We are heading to Andalucia in mid-October and I need to get real with apportioning time to these great cities. With six days/nights--arriving by train from Madrid--I was thinking 3 nights in Sevilla (which would include a day trip to Cordoba); renting a car to an overnight in Ronda with a bit of exploring the area; driving to Granada for the final two nights (We have our Alhambra tix!). We fly from Granada so ending up there is set in stone. Is this a good general plan? We could possibly "steal" an extra day from our Madrid stay (currently 4 nights there) to allow 7 nights in the Andalucia area. Thoughts?
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
6503 posts
The way you have it divided up should work well. Leave Ronda earlier in morning to give yourself a little more time in Granada.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Stopping in Córdoba en route to Sevilla would free up more time for Sevilla itself. There is luggage storage at the bus station by the train station.
Day
1. Early train from Madrid to Córdoba. Visit the Mezquita then continue late afternoon on to Sevilla (3N)
2. Sevilla
3. Sevilla
4. Pick up car. Early start for Ronda (1N)
5. Afternoon drive to Granada (2N)
6. Return car. Visit the Alhambra
7. Depart Granada
Posted by
OP
39 posts
Interesting idea to stop in Cordoba enroute to Sevilla. Since we will be traveling with our luggage (a roller bag and back pack each) is it easy to store luggage in order to tour Mezquita and back to train?
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7260 posts
I also liked Carmona and Italica near Seville, but you won't have the car or the time. Carmona is less crowded than many tourist cities, I thought. I haven't been to Cordoba, but I would like to suggest considering omitting it. I would comment that Granada is worth two nights, but it's not absolutely necessary when time is short. I would not insist on two nights in Ronda, but it is a nice visit. We found it time-consuming to get to other White Villages. We did rent our car in Seville, and stopped briefly in Arcos on the way to Ronda. Are you going to a bullfight (don't post the answer, just talking about time and Seville vs. Ronda, assuming it's in season. We went in Seville.)
We kept the car in an underground public garage in Seville for the night after Carmona and Italica, and then departed towards Arcos the next day.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Córdoba luggage store ...
http://www.cordoba24.info/english/html/consignas_ferroviarias.html
Or pick up your car after an overnight in Córdoba.
Day
1. Early train from Madrid to Sevilla (2N)
2. Sevilla
3. Train to Córdoba (1N) & visit the Mezquita
4. Pick up car. Early start for Ronda (1N)
5. Afternoon drive to Granada (2N)
6. Return car. Visit the Alhambra
7. Depart Granada