Spain, Andalusia itinerary, I think I'm narrowing it down

How about an Option 3 ?
• Arrive Madrid.
• Train to Seville - 4 or 5 nights
(day trips to Córdoba & Jerez)
•Train to Ronda - 1 or 2 nights
• Train to Granada - 2 nights
• Train/fly to Madrid - 4 nights
(day trip to Toledo & Segovia)
• Depart Madrid

Good ideas. but I think we’re sticking to larger towns this trip, so I’ve deleted the white villages from consideration. And I’ll admit that I have a bad track record with day trips in general. I plan on them, but then when the day comes I lose energy / motivation. So unless we sleep in Toledo and Córdoba, there’s a good chance I won’t go. This is why I still haven’t been to Chartres, blast it! Just truth telling here, and I admire those who do a better job at “hub and spoke” traveling.

Everyone has their different style of travel. For me, I don't like being "on the road", alot. I don't find packing up my things to be all that taxing, probably because my backpack and small suitcase is organized and it never really gets fully unpacked. In general, I don't like to "backtrack" and 2 or 3 and even 1 night stays don't bother me much. It is also really nice to be in cities, especially the smaller ones, in the evening and right away in the morning. I'm going to Andalusia in November, and I'm staying 3 nights in Sevilla and Granada, 2 nights in White Villages and Cordoba and 1 in Toledo. Also 2 nights in Madrid and I'll visit Segovia one of those days. I'll be back to Spain a few times and most likely flying into Madrid. I'll do more of Madrid another time.

This forum is great for gathering information and garnering opinions. I love the itineraries that David develops, but then you just "tweek" them for your own use. I think February in Andalusia would be wonderful! I hope you have a great trip and report back!

I understand your sentiment, but if your trains are pre booked then not much difference getting to the station for a day trip, compared to moving on to a new destination. Oh hang on, yes there is, you don’t have to pack your bags etc.

How about this ... ?

• Arrive Madrid
• Train to Córdoba - 2 nights
• Train to Seville - 4 nights
(day trip to Jerez or Cadiz)
• Train to Granada - 2 nights
• Train/fly to Madrid - 4 nights
(day trip to Toledo & maybe Segovia)
• Depart Madrid

Just figured out that our transatlantic flight doesn’t get to Madrid until 3 pm. After clearing customs, etc., were looking at 4 pm or later getting into Madrid. I don’t think a 2.5 hour train ride will be appealing after being up for so many hours. So I think my direct to Córdoba idea may be “a bridge too far” so to speak.

Is that also your outgoing flight? Meaning a late afternoon departure for your flight home? If so, finish up in Toledo.

• Arrive in Madrid - 3 nights
• Train to Córdoba - 2 nights
• Train to Seville - 3 nights
• Train to Granada - 2 nights
• Train to Toledo - 2 nights
• Depart (late afternoon) from Madrid

I like your option 1, especially if you’re arriving late in the day to Madrid. Toledo is a great place in which to decompress and adjust to Spanish time. Old enough to realize you’re in a different country; small enough that you can’t get lost (the river and medieval walls around the city are a big help 😊).

We took a private car from Barajas to Toledo (Suntransfers); worth every penny for our jet-lagged state of mind.

I would train from Granada to Madrid. It’s an easy, relaxing 3 1/2 hours, and total time for flying would probably be more, by the time you factor in early arrival for check in, transfer to/from airport, etc. The train stations are right in both city centers, and no need to deal with airline overhead. Buy your train tickets from Renfe as soon as they go on sale; we paid something like 35 euro per ticket.

Personally, unless you really love museums (which are Madrid’s top attractions), I would take a night from Madrid and add it to Granada. There’s more than 2 nights’ worth of things to do there, and (especially in February), I’d rather be in Andalucia than Madrid. Although a day trip to Segovia is good, too.....

I don’t know anything about Andalucia Day, but any day is a good day to go to la Alhambra.

Enjoy your trip!

I would train from Granada to Madrid. It’s an easy, relaxing 3 1/2 hours That's not accurate, unfortunately. It is true that a flight will not save you any time and may in fact take longer. There are two reasonable land options, train/bus or bus. Renfe began working on an upgrade of the train tracks between Antequera and Granada several years ago, a project that was supposed to take less than a year and has no end in sight. In the meantime, the trains only go as far as Antequera (from Madrid, Cordoba or Sevilla). Renfe has a shuttle bus service from there to the Granada train station. People who have traveled have reported that the transfer is simple and convenient. The Granada train station is on the edge of the historic center, the bus station is a little farther out, no big deal if you're taking a taxi to/from your hotel. I don't know how convenient the bus station is in Madrid.

We took the train from Granada to Madrid last April, and we did think it was easy and relaxing, but I guess that is subjective.

Yes, you will bus from the Granada train station to Antequera and then transfer to the train to Madrid. The transfer is seamless, you are directed by Renfe staff, and there is plenty of time to take a bathroom break and then leisurely stroll to the platform. Then board the train for the couple-hour ride to Madrid.

I’d do it again in a heartbeat over flying.

Thanks for all the ideas. Noon departure on the way home. There may be howls of protest over the loss of Toledo, but I’m now leaning towards:

Arrive in Madrid (4-5 pm) - 2 nights, recover from jet lag
• Train to Córdoba - 1 nights
• Bus to Granada - 3 nights
• Bus/Train to Seville - 4 nights
• Train to Madrid - 2 nights
• Depart (noon) from Madrid

We are actually major art museum lovers and want to see all 3 “art triangle” museums in Madrid.

I’m open to how many nights between Córdoba, Granada, and Seville. 1-3-4? 2-3-3?

Noon departure - so you definitely want to be in Madrid the night before, since you should be at Barajas by 9 am. Since you are major art museum lovers, you should not plan to spend a jetlagged day at them. If you don't think you are up to getting to Cordoba on arrival, then stay only 1 night in Madrid, then go to Cordoba (2N). Take a morning train or bus to Granada (2N), then train or bus to Sevilla (3N), and spend your last days in Madrid (4N). You'll want a full day at the Prado and even then, plan in advance what you want to see or you won't manage it all. You may want to visit the Naval Museum (mostly the golden age of exploration) (take passports to get in!). It's between the Prado and the Thyssen. The Palace is also worthwhile. Though I might forgo the Palace and Naval Museum for a day trip to Toledo.

1-3-4 for me

I would do

• Madrid 1 night, maybe see one of the museums in the morning (depends how much time you want to spend) before train to...
• Cordoba 1 night
• Granada 3 nights
• Sevilla 4 nights
• Madrid 3 nights

(actually, I wouldn't. I would go to Toledo, but I don't like art museums that much :-) )

Because I slightly like Cordoba more than Seville, I favour 2, 3, 3. But I don't think it makes a huge difference. With at least a night in Cordoba you get enjoy the city once the day trip crowds have left. And certainly with four nights in Sevilla, you wont be bored as there is so much to see.

I think we’re getting close! I think my final lineup or DebVT’s suggestion may be the winner. Either way, we can buy our plane tickets for 12 nights now and refine later. I think we will get a nice taste of Anadalucia and a bit of art in Madrid.

If anyone has great hotels in Córdoba, Granada and Seville, let me know. Or even an apartment in Seville I think would be nice as that’s our longest stay.

I think 1-3-4 may be what we’re leaning towards. I tend to run out of gas towards the end of a trip, so 4 nights in Seville will hopefully have a day of relaxation built in.

Sform,
Coming in late here but will add my suggestions : )

My last trip to Spain was similar to your option 2, however, we opted to stay in Toledo at the end of our trip, instead of Madrid. We’d visited Madrid on a previous trip. Since this will be your first visit, staying in Madrid makes sense especially since you plan to visit the wonderful museums there.

My suggestion would be to take the AVE train ( journey time = 1 Hour, 45 minutes) to Córdoba on day of arrival. Córdoba (2N) is a great city to get over jet-lag.
You can then take the train or ALSA bus ( we took the bus) to Granada (3N) then the train or bus to Sevilla (3-4N) then take the train back to Madrid (3-4N)

Keep in mind that 2 nights will give you one full day to explore, 3 nights means 2 full days, and so on.

Make sure you book your Alhambra Tickets 3 months in advance.

Have a wonderful trip! 🌿

My mom and I enjoyed our stay at the following hotels:

• NH Córdoba Guadalquivir across from the Roman bridge. Avoid the third floor rooms (under the roof top bar area)
  Amazing views of the illuminated Mezquita at night. The breakfast buffet is delicious; extra cost but well worth it if you like a hearty breakfast.

• Hotel Anacapri in Granada- centrally located steps from Plaza Nueva, the cathedral and the minibus stops.

• Hotel Amadeus in the heart of Barrio de Santa Cruz in Sevilla.
  The staff were very helpful and friendly. We didn’t eat breakfast at the hotel but found a nearby cáfe.

Hello, for Córdoba, I would heartily recommend Hotel Eurostars Maimonides it has the best location in Córdoba, as you are literally 5 feet away from the entrance to the Mezquita. It's located in the heart of the old town with its white-washed walls and winding small streets.

For your one night stand in Madrid, make sure your hotel is near Atocha station and the museums. They can hold your luggage for you after check out, and you can grab it on your way to the train to Cordoba.

I've stayed twice in Madrid, both times at the Europa Hotel on Puerto del Sol. It's a great location. There is a metro and cercanias station just meters away, making it easy to go to Barajas Airport and Atocha train station. It's walking distance to the Prado and the Thyssen. Don't miss the nearby San Miguel covered market for tapas for lunch or dinner or an afternoon snack.

In Sevilla, my choice (3 times so far) is the Amadeus Hotel. It's really special and a great location as well.