14 days in Southern Spain

Time of year? Where will you fly out from?

I'm not a hiker, but I think it's mostly flat (and urban - these are fair-sized cities) around Sevilla and Cordoba. I could easily enjoy a relaxing time with lots of sightseeing there and in Granada and Cadiz with your time allocations. I did spend a few hours hiking in El Torcal, near Antequera. You could rent a car when you leave Granada, go there and through the hills enjoying the "white towns" (pueblos blancos). There are probably hiking trails there, stop for a night or two in Ronda, then drop the car in Cadiz.

I haven't been to Murcia. Renfe shows several trains a day from Valencia 3 hours plus travel time, but then a long trip with transfer/s to Andalucia.

Good day,

We will be in Southern Spain from 23 Sep to about 05 Oct this fall. Thanks!

I concur with Chani's idea of hikes around Antequera and perhaps a few days via car between Granada and Seville. Of course there would also be hiking in the Sierra's around Granada. There may be ways to do it by public transport, but there are also companies in the area you can book hikes with. They can enhance the day with their knowledge of nature and I have to admit, I love private tours for getting to talk to locals with a common interest and not just those who work in the service industry. I am a birder, and like the break out of the tourist bubble. I think you can bus into the Sierras and you can rethink the # nights in Cordoba, Cadiz or Granada.
Some love Cordoba, and I have 2 nights there myself, but will it provide the relaxation? Maybe before and after the daytrippers from Seville leave.
BTW, I noticed there is a bus between Muria and Granada, about 4.5 hours and to Cordoba, it seems to all be via Granada, so you may want to rethink your order of cities. I use Rome2rio website to see where things backtrack. Do know it doesn't take into consideration seasonal scheduling or prices, so you will need to check things from there, but it gives me a big picture of how to lay out the order or things, or what transport to consider.
What is the draw of Cadiz?

If Madrid is your easiest exit point then I would go for the simplest option...
3 nights in Granada
2 nights in Cordoba
4 nights in Seville (with a day to Cadiz)
4 nights in Madrid (with a day to Toledo/Segovia)

We went hiking several times on the south side of the Sierras outside of Granada (frequently called the Alpujarra) and had a lovely time. There are tons of hikes and there are hiking guides and organizations in the area. I have seen public buses going into the area from Granada so I know that is available (we had a car) It's quite an experience to drive or ride up into the Alpujarra - and there are some beautiful white towns up there worth exploring.

Renting a car for the day at the train station in Granada might be another option. You could spend the day hiking and then head down to the beach for dinner - that is doable in one long day.

On one of our hikes - we could see all the way to Africa!

Cheers
Amy

How did you find the driving? I checked the cost of renting a car and it is about the same as a return train for 2 from Valencia to Seville - so it may be cost effective and give us freedom of action. However, I've noted some people have said driving is tough as is finding parking. Your thoughts?

Thanks for all the advice, we are still trying to put a plan together...

Mike

Mike

I would not drive from Valencia to Seville - that is a long day (or even two days) of driving in a dry uneventful landscape. But getting a car once you are ready to explore the country around Seville (or Granada) might be worth it. Getting to small towns and natural areas is much easier with a car. We had no problems driving in Spain... parking in the cities was challenging. If you have any outdoor interest I would HIGHLY recommend spending a day in the Alpujarra. It is beautiful and a nice change from the city.

If you need hiking recommendations in that area - let me know. I have friends who live there.

Cheers
Amy

Amy,

Thanks for the info. Yes, I would love some hiking recommendations, my wife and I love the outdoors.

Have a good day,

Mike

Hi All,

Thanks for the information and advice. Our plans are starting to come together. Our new route is as follows:

Leave Valencia on Sep 23
Moraira - stay 2 nights (Sep 23-24) and my wife can dive for two days!
Granada - stay 3 nights (Sep 25-27) and walk in the Sierra Nevadas, see the Alhambra and Granada
Seville - stay 5 nights (Sep 28-30 and Oct 1-2) - walk around in the city - do some day trips to nearby sites and relax a bit.
Cordoba - stay 2 nights (Oct 3 and 4) - see the city and the surrounding towns/area
Valencia - last night (Oct 5) to be close to the airport.

I'm going to check out driving versus train or bus tomorrow. Also, looking at Airbnb and hotels.

I'm going to start working out what to do in Granada, Seville and Cordoba.

Thanks, again, for the help.

All the best,

Mike

Ah, OK, so your departure is from Valencia.
I would drive one way, train the other.

September
23..Pick up car. Drive to Moraira - stay 2 nights
25..Drive to Granada - stay 3 nights
28..Drive to Ronda - stay 1 night
29.. Drive to Seville - stay 3 nights (return car)
October
2..Train to Cordoba - stay 2 nights
4..Train to Cuenca - stay 1 night
5..Train to Valencia - close to the airport

You can make the vast distance from Cordoba to Cuenca in just over 3 hours, including a comfortable change in Madrid, on the speedy AVE train services.

AVE 2113
Dep 11:56 CORDOBA-CENTRAL (Spain)
Arr 13:40 MADRID-PUERTA DE ATOCHA (Spain)
AVE 5340
Dep 14:10 MADRID-PUERTA DE ATOCHA (Spain)
Arr 15:05 CUENCA FERNANDO ZOBEL (Spain)

Cuenca, with its hanging houses, makes an interesting stop.

Get Granada sorted out ASAP as tickets for the Alhambra sell out on line. Thankfully there are alternative ticket methods, but pricier, or require lining up before daybreak.

If you will be near Valencia already you should look up Albarrcín and see if it interests you. I think there is a rock climbing area there and maybe some good hiking.

There is no public transportation to Albarracin, but it sounds very interesting. Not terribly far away by private car is the charming town of Teruel, which has a bunch of mudejar towers.