Amsterdam to Spain in September

Remember it takes 3 nights to get 2 full days and you blow much of a day with a major city change. I would look to avoid so much moving around and would spend more time and cover less -- but that is my style -- maybe yours is to rush to as many things as possible. Make sure you are in a place long enough to do more than punch your ticket. Moving hotels and cities sucks up a lot of time and is enervating.

I assume you have already booked a round trip to Amsterdam. The way to do this kind of trip is open jaw. We have been doing this for 35 years and it is not more expensive than round trips and saves the huge time suck and expense of backtracking. Last year we flew into Austria and out of Paris; the year before into Paris and out of Madrid; this fall we fly into Moscow and out of Paris.

But assuming you are stuck with the round trip to Amsterdam, I would book your flight to Spain the afternoon of arrival in Amsterdam; book Vueling or Easyjet into Barcelona or Madrid and then do your Spanish itinerary. Don't miss Cordoba and the Mezquita
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2013/09/27/the-mezquita-at-least-the-catholics-had-the-good-sense-not-to-destroy-it-when-they-desecrated-it/
then fly back to Amsterdam and finish with 4 or 5 nights there and home. Always finish in the town you are flying from so you don't ruin the vacation relaxation by having to rush back to home base. You might look into renting a houseboat or room on a houseboat in Amsterdam. We have done this several times with Citymundo.com and it was pretty terrific. The first day of arrival is sort of shot with jet lag and travel misery so you might as well use it getting to your furthest destination and then have a relaxed few days in Amsterdam at the end of the trip. We love Amsterdam, it is a beautiful city. (don't miss the Hermitage)

It's just not possible with only 9 nights in Spain to manage ... Madrid, Córdoba, Granada, Basque Country, Galicia, Barcelona. Forget the north and stick to this ...

Day 1 Arrive Amsterdam (3)
Day 2,3 Amsterdams sights
Day 4 Fly to Granada (2)
(Check with Vueling for flights, possibly via Barcelona)
Day 5 Alhambra
Day 6 Train to Córdoba (1)
Day 7 Train to Madrid (3)
Day 8 Madrid sights
Day 9 Day trip to Toledo
Day 10 Train to Barcelona (3)
Day 11,12 Barcelona sights
Day 13 Fly to Amsterdam (1)
Day 14 Depart Amsterdam

If your flights are not restricted to in/out Amsterdam, then you should be looking to fly home from Barcelona.

Thank you for the feedback!

Thank you janettravels44!
Great minds think alike --- I booked a houseboat for the Amsterdam stay as soon as the plane tickets were purchased.
Have you any experience with the Orgiva area in Spain? We were thinking of making it our home base for travelling around the Golden Triangle for at least 5 days.
:-)