Spain Itinerary Critique

You could do El Escorial in the morning and Segovia (eat lunch at 2) in the same day (that is what I did but we had a car) that way you don't have to back track. And on the way back to Madrid spend one night in Cordoba. Knock one night off of Madrid

Day 3, 4, 5 - I've never been to Morocco, so won't comment beyond thinking that seems a lot of time for a short side-trip (and, I suspect, you can fly to somewhere in North Africa from Paris easier given the historic colonial connections). But I will point out that I doubt you can get from Granada to Tarifa by train easily. It might be ten hours and go via Sevilla. Have you checked? Personally, I'd skip Tarifa and spend more time in Granada (which is easily worth a minimum of 2 full days) and Sevilla (worth 3 minimum), plus a visit to Cordoba (ideally overnight as it's one of those places that calms down once the tourist buses have left for the day). Unless, you are going to Tangier, I wouldn't bother with Tarifa given your limited time - there are better alternatives such as Malaga, Antequera, Jerez or Ubeda.

On day 1, you might also want to consider going by coach ("bus"), rather than by rail and see which fits your timings best. There is currently no high speed service between the cities by rail. I haven't checked, but I think the coach service is about five hours and run by Alsa which is a British bus company and perfectly fine.

I'm wondering if you have specific plans for Madrid. I think its a fine city, many parts lively and attractive, but a little low on history. I absolutely loved Cordoba and its very close to Sevilla. Some people do day trips to Cordoba which is fine if that is the time you have, but Cordoba has the amazing Mezquita and much more. I like the city of Cordoba more than Granada (excepting the Alhambra). In Cordoba, there is a lovely Jewish quarter with amazing homes and patios with lots of flowers. Cordoba is situated along a river and has a easily explored city wall and the town is calm and beautiful prior and after the influx of day trippers. With your itinerary, you could drop two of the nights in Madrid and stay in Cordoba, or at the least consider one night in Cordoba.

That’s a short amount of time to be in Granada. If you decide to drop Morocco from this trip, give Granada another day or two, and add Ronda.

I would change Day 8 to be in Cordoba and stay overnight. There’s plenty to do there.

Hey Megan,

Logistically the itinerary below might be a good fit because traveling distances between cities are not too long of a commute.

Day 1: Arrive in Madrid from Paris, train to Seville (night in Seville)

Day 2: Seville

Day 3: Seville – Day trip to Jerez

Day 4: Train or Bus to Granada from Seville (night in Granada)

Day 5: Granada

Day 6: Granada - Day trip to Malaga or Cordoba

Day 7: Train to Tarifa from Granada (night in Tarifa)

Day 8: Tarifa (Beach excursion) skip Tangier

Day 9: Early train to Madrid from Tarifa (night in Madrid)

Day 10: Madrid

Day 11: Madrid Day trip (El Escorial)

Day 12: Madrid – Day trip (Toledo)

Day 13: Madrid (Fly Home)

I basically agree with what everyone else has suggested. I have never been to Morocco, but people on this forum and another travel forum always say Tangiers is not the real Morocco. You should plan a separate trip to see Morocco.

I definitely agree with staying 1 or 2 nights in Cordoba. The Mezquita is amazing, but there is more to Cordoba than just the Mezquita. It was one of our favorite places. So if you don't go to Tarifa and Tangier, you could take those 2 nights and stay in Cordoba.

Additionally, you could take one night from Madrid and stay overnight in Toledo. Toledo is extremely crowded during the day with bus tours and day trippers. it is so much nicer at night when the bus tours have left. It is quieter and beautiful lit up at night. Honestly, if we were there for only the day, I think I would have left feeling "what's all the fuss?" The only difference in your trip is that you are going in February so perhaps the crowds won't be as bad.

By traveling all the way to Tarifa and doing the day trip to Morocco, you neglect one of the great sights of Spain, Córdoba and its Mezquita, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Córdoba was one of the leading cities of Medieval Europe and has an interesting Jewish, Christian, and Muslim history. The city itself is so much more than just a day-trip from Sevilla too, in the same vain as Toledo. When Córdoba really comes alive is in the golden hours of the afternoon, when all the day-trippers from Sevilla have left, and one can wander the twisting white-washed streets, without having to dodge flag waving tour groups. Which is why I recommend travelers spend at least one night in Córdoba.

Incorporating some of my ideas, here would be my edited version of your itinerary:

Fly in to Madrid, take the AVE train down to
Sevilla (3 nights) - Day-trip to Jerez
ALSA bus to
Granada (2 nights)
ALSA bus to
Córdoba (2 nights)
AVE train up to
Madrid (3 nights) - Day-trip to Segovia
AVE Train to
Toledo (2 nights)
AVE Train to Madrid, Fly out of Madrid

"Additionally, you could take one night from Madrid and stay overnight in Toledo. Toledo is extremely crowded during the day with bus tours and day trippers. it is so much nicer at night when the bus tours have left. It is quieter and beautiful lit up at night. Honestly, if we were there for only the day, I think I would have left feeling "what's all the fuss?" "

I've heard this type of comment about Toledo and just want to confirm what a difference staying overnight can be. We flew into Madrid in September & immediately went to Toledo for two nights. We had a wonderful stay at Hotel Pintor el Greco in the Jewish neighborhood that's in a quiet area. We enjoyed strolling all over through Toledo and seeing the cathedral when it first opened. We remember Toledo as a relaxing beautiful small town - hearing a man play Spanish guitar in the evening in the plaza with the cathedral aglow. We feel the same about our overnight stay in Cordoba.

I'll pile on.

Morocco I was there on a 2-week tour 3 months ago. It is a wonderful country to visit, very colorful, very friendly, exremely varied topography, and lots of history. I looked at a lot of tour itineraries, none goes to Tangier. Going to Tangier for a day from Andalucia to "see Morocco" is akin to going to Tijuana for a day from San Francisco to "see Mexico." It takes way too long to get there and back and you'll see a border town. Plan a trip there instead.

Madrid is a perfectly nice city with 3 absolutely top-notch art museums. If you want to spend a couple of days enjoying European painting, spend the time in Madrid. If that's not a priority, see the highlights in a day and spend the rest of your trip in more interesting places.

Cordoba is my favorite Spanish city. People who day-trip miss its charm, likewise Toledo.

You don't say what your interests are which makes it difficult to advise how long to spend in each place. A good day trip from Sevilla is Cadiz. Jerez has also been mentioned. As a place to see, Cadiz is more interesting. But the horse show at the Royal Equestrian School in Jerez is well worth seeing, even if you aren't particularly interested in horses and there are sherry bodega tours (Tio Pepe is the most fun).

Thank you everyone for your tips and help so far! It's great reading through everyone's suggestions. I'm thinking based on what others have said that we will probably cut Morocco out and make it into a separate trip another time. This will allow us to have more time in other places and potentially add a night or two in Toledo instead.

As for what I like to do while traveling, I'm a big history fan so I enjoy spending time in museums, palaces, churches, etc. I also like being able to wander around town and check out the unique architecture in each place. And of course, trying the local food specialties! Eating is one of my favorite things to do while traveling - I love trying new food! I do enjoy art museums but find that I get arted out (if that's a word...) after too many days of nonstop art.

Thanks again for the suggestions and keep 'em coming if you have anymore!

I didn't read the comments again, so I apologize if this is repetitive. Make sure you get the Alhambra (Granada) and Alcazar (Sevilla) tickets in advance. Start watching for the Alhambra tickets 4 months in advance. They say they pop up 3 months in advance but if the visit is mid month, I think they post entire months at a time. In Sevilla, the trick to the cathedral is well discussed by RS, but you go to the Church of the Savior first since the cathedral's ticket includes Church of the Savior which is less visited. We got to church of the Savior before opening and had no wait. Another thing to know, is that the Alcazar ticket includes a trip to the Ceramics museum and other smaller sites including the Metropol Parasol. You should ask at the Alcazar, and even then, it was only the manager of ticket sales and Alcazar knew this. I only thought to ask because I had read that the ceramics museum was included.

Madrid Rick says the Palace is the 3rd best in Europe after Versailles and the Schonbrunn in Vienna. The Prado is about 95% paintings and tons of them. Spend a few hours, but do a little advance scouting and plan for what you most want to see. The place is huge. The collections go through about mid-19th century. The Thyssen Museum picks up from there through the Impressionists (2-3 hours is enough, unless there is a very special exhibition). Lastly the Reina Sofia is modern art. Choose depending on your tastes. The Naval Museum is very interesting (Golden Age of Exploration), you need to present your passport to get in because it's run by the Spanish Navy. Go to the San Miguel market for lunch.

Cordoba Visit Casa de Sefarad (the guided tour is good, not expensive), Palacio de Viana (beautiful patios), Calahorra Tower Museum (also good views from the roof), go out of town to see the ruins of Madinat al–Zahra (the TI sells bus tickets with or without a guided tour - I took the tour several years ago and it was excellent), the Mezquita of course (dress warmly, it gets cold inside. the audio guide is not worthwhile).

Sevilla Palacio de las Dueñas has only been open for about 3 years so not widely touted, but well worth a couple hours. Casa del Flamenco for a good flamenco performance.

Granada Buy Alhambra tickets as soon as you know your dates there. Some days in February are already sold out.

Skip Tangier, it is a rat hole. Also, don't miss Toledo and Segovia while in Madrid. If you love art, don't miss going to the Prado.

Here's my two cents:
way too much time in Madrid
you're covering a lot of territory for 12 days (IMO - less can be more; if your goal is a Spanish adventure, Tangier is a distraction).
Other than a rough itinerary you've not mentioned your interests, etc.

Smaller cities are real treasures in Spain and, as other travelers have mentioned Cordoba, Segovia (why not consider walking the walls of Avila, too.) and Toledo are not be missed. When you are in the Southwest why not consider Sevilla, Cadiz, Ronda and Cordoba? Then, head to north to Toledo, Avila and Segovia - ending in Madrid for with a short visit (I was just in Madrid for two weeks at a Spanish School and would happily share trip notes).
Wishing you a great trip.