Spain is a legal drug. Having visited once, you will definitely buy tickets again. But, you see, it is much more pleasant to see the allowable maximum in one flight? Why allowable? Yes, because there is so much beauty in this country that you can hardly master it in one trip. Yes, and vacation is not rubber. In short, here's a little spoiler for you, today we are reviewing the route: Barcelona – Madrid – Valencia – Alicante. We figure out how to get/fly, what to catch (and what is better not to), where to eat, how to organize your day and, most importantly, how to really relax in such a rhythm. 03 August 2021 AUTHOR: Tatiana Shevchuk 1 9 min
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Conditions of entry to Spain for Ukrainians
Since July 27, Ukraine has been included in the list of “green countries” whose residents are not subject to general restrictions on entry into Spain. Citizens of Ukraine can travel to Spain without the need to provide vaccination certificates or negative test results for Covid-19, provided that the sanitary control form is completed in advance. After filling out the form, the passenger receives a QR code. It will need to be provided at the request of representatives of the carrier company before boarding, as well as sanitary control services at the checkpoint in the port or airport upon arrival in Spain.
Note that the entry rules are updated regularly, therefore, before planning a trip, we recommend checking current conditions on tripadvisor.gov.ua.
Barcelona
Our first destination is Barcelona. Let's not sing excessive praises to her, this beauty already knows her worth.
How to get from Kyiv to Barcelona?
Regular flights from Kyiv to the capital of Catalonia are carried out by UIA (expensive and not always comfortable), Ryanair, Wizz Air, Laudamotion. Ernest Airlines (cheap enough, but comfort is also debatable), as well as air carriers from the more expensive segment: Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Air France and KLM. The choice, of course, is yours alone. But if you want to save money, then feel free to buy Ryanair tickets, because in the off-season round-trip tickets will cost you about €80. Let's say you have two days for this city. What to see in Barcelona?
Day 1
First you need to go to the sea. You can say hello to the Mediterranean near the Old Port of Barcelona. In the same place, spend or meet the sunset, feeding the fat gulls. From there, stomp to the Gothic Quarter and be sure to have a coffee in one of the small and terribly cozy cafes.
Then get down to the Barcelonetta metro and go to Passeig de Grasia – the central artery of the city. Explore Casa Batll and stop by for dinner at La Rita (Carrer d'Aragó, 279). This restaurant is right across the street from the aforementioned attraction and offers you a set menu for lunch or dinner for €12 and €20 respectively. And most importantly, breathe. You saw the possible maximum, as for the first day after the flight. Go to a couple more shops, arrange a leisurely promenade and that's it, relax.
Day 2
On the second day, according to the plan, the cultural program is maximum. You didn’t forget to go to the official website of Sagrada Familia a week before the trip and buy tickets for a certain time online? Well done. First of all, go there, all morning is the perfect time to fully enjoy the play of light in the Temple. We forgot to say that this pleasure is not cheap: the most budget option (an independent tour without an audio guide will cost €17).
Your next task is just to take a walk. Yes, yes, everything is so primitive, but we hasten to assure you that it is a walk (preferably without a navigator and the slightest idea where exactly you are going) that will allow you to truly get to know the city, dissolve in its atmosphere. For the evening, we recommend leaving the Picasso Museum, tickets for which you also need to take in advance on the official website. You will need at least 2 hours to visit the museum, and it closes at 21:30, so carefully calculate the required time.
By the way, Monday is the day when you can get to the museum absolutely free of charge. But even on a typical day, the price does not bite too much – €7 for a student and €10 for an adult.
Say goodbye to the sea for two days, we move to Madrid.We will write right away that these two cities cannot be compared. Madrid is about Mediterranean beauty without the sea, but with mountains at your side. It's about Spanish, not Catalan. It's about the grandeur of the capital and the anomalous number of must-see sights. There are 623 kilometers between the sea and financial capitals, which still need to be overcome somehow. Here are a few options on how to do this simply and inexpensively:
Bus. It will take 7-8 hours to go, but this is one of the most budget options – €33-38. You can buy tickets here.
Train.And here you also have several options. Either pay €55 and in 3 hours already in the capital (this is the AVE high-speed train), or Estrella trains. They arrive at the platform of the Madrid train station at 7 am, and the fare will be only 35 euros one way. Of course, there is always an option to buy an air ticket, or simply rent a car. That's just such travel options are worth the suggested money. Yes, and with the delivery of the car, there will also be troubles.
In any case, getting to the Spanish capital is never a problem. There would be a desire, but we have it. Perhaps someone will accuse us of bias, but we sincerely want you to spend 3 days in this city. Madrid is unique and literally crammed with sights.
Day 1
Upon arrival, do not rush to turn on the “turbo explorer” mode, especially if you have chosen a long journey by Estrella or bus. Start from Cybele Square, from where you slowly head to the most luxurious park of the year – Retiro. By the way, about the square – this is a kind of monetary conglomerate of the city, because it is here that the entire gold and foreign exchange reserve of Spain is stored. In the park, you have two main goals: to enjoy nature as much as possible and to visit (well, or at least see from the outside) the Crystal Palace. It is open from Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to 20:00. Saturday – from 11 to 18:00. And, which is also pleasing, admission is free. As for the first day – more than enough. We offer lunches and dinners with traditional tapas con calamares and sangria. It is pointless to advise any establishments: temptations await you at every turn in the form of small cafes with inexpensive and traditional business lunches. But, if you still decide to listen to our advice, be sure to check out Tinto y Tapas, Cafe Melo's, Taberna Malaspina and Pez Tortilla.