Kenstee

Need some trip planning logistics help. Spending a little over a week in Andalusia. Arriving from Barcelona departing via Madrid. These are definite.

So, my question is what is best travel flow to visit these Andalusia destinations. I have also indicated roughly the number of nights per location.
- Cordoba (2 nights)
- Granada (1 night)
- Seville (3 nights)
- Ronda and vicinity (2 nights)

Know I can fly from Barcelona to just about any of these to begin this portion of the trip. And need to end up in Madrid at the end of this portion. What would be a logical flow from city to city given train directions and routing? Or would it be better to fly some legs? Open to all suggestions.

Thanks so much for your help!!!

Shanti

I'd switch it around and spend two nights in Granada and one night in Cordoba. There's easily three nights worth of activities in Seville. I've never been to Ronda so can't help there.

I flew into Seville, then went to Granada, then went to Cordoba. Took the train from Cordoba to Madrid. I wouldn't fly between any of these cities. It's easy and not expensive to travel via bus or train.

When are you going?

four_maccas

We spent a similar amount of time in Andalucia as part of a winter trip in 2010. We spent 4 nights in Seville, and 2 in each of Ronda, Granada and Cordoba before heading to Madrid.

Travelling between the towns was very easy using public transport. There's a bus between Seville and Ronda and then we took the train to Granada. From Granada to Cordoba we took a bus but could just as easily taken a train.We also took the train to Madrid.

I too would take a day from Cordoba and add it to Granada.

kimhe

I would have considered flying from Barcelona to Granada with Vueling, some 90 mins. I think the most logical route then would be Granada - Córdoba - Sevilla - Ronda. Excellent bus/train services between all these. After Ronda go down to Málaga and take the high speed AVE train back to Madrid in 2 1/2 hours.

Perhaps stay last night in fabulous Málaga city itself? Together with Sevilla, this is my favourite big city in the region. Unbeatable, easy-going Andalusian atmosphere:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ci...-treasure.html

Kenstee

Thanks all! Anyone else?

davidx

I should stick with your original itention of 2 nights in Cordoba and one in Granada. In my mind the Alhambra is one of the very best sights in Europe but there is much to see in Cordoba better than anything else in Granada.
I should be inclined to do granada first and then Ronda - by train if convenient times. Then Sevilla or Cordoba though either is convenient for train back to Madrid.

May2011

We did a 4-5 day whirlwind around that area...started around Nerja & did the following by car -
1 night Granada
2 nights Seville
1 night in Ronda

back to Malaga area.

We were supposed to go to Cordoba, but DS2 (7) seemed to be of the mindset of "you've seen one Mosque, you've seen'em all". Driving gave us more flexibility. Loved Ronda, loved Seville, Alhambra was beautiful. Our calendar was flexible (we booked hotels as we drove) so we could have stayed 2 nights in Granada, but am glad we chose to move on.

NanBug

"You've seen one mosque, you've seen 'em all", said the 7-year old.

Sigh.

We loved Cordoba, spent 2 nights there, and still had things left we wanted to see.

Don't miss Madinat al-Zahra on the outskirts of town. Buses from the tourist office run there a couple times a day.

Shanti

""you've seen one Mosque, you've seen'em all"
Sigh is right.

Kenstee, fortunately you have eight nights instead of just four. Both Granada and Cordoba are worthy of two nights each. But since you only have three nights total, you'll have to choose which one only gets two nights. Do you know which day or days you'll be in Cordoba? There was one day during the week when most sites were closed - don't remember which day it was, but I decided to leave after one night because most places wouldn't be open that day.

Kenstee

>Do you know which day or days you'll be in Cordoba? There was one day during the week when most sites were closed - don't remember which day it was, but I decided to leave after one night because most places wouldn't be open that day.<

Does anyone know which day sites in Cordoba are closed?

Phil

Kenstee:

What about trying this site:

http://english.turismodecordoba.org/index2.cfm

Enjoy your trip

Phil.

ured1975

My advice would be 1 night only in Ronda if any at all, and 2 in Granada.
Sorry people but Granada is not only the Alhambra. Fist time I took my now wife to Granada I surprised her with a night tour to the Alhambra that she will never forget followed by a flamenco night in a cueva. Next day a daytime Alhambra tour + Cathedral and wandering around the Albayzin quarter, which is also a UNESCO heritage site. Then a sunset at one of the Alhambra lookouts (best known in San Nicolas but I personally prefer Carvajales one).
Dont forget about the Sinagogue or the Cartuja either.
2 night here deserved.
Whats all this fuss about Ronda? Its not even a World Heritage site. Been there and it was fine, but it seems to be the cats pyjamas to everyone. The bridge is impressive but its all packed with tourists. Id rather go to Ubeda & Baeza, UNESCO sites just like Granada, Cordoba and Seville.

Cheers!

danon

Agree with 2 nights in Granada.
Also don't see any reason for 2 nights Ronda or Cordoba.
Better to visit Seville before Cordoba if you going to Madrid ( Cordoba is closer to Madrid on the same AVE line).
To my surprise, we really liked Malaga...an old Andalusian town by the sea.
From Barcelona , Vueling flies to Malaga, Seville and Granada. Take your pick.

May2011

Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Ronda, Malaga

I wouldn't do 2 nights in Cordoba.

illnative

just to confuse things - I would keep it the way you have it. we LOVED cordoba - and were finished with granada after our day there (one night). The Alhambra is wonderful but the rest of the city was too "gritty" for our tastes. Cordoba is magnificent at night when all the daytrippers go home...

thisblonde

I would not do two nights in Cordoba - after the Mezquita, we were bored! You can do this as a day trip from Sevilla. As you may have noticed - spending 3 nights in Sevilla is certainly no problem (I live here now). Please feel free to message me if you have additional questions.

I will add my voice to the Granada supporters - I lived there as a student for 6 months and loved it. Remember to get your tickets to the Alhambra in advance (http://www.alhambra-patronato.es/).

Ronda is worth a day, but because its a significant drive from your other destinations, I would suggest you spend the night. Don't miss out on the mines - you can climb into the mountain to the bottom of the gorge for an amazing view.

Getting back to Madrid will be easiest from Sevilla (high speed AVE train, 2.5 hours, btwn 50 to 80 euros one way, check schedule on www.renfe.com). Cordoba and Granada also have trains but they are longer. You can fly up to Madrid from Sevilla or Malaga, but the price of the flights is usually hideous (just this week I saw SVQ to MAD for 200+/-).

You will love Andalucia, whatever you decide to do

SashieZ

I haven't been to Cordoba so can't help you there, but regarding Ronda, I would only stay for 2 nights if you plan on exploring the white villages. I loved Ronda but there is not a lot to do there. We spent three nights in Seville and I thought that was way too many days. We seemed to walk around and see the same places. But then again, we did not go to any museums... unfortunately, my husband is not a museum goer.

Granada is great, and I agree with the previous poster that it is gritty, but we loved it all the same. The Alhambra is incredible but I felt not worth a whole day.

We flew into Barcelona, took connecting flight on Vueling to Seville, picked up rental car, drove to Ronda drove on to Granada and then flew to Barcelona. If you are interested I wrote a detailed trip report.

bardo1

Put me in the 2 nights Granada - 1 night Cordoba camp. Everything else in your original plan is perfect if you only have 8 nights total in Andalucia. But honestly, you'll have a great time either way.

Logistically, I would fly or train from Barcelona to Seviile, train to Cordoba, train to Ronda, train to Granada, fly or train from Granada to Madrid.