9summit

First time using this forum and I see that my question is similar to kwar's, and mostly concerns the best way to get from city to city. We are two retirees celebrating a birthday with 3 weeks in Spain, Portugal and Gran Canaria, at the end of April and into May. Our itinerary is Madrid (4 nights), Andalucia (7), Gran Canaria (5), Lisbon (5) and home. Plans are set for all but our time in southern Spain. I want to stick to my mantra "we can't do everything" so have given up the idea of a quick trip to Tangiers or visiting some of the hill towns along the way.
I believe the best plan is to take the AVE train from Madrid to Cordoba, staying there one night. Next day a bus to Granada for 2 night visit; another bus/train from Granada to Seville where we'll stay the remaining 4 nights till we fly to the Canary Islands.
Is there a better plan of transportation? (We'll be renting a car on Gran Canaria but I don't think we're inclined to in Andalucia.) I believe I should make at least some of these bus/train reservations ahead of time, like right now, and would appreciate confirmation of that. Also, though we are using airbnb for our 3 longest stays, I thought I'd find small hotels or pensions in Cordoba and Granada for some variety. Thoughts about that will be welcome as well.
Thanks to anyone who offers advice or opinions.

Christina

Your transportation plan sounds fine to me. I would definitely book the train reservation as soon as you make definite plans. I haven't tried to book a bus online in Spain so not sure how easy that is. I've only bought a ticket in person for more local runs. But if it is easy to do online, sure, why not book that if you have the plans made. The bus only costs about 7 euro between Cordoba and Granada. I"m not sure if you have to, but that is a festival period, so couldn't hurt.

Maybe you are going to be in Seville before their Feria starts? Sounds like you already have a place booked.

bilboburgler

i'd train to sevilla, train to cordoba, bus to grenada, bus to Malaga, fly out of Malaga.

9summit

Yikes, I didn't know about a festival and will check that out now. We don't actually have a place to stay in Seville yet...probably going to go the airbnb way...but I'll get on that soon if there's to be a crowd in town.
We do already have the airline tickets, Ryanair, from Seville to Gran C. I'm a little sorry we're missing Malaga, too. Thanks!

kja

I think your plan for transportation is fine.

Be sure to book your tickets for the Alhambra ASAP.

9summit

I am now confirmed with my rental in Seville and the AVE train from Madrid to Cordoba. But the Alhambra is sold out! May 1, when we arrive, and May 2 our full day. The tours are also booked!I tried to research seeing the main palace late at night but think maybe you have to go in person for that, quite late. There is no category for it on the site. The "Alhambra at Night - Palaces" choice does not include the Palacios Nazaries. So now I wonder, should we still do 2 nights in Granada if we can only see a bit of the Alhambra? Should we skip Granada entirely and maybe do a white hill town? Thoughts?

kja

I'm confused, as I'm sure you are! if you haven't found any times for which you can book, what makes you think you can see even a bit of the Alhambra? Are you referring to the view from the Mirador de San Nicolas?

Are you sure you are using the correct site for booking? I believe the correct site is:
http://granadainfo.com/alhambra/advance.htm

9summit

kja: I started out at the site suggested by Rick Steves (alhambra-tickets.es), but when I click to buy tickets I'm directed to Ticketmaster, same as with the site you offered. There are a load of different categories of tickets but none that offer the Palacios Nazaries are open for April 30 or May 1. (I had the dates wrong in an earlier post.) I believe we can go into the Gardens and wander for free and maybe see the Charles V Palace at no cost (also per Rick Steves).
The site you suggested does mention another tour company and I may try that one. Thanks for helping.

9summit

I just tried for a tour and the group tours are sold out, leaving only a private tour for 250 Euros.

Elizabeth_S

I believe there are same day ticket sales if you're prepared to get in line early (6:30am?). Google that.

9summit

Thank you, Elizabeth! I did google it and was so happy to learn that you were right about the early morning ticket sales. But also found on the same site that I could buy a GranadaCard that included access to the Alhambra. I've done that. It also gave me an appointed time, 6:30PM, (only evening slots were left) to see the Palacios Nazaries.
So, I am all set and I am most grateful for the wonderful help I've gotten here!

Elizabeth_S

Terrific! I didn't me to be so taciturn to tell you to Google but I was on the road using my iPhone (not driving though!)

Re accommodation in Cordoba - we stayed at this hotel in January - very reasonable and fantastic location:

https://www.booking.com/hotel/es/mae...e9431f602806b9

Re Granada - we stayed at the Hotel Guadeloupe up across from the main Alhambra entrance. We had a car so the easy parking was really important for us but we also really like the hotel and found it to be a great location with easy access to other areas of Granada to visit either by walking or the jitney bus that runs every 10 minutes.

http://www.hotelguadalupe.es/en/

9summit

Thank you both! I have had to abandon Cordoba. There is a festival on Sunday, April 30, and everything is booked.Unless you want to pay $200 for a night. We had two confirmed places with airbnb that backed out. (realized they could get people in for both weekend nights, not just the 29th.) Then I learned our reservation for economy seating on the AVE train from Madrid would have to be bumped up to Premier! At that point, I decided I needed to change the plan. Since we have two nights reserved (and Alhambra tickets thanks to Elizabeth) in Granada, I plan to take a bus from Madrid to somewhere midway to Granada for Sat. Apri 29. (I actually started a different post on this...Can't Get to Cordoba.) I was asking for suggestions of nice, not touristy towns, where there is DEFINITELY not a festival, along the bus route. Someone has suggested Ubeda or Baeza. I will check them out, tho they are off the route. Any ideas would be welcomed here, or on the other post.

Bedar

What festival is on in Cordoba ? Try the Hotel Boston there. Cheap and central. Yes, Baeza and Ubeda are very nice towns, but it would be a shame to miss Cordoba !

9summit

It's the Festival of the Flowers. The Hotel Boston is booked. Believe me, everything is booked!!

progol

If you're staying in Sevilla for several days, you can still visit Cordoba as a day trip. The Mezquita was a highlight for us.

9summit

I hadn't thought of that. Thank you for a good suggestion.

kja

Many people visit Cordoba as a day trip from Sevilla. I would strongly encourage you to visit it if at all possible!