Southern Spain in 18 days - Newbies

There are all the iconic highlights of southern Spain, but first you should get a guidebook and take a look and see what interests you. There are so many wonderful places but a little input is needed by you. Museums? Foodies? Wine tastings? Will you be driving? Or watch a few of the RS videos so people know how to advise you.

Granada, Sevilla, Malaga, Arcos de la Fonterra, Jerez... just a few

Hi Terry,

Sorry I guess my request was a little vague. I have purchased and read guidebooks, watched all of Rick's videos and scoured websites. I am considering the following:

Madrid

Toledo
Cordoba
Sevilla
Ronda
Granada
Valencia
Madrid

I love architecture and food and wine and my travelling companion wants to see a soccer game and see fishing boats and perhaps fish. I am concerned that I might be trying to cover too much ground in this period and will be constantly moving and not feeling any of the places where we are going.

I welcome all suggestions.

Thanks

Ok... Well I have been to most of these places and have to say they are all amazing. I only spent the day in Sevilla and did not spend the night but I would definitely enjoy this city for a few days. Went to the Alhambra as a day trip also. I think we were staying in Antequerra at the time. We did love that town and actually ended up going to see Carmen at the bull fighting ring and it was wonderful... open air ring with warm temperatures and a full moon. If you stay 2 nites in a place you only have 1 day, but since a lot of these places are close it will not take you a full day to change locations.

You should get lots of suggested itineraries now...
I did not go to Rhonda, but it looks amazing... we stayed at Arcos de la Fronterra instead and it was beautiful and I would go back there again.

Thank you Terry

May 7 - Arrive in Madrid, Train to Toledo - 2 nights
May 9 - Train to Cordoba - 2 nights
May 11 - Train to Granada - 3 nights
May 14 - Train to Ronda - 2 nights
May 16 - Train to Sevilla - 4 nights
May 20 - Fly to Valencia - 2 nights
May 22 - Train to Madrid - 3 nights
May 25 - Depart from Madrid

Would it be better to skip Valencia and include a few days in Barcelona?

Two days in Barcelona would not really accomplish much. I recommend sticking with your plan to see Valencia, though only two days there is barely enough for you to visit the major sites. Save Barcelona for another trip when you can do it up proper.

thank you.

You could add Barcelona like such...

May 7 - Arrive in Madrid, Train to Toledo - 2 nights
May 9 - Train to Cordoba - 2 nights
May 11 - Train to Granada - 3 nights
May 14 - Train to Ronda - 1 nights
May 15 - Train to Sevilla - 3 nights
May 18 - Fly to Barcelona - 4 nights
May 22 - Train to Madrid - 3 nights
May 25 - Depart from Madrid

I've been to Spain three times. :

Madrid for 17 days, where I had 3 day trips: one to Toledo, one to Segovia/Avila and another wine tour south of spain. I could probably reduced the trip by a couple of days.

Barcelona for 9 days where I had 2 day trips: one to Figueres and Cadaques and another to Monterrat and a Cava Vineyard. I could easily have done another day in BCN.

Andalucia for 17 days: 2 nights in Malaga (not worth it), 4 nights in Granada (not long enough, 9 nights in Sevilla with 2 day trips -- 1 to Cordoba and 1 to Ronda and 1 night in Madrid only because that is where I departed.

Toledo - 1 day out of Madrid (30 minutes by Ave)
Cordoba - 1 day and can be done from Sevilla
Sevilla
Ronda - 1 day and can be done from Sevilla
Granada
Valencia - skip it
Madrid

Think of where you can base yourself to get the most time without living out of a suitcase