We have 7 full days that we could spend in Andalusia. We’d be traveling by train from Madrid. From what I’ve been reading, I’m thinking we could stay in 2 places. I’d appreciate advice as what those 2 places should be. I am thinking Seville and then Cordoba, for the mosque and hammam especially. Or should it be Cadiz and Cordoba? Or? There are so many choices it’s hard to decide. Is 7 days enough time for 2? Opinions please!
We just need to get a high speed train back to Madrid at the beginning and the end.
We are slow travelers, so an activity in the morning and early afternoon, and then relaxing, roaming and eating until early bedtime is our speed. So long day trips aren’t fun. Hitting all highlights are not essential; interesting places and good food are our preference.
Thanks for any help.
Posted by
Southeastern US
2608 posts
Are you interested in seeing the Alhambra? Because my suggestions would be Seville and Granada. I took a daytrip from Seville to Cordoba.
You may find my trip report useful https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-spain-november-2023
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15784 posts
I agree with Mary. The Alhambra is the #1 sight in Spain for good reason. I recommend 2 full days there. Tickets always sell out (did I mentioned it's the #1 sight in Spain?) so make sure you have tickets before you commit to lodging and transportation.
That leaves you 4 full days in Sevilla. You can easily do a day trip to Cordoba which would give you lots of time for the Mezquita (definitely a must-see). The fast train takes about 45 minutes. Use taxis to get to/from the train stations if you want to save your legs. There is very nice hammam in Sevilla. Use your time in Cordoba to explore the Juderia's well-preserved medieval area.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7157 posts
Definitely Sevilla over Cádiz and doing Córdoba as a day trip from Sevilla although it deserves an overnight.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thanks! So do you think Seville and Granada, with Cordoba as a day trip, is the way to go? We like hanging out at a place, rather than a drop by. Is Granada better for a few days than Cordoba? With only 7 (full) days, it doesn’t leave much time to relax and explore the area, I know. Are we being too ambitious? We can always come back another time.
Posted by
TX, USA
4823 posts
There’s no wrong answer and much depends on you. I absolutely love Granada a lot but if you have read about the other cities and Granada wasn’t calling your name, maybe it’s not for you. Someone on the forum just spent a whole week on Seville, which sounds lovely to me. You could add a day trip to Cordoba, which is not a long hard daytrip if you use taxis at train stations and don’t want to change locations. Just another option.
Posted by
New York
27 posts
I think Sevilla/Cordoba would be great. Granada is wonderful, but with the time that you have and the need to be back in Madrid at the end, Sevilla/Cordoba= less travel time and more time to explore. But Sevilla/Granada in 7 full days is also doable, in my opinion.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
I was thinking Seville/Granada would be too much travel. Now that I know it is doable, I will check Granada out. Thank you so much for the advice! Any other thoughts much appreciated.
Posted by
Missouri, USA and Essex, UK.
1046 posts
Having been to all 4 places mentioned, I would absolutely not miss seeing the Alhambra in Granada. 3 nights and 2 full days is all you need in this wonderful city. Then take the train to Sevilla for 3-4 nights (It goes via Cordoba) Stay on the train. Then either do a day trip out to Cordoba, or stay over night in Cordoba on your way back up to Madrid. I was not so impressed with Cadiz and IMO it has less WOW places to make it worth while it if you only have 7 days. You will love Spain.
Posted by
Detroit, MI
1039 posts
I Spent 4 nights in Seville, 2 in Granada, 2 in Cordoba but one night in Cordoba may be enough. Cordoba deserves a night and not just a day trip. In Seville and Cordoba I saw the Alcazars (the castles that are decorated similarly to the Alhambra but ae not as popular or as crowded). The Alcazar in Cordoba had a long line to get in. I waited for at least an hour. I didn't have an advance ticket but got right in as soon I got to the front of the line and paid. It was worth it although it isn't as big or as famous as the Alhambra in Granada but the gardens on the property took up at least half my time there; there was a bathroom in the garden. The Mezquita in Cordoba needs an advance ticket; it is famous too but over-rated. It is unusual only because the inside is a forest of (decorative) pillars because the builders didn't know how else to hold the roof up. The Alcazar in Seville is worth it and needs an advance ticket. I spent 6 hours in the Alhambra in Granada but that included some breaks to sit on benches; you need an advance ticket and you need to show your passport too. They let me eat my own food near the entrance but not near the Nasrid palace or other parts. I ended up taking a taxi to the entrance because I couldn't figure out which bus to get on but I took the bus on the way back.
Posted by
State of Washington, USA
267 posts
In Sep 2023 my wife and I (older travelers) spent 7 full days (8 nights) in Andalusia area during our first trip to Spain: Seville (3 nights), Ronda (2 nights), Granada (2 nights), Cordoba (1 night). Those durations worked well for us; since you are not planning on Ronda you could spread those 2 nights to other locations. More information is in our trip report: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-spain-aug-sep-seville-ronda-granada-cordoba-madrid