kerenhart

Hi!
My husband and I are travelling for 5 nights to and from Seville. I would like to combine with 1 more city, perhaps Granada or Malaga. What would you suggest? I would probably not have time for both. Also, how would it be best to travel between cities (train or bus) and how long should I spend in each place?
Thanks!!

bardo1

5 nights in Seville sounds about right - or do you have five EXTRA nights after Seville that you're asking about? It's not clear to me.

Bedar

Three nights is adequate for Seville. Train to Cordoba and then bus to Granada. Have a good trip !

kerenhart

bardo1 - we have 5 nights total, I heard it's too much for just Seville

Bedar - do you to spend one night in cordoba and one in granada or is that just the way to get to granada?

CathyM

In my opinion 5 nights is not too much for Sevilla particularly if you want to do a couple of day trips. However in your case unless you plan to return to Andalucia in the future I'd probably spend 3 nights in Sevilla and 2 in Granada.

If you were able to add a day to the trip I'd add a day to Sevilla and visit Cordoba as a day trip. It seems a shame to miss Cordoba but 5 nights is just barely enough for Granada & Sevilla and personally I wouldn't try to squeeze any more in.

kimhe

Sevilla could easily be a lifetime project, but you will of course have a chance to get a feel for it in five days. Fabulous sights, both the most obvious such as the Cathedral/Giralda, the Alcázar, the old tabacco factory (Bizet's "Carmen"), the Indian arcives (archives from the "New World"/America from the late 15th century and onwards), Plaza de España, Torre del Oro, the Fine Arts Museum etc, but also lots of other gems such as the quintessential Sevillano "Hospital de la Caridad" and many, many others reflecting the city's Tartessian, Roman, Moorish, Jewish, Gitano and Christian culture: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/sevilla.htm

Experience world class flamenco at Casa de la Memória. Popular with tourists, but some of the greatest perform here on a regular basis. Should at least give you an idea of how wonderful flamenco can be: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Andalusia.html

Late at night, perhaps go to the flamenco/sevillanas club El Rejoneo in riveside C/Betis 33. Often Samara Amador, the singer daughter of living legend dancer Manuela Carrasco, gets into action here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPZT3ADgWsw

Or to extremely popular Anselma: http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/gui...fe-detail.html

The Arab bath house Aire de Sevilla. A friend of mine went five times in a week: http://www.airedesevilla.com/

Remember to visit other districts than beautiful but very touristy Santa Cruz. Some of my favourite areas are close by Arenal, San Lorenzo/Alameda/Macarena in the North and wonderful Triana across the city river Guadalquivir.

Perhaps see the ruins of the Roman city Itálica, just outside Sevilla? The allegedly most successful and competent of all the Roman emperors, Trajan, was born here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italica

Very knowledgeable tapas bar/restaurant suggestions by districts. Azahar lives in Sevilla: http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/

These are all musts and a 15 mins walk from the Santa Cruz district:
Eslava, one of the most popular among locals: http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/category/eslava/

Bodega dos de Mayo close by is also great: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalucia.html

Rinconcillo from 1670 is the oldest in the country, the best atmosphere and solid, local specialities: http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletap...l-rinconcillo/

All the info you could think of when it comes to Sevilla:
http://www.exploreseville.com/

Córdoba is 50 minutes away by the high speed AVE train. My favourite city in the region, laid-back Málaga, is 2h 30 mins away by bus/train and Granada would be some three hours away by both bus and train. If you go to Granada, you should also see the Cathedral and the adjoining Capilla Real where the so called Catholic kings Isabella and Ferdinand are buried together with their daughter, son in law and grandchild. They meant business...

kimhe

And in Sevilla in December, watch out for choirs singing flamenco inspired Christmas songs (villancicos) in the streets:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ltDBAXXnqI

Bedar

Every major city in Spain "could easily be a lifetime project.". That said, Seville can be seen in either two or three days. From there I would go on to Cordoba for a night and then to Granada. You don't say how you are getting to Seville - flying directly there ? taking the train from Madrid ? I don't see going to Cordoba as a daytrip from Seville, but I don't like backtracking. If you look at a map, Cordoba is between Seville and Granada. Forget Malaga this trip. You don't have enough time, and it's a secondary city. Hit the highlights this time. Yes, my husband and I know Spain quite well. We lived there for 20 yrs and have visited it for the past 30 !

Egbert

I like Seville for 3 nights ( I never get tired of it) and Granada for 2 in order to avoid one night hotel stays. You could see Cordoba on the way to Granada, you won't see much but you can check out the Mezquita which is the "must see" in Cordoba.

kimhe

The Sevilla which "can be seen in either two or three days" sounds like a kind of boring place...