Madrid/Barcelona - Backpacking, Climbing, Beach, Culture, Fun | Spain - Lonely Planet Forum

ONLINE

Wed, 20 Jul 2016 15:03:26 +0000

Hey there LP
(first time user here, so hopefully you all will go easy one me)

I'm planning a Euro trip next summer. (May-Aug) I'm very sports and outdoorsy inclined. This will be my first time coming to Spain. I have a more grand goal of touring the southern coast of Europe. I speak English and French, can get by in German, and understand a bunch of Spanish. Looking to get better in language.

As for my Spain segment - I am looking for advice on where to go or even travel buddies to meet up with!

Activities, sports, market places, historic sites, museums, tours, adventures, bars, beaches - I'm pretty open.
Does anyone know how easy it is to get around in Madrid/Barcelona? I believe i heard both cities are bikeable - or would public transport be better?
Finally, any good hostel recommendations in either city?

Specific things i'd like to do:
I have surfed a bunch before but haven't in a year or so. Any surf schools that someone would recommend?
I hike a ton and will have all my backpacking equipment. Any good trails or places I could find a meetup for a trip?
-->A good link for a site that had trail maps as well as hut or camping sites would be a huge help!
I'm a pretty avid climber/boulder-er. Any good crags or gyms or places where I could get a crash pad?
--> Climbing partners? :)

Thanks so much in advance for any advice or responses :) !!
Info on any part or all is super appreciated!
If you'd like to join for a bit let me know as well

ONLINE

Wed, 20 Jul 2016 15:56:56 +0000

I only know Barcelona and there is a public bike-system, which allows you to pick up a bike at A, ride it to B and drop it off there. It's called Bicing.
The public transportation in Barcelona is quite good with metro and buses.
Your question about surfing seems a bit difficult. Madrid is in the middle of the country and logically does not have the possibility of surfing. Barcelona may have a possibility of surfing since it is situated at the seaside and has some beaches. For real surfing you have to go to the W-side of the country, the side that is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, where you can find many places for surfing. The places I know are: Pantin, Razo, Nemiña, there are many more, but I am not a surfer.

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ONLINE

Thu, 21 Jul 2016 19:14:41 +0000

Barcelona is great for biking but you ll have to rent one - the bicing system is only accessible to locals.Public transport is great in both Barcelona and Madrid, but sometimes just walking a lot is more rewarding.

There is some surfing, but don t get your hopes up - this is a sea, not an ocean : the waves are usually very small. Tarifa in the south-west is famous for surfing.

Rock climbing is actually pretty popular in the surroundings of Barcelona - the Montserrat mountain and especially the further away (2hours) pyrenees are renowed for it.

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Sat, 22 Jul 2017 01:01:54 +0000

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