Spain in 10 days -- End of November

Barcelona - I would suggest at least two days, not including the day of your arrival. Sagrada Familia, Park Guiel,(Both Gaudi), Picasso Museum, Las Ramblas, The Barrio Gothic. Three Hours Train to Madrid (less trouble than the airport. And you will arrive to the middle of the city!) THink the train arrives at Charmartin Station.
Puerta de Sol, The Royal Palace Prado Museum and the Sophis and Thysen if you have the time and the interest - all are worth seeing - The Park Retiro - grab lunch there at one of the side walk stands, great people watching, The Gran Via. Full two days at least Toledo - One Half hour from Atocha Train Station. Fantastic, the most historic city in Spain. Stay at the Posada de Manolo Hostal, near the cathederal, great breakfast. Wear comfortable shoes...over night at least, maybe two full days. Sevilla - 2 1/2 hours via Train from the Atocha, Fantastic city, fairly level, especially when compared to Toledo! Really Discover Sevilla Tours for the best tour, small group, knowledgeable guide, and they can get tickets for excellent one hour of flamenco -arrive early and sit on the front row! Can not comment on Cordoba and Granada as I yet to visit -- maybe on my next trip!

Sahi, I saw your other plan which tried to include France, and this is so much better. With 10 days in Spain you can see the places you list without rushing too much. We made a similar trip to Spain in May, 13 nights and seeing all that you list plus 2 nights in Toledo and more time in Granada than most people want. It was a perfect trip with a good balance of sightseeing, history and architecture, great food and wine, wandering the narrow streets of historic centers, and relaxing. Modifying out trip plan a bit to fit your schedule, I suggest something like this: Fly into Barcelona and out from Madrid. Spend 2 or preferably 3 nights in Barcelona. Then take the fast AVE train to Sevilla (5.5 hours). Depart Barcelona just after 8 am and arrive in Sevilla around 13:40, with a whole afternoon to explore. Spend 2 nights in Sevilla, 2 in Granada, 1 in Cordoba on your way to Madrid, and the last 2 in Madrid. Or if you prefer smaller historic places, 2 in Cordoba and only the last night in Madrid. The trains in Spain are fast, convenient, and modern. You can go from Sevilla to Granada and Granada to Cordoba by train or bus, but we preferred the train for comfort. There are fewer trains than bus connections, but if you book in advance you need not worry about space. Study up in the Alhambra so you can book the time you want in advance. We did a night visit to the Nasrid palace, a 5hour walking tour of the Moorish water system, and a full day visit of the whole place over 3 days, and still could have spent more time there. We have been to Europe many times but this was our first visit to Spain. It is now near the top of our favorite places and we will be back. I have no idea what the weather is like in November, but you will not face hordes of tourists like we did, and most of the sights are inside so will not be spoiled by rain. The only things you kith miss are excessive heat and outdoor dining.

Lola's suggested itinary look good. Just wanted to add, it can be chilly in November, especially in Granada.

Thanks Lola, Like what you suggested. After researching more about it...I want to try to visit Toledo also, Do you think we can stay one day in Madrid and one day in Toledo. Is it worth it to split or just stick with one? Toledo VS Madrid. Reading Toledo is only 70 km from Madrid -- should not take long right? Also, to have a better experience of Spain which is a better mode of transport. Like chatting with the locals, trying local favorite food etc? car VS train Vs Bus. Which is cheaper?

Hi Sahi,
Sounds like you're planning a terrific trip. Toledo is about an hour from Madrid by train I'm planning a Spain trip in September and have RS's new Spain book. Do you have that book? At the end of each chapter on a city, there's a section called "Connections" and it tells you how long and far it is between places by train, bus, or car. I'm planning on going most places by train because I like them best (you can get up and walk around and they're comfortable, I think). Happy planning and good luck!

We traveled exclusively by train as that is what we like to do. (Last year we rented a car for part of our travel in Italy and really regreted it!) The trains in Spain are the best we have encountered anywhere, and that includes Switzerland. The cost is low if you buy your tickets in advance on the Renfe.com website and get the Web fares, which are 60% off. This makes the cost of a ticket on the AVE train from Cordoba to Madrid, for example, only 27 euros. We did not meet and chat with people on the trains themselves, but we did in the waiting areas. Also on the city buses in Barcelona (which are also modern and efficient.) I did not compare bus prices, as we were happy with the trains. Sevilla to Granada on the train is only 23 euros. The bus has more frequent departures, but if you buy your tickets for the train in advance you will get the train you want. From Madrid to Toledo on the train is only 30 to 33 minutes, depending on the type of train you take. They run frequently, and many people visit Toledo as a daytrip, but we found it especially nice at night after the day visitors left. So I an glad we spent 2 nights in Toledo. For you to spend a night in Toledo instead of Madrid sould mean an extra change of hotels, which you may or may not mind. We just consider it extra exercise. If you are looking at travel times by train it is best to use the Renfe.com website, not the estimates in Rick's book and definitely not RailEurope.

I mostly concur with the previous advice with these exceptions/additions: 2-3 nights in Barcelona for sure. 2-3 nights in Sevilla. Only 1 night in Granada is necessary if you plan your visit to La Alhambra right. On a 10 day trip, I'd keep Granada at 1 night. Remember to pre-book your Alhambra tickets though in late November the crowds are thin. Cordoba is worth a few hour stop on your way to/from Sevilla or Granada. It is along the AVE line between Madrid and Sevilla and Granada. Madrid/Toledo is worth a minimum of 3 nights. Flying from Barcelona to Sevilla saves time and probably money. The rest is by train. Buses between Granada and Sevilla/Cordoba are far more frequent, same amount of time and less expensive. Use an open jaw flight to/from Madrid and Barcelona to avoid backtracking. Where you start/end is up to you.

my only thoughts are that granada is better than one night and that barcelona is three for sure. the Alhambra is amazing, but the Albayzin should be enjoyed and would easily kill one day. the gaudi sites in barcelona will take time to absorb. for me Madrid was the least appealing of your cities. i did Toledo, but would never go back. too many people, not enough town. have fun, be safe.