Sevilla-Cordoba-Granada-Sevilla

Granada deserves as much if not more time than Cordoba and is too far to do as a day trip from Seville. But why are you going to Granada? If for the Alhambra, know that most tickets for May are sold out on the website. Do check, however. For some ticket strateges, the Dobla d'oro tickets include timed entry to the Nazrid Palace. Or a much pricier group tour, or if staying overnight, hotels seem to be able to access more tickets than the public.
So Seville-Cordoba-Granada-Seville.

Granada is not viable as a day trip from Sevilla (3+ hours of travel each way). To save time and energy, just take the direct ALSA Bus from Cordoba to Granada (no need to backtrack to Sevilla), it takes about 2:30 hr, then spend a few nights in Granada, which is magical in the afternoon sun. After take the ALSA Bus back to Sevilla.

You really need at least one night, better two, in Granada for the Alhambra. The campus is very large and there's a lot to see and long walks between the sights. If you don't have tickets, don't bother. Granada is not worth it without the Alhambra. Tickets sell out. If there are no tickets available for any of your potential dates, you may be able to join a day tour in Granada.

Thanks for your responses! We've decided to spend a night in Granada (wish it could be longer), so will arrive May 14 around 11am. Do any of you have suggestions for guided tours for the afternoon/evening? There are so many listed that it's hard to decide.

Official website is Alhambra-patronato.es There is limited availability for 4 for a night visit if you buy a night Dobla d'Oro ticket for May 14. There is also good availability for 'just the grounds' tickets for the same date...7Euro. limited for the 15th. It might mean visiting on the afternoon, leaving at 6 when it closes have a leisurely tapas dinner then return for the night time timed visit to Nazrid Palace. Cheaper than a limited tour but if you want a tour then ensure they guarantee Marie Palace entry.

We have just returned from a week in Spain (two active 50 year olds on Springbreak from School!). We spent one night in Cordoba and that was really enough for us. We spent two in Granada. We arrived late on one night and hurried out for a drink and tapas then spent the following day focused on the Alhambra. We had a time slot for the Palaces at 2:30 pm. You can go into the Alhambra's other areas on your general ticket before that time. Take the Red bus to the Alhambra (up and down) you will be thankful and its only 1.40 euro one way - just pay as you get on. You can pick the bus up in town. It is all very easy.

We took the bus from Granada to Cordoba. The ALSA buses are very nice and it was an easy journey. We did taxis from the bus stations to hotels and it cost around 6 to 10 euro. But it is the easiest way to get to your hotel and less hassle. Just have a note with your hotel on it - so the driver knows where he is going - not all spoke English.

We felt very safe in Spain - have a great trip! you will love it. The Alhambra and Sevilla were highlights for us. Also, in Sevilla, we did the horse and carriage. I know its corny - but it was worth every penny. We loved it. (45 euros for a 1 1/5 hour) and we got to see a lot more of Sevilla than we would have done walking.

Margaret .

Hola from Wisconsin,

Here is the problem...you are at a buffet table and just might be trying to eat too much. All four cities are worthy of more than a full day each. I just visited all four plus Baeza and Ronda. but I had 30 days.

A quick trip to Granada, most likely to visit the Alhambra, would be hectic. I am 66 as is my wife. Hectic I tell you. If all you are interest in is the Basilika of San Juan de Dios, then not so hectic.

If you arrive in Cordoba on the 12th, that gives you the 13th and 14th to enjoy this lovely city. And then you are out the 15th. The Mesquita is where the tourist crowd. Get a few blocks out and it is a really charming place to sit and drink good wine or if you want sangria. Kurtuba Gastro near the Roman columns and across the street from the new 'city hall' has the best sangria I have ever had. A simple recipe with a little bit of cinnamon in it using good wine. Pedro AKA Pepe made it. They also have a very nice sea bass. A great place to sit and people watch. The mesquita from the Roman bridge makes a fantastic foto after sundown. La Taberna del Rio is a nice walk along the river for at 20:00 dinner or later. It has an Interesting menu with a range from "I know what this is, to you try it and if you don't like it I will share mine".

wayne iNWI, go slowly enough to savor.

Hi,
The Alhambra. There are tickets to just the grounds. Make sure that includes Generalife, San Fran Gardens and the Alcazar. It is free, no ticket necessary to enter the Alhambra grounds, but to see anything you need a ticket.

People have differing opinions as to the day visit to the Palaces, and the night time visit. We did both, and the night time was shorter and believe it or not more crowded.

wayne iNWI

Do you have hotel reservations for Sevilla? Looks like you are going to be there during Feria.

Thanks for all the suggestions — yes, I fear we’re trying to pack too much into a short time, but that’s all we have. Great to have ideas for Córdoba. And yes, we do have hotel reservations in Sevilla during Féria! Looking forward to it!

Lucky you! Have fun.