The Rick Steves Spain notes that from April 20-25 2010 there is an Andalusian festival in Spain that fills hotels and raises rates during those days. Does anyone know if this also applies to Granada and Cordoba? I'm seeing some great rates to fly into Seville that week and was considering taking a train or bus directly from the Seville airport to Granada and Cordoba. I could return to Seville after the festival is over.
Your advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
That's the "Feria de Abril," a massive party blowout marked by a week of drinking and eating at one of about a thousand private pavilions set up across the river, little sleep, some work, then back to the partying. It's a madhouse!
Luckily, that's a Sevillan event. You should be fine in Cordoba and Granada. In those city, plus Sevilla, and indeed many others, the big spring celebration is Semana Santa (Holy Week) leading up to Easter....which is the first weekend in April this year.
Thanks so much for your prompt reply, Norm. Do you anticipate the buses/trains from Seville would be full durinf these days due to the partying madhouse? Or would the transportation prices be inflated?
Bus and train prices should remain the same. The festival involves hundreds of local "clubs" who pay dues through the year for the priviledge of setting up one of these pavilions, and entertaining family and guests. So there are very few outsiders who will come in to Sevilla for this festival.
You can check bus schedules here. You can purchase in advance here, if you wish. Remember that buses have assigned seating in Spain....it'll be on your ticket. You'll have to come in from the airport to catch either a train or bus, though. Most buses to/from Cordoba use the San Sebastian bus station, but some use Plaza des Armes. All buses to/from Granada use San Sebastian. There are 9 or 10 buses/day from Sevilla to Cordoba and Granada. Price should be avout 10 Euro to Cordoba....about 20 to Granada.
