Andulcia in March

With only 7 days available for sightseeing then not really time for beaches if you want to include Granada, Seville & Córdoba.

March
15. ARRIVE Madrid (1N)
16. Train to Granada (2N)
17. Visit the Alhambra
18. Train to Seville (3N)
19. Seville
20. Seville
21. Train via stop in Cordoba (Mezquita) to Madrid (2N)
22. Madrid
23. DEPART Madrid

I agree that trying to hit Granada, Cordoba, and the coast in 7 days is difficult. If the beach is a priority, consider saving Cordoba for another time and doing a combination of Granada and Malaga. Malaga is a gorgeous seaside city with beaches, world class museums, great food, and historic sites. We’ve taken the fast train back to Madrid from Malaga and caught a flight back to the US all in one day, no problem. I’d stay the first night in Madrid near Atocha and then take the train to Granada on day 2 and you’re off and running. I would feel comfortable staying in airbnbs. Look for superhosts for a bit more confidence in the quality.

But March won't be swimming weather, will it?

My daughter and I were there in March, 2017. The weather was very nice but hardly beach-warm. You have gotten good organizational advice, but I will add that if beach is important, you could take a day trip to Cadiz from Seville just to see it. Also I remember that someone posted here about nice hikes in the Granada area, so you could do a search - but you just don’t have a lot of time for everything you have mentioned.

We stayed in airbnb’s in Seville, Granada, and Cordoba and loved all of them. They were all different and lovely. Just read everything carefully.

Thank you all! A day at the beach would be fine. Does anyone think if we took in one of the sights like the Mezquita that we could get a hike in before or after on the same day?

To me the historic center of Córdoba and the Mezquita can be seen in a few hours. Certainly you could fit in a hike depending on its length and where you hiking at.

David you suggested two days in Seville...do you have recommendations of things to do there?

The main sights people visit are the cathedral and Giralda tower along with the Alcazar. Other sights are the Plaza de Espana, Maria Luisa park, and the Torre de Oro. Other places people will visit are the archive of the Indies, bull ring, Triana neighborhood, and the nearby Roman ruins at Italica. I’m sure I’m forgetting some, but these give you an idea.

An obvious place to go walking near Granada is Las Alpujarras, with bus connections from the city. Since you're going in March, I'd stick to the low part of the area (which is also quicker to get to from Granada, perhaps an hour or so), unless you are serious walkers - weather can be treacherous even in Southern Spain, especially in the mountains. Starting/ending your walk from Lanjaron for instance.

There were days in March here with beach-weather this year (though not, for me, swimming), so I presume the same was true in the eastern part of Andalucia. However, it will be hit and miss, so the idea above of choosing a beach with a good sightseeing town next to it is a good one. Malaga would be perfect. Nerja is overrated. Cadiz is great, but on the Atlantic coast, not the Med, and could miserable for beaches in March.

Personally, with your limited time, I'd skip the beach and stick to Granada/Alpujarra, Cordoba and Sevilla (you can do the last two from one base - Cordoba is the pleasanter city, but Sevilla has more "big sights").

Thanks for the suggestions and insights! Definitely giving me food for thought! I probably should have included that my girls are more of nature and adventures types and that’s why I was thinking hiking and the beach (possibly kayaking, etc).

Would Cádiz be a good day trip while in Seville?

If you like Cadiz, it could be a nice day trip. Personally, I don’t think Cadiz has much to offer and is worth a half day visit at most.

Thanks what would you list as your favorite things to do or see in Andalucia?

The hikingin the hill towns is spectacular. Hiking and exploring the little villages was a priority so we left off Granada on our itinerary.

We did visit Córdoba as it fit into logistics very well.

The Andalusian equestrian center in Jerez was amazing. About an hour train ride from Seville. Great day trip with a visit to a sherry tasting after the equestrian school.