5 Days in Andalucía Itinerary help

5 days is tight. IF your timing is right, you could do this (but it might too busy and will suggest where to cut)

Day 1 - arrive Malaga, bus to Granada. Sleep Granada
Day 2 - Alhambra visit, Granada
Day 3 - early bus to Seville
Day 4 - Seville
Day 5 Seville
Day 6 - early train to Córdoba, stash luggage at bus station locker, visit Mesquita and highlights, get early evening express train (about 2.5 hours) to Madrid for your flight the next day.

Obviously this won't work if your flight is ON day 6 but you said you had one additional day for the train so I assumed a full day.

You see I have left Malaga off - it is worth seeing but on a short trip the other three (Granada, Seville, Córdoba) are more interesting. But I would still prioritize and skip one so you have more time for atmosphere - Andalucia is a place to be, go slow, and enjoy wandering and sitting in cafes. I think Granada and Seville are the must-sees in the area. I enjoyed Córdoba, but to me it's below the other two. That said, others will disagree - look at pictures, read, and see where draws you most.

Liz,
How many nights will you have, on the ground, not counting days of travel?
Is that 6 or 7 nights?

Have you visited Madrid before?

If I only had 5 days (I presumed 6 nights) & were flying into Malaga, I'd go straight to Granada on day of arrival, as suggested by Mira, spend 2 nights there, then I'd take a bus or train to Córdoba, and spend another couple of nights there.
Finally, I'd spend a couple of nights in Madrid. If you had more time, I'd suggest spending at least an overnight in Toledo.

Sevilla is a beautiful city, but I think it deserves more than two - three days.

Enjoy your trip!

EDIT... forgot to ask...

What time will you be arriving to Malaga? If arriving late afternoon, you might want to spend three nights in Granada instead of two.

We spent 5 nights in Andalucía and I would highly recommend getting a car. Pretty much covered what you want to (Sevilla, Granada, Córdoba), but the car gave us a lot of flexibility. Yes, Sevilla is worth more time but it is what it is. We got there via AVE train from Madrid, and hopped on another one to get to Barcelona, so the car was limited to Andalucía.

Day 1 - Arrive Malaga. Bus to Granada (2 nights)
Day 2 - Alhambra
Day 3 - Train to Córdoba (1 night)
Day 4 - Train to Seville (2 nights)
Day 5 - Seville sights
Day 6 - Train to Madrid

Thank you all for your responses. VERY helpful in prioritizing my time.

To answer a few questions of my timing. I arrive in Malaga via plane at 1:00 pm. From your advices it seems I should go straight to Granada. I was planning 5 full days in the Andalusia area. On Day 6 I will train to Madrid where I am expecting 1 1/2 days before my flight.

Any recommendations for a hotel in either Granada, Cordoba or Sevilla?

Any additional information you can provide is greatly appreciated.
I am grateful for your kindness.
Liz

We enjoyed stays at these good value central locations ...
In Córdoba http://www.hhposadadevallina.es
In Sevilla http://hotelsimonsevilla.com

Whilst we stayed privately just outside of Granada, I do like the look of this hotel ...
http://www.hotelcasamorisca.com/en/

We enjoyed our stay at the following hotels:

• Granada: http://hotelanacapri.com/en/
• Córdoba: http://www.nh-hotels.com/hotel/hesperia-cordoba
• Sevilla: http://www.hotelamadeussevilla.com/en/
• Sevilla: http://www.hotelfernandoiii.es/en/

Hotel Hesperia Córdoba is located across the Roman Bridge on a quiet street across the Guadalquivir River.
If you choose to stay at this hotel, make sure you don't get a room on the third floor, because you'll get the noise from the terrace bar located on the hotel's roof.

Enjoy!

I stay at apartments usually but have used these hotels. These are nice boutique hotels - not luxury but not budget, and in excellent locations. I'd recommend looking in these areas even if these specific hotels aren't your choice

Seville - El Rey Moro. Very nice, great atmosphere.
www.elreymoro.com

Granada - El Ladron de Agua. Great hotel, PERFECT location. http://www.ladrondeagua.com

It sounds like you have 6 nights. I would go straight to Granada for 2 nights, then 3 in Sevilla and the last night in Madrid. Of all those places, Malaga has the least to recommend itself, so I would skip it.

You must book your Alhambra ticket in advance. Be sure you have a ticket before you go to the trouble and expense of going to Granada. Even in off-season, Alhambra tickets sell out!!!

The trains from Sevilla to Madrid go through Cordoba, so it makes sense to visit on the way. You will have to buy separate train tickets from Sevilla to Cordoba and from Cordoba to Madrid. There are left luggage facilities at the bus station across the street from the Cordoba train station. Get an early train out of Sevilla (45 minute ride) and then a late afternoon or evening train (about 2 hours) from Cordoba. If your flight leaves Madrid around noon or later, you could spend your 6th night in Cordoba and go to Barajas airport from the Madrid train station - figure 3 hours from Cordoba to the airport. But having a full day in Madrid is not at all a bad idea, especially if you want to enjoy the superb paintings at the Prado and the Thyssen.

Thank you! I have based my entire itinerary on your suggestions - bypassing Malaga going straight to Granada staying at the Hotel Anacapri for two nights. I purchased my Alhambra tickets already. Train to Seville for 3 nights and staying at El Rey Moro. Unfortunately, I can't squeeze in Cordoba. Will head to Madrid for a day/night before my plane. I am grateful for all your suggestions. This is sure to be a trip filled with amazing experiences, food and memories. Thank you for your time and suggestions!