Our family (6 adults) is traveling to Spain for 10 days at the end of December. We arrive in Madrid on December 25th, we are planning on staying in Madrid until December 28th. We would like to travel to Granada and Seville. I am wondering if we should go to Granada first or Seville? I am wondering what is the most efficient way to explore both of these towns with 6 people traveling. We could rent a car or would taking a bus or train be better? The train and bus schedules seem very confusing to me.
Also, I am wondering if anyone has any reccommendations on which town would be the best to spend New Year’s Eve and day? We fly out of Madrid on January 4th so our current plan is to return to Madrid on December 3rd.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Kathy
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7942 posts
Hi Kathy - you said any suggestions, so for what these are worth:
Years ago, our trip started down in Malaga (flying there after a connection in Madrid), where we had a rental car. We drove to Granada for a few days, before turning in the car and flying to Portugal, where we picked up another car, eventually turning it in in Sevilla. So the shorter driving distance from Portugal was a big factor in choosing to visit Granada first.
As you suggested, New Year's experiences might be the reason for you to pick one city over the other for that time, but I don't have any personal recommendations. Major sights might be closed or have shorter hours than usual, though, so that might be a factor for you.
We've used the train in Spain on a separate trip farther north, but I can't give specific advice about Madrid to Granada and/or Sevilla. There were just 3 of us, so a regular, small car worked fine. For 6 of you, would a people-mover (like a minivan or regular van) be a possibility, and have enough room for all your luggage, too?
Posted by
Washington DC
28084 posts
I'd start checking now on car-rental costs, because I think you'll find that a vehicle large enough for six people and their luggage will get very costly. It will also be large and inconvenient to maneuver and to park. Unless you will have time for wandering around small towns, trains or buses will probably work much better for you.
Posted by
1 posts
Kathy,
Se aré nos on that trip. My wife and daughter. We travel via bus (Alsa premium service ). Our bus left at 3.pm and arrived at 7:30. Snacks, drinks and lunch is served. Top service...
From Madrid you go to Bus Station Sur .Go to section three and wait in Alsa premium lounge on the left. You them take the scalator down to the gate. Less than two minutes.
When you arrive in Granada, just go out and take a taxi in front of bus station.
We are also taken the bus from Granada to Seville. Same bus station in Granada. Taking a taxi in Seville.
If you are returning to Madrid your best bet is Renfe high speed train. You be back in Madrid Antocha in 4 hours. Renfe is top notch.
In Atocha you can take Renfe "Cercanias" translation - short run back to the airport. The station is connected side by side with Atocha.
Hope this help
Happy trails
Sil Marrero
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I think you will find it becomes quite expensive to rent a vehicle for 6 people.
December
25. ARRIVE Madrid (3N)
26. Madrid
27. Day to Toledo
28. Train to Seville (4N)
29. Seville
30. Day to Cordoba & Mezquita
31. Seville
January
1. To Granada (2N)
2. Alhambra
3. To Madrid (1N)
4. DEPART Madrid
Posted by
Midwest
2768 posts
Definitely a train or bus for those 3 cities. A car for 6 will be expensive and big - in Granada and Seville especially streets are narrow and a big car is a big problem. Trains are also faster on some routes - Madrid to Seville is a 5+ hour drive and under 3 by train.
So here is what I would do - do you have to be in Madrid until the 28? I would save Madrid for last. I find its better to END in the city you leave from (that saves that random night on the 3rd waiting for your flight at an airport hotel - just leave directly from your Madrid hotel that you have been in 3 nights).
25th - arrive and get a train to Seville in the evening. Trains are frequent and fast.
26 - Seville
27 - Seville
28 - Seville, or day trip to Cordoba
29 - to Granada. Train or bus (ALSA is a bus company and it is comfortable)
30 - Granada
31 - Granada
1 - to Madrid by train.
2- Madrid
3 - Madrid
4 - home
I don't know about New Years in these places. All will celebrate and have festivities, but I can't say which is best. Granada and Seville have beautiful old towns which I think would be great for New Years. But on my schedule above you could cut Granada down by 1 day and be in Madrid on the 1st if you prefer a big city NYE party. I just think Granada is worth 2 full days but you can see the Alhambra and a few other highlights in 1.5