Topic Wiki

Barcelona
Links to Trip Reports: @Yehuda, Yehoshua, CGR
Kosher Restaurants: http://www.restaurantmaccabi.com/en/
Activities: Jewish Tours in Barcelona, http://www.urbancultours.com
http://www.barcelonadreaming.com/package/barcelona-jewish-tour/
Hotels:
Shabbos Tips: Stay at Hotel Condado it is about a 3 minute walk from the shul (local community), bear in mind there is no eruv, so you will need to either leave the room open or make some arrangement with the hotel, they do not offer keys (or have that option at all)
Public Transport options:
Guidebooks:
Other Tips: Jewish Community of Barcelona (Orthodox): http://www.cibonline.org; Go to the local shul and meet Rabbi Daniel Ashkenazi he is wonderful and quite helpful.

Madrid
Links to Trip Reports: @Yehuda, @Yehuda pics, Yehoshua, @zalc (Mini)., CGR
Kosher Restaurants: http://www.restaurantelaescudilla.com  https://www.pinatimadrid.com/  https://www.pizzeriarimmon.com/(teuda)
Activities: Toledo - a day trip from Madrid to see 2 old Shuls. Can hire a tour guide, Rabbi Hanoka (info@jewishtoledotour.com), which is not cheap, or can take a train on your own. 1 of the Shuls (El Transito) is closed on Mondays. @Yehuda went on a day when that Shul was closed, and the other Shul was really just an empty room and seemed like a Christian organization now runs the center. Without a tour guide, it was hard to get anything Jewish out of our trip (other than an antique store that had some Judaica). But, people who have taken the tour (discussed in the thread) have said it was great! Recommended to go with a tour or not go at all (and ensure to go on a day when both are open!). Report in the thread that the sometimes-closed Shul has audio headsets for use, so that would help. If going alone, you can research the Jewish places at the link HERE
Hotels:
Shabbos Tips: Chabad Site
Public Transport options: Uber works well, as does the subway if you speak Spanish.
Guidebooks:
Other Tips: Jewish Community of Madrid (Orthodox), http://www.cjmadrid.org

Malaga
Links to Trip Reports:
CGR
Kosher Restaurants:
Activities:
Hotels:
Shabbos Tips:
Public Transport options:
Guidebooks:
Other Tips: Comunidad Israelita de Malaga (Orthodox), http://www.cimalaga.es

Seville
Links to Trip Reports: @Yehuda, Yehoshua, CGR
Kosher Restaurants:
Activities: Jewish Tours in Sevilla/Cordoba, http://www.jewishsevilla.com
Hotels:
Shabbos Tips:
Public Transport options:
Guidebooks:
Other Tips: Comunidad Judia de Sevilla, synagoguesevilla@gmail.com

Gibraltar
Links to Trip Reports: Yehoshua
Kosher Restaurants: Amar's Bakery and Coffee shop, http://www.amarsbakery.com/
Activities:
Hotels:
Shabbos Tips:
Public Transport options:
Guidebooks:
Other Tips: Jewish Community of Gibraltar, http://www.jewishgibraltar.com

Mallorca
Links to Trip Reports:
CGR
Kosher Restaurants: Their is not - one restaurant serve felafel it's own by an israeli but no hechsher
Activities:
Hotels:
Shabbos Tips: The Shul its open on Friday night
Public Transport options:
Guidebooks:
Other Tips:
 
4500 IB Avios from anywhere to anywhere in the country
Best way to get around anywhere in this country is by scooter. It is safer driving them there since they outnumber cars by great proportions.
« Last edited by cgr on September 04, 2023, 09:01:01 PM »

Author Topic: Spain Master Thread  (Read 269647 times)

Offline SamKey

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #180 on: July 13, 2013, 07:08:55 PM »
Would you know anything about the milk? Bec I am planning on freezing milk and bringing it if there isnt any there (i need it for my kid)
We didn't drink any milk but as DrDanny pointed out we saw in the kosher grocery some made powder milk of some sort that didn't need refrigeration

Offline moish

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #181 on: July 13, 2013, 08:27:19 PM »
or buy shelf milk.

Offline myb821

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #182 on: October 08, 2013, 09:14:58 PM »
anyone do spain in the winter?

Offline daganster

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #183 on: October 09, 2013, 06:24:31 PM »
anyone do spain in the winter?
I spent a month in Barcelona in the winter a couple of years back. If you're asking about the weather it's quite mild.

Offline mendoul

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #184 on: October 10, 2013, 06:25:54 AM »
anyone do spain in the winter?

i just came back from spain
mendy

Offline Menachem613

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #185 on: February 22, 2014, 09:29:01 PM »
Probably Malaga on the beach

What do you think of Madrid relative to Malaga (for 2 days)? Which one would have more/better kosher food?

Offline smart brit

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #186 on: February 22, 2014, 09:34:00 PM »
What do you think of Madrid relative to Malaga (for 2 days)? Which one would have more/better kosher food?
Madrid definitely for kosher food. But Malaga has a beautiful beach

Offline moish

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #187 on: February 22, 2014, 10:59:20 PM »
Madrid definitely for kosher food. But Malaga has a beautiful beach
what kosher food options are in madrid?

i would say malaga based on my experience a while back

Offline smart brit

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #188 on: February 22, 2014, 11:13:41 PM »
what kosher food options are in madrid?

i would say malaga based on my experience a while back
There are two meat restaurants there
Naomi grill and La Escudilla

Offline moish

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #189 on: February 23, 2014, 04:51:03 AM »
There are two meat restaurants there
Naomi grill and La Escudilla
when i was there back in 2009, the chabad rabbi told us to avoid the local hashgacha. things might have changed.

all i remember was that we were hungry, while in malaga, you can go to torremolinos 15 min ride away with meat restaurant, pizza store and amazing market, cask & kash with its extensive butcher shop

Offline Menachem613

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #190 on: February 23, 2014, 07:23:29 AM »

when i was there back in 2009, the chabad rabbi told us to avoid the local hashgacha. things might have changed.

all i remember was that we were hungry, while in malaga, you can go to torremolinos 15 min ride away with meat restaurant, pizza store and amazing market, cask & kash with its extensive butcher shop

Did you drive there, cab or bus?

Offline moish

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #191 on: February 23, 2014, 07:26:18 AM »
Did you drive there, cab or bus?
drive, its a must for south of spain

Offline Menachem613

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #192 on: February 23, 2014, 01:53:42 PM »
It seems to me that most of the kosher options are in Torremolinos? If so, why don't people choose a hotel in Torremolinos rather than the places further north?

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #193 on: March 25, 2014, 12:34:51 PM »
After reading through a lot of this thread, it seems like if you're planning to visit MAD/BCN there aren't really that many things to do. A few parks, a few Shuls (which are not even in MAD but are in Toledo). I'm planning a Eurotrip this summer and Spain was going to be part of it, but now I'm not sure it's worth spending time there instead of having longer stays in other places like Paris/London/Rome/Venice. Can I hear thoughts on this? Maybe someone else who has done a few European countries including Spain?

Offline LAXtraveler

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #194 on: March 25, 2014, 12:47:41 PM »
After reading through a lot of this thread, it seems like if you're planning to visit MAD/BCN there aren't really that many things to do. A few parks, a few Shuls (which are not even in MAD but are in Toledo). I'm planning a Eurotrip this summer and Spain was going to be part of it, but now I'm not sure it's worth spending time there instead of having longer stays in other places like Paris/London/Rome/Venice. Can I hear thoughts on this? Maybe someone else who has done a few European countries including Spain?

There are other cities besides MAD/BCN. Seville, Granada (the Alhambra), Cordoba, Gibraltar, Torremolinos, Marbella. If you do it right, you can see many things and it is really easy to get around by train/car (at least I found it was when I did a trip there).

Doesn't mean it is the right trip for you, but there is definitely what to do on a trip to Spain IMHO.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #195 on: March 25, 2014, 05:58:15 PM »
There are other cities besides MAD/BCN. Seville, Granada (the Alhambra), Cordoba, Gibraltar, Torremolinos, Marbella. If you do it right, you can see many things and it is really easy to get around by train/car (at least I found it was when I did a trip there).

Doesn't mean it is the right trip for you, but there is definitely what to do on a trip to Spain IMHO.

So what do you think about spending 4 days in Spain. Can you do more than just Madrid and Barcelona, or do you really need more time to do more than that?

Offline LAXtraveler

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #196 on: March 25, 2014, 06:05:39 PM »
So what do you think about spending 4 days in Spain. Can you do more than just Madrid and Barcelona, or do you really need more time to do more than that?

I think it depends on what you want to do. Toledo is great for a half day trip from MAD. In MAD you can do the Prado if you like art and the palace, among a few other sites (i.e., Retiro Park is really beautiful to spend some time in).

Seville has the Alcazar (smaller version of the Alhambra) and a great town area, along with a river cruise if you want. Granada has the Alhambra. Cordoba has the old Rambam statue and shul. The mezquita is an attraction (ask your LOR if you can go in or not, as I have heard different psaks from different rabbonim).

Costa del sol (Torremolinos, Marbella) is great for beaching.

Gibraltar is a great place for Shabbos.

I would say you don't need more than a day or so in each of the cities, but remember travel time also to factor in. I didn't get to BCN at all, so I can't comment on it, other than that I have heard it is a beautiful city (and nicer than MAD), but it really depends on what you want to focus on seeing when in Spain. In terms of the beach cities, that just depends on how long you want to stay for.


Offline SamKey

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #197 on: March 25, 2014, 06:17:27 PM »
I was in BCN twice and once to MAD,GIB, Marbella. I love BCN gorgeous city with fantastic architecture, beautiful views and lots to do. Marbella is a really nice beach town not too busy with nice hotels for decent price. GIB is a must, a wonderful Shabbos experience.
I plan on going back to Spain for my honeymoon this summer

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #198 on: March 25, 2014, 07:29:23 PM »
Thanks guys for your advice! Maybe I will save Spain for a future trip.

Offline YankyDoodle

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #199 on: March 25, 2014, 08:03:09 PM »
I'm planning a Eurotrip this summer and Spain was going to be part of it, but now I'm not sure it's worth spending time there instead of having longer stays in other places like Paris/London/Rome/Venice. Can I hear thoughts on this? Maybe someone else who has done a few European countries including Spain?
Are you planning on flying from country to country or doing a train? My wife and I flew between each country. We did 1 day BCN, 1 day LHR, 5 days CDG and 3 days VCE. Wouldn't change a thing. 1 day in Barcelona was just enough time to see the beautiful architecture and hit up the beach plus La Rambla IMO. I would skip Park Guell in hindsight. Great city, and perfect way to start off a Europe trip!