I Want It All In Andalucia!

The thing I note is that everything you mentioned is in Andalucia...not Madrid. Is there something you really want to see in Madrid? If not, fly in and then leave later that day, if your flight arrives in the AM. Take a fast train to Cordoba and stay the night there, then on to Seville OR go straight to Seville for more time there.

Otherwise your itinerary looks pretty packed as is. Too fast for me. You certainly can't add anything without dropping something else.

I don't blame you for wanting to see all of those places, but the fact is that you don't have enough time to do so. You barely have time for brief visits to the places listed in the second paragraph of your post (overly brief in the case of Madrid and Seville). You really need to forget about going to Cadiz and Nerja.

There is a very big difference between merely setting foot in a bunch of towns on a whirlwind trip and "seeing it all". "Seeing it all" requires time. You mentioned tours; they will probably take at least two hours each, plus time to and from the starting and ending points. They enrich a vacation, but they take quite a chunk out of the day.

You could, as already suggested, spend no time at all in Madrid in order to allow more time for Andalucía. That would allow inclusion of Cordoba.

I agree. Too much packed in the itinerary! Skip the Alcazar in Seville if you go to Granada and see the Alhambra, which is a must. Also skip Cadiz and enjoy Sherry in Granada. Think about the Albaycin and a flamenco show in Granada . Ronda is spectacular! Having said that I am planning a 17 day trip to Spain and having a hard time choosing what to leave out...and Ive been to Spain 5 times!

If you land in Madrid early in the day, take the train to Cordoba (Mezquita !!) for 1 or 2 nights instead of Madrid. It's easy to take the train from Sevilla to Jerez. Stay 1 or 2 nights, so you can visit bodegas, maybe catch a horse show at the Royal Equestrian School. From Jerez it's an easy trip by bus to Arcos for 1/2 day and/or train to Cadiz (probably full day). Pick up the car when you leave Jerez.

Group of four fun-loving adults who want to enjoy the food scene and enjoy alcoholic beverages. Will pick up a car in Seville

Who's the poor soul that's not going to be enjoying alcoholic beverages!

I'd skip the Balcony of Europe, it really isn't anything to get excited about, merely a promenade along a rocky outcrop against the sea fronted by a multitude of shops and restaurants along with a hefty contingent of hassling hawkers interrupting your meal. If you're going to Nerja I would opt for a visit to the caves but considering your tight schedule I would leave Nerja out entirely. For your paella fix, you can get that pretty much anywhere along your route, no reason to go to Nerja for it.

I also think it's wise to leave Gibraltar out. It's a reasonably interesting curiosity but a bit of a way out with such a short time. I've been twice, the second time to take my parents who were insistent on going there. Both occasions were full day trips from Estepona. Don't make the mistake of looking at route planners as they don't take into account crossing the border or the alternative of trying to find somewhere close by to park. Ronda is by far the more interesting place in comparison.

I’m sorry, I didn’t realise that everything was set in stone before I came up with an alternative plan. I really don’t think you will get through your exhaustive wish list, but good luck trying.

1. Fly into Madrid then train to Seville (4)
2. Seville
3. Day to Cordoba
4. Day to Cadiz or Jerez
5. Pick up car & drive via Arcos de la Frontera to Ronda (2)
6. Day for pueblos blancos - Zahara+Grazalema
7. Drive via Nerja to Granada (2) & return car
8. Alhambra
9. Fly out of Granada

On your schedule I think it’s nevessary to forget Cadiz. Choose either Zahara or Grazalema. You could make a stop in Cordoba for the Mezquita on Day#3. Time also may get away from you on Day#7. If you spend the morning exploring Ronda, then Nerja may need to drop by the way as well.

1. Fly into Madrid (2)
2. Madrid
3. Train to Seville (2)
4. Seville
5. Pick up car & drive via Jerez to Arcos de la Frontera (1)
6. Drive via Zahara or Grazalema to Ronda (1)
7. Drive via Nerja to Granada (2) & return car
8. Alhambra
9. Fly out of Granada

I’ll simply say it’s too aggressive and you need to focus and narrow down what’s most important. As many times as I’ve been to Spain, I still haven’t seen it all. Set a realistic itinerary for the amount of time you have. Don’t spend so much time getting to places that you can’t enjoy or see them adequately while you’re there. I’m certain you’ll have a nice trip.

On your driving days where you wish to visit somewhere in the morning before moving on in the afternoon to your evening destination, make sure you get an early start. Also, don’t indulge in a sit down lunch, yet drive on to your next destination while others are lunching, say between 1pm and 3pm. Some sights are closed during lunch hours so this can be an efficient use of time. You will need to lunch on the go !!