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Southern Spain Winter: Feedback on Schedule

Posted by (Western US) on

I would appreciate feedback below for the following schedule and definitely feedback on whether to use the train or bus between the various cities. Our lodgings are booked.

  • New Years Day: Arrive Madrid 4 PM: Taxi to accommodations. Find food @ airport before leaving as needed and/or ask host to stock eggs/veggies in the apartment. Concerned about restaurants being open/finding food when exhausted & we have one with dietary needs.
  • Friday: Retiro, Walking Tour, Prado, Market, Central Square
  • Saturday morning: head to Cordoba by train or bus, check in hotel, tickets to Alcazar, sunset from the other side of the bridge, tapas in la Juderia. Possible equestrian/flamenco show at night.
  • Sunday morning: Attend service at Mosque, Late afternoon (4ish) train or bus to Seville.
  • Monday and Tuesday: Two full days in Seville
  • Wednesday morning: Train or bus to Granada, afternoon: Alhambra
  • Thursday morning: walk Granada old town, cathedral, jewels & late afternoon (4ish) train to Madrid and taxi to airport hotel
  • Friday: Fly home.

This is a graduation present and these are the cities that the oldest student is firm in seeing, and lodgings are booked.

I'd appreciate any thoughts especially about train or bus and which might be easiest. We each will be carrying a 40L backpack and not more. I'd also like feedback on luggage lockers in Granada and preferred vendors.

Thanks!

Posted by
8165 posts

The Mercado San Miguel a popular site to eat at in the central tourist area is open on New Year's Day. It may not be as crowded so that is a good thing.
https://mercadodesanmiguel.es/

Just take train to Cordoba and train to Seville.
I recommend the bus company Alsa from Seville to Granada, non stop over the train.
https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/home

Usually your hotel will hold your bag so you don't need a locker.
I took my then 20 year old niece on a similar trip in 2018 and she loved it, still talks about it. We saw the 3 kings day parade on January 6 2019 in Malaga, unplanned.

Posted by
796 posts

This looks like a fun trip!

I agree, train to Cordoba and Seville. Both the train and bus from Seville to Granada take about 3 hours, so it's really what time fits your schedule. I opted for the train for two reasons: the bus left at a better time and the bus station was closer to my hotel (and bonus, it only cost €13!)

Posted by
28081 posts

In Granada the bus station is a lot farther from the center of town than the train station; the latter's about 1 mile from the Cathedral. There's good bus or tram service from the bus station into the center, and I'm sure the train station is well served as well.

The Alhambra is a large complex of multiple buildings and gardens. I hope you can get an early start from Seville that day so you don't run out of time before seeing all you want. It's worth stopping at the Visitor Center to ask about opening hours of the various buildings. The Nasrid Palaces won't close early, I'm sure, but some of the other parts of the complex might close around mid-afternoon, or even earlier. There are several parts of the Alhambra than can only be entered one time on each ticket, so you need to have a plan.

Alhambra tickets tend to sell out way in advance. That's a ticket to nail down as soon as your schedule is firm and you're confident the trip will take place. The basic, complete ticket is the Alhambra General ticket.

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