jgg

Planning on going to Andalucia in mid-March for two weeks. Our 19 yo daughter will be joining us for the first 7/8 nights (we will have an additional week after she leaves). She has decided that her priorities are Seville, Granada and Cordoba. Haven't booked any tickets yet, so she can fly into Seville and out of Granada or vice a versa. Which order would you recommend? How would you divide up the nights and would you recommend spending a night in Cordoba on our way to or from Granada or doing it as a daytrip from Seville?

kimhe

Córdoba is well worth spending a night. I visited this summer and had some fabulous days, great concert at Gran Teatro de Córdoba, lang walks in what used to be the capital of al-Andalus and the most advanced city in Europe, great tabernas, bars and cafés. And, of course, quite spectacular sights.

The "other" Córdoba around Plaza de las Tendillas, the Plaza Mayor-like Plaza de la Corredera, the Roman ruins etc can be highly recommended. All very close to the main tourist attractions but a totally different and more local atmosphere. Bustling outdoor cafés long into the night.

Several fine bodegas/tabernas in this area. Here you'll find great local places on every corner. Just had some excellent meals in a couple of them. Taberna Salinas comes recommended in the Michelin guide, and we were perfectly happy after two raciones, a bottle of wine and a couple of brandys for some 35€. http://www.tabernasalinas.com/

Bar Santos in Calle Magistral González Francés, 3 along the eastern side of the Mezquita is a laid-back and small respite in this heavily touristy area. Wonderful Jamón Ibérico.

Felt immediately at home in Plaza de las Tendillas. The thousands of people gathering here for the midnight eating of the grapes on New Years eve is traditionally directly televised on national tv. The clock on Plaza de las Tendillas has got no bells. Since 1961 the hours has been chimed in by recorded flamenco chords from the guitarist Juanito Serrano. Great atmospehere and good spirit well into the small hours, at least in the week-ends. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fexMbX4EsRE&NR=1

We lived in modern Hotel Córdoba Centro, just excellent, some 300 meters north of the Mezquita, next door to the main Tendillas Plaza. Some 60€ for a double. http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/cord...?rid=702348143

mamcalice

If you have only 7/8 days for these 3 cities, you could spend 2 nights in Granada, and 5 nights in Seville with a day trip to Cordoba. We spent 10 days in Andalucia in the fall of 2009 and, in addition to the above, spent 3 nights in the White Villages. You could also spend 4 nights in Seville and one in Cordoba depending on how you plan to spend the additional week after your daughter leaves.

CathyM

If you have 8 nights I would budget 2 days for Granada, 4 for Sevilla and 2 for Granada. With 7 nights I'd agree with the above poster and visit Granada for 2 nights and 5 for Sevilla w/a day trip for Cordoba. This is more of a personal thing as I avoid 1-nighters. But if you have 8 nights I'd definitely recommend spending a couple in Cordoba. With 4 nights in Sevilla you have time for at least one day trip. If you're interested in sherry I'd visit one of the sherry triangle cities (Jerez, Sanlucar or El Puerto del Santa Maria). Other possibilities include Carmona, Cadiz, Arcos, Osuna - all easily visited using public transportation.

jgg

Thanks all for the help. I like the idea of a daytrip to Cordoba if she has 7 nights, and 2 nights in Cordboba if she ends up having 8 nights. Haven't decided for sure yet what we will do when she is gone, but considering Ronda, Cadiz, Jerez. Does anyone have a preference on whether we start in Sevilla or start in Granada?

bardo1

Good idea re. Cordoba as day trip if only 7 night trip or 2 nights in Cordoba if an 8 night trip. Order not important but do Fly into Seville and home from Granada or the reverse. Andalucia needs 10-14 nights, of course, but do what you gotta do. If by some chance you can extend a few extra nights, consider a few nights in Ronda.