We have 2 weeks to travel in Spain. One week will be spent in Seville with extended family, the second week is flexible. After we leave Seville, our thought is to spend 2-3 nights in Granada and 4-5 nights in Madrid, flying back to NY from Madrid. We would do a day trip to Cordoba from Seville and a day trip to Toledo from Madrid. Is this enough, coupled with going to the must-sees in Seville, Granada and Madrid? The idea of getting to the beach keeps nagging at me...until I read such mixed reviews of the beaches in Southern Spain. Thoughts? Stick with the original plan?
Posted by
5107 posts
Your trip is really close to perfect--I would not change a thing.
There are some nice coastal areas, but nothing really worth drastically changing your plans over. You could cut some time from Madrid and Granada for a brief stint, but I think it would eat into your valuable time. What month? What kinds of beaches do you like? I am a complete beach snob, apologies--a lot of the southern Spanish coast was ruined by development.
If you can fly home from Malaga (or another airport in Andalucia) instead and want to omit Madrid, then it is more realistic. I'd save it for another trip and go to Mallorca or even northern Spain for beautiful beaches worth taking time away from other things.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you! Last two weeks of June...so I know it will be hot. We are used to FL and NJ beaches. And have traveled relatively extensively through the Caribbean. Skipping Madrid is a thought but as a first timer to Spain, would that be silly to forego it for Malaga?
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6597 posts
Your itinerary is well thought out. However, I would suggest watching the RS video about Cordoba and some YouTube videos. If the only way a person is able to see Cordoba is on a day trip, well, then, ok. But, for folks that have time, I'd suggest a stay of at least 2 nights. There is so much to see in Cordoba. Wandering the narrow streets in the white building, old Jewish quarter, peaking into the many patio gardens, the Roman Bridge, even just sitting in the garden of the Mezquita soaking it all in. Further, Cordoba is so nice and peaceful when the day trippers are gone. Madrid is a big, mostly modern city in comparison to the rest of Spain. I, personally, would prioritize staying overnight in Cordoba vs. Madrid, actually ditto for Toledo, as well. If you intend on going to the world class Madrid art museums, that would be another consideration.
I have not been to Malaga. People really like it. Still, I would prioritze the three great Andalusia cities of Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada over Malaga. I've not been to beaches in Spain other than San Sebastian (which, actually, was quite nice). I've been to beaches in France, Italy, Greece, etc. and they don't come close to beaches with powdery sand like the Caribbean, Hawaii, Florida, Mexico and California.
Posted by
Detroit, MI
1048 posts
Córdoba deserves at least a night. I spent 2 nights in Córdoba but I went to Castello de Almodovar del Rio. I see you didn't mention Toledo but if you go to the army museum in Toledo, you need to enter at least 3 hours before they close. I did not go to any beaches in Spain. Tickets to the Mesquita in Córdoba must be bought in advance. There is a separate Alcazár in that has a small indoor area and a nice garden outside but I waited in line for over an hour to get in.
Posted by
5107 posts
I think you should always do what you most want to do -- you could poke around online and see what kind of trip you could create. Most will say just so Madrid, but it is so easy to fly to Madrid, it would not be terrible to save it for a future trip.
I like the coastal area east of Cadiz, but it is more about the seafood and culture than the beaches.
Posted by
8331 posts
I visited the Costa del Sol beaches years ago and was disappointed. The beaches there are not great.