travel itinerary for 11 day first trip to Spain

When are you planning to make this trip?

I'm counting only 2 potentially jet lagged nights in Barcelona, with that time you will not see much, I usually recommend at least 4 nights due to timed tickets and the popularity of many of the top sights.

You don't seem to have much time in Granada. Arriving perhaps earliest midday on Day 10 and leaving some time on Day 11. If you only plan to see the Alhambra and are sure you can get tickets during your brief stop then that might work. But if you want to see the city then you need to add another night.

But, generally, I think your plan works fine provided you're happy with a quick stop-see sort of tour. So go for it and I'm sure you'll have a great holiday. Sure you can spend longer in all those places, but you're planning enough time for a brilliant taster. You'll be back anyway!

If the OP is coming from London (not arriving on a redeye from California or India) then this just looks a little quick but not awful. Yes, a little hurried but do-able. Biggest challenges Granada - no full day there, how are you going to manage to do the Alhambra? You would need tickets in advance for that, as well as the more popular attractions in Barcelona. I might trade one of those days in Sevilla for a full day in Granada.

Thank you all for your input thus far. Luckily the plane to London doesn't leave till 9pm leaving me a full day in Grenada. Does anyone think it makes sense to try to go from Cordoba to Granada or does Cordoba work well as a day trip?

It is quite easy (and a little shorter) to take the bus from Cordoba to Granada. You could decide to do it as a day trip Day 9 leaving luggage at the bus depot in Cordoba and sleep in Granada that night. Or do one night in Cordoba (Day 9). It is a town that gets a bit of a bum rap from being considered 'just a day trip'.

If you only have time to see Cordoba as a daytrip, then that is what you should do. Better than not seeing it at all. However, if you can, I strongly recommend staying 1 or 2 nights in Cordoba. it was one of our favorite cities on our trip through Andalucia and Madrid. The Mezquita is amazing, but there is more to Cordoba than just the Mezquita. We enjoyed the gardens of the Alcazar, Palacio de Viana, Roman Bridge lit up at night, and wandering through the Juderia with its narrow lanes, white-washed buildings, patios and flower pots. There are other sights we didn't have time to see. Cordoba is an important city, historically and culturally. Seeing it as a day trip is doing Cordoba a great injustice!

Agree with the above posters, Cordoba is amazing. We spent two nights there. It deserves more than a day trip, but if that is all you have, then do go. I would also suggest adding a day to Barcelona and going from Barcelona directly to Toledo. Madrid is lively and interesting, but not as interesting as the other cities on your list.