Time allocation Seville-Cordoba-Granada-Ronda-Madrid

So you will have "finished" seeing Seville by Saturday, then want to be in Madrid by Wednesday, right? That's only 4 nights (Sat, Sun, Mon, Tuesday) for 3 cities. Cordoba is fine as a day trip from Seville, but 1 night is better. Ronda could be 1 or 2 nights. Granada at least 2, maybe 3 (timing of Alhambra visits makes one nights very tough).

I suppose you COULD leave Seville early on Saturday, go to Ronda for 2 nights, then on Monday go to Granada, stay there Monday and Tuesday night, go to Cordoba early on Wednesday and either see the Mesquita and then leave late that evening or stay there Wednesday night and head to Madrid Thursday morning. If you pushed Ronda to a 1 night you'd get to Madrid earlier, if that is your preference, but you have Sunday to worry about. Sunday transport and sightseeing schedules are different.

I leave Cordoba for last here because getting from it to Madrid is easiest - I'm picturing a circle - Seville, Ronda, to the farthest place on the list Granada then back to Cordoba, very close to Seville, to get the fast train to Madrid,

Thank you. You are correct, we will be ready to leave Seville by Saturday morning, and want some time in Madrid before the following Saturday morning flight. The "circle" plan makes sense.

With our limited time would you include Ronda? Grenada and Cordoba are the must-sees for us. Spend the night in each of these towns, or use one as a base for day trip?
Thanks.

I personally would skip Ronda and go from Seville to Granada for 3 nights, then back to Cordoba for 1. Ronda is great, but your time is limited. But I am biased, Granada is my favorite place in Europe, and I prefer a slightly more relaxed way to travel - more time to sit and experience a place and less running around. In general I think trying to squeeze 3 places into 4 nights would be too stressful so I would want to cut somewhere. If Ronda is your last priority then skip it - it's worth seeing but you can't go everywhere!

Agree about Ronda, It's worth seeing but so are lots of places we don't get to. If thinking of giving Ronda a once over lightly on a day trip .. dont. The crowds of tourists during the day really detract, more than anyplace I recall. Perhaps since it's so small. Anyway I think at least one night is essential or definitely don't bother.

Car vs whatever.. thinking about that somehow paying for parking not too use a car for which I'm paying goes down wrong. Not to mention there's the aggravation cost of finding and getting to parking.

I would like to recommend Seville to Granada Saturday so you can see the Alhambra at night. It is only available Friday and Saturday nights in Winter. Very magical. There is the cathedral and other historical buildings to see so can easily fill two or three days (depending on your personal pace and interests). Monday is tricky in Cordoba, so consider staying in Granada and doing day trip to Alhambra on Monday traveling to Cordoba later in the day, overnight there for a full Tuesday to see the town. (luggage lockers available at Alhambra for efficiency). You decide whether to leave Cordoba Tues night or Wed morning. I personally prefer arriving so ewhere in daylight and Madrid doesn't get going until 10a.m. anyway.
I took bus from Granada to Seville and recommend that option until the train is fully running to Granada. Train to Cordoba then Madrid. If interested in Madrid's museums, stay in that area. Also close to trains if you want to do a day trip to Segovia or Toledo. I had a nice little no frills apartment in the area for a good price. Grocers and tart shop near by as well as a recommended tapas street. 10 minutes walk to all main museums and train station. Bus and subway close, but walk to central square @18 minutes. To Royal Palace about 35.
If interested, the Alfonse Mucha exhibit may still be on depending on your dates in Madrid. Excellent show and great video presentation of the Slav Epic (which is not a travelling sized piece).

Thank you all for taking the time to respond.

I'm thinking we can skip Ronda; sight-seeing already will be a challenge with winter hours and Sunday/Monday travel. Your suggestions are helpful, and needed! Museums are the main draw in Madrid so I will check out those tips.

Feel free to add any other suggestions, and thank you!

Catherine,

I agree with Mira’s suggested route:
Sevilla >> Granada >> Córdoba >> Madrid.

We did this route in reverse three years ago.
I’d suggest you book your Alhambra tickets as soon as possible. You don’t mention when in January you plan to take your trip.
I do hope there are still Alhambra tickets available for your dates.

I’d also suggest taking the Alsa Bus from Sevilla to Granada, and from Granada to Córdoba as it offers more time options than the train.

You can also book you train tickets for the Córdoba to Madrid journey now on
Renfe.com and pay with Pay Pal.

Enjoy your trip!

Another vote for Mira's route. Do go to the Alhambra at night to visit the Nasrid Palaces - they are lovely at night, then look completely different during the day.

I've stayed at Hotel Europa on Plaza del Sol in Madrid twice, good quality, reasonably priced, excellent location. It's about a 15-minute walk downhill to the Prado, a little less to the Thyssen. Between those two is the excellent Naval Museum (need passports for entry) for a change of pace. At Sol, there's a metro/cercanias station for easy transport to the train station and the airport, big supermarket a block away, and a short walk to the San Miguel Market - great for grazing lunch or early dinner on tapas.

Seville to Madrid visiting Cordoba, Ronda, Granada

Sat - To Cordoba (afternoon at the Mezquita)
AVE 2091
Dep 09:45 SEVILLA-SANTA JUSTA (Spain)
Arr 10:26 CORDOBA-CENTRAL (Spain)

Sun - To Ronda
ALT 9366
Dep 10:39 CORDOBA-CENTRAL (Spain)
Arr 12:20 RONDA (Spain)

Mon - To Granada
TRN13065
Dep 13:36 RONDA (Spain)
Arr 16:10 GRANADA (Spain)

Tue - Granada
Morning visit to the Alhambra

Wed - To Madrid
TRN13943
Dep 11:24 GRANADA (Spain)
Arr 12:58 ANTEQUERA-SANTA ANA (Spain)
AVE 2143
Dep 14:29 ANTEQUERA-SANTA ANA (Spain)
Arr 16:55 MADRID-PUERTA DE ATOCHA (Spain)

Thu+Fri - Madrid