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Sevilla or Granada or both

Posted by (Urbana, IL, USA) on

Hello, I have a question about potential itineraries. I cross posted this at TripAdvisor but thought I'd see if I could get any more opinions here.

We've never been to Spain before, and we are mostly interested in experiencing the culture and history and seeing architecture and natural beauty. We're not huge fans of art galleries but we plan to see the Prado at least.

We are flying into and out of Madrid (yes I know we should fly open jaw but suffice to say we paid less than $300 for the RT tickets in/out of Madrid). We arrive Monday morning and leave the following Monday morning. I plan to leave Madrid as soon as we arrive by train or plane to maximize time and avoid having to rush back to Madrid right before we leave. We will then return to Madrid on Friday to tour the city and leave on Monday. However, that leaves the intervening 4-5 days and 4 nights for us to do something else, but I'm having trouble deciding what.

I would really like to visit both Sevilla and Granada but they don't seem to be linked very well by rail. Some day trips I am interested in are Cordoba, visiting some Andalusian villages, and swinging by Nerja or some coastal town.

Due to our limited time, the best compromise I have come up with is to go to Sevilla for 4 nights and do day trips to Cordoba and Andalusian Hill Towns, skipping Granada. I have also considered splitting the nights 3/1 or 2/2 in Sevilla/Granada but it seems too short a trip to do that much traveling.

So what do you think, should we stay 4 nights in Sevilla and do day trips? Split the nights between Sevilla/Granada? Go to Granada and do day trips? Or something else entirely?

Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance.

Posted by
324 posts

I don't think you really need to overnight (or spend a full day) in Córdoba. (BTW, I'm currently reading a great book on Córdoba after the Moorish Uprising -- La Mano de Fátima by I. Falcones, the author of the also recommendable Cathedral of the Sea.) Frankly, I would think of Córdoba as a rest stop on the way to or from Madrid. My itinerary would probably be as follows:
Monday: Ar. MAD --> AVE (High speed train) to Córdoba. Recover from the flight by visiting the amazing baths next to the Mesquita, (http://www.hammamspain.com/cordoba/) dinner and stroll around town.

Tuesday AM: Visit Mesquita, etc.
Tuesday PM: Lv. Córdoba --> SVQ Stroll around Seville.

Wednesday: Seville, Cathedral & Alcazares, Barrio Sta. Cruz (old town)

Thursday: Italica (Roman city just outside Seville), Triana (Flamenco neighborhood in Seville), etc.

Friday: SVQ -->MAD

If you wish to include Granada, you'll need to count on roughly 6 hours of travel RT. (The bus seems to have a more functional schedule than the train in this case.) While do-able, it certainly seems a hassle. If you get antsy in Seville, you might think about a quick visit to Carmona, instead.

Much depends on whether you want to "check things off a list", or get a real feel for the places you visit. Seville isn't really a monuments and museums city, rather the ambiance of the city, sitting on a terrace having a drink, strolling along cobblestone paths, etc. is what makes it such a memorable place to visit. That sort of visit, however, takes some time to do correctly. Save Granada for another time, and have a great trip.

Posted by
4132 posts

Here's another opinion. The Alhambra in Granada is magnificent and you should see it. If you were going to cut anything on your itinerary, given your interests, it should be a day of Madrid.

Here's how you could work it. On arrival take the AVE to Seville for a few days. Instead of day trips into Andalusia, spend two days driving through it, ending in Granada. Or spend more time in old Seville and take a bus to Granada. They are very clean and comfortable and the trip is, what 3 or 4 hours?

For the full effect, visit the Alhambra twice--in the evening and the next day. Spend some time in the Albaicin. Take the train to Madrid for the balance of your time.

Just another opinion! It would be a shame to miss the Alhambra.

Posted by
655 posts

In your place I would focus on Seville and Granada, and of course, Madrid. There are many other places, including Cordoba, and Toledo, that are worth a visit but time will be limited and you will arrive tired from your journey.

I can't help you with transportation but if possible arrive Madrid, go directly on to Seville, then two nights in Granada and the balance in Madrid.

I believe the Prado is closed on Monday - no problem for you. Purchase Alhambra reservations ASAP.

Posted by
4555 posts

It's very difficult to visit the "white towns" without a car, especially so on your tight schedule....and I'll toss Nerja into that category as well. I like George's suggestion as a way to try to get a sample of Andalucia....Granada can't be missed.

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