Hi - I'm trying to figure out the best way to spend 10 days in south of Spain for Christmas this year. We will start in Madrid and finish in Lisbon.
1. Does it make sense to have Granada as our home base and take day trips from here?
2. Should we skip Granada and go to Cordoba?
3. What are some day trips you would recommend? We will like to visit Ronda & Setenil de las Bodegas, does it make sense to stay in Seville or Granada when visiting these?
4. How can we get to Lisbon from South of Spain? I have not been able to find trains that would take us there. Other than flying, what would be the best (and fastest way) to get to Lisbon? We fly home from Lisbon
Posted by
4971 posts
I think you need to scale back--you will still have an amazing trip, but you don't have time for all on your list.
Before you decide on Andalucia stops, how long do you wish to spend in Madrid and Lisbon? Many would recommend just splitting the time between those two, especially considering the transport issue that you have already discovered. I think you have time for one other stop, but that depends on if you wish to fly to Lisbon or take the bus--your only options.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks so much for your input. We will be in Madrid from 12/20-12/23 and will like to spend 2 days in Lisbon (12/28-12/30)
Posted by
4971 posts
With your five remaining days, I would choose no more than two stops. Of course, if you prefer a fast pace, you could stop at Cordoba en route from Madrid to Sevilla if you just want to see the Mezquita. Going to Granada may depend on if you can get Alhambra tickets. You could stop at Ronda en route from Sevilla to Granada (or vice versa) using public transport, but I think you'd need a car to fit in Sentenil. If your trip was twice the length, you could do it all, but given the need to take Christmas into consideration, I think less is More.
First, figure out your preferred way to get to Lisbon, which is most likely going to be a flight.
Posted by
WA
1 posts
I came across your post and was curious to find out what you ended up doing as your itinerary. We have the same number of days (10) in April, only we start in Lisbon and end in Madrid, with Seville tentatively planned as our mid-point. How many nights did you end up doing in each city? Did you make it to Granada? Now that you’ve done it, what would you recommend to others?
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7157 posts
There are few day trips from Granada, especially if you don’t have a car. There are more from Madrid (Toledo, Segovia, Alcalá de Henares, and possibly Salamanca).
Ronda and Sentenil de las Bodegas are an hour from Sevilla, two hours from Granada.
The short daylight hours in December will affect your day trips.
I always have a rental car, so will let others enlighten you on the issues going from Spain to Portugal using public transportation.