Madrid/Andalucia itinerary

I would go with #2. Granada is my favorite place in Spain. Not everyone agrees so my main suggestion is to go with your gut - look at pictures, read the history, and watch tv shows and videos. Rick Steves has episodes on all these areas. Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown has a great ep on Granada - it's just called Spain and is on Netflix.

I would actually cut one night from Madrid and do 3 Seville 3 Granada 2 Madrid or 4 Seville, 3 G, 2 M. But that is a matter of preference - I find Madrid much less interesting than Seville, Granada, or Córdoba. I personally would do 4/3/2 and have one of the Seville days a day trip to Córdoba.

With only 8 nights, I'd go with plan #1.
The main difference being just one change of location, as opposed to two, you would nevertheless enjoy 2 additional destinations (Cordoba+Toledo) over just the one (Granada).
A future Granada visit could include some white hill towns and places on the coast.

With my fifth trip to Spain coming up, I would agree that option #1 is the one I would choose. While I also love Granada, the first option gives you more flexibility in the Madrid area. You could see Toledo or Segovia or Avila easily from Madrid, and several days in Madrid will give you plenty of time to do the museums, explore Retiro Park, and see the cathedral (or other churches) and the Palacio Real.

I think it depends on how much you want to see the Alhambra and how much time you want to spend in Madrid. Either way, I'd probably keep Sevilla to 3 nights. I would also make a point of stopping in Cordoba at least to see the Mesquita.

Thank you all for your advice!

I am leaning toward option #1, perhaps with a slight change. Does anyone have experience staying overnight in Cordoba? Did you find it worthwhile?

I suppose Granada will have to wait for another trip.

I love staying in Cordoba (which is my favorite city in Spain). It has a lovely atmosphere at night, quieter than other places and a little romantic.

... and who doesn't like "a little romantic"?

I've been to Madrid but not the others. If I go back I will visit Seville. Based on your time, I would select Itinerary #1 and do one day trip from Seville and one from Madrid. Have fun in Spain!

We had a great little hotel in Cordoba. It is Hotel Riviera, Plaza Aladeros, 5. It is about a block from a cute little park (with wifi), and across the street from a small bar where we had breakfast. It is easy walking distance to the Mezquita. The hotel has wifi in the lobby. As I recall, they did not take credit cards, but that might have changed.

Thanks! So much great information. So I have a question on the train system. We are going to do our best to buy tickets ahead of time. However we just may get spontaneous and buy tickets the day of one of our trips. Do prices go up as you approach the day of travel?

Madrid seems to not be a favorite on here but I love it. I spent a week there 2 years ago and am basically doing your plan 1 on my visit next month so I have more time there

The fare to Toledo won't change if you buy the ticket at the last minute (slight possibility train will be sold out). The fares between major cities will certainly go up. You can take a look now: Check fares for tomorrow or Tueday, then check the same trains as far out as the schedule on Renfe allows you to go (may be early May). Check for the same day of the week. You'll see quite a difference.

Use Madrid (Todas) and Sevilla-Santa Justa for the look-up.