Spain itineary in November -- Guidence please!

We just did so Spain in June, and loved it. If I were you I would cut out Madrid, and save it for next time, and consentrate on one area. We flew into BCN and out of Malaga, and spent our time i the south. Our friends did this trip in Dec, and said that the weather was great. We did mostly Rick Steve recomended hotels; our friends had done almost the same trip a few years ago, and they recomended many of the hotels. In BCN we stayed at the funky Hotel Continental. $110EU/nite, with a 24 hrs buffet, including beer, wine, ice cream, food, et. Loved the location. Get a room off the Las Ramblas. It was about four blocks from the airport bus stop at Placa Catalunya. (Aerobus...takes 30 minutes, $9.15 R/T) In Seville we stayed at the awesome Hotel Amadeus, for $98 EU/nite, and we upgraded to a huge suite for $120/nite. Ask for a room in the new section. In Granada we stayd at the Las Almenas for only $54 EU nite. It was right down the street from the bus stop that came from the airport. Everything was new, and the rooms were spacious. We loved it. In Cordoba we had a very nice little room at the hotel San Miguel. It was only $60EU/nite. It was in a great location; close to the main plaza. Our favorite town was Ronda. The hotel San
Gabriel ($109EU/nite for a huge Jr. suite) was outstanding. All the places that we stayed a had great AC and spacious baths. Check them out on Tripadvisor. We flew from BCN to Granada. We used Whichbudget.com to find the cheap inter EU airlines. Our flight only cost $61 EU PP, and was an hour and half. Got up early so we had all the day for exploring when we got to Granada. We used a rental car for most of our exploring, but in hindsite, it usually cost more to park the car than it did to get from point A to point B.

This itinerary is busy, but it could work. We did a similar trip earlier this month, but in 14 days with more side-trips. If it were me, I might make a few changes. As Steve mentions, you could fly from Barcelona to Granada. Then you could train to Sevilla (about 3 hours) and have at least as much time there as you originally planned. On such a tight schedule, I would also do Cordoba as a stop-over on the AVE from Sevilla to Madrid. This will give you more time in Madrid and also avoid a one-night stop. If you aren't set on visiting the Mezquita, I might skip Cordoba all together and add that day to Barcelona or Madrid, as your time in those cities is very tight. As for hotels, we were happy with all of our picks... Barcelona: Hostal Goya Great location in Eixample with a 20/30 something clientele, €95 Granada: Hotel Santa Isabel La Real A splurge, but fabulous and includes breakfast, €85-125 Sevilla: El Rey Moro Hotel Located in Barrio Santa Cruz, close to a good evening tapas scene, €100 Madrid: Hotel Europa On Puerta del Sol, very central, €100-120 I don't have a recommendation for Cordoba, as we did it as a day-trip from Sevilla.
We are also in our late 20s and had a fantastic trip. You will love Spain!

I disagree with the other poster! If this will be your only trip to Spain perhaps for many years, I'd cut the day trip to Toledo.....and remain in Madrid. Madrid is the heart of Spain, and truly Old Spain.......People who travel to Spain repeatedly are very divided on whether they are fans of Barcelona or Madrid. Only way to decide is to explore both! Toledo is lovely, but unless you really want to see the El Grecco museum or visit their lovely Synagogue -- you're better off staying in Madrid. Visit the exquisite Royal Palace and the Prado Museum.......and eat lots of ham! JMO

I always stay in Hotel Europa in Madrid (It's i RS book), have referred many to it and everyone loves it. A block from beautiful Plaza Major, walking distance to Royal Palace, and Prado........Only went to Barcelona once...fell in love with Madrid then Costa del Sol...