5 days in South of Spain
Jan 17th, 2011, 08:15 AM
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5 days in South of Spain
I will be traveling to the south of Spain for about 5 days in the first week in May. We will hit Seville, Cordoba and Granada. Is there anything that I should not miss? Or that I should skip?
We are renting a car. We want to see major attractions, such as Alhambra, but more importantly we want to experience the culture. We love visiting small towns and eating delicious food. Does anyone have any suggestions that may be off the beaten path?
And finally, should we take the time to visit Gibraltar? So much to see with too little time....
Thanks for your suggestions!
We are renting a car. We want to see major attractions, such as Alhambra, but more importantly we want to experience the culture. We love visiting small towns and eating delicious food. Does anyone have any suggestions that may be off the beaten path?
And finally, should we take the time to visit Gibraltar? So much to see with too little time....
Thanks for your suggestions!
Jan 17th, 2011, 08:41 AM
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5 days is kind of short for everything you want to do. I would keep it down to just Seville and Granada. From Granada you can take a drive up the mountain to Las Alpujarras, you can even spend a night there, it's 3 little white towns at the top of a mountain. It is so scenic, there are lots of artists that live there, just to paint the views, stunning. I would absolutely skip Gibraltar. There are huge lines to pass the border and with the little time you have, every minute is precious. Besides, there's nothing there - you'll have a much better time in Spain.
Jan 17th, 2011, 09:05 AM
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Jan 17th, 2011, 09:13 AM
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In Granada i can recommend Hotel Zaguan del Darro http://www.hotelzaguan.com
It is conveniently located at the foot of the Alhambra, near dozens of little restaurants. We found the staff friendly and the room looked out on an Alhambra tower. Quite reasonably priced too. Try and book tickets for the Alhambra ahead of time for as early as you can, take a taxi from the large central square (sorry, the name escapes me) and you'll find that you won't have to stand in line at the entrance. I would stick with Sevilla and Granada too and forget Gibraltar.
It is conveniently located at the foot of the Alhambra, near dozens of little restaurants. We found the staff friendly and the room looked out on an Alhambra tower. Quite reasonably priced too. Try and book tickets for the Alhambra ahead of time for as early as you can, take a taxi from the large central square (sorry, the name escapes me) and you'll find that you won't have to stand in line at the entrance. I would stick with Sevilla and Granada too and forget Gibraltar.
Jan 19th, 2011, 10:57 AM
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You don't have time to go off the beaten path and there is an incredible amount of wonderful culture in Seville, Granada and Cordoba. With so little time I would relax and absorb it, there is so much to see in those three places, (well Cordoba is mainly for the mezquita). Having a car is an expensive hassle in Seville and Granada and there isn't really a need for it. Some of the white villages are quaint and white but not much going on. Now if you really want to see some small towns: Ronda, Sierra de La Grazalema, Setenil de las Bodegas, Gaucin.
Jan 19th, 2011, 12:01 PM
#6
With only 5 days, you really do not have the time to visit Gibraltar and even if you did, there is mixed opinion about whether or not it is "worth" it (we happen to like the place). If for some reason you do go there, be sure to park on the Spanish side and walk in. The is a large parking lot near the border. Customs when returning to Spain can take up much of your time if you drive in and Gibraltar is very walkable.
Jan 19th, 2011, 12:11 PM
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Okay, so we've cut down all that we can do considerably. We really want to enjoy our time and not see southern Spain through the windshield. We will arrive in Seville on May 5 and have to leave Seville (train back to Madrid to catch plane) on May 10. We will be in Seville and go to Granada. I sure would love to see Ronda or Malaga. Do you think there is any way? We love to hike and see beautiful country as well as experience culture in bigger cities.
Jan 19th, 2011, 12:55 PM
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I wasn't the biggest fan of Granada outside of the Alhambra so I wouldn't devote too much time there although Sevilla I adored and there are a plethora of things to see and do there. With only having four full days for both cities, I would recommend just sticking with them instead of seeing the rushed and harried highlights of each. I liked Malaga a ton for the Picasso Museum but it's not a city I would seek out with so little time available.
Good luck!
traveltalesfromtheredheadedtraveler.blogspot.com/
(My travel writing blog!)
Good luck!
traveltalesfromtheredheadedtraveler.blogspot.com/
(My travel writing blog!)
Jan 19th, 2011, 01:08 PM
#9
RS - in Granada, make sure that you book for the night-time tour as well as the day time one. they allow in far fewer people and the atmosphere in the Nasrid palaces at night is enchanting.
in the 1 1/2 days we had there, we spend the first afternoon looking round the city [keeping ourselves going by sampling the wares of the tapas bars as we went] and went to the alhambra at night, then had dinner in our hotel.
the next morning we had early tickets for the alhambra so went there straight after breakfast. Because we spent so long in the Generalife gardens, we didn't leave there til about 3; we then got a bus down the hill and up into the Albercin, and walked back down again.
in the evening we had some more tapas [free with each drink in Granada, unlike Seville where you seem to have to pay for every one] and then had dinner somewhere. [no idea where!]
probably we missed a few things, but generally, I feel that
we saw most of what Granada had to offer.
in the 1 1/2 days we had there, we spend the first afternoon looking round the city [keeping ourselves going by sampling the wares of the tapas bars as we went] and went to the alhambra at night, then had dinner in our hotel.
the next morning we had early tickets for the alhambra so went there straight after breakfast. Because we spent so long in the Generalife gardens, we didn't leave there til about 3; we then got a bus down the hill and up into the Albercin, and walked back down again.
in the evening we had some more tapas [free with each drink in Granada, unlike Seville where you seem to have to pay for every one] and then had dinner somewhere. [no idea where!]
probably we missed a few things, but generally, I feel that
we saw most of what Granada had to offer.
Jan 19th, 2011, 01:48 PM
#11
Hi Rs,
i had a look at viamichelin.co.uk and put in the route granada - malaga - ronda. it suggests a journey time of 3 hours 22 mins.
of course if you stop in Malaga for lunch and/or a look round, it'll take longer.
i had a look at viamichelin.co.uk and put in the route granada - malaga - ronda. it suggests a journey time of 3 hours 22 mins.
of course if you stop in Malaga for lunch and/or a look round, it'll take longer.
Jan 19th, 2011, 01:51 PM
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Jan 20th, 2011, 02:54 AM
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Sevilla is wonderful. Because of the late Easter this year, your stay will hit the annual and spectacular Feria de Abril/April Fair (until May 8th). Should be a great experience, just be prepared. http://www.exploreseville.com/events/feriadeabril.htm
To get a feel of the sevillana/flamenco atmosphere, you should visit Casa Anselma in C/Pagés del Corro, 49 in Triana, the former gypsy/flamenco quarter on the other side of the river Guadalquivir. Opens at about 11pm. http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/gui...fe-detail.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw1atBQq_u0
El Rejoneo, on Calle Betis along the river, is also a favorite of mine. Often Samara Amador, the flamenco singer daughter of living legend dancer Manuela Carrasco, gets into action here. No need to go before midnight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPZT3ADgWsw
I also recommend Casa de la Memória in the middle of the Santa Cruz district. Often some of the finest flamenco dancers in the world perform here, such as Pastora Galván, Adela Campallo, Rafael Campallo, La Choni etc. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Andalusia.html
To get a feel of the sevillana/flamenco atmosphere, you should visit Casa Anselma in C/Pagés del Corro, 49 in Triana, the former gypsy/flamenco quarter on the other side of the river Guadalquivir. Opens at about 11pm. http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/gui...fe-detail.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw1atBQq_u0
El Rejoneo, on Calle Betis along the river, is also a favorite of mine. Often Samara Amador, the flamenco singer daughter of living legend dancer Manuela Carrasco, gets into action here. No need to go before midnight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPZT3ADgWsw
I also recommend Casa de la Memória in the middle of the Santa Cruz district. Often some of the finest flamenco dancers in the world perform here, such as Pastora Galván, Adela Campallo, Rafael Campallo, La Choni etc. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Andalusia.html
