I have 3 nights to "spend" on my way to Sevilla where I'll be spending 3 nights.
Option 1) Spend all three nights in Granada, early train to Cordoba, spend the day and leave in the evening (no Cordoba overnight)
Option 2) Spend two nights in Granada, afternoon train to Cordoba, spend the third night there.
Your Thoughts?
The good news is there is no right or wrong answer, but it's a personal preference kind of thing. Are you traveling solo? Are there any other things about you or your traveling party that might sway the decision?
I'd never dissuade anyone from an overnight in Cordoba, but it's not the end of the world if a stopover works better for you.
I'd give two nights to Granada. That's only one full day, and the Alhambra takes a lot of time. There are other worthwhile sights there too, of course, and you'll have at least another partial day. I'm a big fan of the Mezquita in Cordoba, would give it at least several hours, and there are other worthwhile sights there too. (But not the hokey Museum of Andalucian Life at the far end of the bridge. Walk out on the bridge to see the river and the distant view of the city, then turn around.) That suggests a night in Cordoba to give you additional time there.
Cordoba could be a midday stop between Granada and Sevilla, especially if you'd rather not change hotels, There are some recent threads about luggage storage at or near the station, which you'll want if you're not spending the night. But I'd vote for option 2 on your list.
I vote for option 2 as well. Cordoba is so beautiful in the evening when the daytrippers have left and the city is illuminated. I love the Mezquita but there is more to Cordoba than just the Mezquita. Visit the Alcazar gardens, Palacio de Viana, the Roman Bridge, wander through the Juderia with its white-washed walls, narrow lanes and patios. Have a meal at the Mercado Victoria. If you visit Cordoba as a stopover to Seville, you will see the Mezquita which is magnificent, but you really won't have any idea what Cordoba is like. The architecture and ambiance are very different from Granada and Seville. All 3 cities are very different from each other which I think makes a trip more interesting.
Thanks, folks!
Hello from Wisconsin,
Granada is a much larger place than old town Cordoba. The cathedral, if you have seen a number of them, this one doesn't offer much special. In Granada add the Basilika of St. John to your list of places to see. Take the curtain covered staircase up into the altar. The Alhambra takes a lot of time and for me it was a disappointment. You need a ticket in advance and that ticket has a 'start your tour now' time. You have to get in to the grounds, and find where that line is located. Anything worth seeing, really worth seeing, requires a ticket. If I were doing this again, I would try for a fairly early ticket, or a later ticket. Oh, and I also did the night tour.
Cordoba...well I rather fell in love with the place. I think I liked it because once you get a couple blocks away from the mosque/cathedral the tourist numbers drop off substantially. Beautiful white alleys/streets/walkways.
wayne iNWI
