seville or granada...how many nights?

Three nights in seville

i would look to find an extra night from somewhere, making four nights - 2 in Sevilla, 2 in Granada.

Thanks...that's what we're thinking, giving up the night in Toledo. So much wonderful!

I'd pick one or the other. We found two nights in Granada not quite enough -- wished we had had one more day there. We found 7 nights in Seville way too much and wish we had moved one of those nights to Granada. But two nights in Seville is not enough. I'd just pick one.

Janet, thanks...I don't know how I can choose!

Two nights in each may not be ideal but it will get you started. If you can work it, do two each.

Could you do Toledo as a day from Madrid?
How many days in Barcelona, San Sebastian and Madrid?
Logistically San Sebastian makes more sense to drop if you are only planning a couple of nights there.
(Keep in mind San Sebastian is not as warm in September as July/August)

2 nights in each gives you a full day sightseeing in each...
Sevilla
▲▲ Cathedral and Giralda Bell Tower The world’s largest Gothic church, with Columbus’ tomb, treasury, and climbable tower.
▲▲ Alcázar Palace built by the Moors in the 10th century, revamped in the 14th century, and still serving as royal digs.
▲▲ Hospital de la Caridad Former charity hospital (funded by the likely inspiration for Don Juan) with gorgeously decorated chapel.
▲▲ Basílica de la Macarena Church and museum with the much-venerated Weeping Virgin statue and two significant floats from Sevilla’s Holy Week celebrations.
Granada
▲▲▲ The Alhambra The last and finest Moorish palace, highlighting the splendor of that civilization in the 13th and 14th centuries. Reservations are a must if you plan to visit during the day.
▲▲ Royal Chapel Lavish 16th-century Plateresque Gothic chapel with the tombs of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand.
▲ Cathedral The second-largest cathedral in Spain, unusual for its bright Renaissance interior.
▲ The Albayzín Spain’s best old Moorish quarter.

That's really helpful. Yes, San Sebastian is the problem child...but it's actually the highlight of the trip. My husband is a cyclist and for his 60th birthday, he and his best friend are hiring a cycling guide and doing two days of the Tour de France routes. My friend (his wife) and I will take some cooking classes...so we have four days there. I think I am going to have to treat this trip as a imaginary trip to California (where I live). Is 2 days enough in San Francisco...of course not! But enough to see it and love it. Sigh. Travel...it's addictive.

I am a big fan of less is more. rushing to tick off several similar things is not to me as satisfying as enjoying one thing at leisure. The Alcazar in Seville is quite similar to the Alhambra and there are a number of other magnificent sites in Seville. One of our great pleasures in Seville was sitting in the Alameda with lovely drinks and watching the evening activities.

Every time you switch cities you chew up most of a day on logistics and a lot of money -- and often to have experiences very like those you could have had if you had stayed put.

Janet, I think you're right. When I think about the highlights of other trips, they were always the days when we were exploring the other stuff....I am now reconsidering skipping Seville or Granada, and doing a day trip from one of them to Ronda. And that leaves one day just to wander...which sounds pretty good to me. Thanks for all of your suggestions.

Toledo is a beautiful important historic site but it does not have a 'big ticket' attraction as do other places in Spain.
Granada - Alhambra
Sevilla - Cathedral & Alcazar
Cordoba - Mezquita
Madrid - Prado & Reina Sofia
Barcelona - Sagrada Familia
Bilbao - Guggenheim