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Two weeks in Madrid and Andalusia (incl. Alhambra) - advice and home bases sought

Posted by (PNW) on

Hi all,

I'm planning to spend two weeks in April working remotely from Spain (tourist in the morning and work east coast hours at night). My significant other is being very generous in letting me take off for a bit solo while I'm still able to work remotely. While I'd like to spend longer that's not in the cards beyond a day or two for better flights.

My plan is to spend 5-6 nights in Madrid then 5-6 nights in Andalusia. Currently I have an inbound flight to Madrid and an outbound flight from Malaga (11:30 am departure if it matters so I conceivably have time to get there and stay elsewhere depending on transit). I'm open to changing that up if better options open up (going on miles). I'm looking to enjoy some history, sights, good food/wine and city walking during the day before working at night.

I have been to Barcelona several times but haven't explored much else in the country aside from long weekends in Madrid & Seville. So while I'm open to the whole country I've always wanted to see the Alhambra so am organizing around that first (and as my partner doesn't share that obsession) but if you want to tell me to visit Galicia first I'll listen :)

I'm open to renting a car but would prefer not to unless it makes life a lot easier.

A few questions where I'd love your input:

  1. Aside from the hours I'm keeping, good spots for slow travel?
  2. What base would you pick in Andalusia? While I'm open to having two bases I'd prefer to minimize travel if I can. I really loved Seville when I was there but open to trying another place (Malaga, Seville, Grenada).
  3. For spending a day at the Alhambra can I base myself in another city like Malaga or Seville?
  4. I'm planning to do that on a weekday and take the day off. Any Madrid neighborhoods or specific hotels to seek / avoid? I'm hoping to use IHG hotels where possible, otherwise for a longer stay an airbnb will be nice. I know those are contradictory :)
Posted by
28903 posts

What are the dates of this trip? Holy Week is a very big deal in Andalucia, though the increase in visitor load varies from city to city. In Seville hotel rooms double in price, book up early, and may have strict cancellation policies. It's an interesting time to visit, but the crowds and processions tend to slow down one's sightseeing.

There's more to see in Granada than just the Alhambra, and the Alhambra takes more than half a day--maybe close to a full day. Cordoba is worth more than a full day, too. You've spent some time in Seville, so you may be able to get by with less than my usual recommendation of 4 days there even though you'll be working part of the time. Although many people squeeze Cordoba into a daytrip while they're staying in Seville, you might want to consider reversing that.

Malaga is a very pleasant city, but I don't see how you have time for Malaga if you stick to the 50-50 split between Madrid and Andalucia; that's not even enough time for the three main cities in Andalucia.

On the other hand, there's no way I'd risk spending the night in Granada, Cordoba or Seville when you have a flight out of Malaga the next morning.

Given the very limited time you have available, your need to work for a portion of every weekday and the (justifiable) priority you're placing on the Alhambra, I'd consider limiting this a trip to Granada and Malaga (because of the outbound flight), with perhaps one day for a side trip to some neighboring town that interests you. As one example, Priego de Cordoba is a viable day trip from Granada. I'm afraid you're going to spend way too much time sitting on trains and buses if you try to cover Seville, Cordoba and Granada in five or six days.

I'd suggest shifting a day or two from Madrid to Andalucia. It will be easier to return to Madrid on a future trip.

Galicia is very interesting, but for me April is not the time to go to an area that tends to be cool and rainy even in mid-summer.

Posted by
9 posts

Thanks for the tips back.

Good points on the split of time, I was somewhat getting to that conclusion myself.

The trip is last two weeks of April, so it should be just after Holy Week. I'm flying on Easter Sunday and was going to spend a few days in Madrid to avoid any rush in Andalucia. If I adjust for 4 nights in Madrid I'd then have 7 nights for Andalucia, and possibly more if I'm able to push my return flight out (miles options sometimes open up last minute so that's a real possibility). Agreed that I'd have 2-3 places maximum. I think I'd need at least a night in Granada, at least a night in Malaga pre-flight and could put the balance elsewhere (Seville or Cordoba).

Then it's just a matter of working through if bus/train options are viable. I can also rent a car in Andalucia to be more time efficient on transit between towns although it just adds expense to keep it parked when in the cities. I'd prefer not to have the hassle but if it gives me a lot of time back then it's worthwhile. I could also stay elsewhere and drive the last morning to Malaga (11:30 am flight leaves plenty of time for a drive).

Posted by
28903 posts

Many folks have used the comfortable buses to link cities with infrequent or convoluted train service. I wouldn't rent a car to cover your cities unless I wanted to spend a day hitting little towns/villages in transit.

There's easily enough to do in Granada to justify spending 2 or 3 nights there if it turns out you have some extra time.

I think the Spring Fair ("April Fair") in Seville runs from the evening of May 5 through May 11 this year. Like Semana Santa, the Fair drives hotel rates skyward. I'd check on room availability immediately if you think you might bump into that period.

Posted by
9 posts

Great tips again, thanks.

It's been a while since I've done IC buses, but that's more of a search problem and luck in finding good trains than anything else.

While I'd really love to hit the small towns I think this style of trip is going to be enjoying the cities during the day and working at night. Not exactly living the true Spanish way if I'm on a call at 9 pm instead of dinner but beats home and certainly will help me keep paying the bills.

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