Traveling around Spain -South to North

Use skyscanner.com to check for flights within Europe. Trains between Barcelona, Madrid, Cordoba and Seville are very fasr. Granada and San Sebastian are slower to reach. The Bilbao airport would be an option for getting to or from SS. The two cities are just over an hour apart by bus, and Bilbao is very nice; it has a large historic district as well as the Guggenheim. I'd check to see whether there are any non-stop flights between Granada and Bilbao, because that would eliminate two lengthy train trips.

Madrid gets quite hot in the summer and the south is even worse. Seville's average high temperature in July and August is something like 38C. The Barcelona area tends to be more moderate (though it felt hot to me in August of last year). The Basque Country tends go be considerably more pleasant in the summer. If you think unrelenting heat might be an issue for you, you could consider expanding your time in the Basque Country a bit.

I've never been to Cadiz, so I really shouldn't comment, but I don't think most people consider it one of Spain's top destinations. I wouldn't be in a rush to spend time there in mid-summer. Toledo is fabulous but hot like its neighbor Madrid in the summer. I loved Girona and it works well as a base for the northern beach area and the Dali sights in Figueres and outside Cadaques.

First, read this article which tells you everything you need to know about traveling by train and buying tickets. You can use rome2rio.com to look for the transportation options from point A to point B. For flights to a specific location, go to the wiki page for that city's airport. You'll find a table listing all the airlines and destinations for it. Usually it's fastest to go from Barcelona to Granada by plane, then to other parts of Andalusia.

Second, be aware that August is low season in Andalucia because of the extreme heat. Expect temps in the high 30s and know that 40-plus highs are not unusual, even in Madrid.

As far as sightseeing . . . 2 nights in Granada is the minimum. That gives you the better part of a day to see the Alhambra, and a few hours (depending on arrival and departure times) to see the other major sights. Before you book anything be sure you have tickets for the Alhambra. They do sell out. Cadiz underwhelmed me, but in August, it may be more pleasant that "inland" Andalucia, and 3 nights would give you beach time. You could also day trip to Jerez for a horse show at the Royal Equestrian School and one or two sherry bodega tours.

Thank you Acraven and Chani

I am rethinking the amount of days down south to perhaps just the vital days instead of lingering longer in each. Granada and Seville is a must as I don't know if we will ever have the opportunity to visit Spain again and I'll need to bear the heat to see these places!!
I was using Cadiz coastal beaches (Costa del la Luz ?) to hopefully cool down and I had read it wasn't as crowded as Sol etc. but maybe we won't now. I don't mind a bit of heat but not constant and unrelenting!!!!

I had previously used rometorio sight to investigate connections etc and also train sights and some further investigation revealed part of the train line to Granada is replaced by buses and the overnight train had stopped running ages ago from Barcelona to Granada.

Thanks again

I've spent quite a bit of time in and around Barcelona over the years - Sitges, Tarragona, Costa Brava.
If you are looking at extended beach time then I would rank the beaches at Sitges, Tarragona, Costa Brava and San Sebastián ahead of Cadiz. Still, I found old Cadiz very interesting and worth a look.

•Arrive in Barcelona/Sitges (6 nights)
- with time in Tarragona
•Fly to Granada (2 nights)
•Train/bus to Ronda (1 night)
•Train/bus to Seville (3 nights)
- with day to Cordoba
•Train to Cadiz (3 nights)
•Train to Madrid (3 nights)
- with day to Toledo
•Fly to San Sebastián (4 nights)
•Fly to Barcelona/Sitges (6 nights)
- with time on Costa Brava
•Depart Barcelona

Thank you so much everyone as needed some clarity.

We are now definitely adding Ronda and Córdoba to itinerary and may alter Cadiz

We have booked Alhambra but now need to decide on very early or late flight into Granada from Barcelona! Other option is flying to Malaga then airport bus to Granada. But only 10 minutes between landing and bus departing for Granada before route stops for a few hours siesta but would allow us to arrive into Granada mid afternoon instead of evening!!! If need be we'll fly directly to Granada early morning.

I wouldn't count on making a bus that leaves 10 minutes after my plane is due to land. Odds are extremely poor. You may need to get transportation into town and take a bus from there ( if there is one at that hour). I also don't like the idea of flying in on the morning of your planned Alhambra visit (if that's what you mean), because flights do get canceled or delayed sometimes.

Even by Australian standards, some Costa Brava beaches are just stunning, especially at Calella de Palafrugell, Llafranc, Tamariu.

Another option would be to rent a car in Malaga, drive to Granada, then through Ronda to Sevilla and drop the car there. The Costa Brava is said to be less hot in summer than the southern coastline.

If you are open to driving (on the other side) then consider Chani's suggestion of getting a car. It possibly lets you get up more sights, and with a more efficient use of time.

Thank you so much everyone!!!
The recommended links to the train websites have been very useful in making decisions.

There's been a slight hiccup with the bus line from Sitges to the train to reach Barcelona airport for 7.20am flight as the buses don't start running till 6.00 am and quotes for taxi well over €100 so either
leave for Granada the evening before or fly to Malaga on the planned day. Lucky we have booked tickets to Alhambra for the following day!! I'll look at suggestions to hire a car to Granada if we choose to fly to Malaga but there's also the bus into town for a connecting bus to Granada if need be.
At this stage still not sure to perhaps a day trip from Seville to Cadiz or not at all!
With the train link 'seat61' looking into train journey from SanSebastian to Biaritz for the day, then later taking train from San Sebastián back home to Barcelona as on the link it looks like a picturesque journey with the Pyrenees in the background.!!!! It's such a pity there isn't a train from San Sebastián to Girona to Costa Brava.
Once back in Sitges we'll look at hiring a car to Costa Brava and the suggested beaches or travel by train and bus.
Wish we had another fortnight to fit in all we want to see!!
A huge thank you again