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Second guessing itinerary for Madrid/Andaluscia. Please Help.

Option 1:
April 16: Arrive in Madrid and immediately take train to Toledo. Spend the night in Toledo.
April 17: Train back to Madrid and then bus to Granada
April 17-19: Granada
April 19: Bus to Seville
April 19-22: Seville (day trip to Cordoba one of these days)
April 22: Train to Madrid
April 22-25: Madrid
April 25: Depart Madrid for home

  • this itinerary requires us to backtrack from Toledo to Madrid to get to Granada but here we spend one night in Toledo and day-trip to Cordoba

-or-

Option 2:
April 16: Arrive in Madrid and train to Cordoba. One night in Cordoba
April 17: Bus to Granada
April 17-19: Granada
April 19: Bus to Seville
April 19-21: Seville
April 21: Train to Madrid
April 21-25: Madrid (Day trip to Toledo) one of these days

  • This itinerary allows us to avoid backtracking from Toledo to Madrid to get to Granada; we spend one night in Cordoba and day-rip to Toledo, it shortens the time in Seville and gives an extra day to Madrid to allow for a day trip to Toledo.
Posted by
13 posts

The reason we are not going straight to Seville is because of Feria. The only places where I have flexibility are 1. the city that we go to upon arrival (Toledo or Cordoba) and 2. Whether we leave Seville a day early for Madrid. If we're only in Madrid from the 22-24 (we leave the morning of the 25th so that doesn't really count), that's not long enough for a day trip to Toledo because we wouldn't be able to do everything else we want to do in Madrid.

Any thoughts on the 2 options I presented? Those are the two that I have to work with.

Thank you!

Posted by
5294 posts

I like option 2, because you won't have to backtrack.

Having said this, depending on where you're coming from, the day of arrival may not be too productive due to the
effects of jetlag. So, one night in Córdoba, means that you will only have a few hours to enjoy this beautiful city.

We took this exact route (option 2) on our recent trip this past October.

Did you book your Alhambra tickets yet?

If not, make sure you book them ASAP.

Enjoy your trip!

Posted by
1008 posts

I would pick option 2. We just got back and spent two nights in cordoba and really liked it there. We also had a short few hours in Toledo and it was amazing. I think either plan shortchanges those 2 cities, but we didn't go to Granada and Seville, and if you cut those you'd probably be shortchanging there! Something has to go! :) So I would pick option 2 to avoid backtracking on your first day.

Madrid was fun too, we rented electric bikes, Mercado de San Miguel was awesome, and we went to the Reina Sofia which I enjoyed.

Have fun!! :)

Kim