Please sign in to post.

Barcelona, Granada, Cordoba, Sevilla: 7 questions for experts?

Posted by on

I am in the early stages of planning my first trip to Spain this April. I’d love feedback on my one week solo plan with a focus on Granada, Cordoba, and Sevilla. (I know this makes for a very tight itinerary, but I work in a school so have to travel within the constraints of our one week spring break. I am hoping to use this week as a scouting trip for a longer, more relaxed trip with my elderly mom through Andalusia next December.)

I am a 45 year old female, and I speak Spanish. I am most interested in exploring Moorish architecture and history on this visit. I also love delving into regional music and seeing local artisan crafts. Finally, I would love to have some great bites along the way.

The only nonstops from San Francisco to Spain were via Barcelona, so I will be starting and ending my trip there. I will be in Spain at the end of Semana Santa—too late for Good Friday processions but hope to catch the Easter morning processions in Malaga before I head to Granada.

Questions:
1) Any recs for the best bike or e-bike tour in Barcelona? Since I have such a short time there, I’d love to get a feel for the city on bike to help me plan out future return trips.

2) Should I cut a night from Granada and head to Cordoba early so that I can have more time in Sevilla at the end? Currently I have 2 nights in Granada, 1 night in Cordoba, and 2 nights in Sevilla, before flying back to Barcelona for the final 2 nights.

3) Is it worth attending the Sacromonte cave flamenco show in Granada if I am planning to see a flamenco show in Sevilla?

4) Is it worth visiting the Nasrid Palaces and Mezquita at night in addition to touring them in the day? 

5) Where are the best places to see and shop for local artisan crafts in Andalusia? I am interested in leather work, jewelry, ceramics, etc.

6) Where are the best local markets to explore for produce and small bites?

7) I am an avid gardener and would love to try growing the precious teardrop peas (guisante lagrima) from this region. Are there any places along my trip where I could pick up seeds?

Here’s my current draft plan:

FRI 4/3 (Good Friday): Land at 4:45 PM, overnight at Room Mate Pau hotel

SAT 4/4: Morning bike tour of Barcelona,
Afternoon visit to Casa Batllo 

8:35 pm flight to Malaga, overnight at Hotel Boutique Teatro Roman

SUN 4/5 (Easter): Watch Sunday morning processions in Malaga, then take afternoon train to Granada (overnight at Aurea Catedral)

Check out sunset at San Nicolas Viewpoint or night tour of Nasrid Palaces

Dinner at Mirador de Morayma

MON 4/6: Morning visit of Alhambra

Lunch at Los Diamantes

Afternoon wander around Albaicín and/or Cave Museum

TUES 4/7 Early morning train to Cordoba.
Visit garden courtyards, followed by lunch at Casa el Pisto. Possible afternoon visit to Hammam al Andalus.

Dinner at Mercado de la Victoria or Regadera

See the Roman Bridge illuminated and/or take Soul of Cordoba night tour?

WED 4/8: Morning at Mezquita, lunch at Casa Pepe de la Juderia or Casa Mazal

Afternoon train to Sevilla

Cathedral rooftop tour

THUR 4/9: Morning bike tour of Sevilla.
Afternoon: Wander Plaza de España or visit Palacio de las Duenas.
Dinner at La Azotea or Casa Robles.
Evening flamenco performance at Tablao Alvarez Quintero or Centro Cultural Casa de la Memoria.

FRI 4/10: Visit Alcazar de Sevilla
Evening flight to Barcelona

SAT 4/11
Visit Sagrada Familia

Evening concert at Palau de la Musica Catalana

SUN 4/12
Morning visit to Park Guell
2 pm direct flight home

Thank you in advance for any feedback! Again, I recognize that it’s a tight schedule, and since I am traveling solo, I can be flexible with cutting out activities as I go if needed.

I also know that I will need to book tickets to the major sights well in advance, especially to the Alhambra on the Monday after Easter Sunday. All of the hotels I have booked are refundable, so I can adjust as needed.

Posted by
31 posts

Great plan. You are catching the early morning at the Cordoba mosque. Flamenco in Seville is sufficient. Los diamonds in Grenada is fun! You’re right, you’ll be rushing a bit.

Look up ceramics in Seville in the section whose name I am forgetting. We did the Alhambra morning and night. You certainly get more of a day because dinners start late. Nothing open til 8 at the earliest.

Check out any posts from Maribel….and I predict you will return to Spain, as you predict. Never been to Malaga myself but also loved Valencia and Guggenheim Bilbao. I found Seville magical. We took a walking tour with Concepcion that I loved.

Posted by
616 posts

If you are interested in Moorish architecture, you might want to include a trip to Medina Azahara near Cordoba. This is the largest archaeological site in Spain and it is revealing the caliphate palace/city of the 10-11th centuries. There is a quick bus ride to get you there and guided tours, if you choose to use them.

Posted by
75 posts

The Triana market in Sevilla is great!

I don’t notice a plan for a tapas tour or experience. You might like that.

Suggest a wander in Baria Santa Cruz in Sevilla. And sit and have tea and a tea house in the Albacin in Granada.

I am wondering if you want to narrow your scouting focus. Seems you could directly connect to Granada from Barcelona, either the day you land or instead of via Malaga. Doing so gives you more time in the three cities you mention are the focus.

Posted by
675 posts

Looks great!

The Seville Cathedral rooftop tour was a highlight for us. Hopefully will be for you too! Triana is where to look for ceramics in Seville. It is quite commercialized but if you dig you may find a treasure as I did. If you are walking, stop at Plaza de Espana en route to Triana. It is impressive and worth a stop.

There are some small open-front artisan shops in Cordoba where you might find small leather goods and/or jewelry. Possibly the best meal we had in Andalucia was at Ermita de la Candelaria…amazing!

In Barcelona, recommend you go to Sagrada Familia at opening (book well ahead) then walk to San Pau Recinte Modernista. There are a few shops in the Barri Gotic that had ceramic pieces when we were there in 2019. There was also a street fair where I found a small piece.

You will love Spain and want to return again and again.

Posted by
29550 posts

Cordoba is known for leather work. Seville may be the best place for ceramics, but I saw some ceramics for sale in Barcelona, in the Barri Gotic.

With a 2 PM departure, I wouldn't try to squeeze in Parc Guell on the same day. You'll need to be at the airport by 11 AM. Parc Guell is not in the center of town and doesn't open until 9:30 AM. After visiting the park, you'll need to return to your hotel to pick up your luggage. It appears Casa Batllo (more conveniently located) opens at 9 AM as does Casa Mila.

I spent over a half a day at the Alhambra, so I'd try for an early entry time and be cautious about making a lunch reservation. The Alhambra regularly sells out considerably in advance, so stay on top of the ticket situation there.

You'll also need to prebook the Gaudi sites in Barcelona and the Alcazar in Seville.

Posted by
148 posts

Re Cordoba: I wouldn't bother going to the Mercado de Victoria for dinner unless you're staying near there. We loved the Soul of Cordoba night tour and were happy that we had tickets to visit the Mezquita with audio guide the next day. You can do the night tour and also see the Roman bridge lit up. I would skip Park Guell-- the timing would be difficult and it wasn't that impressive to us. Re Granada: we had an extra day there and enjoyed visiting the Sacromonte Abbey and walked back to town, stopping at the Cave Museum. It was interesting if you have the energy after the Alhambra.

Add Reply

Please do not reply to violations of our Community Guidelines.