Andalusia Itinerary help - Worth seeing Madrid as well?

Hi benjybronk. I did almost exactly this trip November last year, but we had 14 nights and spent 2 of those in Toledo. We personally enjoyed Madrid quite a lot. You could maybe spend 5 nights Seville with daytrip to Cordoba, 3 nights Granada, and finish with 3 nights in Madrid.

Here's my full report for more info on what we saw/did:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-spain-november-2023

Edit: public transportation was super easy.

My husband and I have been to Madrid twice for three nights each. It is a lovely capital city with quality museums. The Plaza Mayor and Retiro Park are wonderful for just strolling for hours. We even saw a free flamenco performance at Plaza Mayor that rivaled the one we bought tickets for in Seville.

HOWEVER, my heart belongs to Andalusia! Granada is one of my favorites probably because of the Alhambra, Nasrid Palaces and Generalife, twisting, winding streets, and the carmens for a wonderful dinner with a view of the Alhambra just as the evening sun shines on it. Then, there is Seville-- its Plaza de Espana, Seville Cathedral and Giraldo Bell Tower and Royal Alcazar. Andalusia is ancient, filled with history and has an otherworldliness to it.

We have also visited Toledo, Cordoba, Barcelona, Montserrat and Girona (another ancient beauty). I could see spending the entire 11 days in just Granada and Seville, though. Day trips are easy to Girona and Cordoba, though.
"However, that would mean less time in Andalusia" you seem to already have a preference. Go with that feeling. Just one day in Madrid for your return flight would allow you to take in some of the outdoor sights that I mentioned or you could see one museum--I prefer being enveloped in the outdoor charms. On both trips, we used public transportation, only--so easy and efficient. You're going to love Spain!

We flew round trip into Madrid last November, too. We decided to spend the first night and last night of our trip in Madrid leaving the rest of the time to explore Andalucía. Even though we enjoyed Madrid, we were mesmerized by Andalucía and happy with our decision to devote more time to Sevilla, Granada and Córdoba.

November is a perfect time to visit Andalucía with nice weather and fewer crowds. (Madrid can be on the cold side in Nov.)
You may want to consider something like this:

Madrid 1 night
Córdoba 2 nights
Granda 3 nights
Sevilla 4 nights
Madrid 1 night

Another option is to go straight from Madrid to Córdoba upon arrival in Spain and save the Madrid nights for the end of the trip. Our plane arrived too late for this option, but I do think it is a good one and saves you one move.

Córdoba 2 nights
Granada 3 nights
Sevilla 4 nights
Madrid 2 nights

All of these cities are reached easily by public transportation.

We end every trip to Spain with a night or two in Madrid and always find something different to do or see. If you’ve never been there before it’s worth more than a couple days, but you can see a lot if just going for the night before your flight. Depending on where you hotel’s at and when t you get checked into your hotel, you could make a walking loop of the historic center. For example, Retiro Park - Plaza Mayor - Royal Palace - Puerta del Sol - the Gran Vía and back to the park. If only going for one night I wouldn’t attempt to see the Prado or Reina Sofía museums unless you want to quickly drop in during the free hours. You could spend hours in each.

We went in Dec/Jan. Our itinerary was:
Sevilla 4 nights w/day trip to Ronda and hill towns
Granada 3 nights
Cordoba 1 night
Madrid 1 night (to catch plane home)

Adjustments I would make if doing again … allow more time for Sevilla, if possible. Allow more time for Cordoba. Take train in evening from Cordoba to Madrid and skip doing anything in Madrid. Just straight to hotel.

We prefer slower pace travel.

Madrid is worth 2 full days if you love European painting, one at the Prado, one at the Thiessen and the Reina Sofia. Depending on your stamina, you may be able to fit in some general sightseeing as well. If that's not your thing, just stick to your original plan. You won't run out of things to see and do in "the big 3", Cordoba, Sevilla and Granada, spending at least 2 nights in each. Granada really needs 3, maybe not 4. Cordoba is my favorite, 2 nights minimum but 3 is better. 3-4 in Sevilla, and the last night in Madrid. Do a loop with Granada between Cordoba and Sevilla. You may find the ALSA bus is better, especially between Sevilla/Granada, because there are more buses than trains, giving you more options. Trains may be limited to very early morning and middle of the day (the better part of a whole day's sightseeing).

A great historic capital like Madrid? Of course it's worth it.

1 night Ronda, take the bus from Malaga to Ronda through the Sierra Nevada mountains, stunning!!!
Ronda will blow your mind,
Ronda is walkable,, quite the amount of hilly areas
Then train it to Granada
Granada 2 nights max, see The Alhambra, make sure you start at the top of the mountain, not the bottom, you will thank me for this info
later in the early evening, take a free walking tour of Sacromonte, sites and info you would never think of.
FYI we also did Madrid 3 days , nice city,, busy, lots to see, lots of walking, old town is nice
Temple of Debod, and the area