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Seville and Andalucia in February. Looking itinerary feedback and suggestions.

My wife and I are tentatively planning 12-13 nights in February 2026. Loved our trip last year to Costa Brava. Have been to Madrid before. Wife is nervous about renting cars (which we have done many times all over the world) so experimenting with hiring a between the smaller towns.

Ricks Steves rate these as top towns in Andalucia. Usually like at least three nights in a town. Or at the very least two nights.

ITINERARY:
Flying in and out of Madrid.
Train Madrid -> Seville 5 nights
Hire driver Seville -> Ronda 2 or 3 nights
Hire a driver Ronda -> Granada 4 nights
Train Granada -> Madrid

Looking for validation of the itinerary or suggestions for changes. And any general advice.

Posted by
1058 posts

Hi! We did a similar trip a couple years ago. We took the train between Madrid - Granada, a bus from Granada to Sevilla then a train from Sevilla - Madrid. We did go to Rhonda but yes, I'm sure someone here will have a driver recommendation if the bus won't take you.

We LOVED Sevilla. We stayed three weeks and would go back in a minute! I think 5 nights is a good amount to stay there. We stayed 3 nights in Granada which was fine.

Here is my trip report: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/december-in-andalucia-spain

Posted by
8627 posts

If it’s you first trip to Spain, there’s more to see and do in Córdoba for 3 nights than in Ronda. Ronda can be seen in a full day. By visiting Córdoba rather than Ronda you could probably take the train or bus rather than hiring a driver.

To me, Granada can be adequately seen in 2 full days, but it depends on what you want to see while there.

I’ve had a rental car every time I visited the places you intend to visit.

Posted by
363 posts

My wife and I 11 nights in Spain in Sep 2023, staying in all the cities on your itinerary. We also did one night in Cordoba at the urging of a forum member; we are grateful for his recommendation. We rented a car for the Seville-->Ronda-->Granada leg, and made several stops during the drives.

Our trip report might be useful reference: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-spain-aug-sep-seville-ronda-granada-cordoba-madrid

Our itineray was:

  • Seville 3 nights
  • Ronda 2 nights
  • Granada 2 nights
  • Cordoba 1 night
  • Madrid 3 nights
Posted by
2345 posts

I would spend at least 2 nights in Cordoba as others have suggested. The Mezquita is amazing and is one of the top sights in Andalucia. There are other interesting sights in Cordoba, too, and you need time to wander through the Juderia. I would take 2 nights from Ronda to stay in Cordoba and then spend 1 night in Ronda. Cordoba is a much more important city, historically and culturally, than Ronda.

Or take a night from Seville and a night from Granada so that you can spend 2 nights in Cordoba.

It's very, very easy to take trains and buses to/from all of your destinations. Except possibly for Ronda.

Posted by
22 posts

My wife and I also like to stay several days in one place. Our first trip to Spain was this Feb-Mar. We spent 5 nights in Seville and loved it. Doing so allowed us to see most major sights as well as just wander neighborhoods which was very enjoyable. If you will be in Seville on a Saturday, spend a day in Triana where you may see spectacular weddings at local churches and beautifully dressed families gathered outside waiting to christen their children. Our Saturday doing so was a big highlight of our two week trip.

On our way to Madrid for our flight home we stayed 2 nights in Cordoba. The Mezquita is one of the most unique things I have ever seen. I think it is a not to be missed sight. We spent hours there one afternoon. Though I’m not Catholic, the next day I attended a 900am weekday Mass - it was wonderful. And be sure to climb the bell tower for awesome views of the city and countryside. There are plenty of worthwhile things to see in Cordoba. Plus along the river we found our favorite souvenirs of the entire trip in an atmospheric used book store, explored a great leather-working shop, had great meals at friendly out of the way places and clothing shopped for our newborn niece. I would have gladly stayed another day or two there.

You could easily add Cordoba as it is on the direct train line from Seville to Madrid and could be your last stop. . Or If you reversed your trip order to visit Granada last, Cordoba could be your first stop on the way to Seville. Regardless, have a great trip.