We are a group of 6 visiting Spain from Nov 11-21 - we fly in and out of Madrid and are looking to cover Madrid Seville Malaga and Granada. In between we are looking to do day trips to Toledo, Ronda and Cordoba. Is this too much to aspire for or very doable? We would like to limit stays in two or three places.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
3976 posts
Ten days for seven cities really is not enough time, especially while traveling together with six people who may have different priorities for the trip.
To maximize what time you do have., you could take a 2.75- hour high--speed train from Madrid to Seville right after arriving in Spain and save Madrid/Toledo for the end of the trip. Plan on three nights in Seville with a full-day trip to either Cordoba or Ronda. Staying in Seville’s “Barrio Santa Cruz” neighborhood will conveniently put you near most of Seville’s major attractions and Barrio Santa Cruz is only 1.5 miles from Seville’s Santa Justa train station— the one you’ll be arriving at and departing from if you take the high-speed trains.
It then takes about 2.75 hours by high-speed train or slightly more time by bus to transfer from Seville to Granada. Plan on a minimum of two nights in Granada and-, if the Alhambra is in the plan, reserve your Alhambra tickets as soon your dates of travel are confirmed. Otherwise. you might not find tickets available.
Returning to Madrid from Granada takes about 3.5 hours on the fastest of the high-speed trains. With a daytrip to Toledo, four nights in Madrid would be optimal before your return home.
Posted by
Virginia
688 posts
To add to Kenko’s reply,
You can add one night to Granada instead of Madrid and do a day trip to Malaga (less than 2 hours)
Posted by
10275 posts
You are missing Seville, the gem of the south of Spain. Suggest skipping Malaga and do Granada.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
8717 posts
As a first trip three of the places you mentioned could easily occupy your entire time.
Posted by
6938 posts
Write out each day’s plans, that’s the only way I can truly evaluate my time, even after many years of travel planning.
Looks at a glance like too much, especially for a large group.
Posted by
Irving
3607 posts
Can you change your plane tickets so you fly in and out of Malaga and Madrid? This way there’s no back tracking.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks everyone for the detailed replies. We have to fly into Madrid as some of us are flying in from India (via Dubai) and some from the US.
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
2380 posts
Do you have 10 nights (which gives you 9 full days) or 11 nights (which gives you 10 full days)?
Your trip is very rushed. And by doing daytrips to the places you mention, you won't be seeing much at all at your overnight destinations.
A possible itinerary could be:
When you arrive in Madrid, immediately take the train to Seville.
Seville - 4 nights to include a daytrip to Cordoba from Seville.
Granada - 3 nights with a daytrip to Malaga
Madrid - 3 nights
For a total of 10 nights.
If you have 11 nights, then you could add a night to Madrid and take a daytrip to Toledo.