Madrid vs. Andalucia
Jan 29th, 2012, 06:12 PM
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Madrid vs. Andalucia
We have 6 full days to visit in Spain in April. Which option is better (1) staying the full time in Madrid with day trips out to Central Spain (e.g., Segovia, Avila, Toledo) or (2) staying a couple of days in Madrid and trying to get down to Adalucia (e.g., Cordoba and Seville) for 2-3 days also? All tips are greatly appreciated!
Jan 29th, 2012, 07:17 PM
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Tough one.
Madrid, with the say trips noted, certainly has enough to fascinate one for 6 days. Andalucia, on the other hand, is quintessentially Spain and can provide plenty of interest for weeks. Then again, there are many other "Spains".
It is easy to get to Seville and Cordoba from Madrid so you should probably base your decision on the specific things you want to see and whether you think you will ever be going back.
A lot of Fodorites will respond to questions like this with an automatic assumption that the OP will be going back, as so many of us do, so they advise one to concentrate on one area and not stretch themselves too thin.
If this might be your only trip, then I think that splitting your time and seeing two different regions would be well worth it. The Mezquita, in Cordoba, is other worldly. Knowing what I know after having visited it, I can't imagine passing on the chance to see it when I "could have". If this is just the first of many chances to go, then staying in Madrid and seeing enough of it that you feel comfortable not returning on subsequent trips makes sense, too.
The best part? You can't really go wrong here - it's Spain.
Madrid, with the say trips noted, certainly has enough to fascinate one for 6 days. Andalucia, on the other hand, is quintessentially Spain and can provide plenty of interest for weeks. Then again, there are many other "Spains".
It is easy to get to Seville and Cordoba from Madrid so you should probably base your decision on the specific things you want to see and whether you think you will ever be going back.
A lot of Fodorites will respond to questions like this with an automatic assumption that the OP will be going back, as so many of us do, so they advise one to concentrate on one area and not stretch themselves too thin.
If this might be your only trip, then I think that splitting your time and seeing two different regions would be well worth it. The Mezquita, in Cordoba, is other worldly. Knowing what I know after having visited it, I can't imagine passing on the chance to see it when I "could have". If this is just the first of many chances to go, then staying in Madrid and seeing enough of it that you feel comfortable not returning on subsequent trips makes sense, too.
The best part? You can't really go wrong here - it's Spain.
Jan 29th, 2012, 09:27 PM
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I find it difficult to imagine an enjoyable 6 day trip that includes both Madrid and Andalucia, but it really depends on what you want to see and experience.
What are your interests? What do you want to get from this experience?
What are your interests? What do you want to get from this experience?
Jan 29th, 2012, 10:23 PM
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It would help to know a few more details -
When in April is this trip planned?
Who is in your traveling party?
Do you foresee another trip to Spain in the future?
What are your interests what is your traveling style?
Have you already purchased your airfare?
When in April is this trip planned?
Who is in your traveling party?
Do you foresee another trip to Spain in the future?
What are your interests what is your traveling style?
Have you already purchased your airfare?
Jan 30th, 2012, 02:55 AM
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Last winter I had 7 days and split them between Madrid and Granada. It was a superb vacation!
I did not take day trips from Madrid, however, as I had been to Toledo, Segovia, Avila, etc, in the past and had no time during that week.
I think you do need to provide further details, though, to get more meaningful responses.
I did not take day trips from Madrid, however, as I had been to Toledo, Segovia, Avila, etc, in the past and had no time during that week.
I think you do need to provide further details, though, to get more meaningful responses.
Jan 30th, 2012, 03:12 AM
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For me, if seeing great sights was the point of my trip, I would want to see the Alhambra and Cordoba, plus the Prado, Toledo and Segovia. I could skip Sevilla.
However, there are certain kinds of travelers to Europe who come to Fodor's describing themselves as "not a museum person" and "we don't have to see EVERY church" or "we just generally want to soak up the atmosphere" -- and if that description fits your travel style, you probably don't want the full monty of museum-rich Madrid and the history and religious architecture of the nearest tourist towns.
However, if you are deeply interested in history and art, 6 days in Madrid plus touring the historic sights nearby will be very rewarding. One nice thing about the late Spanish dinner hour is that day trips are easier.
I am surprised by the statement that Andalucia is "quintessentially Spain." Does that idea come from movies? It certainly doesn't come from history.
However, there are certain kinds of travelers to Europe who come to Fodor's describing themselves as "not a museum person" and "we don't have to see EVERY church" or "we just generally want to soak up the atmosphere" -- and if that description fits your travel style, you probably don't want the full monty of museum-rich Madrid and the history and religious architecture of the nearest tourist towns.
However, if you are deeply interested in history and art, 6 days in Madrid plus touring the historic sights nearby will be very rewarding. One nice thing about the late Spanish dinner hour is that day trips are easier.
I am surprised by the statement that Andalucia is "quintessentially Spain." Does that idea come from movies? It certainly doesn't come from history.
Jan 30th, 2012, 06:22 AM
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The AVE train between Madrid and Córdoba (1h. 40 mins)/ Sevilla (2h 30 mins) would make it extremely tempting to spend a couple of days in one of these wonderful Andalusian cities. Have lunch in Madrid and get on the train, close your eyes as all good Spanish do at this time of day and wake up for a great evening and a couple of days in either city.
Most people would recommend Sevilla, but I also have a soft spot for Córdoba which is much more than the most obvious sights.
You should note that the huge Semana Santa celebrations are going on until the 8th of April. Could be a great experience, but you should move to find accomodation, especially in Sevilla: http://www.andalucia.com/festival/easter/home.htm
And in Sevilla, the Feria de Abril is celebrated two weeks later, 24-29 April: http://www.andalucia.com/festival/seville-feria.htm
Most people would recommend Sevilla, but I also have a soft spot for Córdoba which is much more than the most obvious sights.
You should note that the huge Semana Santa celebrations are going on until the 8th of April. Could be a great experience, but you should move to find accomodation, especially in Sevilla: http://www.andalucia.com/festival/easter/home.htm
And in Sevilla, the Feria de Abril is celebrated two weeks later, 24-29 April: http://www.andalucia.com/festival/seville-feria.htm
Jan 30th, 2012, 09:48 AM
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Thank you so much for all these great tips! Although my husband and I do enjoy some museums/history, we also like to get a feel for how people in an area live, so I think we are going to fit Andalucia in.
We were looking at the trains, but the prices seem high. We can rent a car for cheaper once you add all the tickets up. I'm not seeing the 60% off web fares for the trains. Is there a special way to get the web discount?
We were looking at the trains, but the prices seem high. We can rent a car for cheaper once you add all the tickets up. I'm not seeing the 60% off web fares for the trains. Is there a special way to get the web discount?
Jan 30th, 2012, 01:29 PM
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Have you purchased your airfare yet?
If you haven't purchased airfare then I'd look into flying into Sevilla and return home from Madrid. Spend 4-5 nights in Sevilla and 1-2 in Madrid.
If you've already purchased airfare and need to start/end in Madrid then I would immediately head to Sevilla for 4-5 nights on arrival. You can visit Cordoba as a daytrip from Sevilla or given your short time I'd probably visit on the return from Sevilla to Madrid, storing your luggage at teh bus station directly across the street. Then stay in Madrid 1-2 nights. It seems a shame to not get to visit Granada. If you haven't already purchased your flights you could just skip Madrid and see if you could fly home from Granada (via Madrid).
The trains for April are not showing up yet for purchase. When they do there will be fares deeply discounted. They generally show up approx 62 days before travel. The web fares can go quickly.
If your trip is the first week of April (Semana Santa) or during Feria in Sevilla then you'll need to start looking for hotel rooms ASAP. Sevilla in particular will have hotel prices at a premium.
If you haven't purchased airfare then I'd look into flying into Sevilla and return home from Madrid. Spend 4-5 nights in Sevilla and 1-2 in Madrid.
If you've already purchased airfare and need to start/end in Madrid then I would immediately head to Sevilla for 4-5 nights on arrival. You can visit Cordoba as a daytrip from Sevilla or given your short time I'd probably visit on the return from Sevilla to Madrid, storing your luggage at teh bus station directly across the street. Then stay in Madrid 1-2 nights. It seems a shame to not get to visit Granada. If you haven't already purchased your flights you could just skip Madrid and see if you could fly home from Granada (via Madrid).
The trains for April are not showing up yet for purchase. When they do there will be fares deeply discounted. They generally show up approx 62 days before travel. The web fares can go quickly.
If your trip is the first week of April (Semana Santa) or during Feria in Sevilla then you'll need to start looking for hotel rooms ASAP. Sevilla in particular will have hotel prices at a premium.
Jan 30th, 2012, 04:42 PM
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Google "quintessential Spain" and see how many times Andalucia, and especially Seville, are directly referenced.
-Flamenco
-Bullfighting
-700 years of conflict between the Moors and Christians that shaped the entire peninsula.
-Flamenco
-Bullfighting
-700 years of conflict between the Moors and Christians that shaped the entire peninsula.
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