Suggestions on Sept '23 Itinerary in Spain?

If I had to choose, Cordoba would go before Granada. What I really wonder is if you couldn't stop along the route to another of your cities for the day and at least see a few highlights.

Granada. We hired Margarita to guide us through the Alhambra and it was money well spent. If interested, contact her at [email protected].

Seville, we stayed in an apartment through Apartment living Seville. It was lovely, well located, and inexpensive. Loved having the washer and dryer.
https://www.living-sevilla.com/

If we stop along the route where would you suggest?

Take one night in Granada and add to Madrid to do a day trip to Segovia. Do Toledo on day trip from Madrid. Don't miss the Prado in Madrid.

How will you get to Barcelona from Granada?

Being your first time to Spain I think sticking to the main cities is a good idea, especially since you’re traveling by train. Because you’re visiting the most popular tourist destinations, there are few undiscovered hidden gems. If you want those, rent a car and visit the small towns and villages that few tourists visit. They are all over the country. Many are not regularly serviced by bus and a number no longer have train stations.

You will get as many opinions as there are answers. Lol.

There’s nothing wrong with what you have outlined. It’s all in what is a priority for you. If I were making the itinerary for myself (which I am), I would not cut Cordoba, Seville, or Granada. Madrid is not high priority for me, so I would be cutting a night from there and would probably give it to Seville or Barcelona. One thing to think about is that 3 nights in Barcelona will give you 2 days - enough for a taste. If that is sufficient, then it’s ok.

But I’m no help on the best way Granada to Barcelona. I haven’t done that one. Train or bus for everything else - and make that decision based on schedule. I have trains for all your legs except bus Seville to Granada because of better time options.

Not sure when exactly are your dates, but I'd make sure to not miss our annual city festival in Barcelona called La Mercè, which is on Sept 21-25. It's a city wide festival with 100s of cultural events spread throughout Barcelona's squares, streets, museums, and parks. This is something that we put on for ourselves, not just for tourists so it's great opportunity to experience our Catalan culture like a local, at least for a few days. The best part it's free!

Carlos will can be in Barcelona Sept 21-25. Thank you for letting us know about the festival. We won't miss it

geovagriffith. Currently we're planning on train to get from Granada to Barcelona. Is that going to be a problem?

Carlos will can be in Barcelona Sept 21-25. Thank you for letting us know about the festival. We won't miss it

That's great you'll love it! Here is the official website for the festival, they have yet to update the info for 2023, but you can keep checking closer to September - https://www.barcelona.cat/lamerce/en

Stephen,
I asked, because I understand that a train ride can be up to 10 hours long.
I think you can find flights.

There's nothing wrong with taking the train from Granada to Barcelona, but the trip takes 6 hours 10 minutes via the train departing at 8:10 AM. The other two departures require a change and take longer. The train tickets will probably cost over 100 euros per person unless they are purchased well in advamce.

The other viable option would be to fly. Check skyscanner.com for schedules and fares.

A bus would take at least twice as long as the train (it's over 500 miles), making for a miserable experience despite the fact that Spanish inter-city buses are quite nice.

You're going to be tight on time in Seville and really tight on time in Barcelona, with La Merce festivities adding to your sightseeing options. I wouldn't add any more destinations.

cut one night from Cordoba, but don't cut it out entirely; and certainly - not Granada. Both Cordoba and Sevilla have neighbourhoods on the 'other' side of the river which wandering around for a few hours would feel 'off the beaten path'. I enjoyed wandering there in both cities. Sevilla in particular, as I could people watch as the locals went about their Sunday afternoons - family restaurant meals, or the young men still in tuxs coming home from a friend's wedding - not drunk or hungover. There is also a website called Atlas Obscura and it has a Places tab that leads to a map. From there, you can review the obscure places in or near the cities above for something different.

Compare prebooked travel to a rail pass.
The challenge with flying from Granada to Barcelona may be the carry on luggage constraints of a European budget carrier, but Rome2Rio could give you the transport options. Train appears to be 6+ hours and flights under 4.

Madrid 3 nights - Yep, lots to do in a relatively small old town area. Day trips from here are tempting, but robust menu already exists. TIP: Immediately adjust to local culture time for it will extend your trip in terms of effective use of time and gaining local comprehension.
Cordoba 2 nights - I despise one night stands, but here may be the place to do it.
Seville 3 nights - yep
Granada 3 nights - believe 2 nights is adequate
Barcelona 3 nights - FLY to Barcelona, add 2 nights for this is a HUGE menu of opportunity

Do not advocate for a rail pass as we find value in buying point to point. Check you tube and the Man from Seat61 for education of best methods.

There are tons of additional experiences to enjoy in Spain which is why we often return.