Traveling to Southern Spain with teenagers

Fly into Granada and then depart from Seville. Well planned air travel tyically adds about $100 to $150 each on airfare for an open jaw ticket. The benefit is time saved and you would be spending almost an equal amount getting folks from To and from Madrid to these destinations.
with short duration of visit (does 6/7 days include travel arrival/departure days) would recommend staying in Seville and making two day trips. One daytrip to Ronda via bus and another daytrip to Cordoba via train.
Also recommend renting an apt due to additional rooms and kitchen.
If 6/7 days does not include travel arrival departure days then suggest arrival in Granada then bus travel to seville. Split time with min 2 days in granada and remainder in seville using a day trip while in seville. You will lose a half day in transit from granada to seville.

Day
1. Arrive Malaga. Pick up car. Drive to Nerja (2N)
2. Nerja beaches
3. Drive to Granada (2N)
4. Visit the Alhambra
5. Drive to Toledo (2N)
6. Historic Toledo
7. Return car at Madrid Barajas before flying out

Thanks for the suggestions. One person suggested renting an apartment in Granada or Seville. Do you have any suggestions on reliable sites to look for an apartment to rent?

I'm in Seville now and staying in a fantastic apt at Overland Suites Catedral. We also stayed in an apartment in Granada (Siloe Plaza). I found both on Booking.com but you can book directly with the apts instead.

Thanks for the apartment suggestions! I will check out both!

Okay, I think I am going to do Madrid -> Seville -> Granada. Is it easy to drive between these cities if we decide to do that instead of the train? Alternately we may do the train from Madrid to Seville then rent a car to go to Cordoba, Toledo and Granada. Thoughts?

Just got back last night from our spain trip. We were in Sevilla for 2 nights with our 2 teens and they loved it! It is super quaint and the area we stayed does not allow cars and was great! I wouldn't stay anywhere but the Santa cruz area, that was definitely the highlight of Sevilla for us. I can't recommend a company for you but I can let you know not to rent from "apartmentos suites santa cruz" That's who we used and our AC was broke the 2 nights we were there and they offered no compensation whatsoever. They didn't care one bit, just said that it was not their fault that it was not working. Whatever that means. Regardless, that certainly didn't ruin our trip there, it was amazing and I think you and your teens will love it!

If you're not spending any time in Madrid, why not fly directly into Sevilla? Driving directly to those cities is via autopistas (interstates) so the drive is easy. If you decide to drive consider researching some places to stop and visit while en route. You'll see more of the country and it will break up the drive. Also, driving and parking in the cities is a pain. If your hotel has parking, you could pay 15-20€ per night (city and hotel dependent). In the historic centers there are frequently pedestrian only and one way streets, so getting where you want can be frustrating. Cars are not allowed in Cordoba's historic center unless staying at a hotel in the historic center.

"the train from Madrid to Seville, then rent a car to go to Cordoba, Toledo and Granada"

I would not recommend attempting all of these destinations if you only have 6-7 days.

The very best you could manage would require 7 nights....
Madrid (2N)
train to Seville (2N)
then rent a car for
Cordoba (1N) and Granada (2N)

Okay, I am almost booked. I am going to Madrid (2N), then train to Sevilla (2N) then to Granada (need to know if I need to book the bus in advance or not) and then train back to Madrid (1N). I need to know about the bus to Granada from Seville and a suggestion for a nice/descent inexpensive hotel for the one night in Madrid as our flight leaves early the next morning so I don't want to spend a lot. Also the hotel suggested the beach in Cadiz. Anyone have thoughts on that as well?

When are you traveling? I booked the bus in advance bc we had five people. I am not sure it's necessary, but I wanted to have it set. In Madrid, you should stay near Atocha (train station) for easy access in and out. We took the Metro from Sol and it was ok, but a few transfers. I would take the Airport Express Bus instead.

I'm not clear on when you're considering going to Cadiz. It certainly wouldn't rate as high with most people as your other destinatons, and you could really use more time for them.

I was thinking of arriving in Seville and spending one day there and the 2nd day traveling to Cadiz then the bus on the 3rd morning to Granada.

Where did you stay near Atrocha Train Station?

I think you need more time in Seville. We did not stay near Atocha, but we should have. We were near the Sol Metro stop.

If you plan for just 7 nights, you really have no time for Cadiz. A stop in Cordoba en route to Sevilla would be worthwhile however.

Day
1. Arrive Madrid (2N)
2. Madrid
3. Via Cordoba to Seville (2N)
4. Seville
5. To Granada (2N)
6. Alhambra
7. To Madrid (1N)
8. Depart Madrid

We have arrived in Granada through an air connection in Madrid. Granada's airport is small but the runway is long enough for 737. Car Rental is off site less than 2 miles. I think we rented through Kenwell. The gentleman spoke no english but we all survived, he picked us up at the airport. The car was some weird Ford that is only sold in europe with lots of storage for our bikes. A portion of the trip was to the Nerja area for a week. The Alhambra is a favorite of mine...Rhonda too! Seville is a must on a bucket list but I will not return. I would love to do some hiking in the mountains northwest of Seville. We drove through this area from Evora to Seville.

We stayed in the Ibis Styles Madrid Prado not too far from Atocha for our last night before flying home. Relatively inexpensive for the area and perfectly fine. 15 min walk from the station, @€8 taxi ride (can't remember exactly), and walking distance to Plaza Mayor, Puerto deal Sol, the Prado, & Retiro Park, if you have a bit of extra time.