Spain winter itinerary help

Hopefully others can be more helpful with your questions related to public transport in Spain. Just on the issue of winter and temperature, Seville will be much warmer than either Granada or Cordoba. We spent 2 weeks in Seville Christmas/New Year several years ago and it was very mild. The cooler months are also popular times for tourists so all is open. Granada will be cold but is wonderful anytime of the year in my opinion. Also what is cold to one is quite moderate to another depending on what you are used to. To me Granada is worth a lot more time than Cordoba, although the latter is lovely. We were in Barcelona last February and it was also very mild - we ate outside most lunchtimes, had coffee outside during the day etc. For me, with only 2 weeks, I would not go beyond Spain and the 4 cities you mention, to Morocco but understand that is personal choice.

I would skip Morocco (Tangiers) entirely. I like Morocco, but more south i.e. the Imperial cities. Tangiers is a dump, comparably. The day trip from Spain wouldn't all that great at all, especially given the bumpy crossing in February. Here's my thought: Train from Barcelona to Sevilla is a great idea - I did that route as an overnight sleeper train. The AVE would be a great way to see the countryside during the daytime. Sevilla is at least worth 3 days. Cordoba and Jerez de la Frontera are both very close and easily accessible to Sevilla by train. A day or two each would be quite fine. Then on to Granada and onward to Madrid. That would even give you time to stop in Jaen or Toledo... It would make more sense in that order IMO.

Warning - all personal opinion. First, you should look at a map to understand the relationships between locations. My preference is not to do much backtracking and you have a fair amount of backtracking . In Spain you normally use a combination of train and bus. The rail system is not as extensive as the rest of Europe and, therefore, the bus system is superior to most of Europe and it is cheap! As suggested earlier - skip Morocco - too complicated to get there and you skipping over some interesting places in Spain. Personally I would work my way down the coast from Barcelona via Valencia to Granada (be sure to get tickets well in advance for the Alhambra) to Sevilla, Cordoba, Toledo, and finally Madrid. Cordoba at best is an overnight. Two principle attractions - one easily seen in the PM and the other in the AM. However, on your route I would spend a day at Cordoba on the way to Sevilla. Spend the Morocco time in white hill towns of Jerez, Arcos (especially), and Zahara on the way to Granada and then by train back to Madrid. The weather could be cool and rainy but there will be plenty to do in most cities except Cordoba.

I would agree with the loop through Spain that Frank has suggested. The addition would be Ronda (white hill town), we wouldn't miss that stop. Also, we enjoyed Cordoba and would return there again. We are not in the majority though. Hasta la Vista!