December Itinerary for a Chill Holiday (Madrid, Cordoba, Sevilla)

You could do Córdoba as a day trip from Sevilla, but if you can take the Ave from it to Madrid, Córdoba is definitely worth two nights. Remember that two nights is really only one full day and part of a second depending on you arrival time.

I'd recommend two nights in Cordoba, giving you a full day for the sights there. The Mezquita was one of my "top ten" sights in Europe. It's doable as a day trip from Sevilla but you'd be backtracking and, I think, rushed. The old city is great at night, maybe just one night there would work if you don't want to give it two. I liked Cordoba better than Granada (with due respect to the Alhambra). And Granada is well off your "course" between Madrid and Sevilla. I think your choice not to "spend your holiday on a train" is a good one.

Edit -- Your "chill holiday" will be literal in Madrid, the altitude makes it much colder than your other destinations. Four nights there would be good, especially if you like art museums. Either Toledo or Segovia would be a good day trip (they're in opposite directions from Madrid).

@jvasko,

just a little heads up;

December 6th and 8th are national holidays in Spain. Everyone one a 3 day weekend, and many will get five days. And the lucky people in Navarra get Friday the 3rd off too. As a tourist it shouldn't affect you too much as the museums and restaurants will be open. Where you may have a problem is booking a room. November 1st was a holiday and made for a 3 day weekend, and there was a lot of people on the move. What will happen this time is uncertain. As you probably know the rates in Spain are going up, a lot especially in last two weeks (since the 1st).

Depending on how the infection rate goes, you may find Madrid full.

I'll start by declaring that Cordoba is my favorite Spanish city and Madrid is perhaps my least favorite European capital.

If you love European painting, you'll need 2 days in Madrid just for the art museums; if not, you can see the highlights in a day. Sure, there's much more to the city, but not when compared to what awaits you in Andalucia. If you aren't that much into art, you could take 1 night from here and add it to Sevilla. Or use the time for a day trip to Toledo.

People who tell you a day trip to Cordoba is all you need are invariably people who have only done a day trip there. Cordoba is low-key compared to the others, the Mezquita is unique as well as beautiful, and the Juderia is one of the best preserved medieval city centers in Spain. Assume that you'll return to Spain - it's like Italy, once is just not enough.

There's a reason the Alhambra is the #1 sight in Spain. But I think you're right to skip Granada this time for exactly the reason you said.

I would like to thank all of you for helping me make this decision. We've booked the 2 nights in Cordoba. It will be nice to not be so rushed for once in my life. Thanks again.

Two nights in Cordoba is not too much. If I was going to cut anything it would be Madrid, but I'm not a city person. If you can see Seville, Cordoba and Granada with just one or two nights in Madrid then I think your golden. I always route my trips to be in Granada over a weekend. The town comes alive with happy Spainards dancing, wedding parties, so much fun. Cordoba and Granada are the whole purpose of going to Spain, and Seville is heaven too. J