I'm trying to refine my Spain itinerary for my upcoming trip in May. I'll be driving and will arrive in Madrid on May 20 for 3 days, then Cordoba for 3 days, then Sevilla and Granada for 2 days each. From Madrid I plan on making a day trip to El Escorial and a day trip to Toledo. For Cordoba, I'm undecided, should I cut that down to 2 days, would it be better to have a base somewhere in the area and do Cordoba, Sevilla and Granada from there? After leaving Granada, I'll be working my way up the coast to Barcelona for 3 days. Is that too much or too little time there? We're just on a general sight seeing and familiarization mode, no special sites or activities in mind. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks!
Posted by
OP
Pacifica, CA, USA
187 posts
Thanks Norm, I should have stated that I will be ending my trip in Paris, so will be going through Montpelier and Dijon. Are you saying that I should spend 4 days in Madrid, then 2 days in Cordoba, with 2 in Sevilla and 2 in Granada? What do you think of making a base from which to see Cordoba, Sevilla and Granada?
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
I think Cordoba, Sevilla, and Granada are all worthy of overnight stays, and they're a little too far from each other for day trips. And yes, I would spend 4 days in Madrid....two for day trips (personally, I would do Segovia over El Escorial...and Toledo), and two days for all the sites to see in Madrid.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Three days in Cordoba is way too much, especially since you'll only have a day to see the rest of Madrid, and that would be sad. I would cut at least a day off Cordoba and add it to Madrid.....if you decide on only a day in Cordoba (which would be enough, IMHO), then I would add another day to Sevilla. If you don't need your car in Barcelona, I would suggest dumping it in Granada and taking a discount air flight from Granada to Barcelona. Costs are from 40 Euro all in and it takes an hour and a quarter, saving you a 650 mile drive, and allowing you to spend anther day in Barcelona (or Madrid for that matter.) Clickair, vueling, and Spanair all fly this route, but book ASAP for lowest fares.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23542 posts
Just back from a nine day swing through southern Spain. I agree with Norm. Cordoba is day or at most a day and half. We flew into Madrid and home from Malaga. 2 nights in Madrid, 1 - Cordoba, 3 - Seville and 3- Granada. We had been in Madrid before so it was just a quick hit for us. For the first time, I would allow 3 or 4 days. The last time we were in Madrid we did half day trip to Avila and then continued on to an overnight in Segovia which I would strongly recommend. We also did a day trip to Toledo and wish that we had stayed overnight in Toledo. That is what we will do the next time. We did it all by train and bus which is our preferred method of travel.