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Antonio Gaudi. Barcelona is a 'World Class' City; Sevilla, with its Mozarabe roots, is a beautiful City, but I don't think it's in the same League as Barcelona.

Since you're staying almost a week, I would recommend Barcelona because there is quite a bit more to see. Sevilla would be great to fit in a trip where you see all of Andalusia, and Barcelona is a bit more isolated.

I like and admire Barcelona, an elegant and stylish city full of treasures. It is ,though, Seville with which I fell in love and which calls me back time after time. In the first I am happy to be doing things. In the enchanted surroundings of the second I am happy just to be.

Have spent quite a bit of time in both cities - and, like an earlier poster said, Barcelona is more modern and cosmopolitan than most cities - beautiful architecture and all else.

But for me, Sevilla wins. Sevilla feels far more "Spanish" and staying there will allow you to explore a bit more. Walking with history - romance - sheer artistic joy - Sevilla -

Part of your decision has got to be where your interests lie - if one of you is an architect - Gaudi will win. If one of you is a fashion conscious to-or-die shopper - again, Barcelona would be the choice.

And to whomever mentioned Cadiz -