Granada or Sevilla?

Gosh, this really is so subjective.
--Granada with its altitude is better in mid summer as Sevilla is baking hot.
--Granada really just has the 'big ticket' Alhambra, where Sevilla has a number of great sights (Cathedral, Alcazar).
--Sevilla is better for bar hopping, eating tapas, and seeing flamenco.
--Sevilla is much easier to access than Granada with the AVE high speed train line.

Sorry I haven't made your decision easier.

I love both and for the reasons stated above... But even though it is hot I would probably stay in Sevilla... I just prefer the ambience. And when it is so hot you just take a siesta in the afternoon and come out after the sun goes down.

I was in Granada and Seville in October and the Alhambra is the best thing in Granada,in Seville there is more and it feels more traditional Spain with many more attractions and cuisine.
Mike

Sarah,

What other cities are in your itinerary? Where will you be before traveling to/from Sevilla or Granada?

I've visited both of these cities & they are both beautiful. The Alhambra in Granada is amazing but with only 3 nights (2 days),
I'd visit Sevilla (unless you're closer to Granada).

Sevilla is a big city, but if you stay in the historic center, you can visit the Royal Alcázar, the cathedral & it's giralda,
Plaza de España, the bull ring, walk across bridge (Puente de Isabel) & visit Triana's ceramic shops & San Miguel Market.
Enjoy some great authentic tapas @ our favorite place: 'La Antigua Bodeguita', on Plaza del Salvador, etc, etc....

If you are heading to Madrid after visiting Sevilla, you can visit Córdoba (on the way) &/or Toledo, my favorite 2 cities in Spain.

Enjoy your trip!

I think the Alhmabra is an amazing place, but otherwise Granada is kind of "meh" for me. I love Sevilla and it does have more sites to see and one can easily take a daytrip to Cordoba (45 minutes by train) to see the old town there and the incredible Mezquita. Sevilla is also far more accessible to the rest of Spain by train. But honestly, you won't make a "bad" choice with either.

It just depends. It is an apple and orange question. If you are a history buff especially of Morrish Spanish then the Alhambra is a must along with the cathedral in Granada. The fall of the Alhambra is a pivot point in the creation of the Spain as the first nation/state. It is the most popular tourist site in all of Spain - not just Am tourists, everyone. In some ways not unlike Valley Forge.

Granada is my favorite place in Spain, but I think that's somewhat uncommon. I personally would choose it, and if you picked it I'm sure you'd have a wonderful time. However, I love Seville almost as much, it is much easier to get to, and has the potential of a day trip to Cordoba. So I'd vote Granada if the Alhambra appeals strongly, Seville otherwise.

The reason I love Granada is kind of indescribable. There's just a...feel to the city. The light, the hills, it's just magical. It has an offbeat, bohemian feel. Some of that is artificial, shops catering to faux-hippies and such, but there's also a grit to it that I find appealing. It's such a fascinating mix of influences. Really, all of Andalucia is, but Granada is where you feel that swirl of cultures most, in my experience.

That said, Seville is wonderful! If you go, be sure to go to a good flamenco show and to the Alcazar, which is somewhat similar to the Alhambra. Seville's cathedral is more visually stunning than Granada's, but Granada's has the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella (in a separate chapel, separate entrance).