Hello all, I'm planning a 14-night itinerary for Spain next April/early May and was hoping people could weigh in. I've been to Barcelona but none of these cities. It will be my 4th trip to Europe so I'm comfortable with transportation and all that. This is what I've come up with so far: 2 nights - Cordoba 3 - Sevilla 2 - Ronda 2 - Granada
5 - Madrid (incl day trip(s) to Toledo and possibly Segovia) I'd be coming from Boston landing Madrid very early morning, so my two options would be immediately go to Cordoba as outlined above, or stay in Madrid at the start, and fly back from Granada (which would cost a couple hundred dollars more in airfare but I'm OK with that if it's a much smarter way to go). Which would you recommend? Any changes to the # of nights allocated, etc.? Thanks so much for your input! :)
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17430 posts
Since you are coming from Boston, not LA, the flight will be shorter and the time change less. I would suggest you continue straight on to Cordoba. It is only 1 hour 45 minutes to Cordoba from the Atocha station, which you can easily reach on the airport bus ( Atocha is the last stop). Flying back from Granada is more expensive, as you discovered. It can also be iffy, as there are few flights each day, and I have read of that airport being closed due to high winds, leaving travelers trying to catch a plane back the US in a major bind. Sounds like a great trip! Consider doing one of the 30 walking tours of the Alhambra, in addition to the regular palace visit. We really enjoyed doing both.
Posted by
Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
629 posts
Looks like a great trip. Heading straight to Cordoba should be fine since you're flying from the east coast and staying there for 2 nights. We prefer Cordoba over Sevilla but are not in the majority(?). Also, we would only stay in Ronda for 1 night and add the extra night for Madrid and day trips. Enjoy Spain.
Posted by
Edmonton, AB, Canada
668 posts
Just came back from Spain. Spent Much the same time in Sevilla and Grenada, then on to Barcelona. Flew Vueling Granada-Barcelona with no problem. Never seen a plane boarded so quickly and efficiently. We preferred the Alcazar in Sevilla to the Alhambra in Granada. Seemed more "together" and the architecture comparable with fewer crowds. The cathedral is also very impressive. Stayed at the Alminar very convenient for everything. In Granada stayed at the Macia Plaza, again, convenient. Get a room overlooking the square. Did not do much there except the Alhambra. Have a great trip.
Posted by
Toledo
56 posts
Just returned from Spain as well, and went to all of those places. I think your plan is a good one! My only change would be to fly direct to Sevilla, then return out of Madrid. Depends on what airline you are flying though. It may not be much extra at all. I just checked Air France and the price was exactly the same for both itineraries. (BOS - MAD round trip v. BOS - Sevilla / MAD-BOS).
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1003 posts
Thank you all, so much appreciated! David, I'll actually be going BOS>MAD and then MAD>LAX (stopping off in Boston for a couple days for a wedding). I prefer to fly nonstop wherever possible so I'll be taking Iberia (plus it's running way cheaper than other options right now anyway). I will check out flying into Seville instead! Thank you all again for the tips and ideas and suggestions!