lyntay

I will have 10 days on the ground and would like to see the following places: Seville, Granada, Cordoba, Ronda, Malaga. Is this enough time to see those places? Is there something else I should see while in the area? How would you divide your 10 days in this region?

michelhuebeli

Some will say that 10 days are not enough, but if you get a car and don''t mind keeping at it, you can do it and have fun.

It doesn't really matter in which sequence you go around these cities, they make for a perfect circle trip. Fly into whichever has the best flight for you, Malaga, or Granada, or Sevilla.

If push comes to shove, Cordoba can be seen in a day on the way from Granada to Sevilla.

Ronda can be experienced in a day on the way from Malaga to - say - Arcos de la Frontera (worth a visit!) or, if you push it a bit, even Sevilla.

Figure on no more than two days in Granada (book early online for the Alhambra!), a day and a night in Cordoba to not just enjoy the Mezquita but also the old town, especially after hours.

Ronda takes only a few hours, then you've seen the gorge and the bridge and walked some of the old town. Your best bet for a lovely drive is to take the mountain road to or from Malaga rather than the express way.

Malaga is great - the castle on the hill, the city hall (ayuntamiento) down below, a couple more sites worth checking out if you're into art.

Sevilla is the big kahuna among these, give it time, take the river boat trip up to the Calatrava bridge, walk plenty around the old quarters, soak in the after-hours vibe when most of the daytrippers have left (there will still be enough tourists left...).

Robert2533

"Ronda takes only a few hours" A typical comment from someone who does not appreciate being anywhere. We'll be back in Ronda for two days this spring, which is hardly enough to see anything, but it is not our first trip. With only 10 days, you have to plan accordingly, going for what you are interested in most.

kja

I'm in the not-quite-enough-time camp, but it really depends on what you want to see and do. I spent 3 days in Sevilla (not quite enough for me), 2 full days each in Granada and Cordoba (and I was VERY glad to have that much time in each), 1 day in Ronda, and no time in Malaga (I went into the Alpujarras instead).

I strongly encourage you to look through at least one, if not several, guidebooks and figure out what most interests you -- none of us have exactly the same interests! Note that many things will be closed on Mondays and during LONG siestas. Whatever you choose, it is a fascinating part of the world so you won't go wrong!

kja

BTW, re: Ronda -- I agree that it merits more than a few hours, but I personally would not give it two days. I had planned to stay there a bit more than 24 hours. I got there mid-to-late afternoon, enjoyed the rest of the day, that night, and the next morning. By noon, I was ready to leave -- even after sleeping through my alarm and getting up late! It is the ONLY place in ALL of my travels that I left sooner than I had planned. I stopped for coffee while re-consulting the two guidebooks I had with me to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything. Nope -- I was ready to move on.

Don't get me wrong -- I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. But with so much else to see and do in the area, I was unwilling to stay there any longer when I could take an earlier bus and add some time to my next destination (Sevilla). Perhaps if I had had a rental car at the time (I didn't) I would have wanted to stay longer so I could see some of the caves in the area. And let me also say that I fully understand that some people prefer a more relaxed pace than I prefer -- vive la différence!

ribeirasacra

Slow down and take something in of the location(s) you visit. Observe life.

MellisaTurner

Day 1, 2 and 3 - Seville city. Visits to historical buildings, bars and nightclubs. Must: walk on the Triana side of the river and the bridge of Altozano at night (the view is gorgeous), and on the opposite direction during daytime (best view at these times).

Day 4, 5, 6, 7, 8- Drive down towards Jerez de la Frontera. Visit the town. Maybe a wine 'bodega'. Its a beautiful city too. Drive down to the beaches. The coast area from Los caños to Tarifa is all worth visiting. (great gorgeous beaches away from the tourist-resorts). From Jerez you also have the option to drive inland to Ubrique. this is a mountain road with great views. From there you can easily go to Ronda.
U can easily do both things in about 5 days. That wont need to imply much driving if you plan the journey well.
I would bother visiting Gibraltar or Algeciras, appart from the time, it is a horrible industrial area quite contaminated. A trip to Africa can be quite tempting, but id advice to dedicate an entire trip to Morocco. There are much better places there than Tanger. And ull be wasting a full day of your precious 11 days in Andalucia!

Day 9 - Drive along the coast highway towards Malaga. I wouldnt bother with Mijas. Its too full of tourists. Though you can stop and have a look. What I would do is stop in Nerja (quite beautiful too), and spend the night there. If u spend a day less in the area of the beaches, then, this following day could be spent on the Alpujarras: drive from Nerja to the south side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. there are a lot of little villages there to see, and its really worth it. Even more than maybe ronda which is a bit out of the way, or the beaches. It depends on what you like more: mountain or beach?

Days 10 and 11- if not, just go directly to Granada, another very beautiful city. You will enjoy the trip independently on what u choose! Its all worth to see!

About Cordoba, yes, its very nice. With the open 'patios' inside the houses. But its very out-of-the-way, and don’t think its very convenient for your trip. Definitely you have to go back and c all your leaving behind!

What to eat: In the coast, ask for fried fish, its really nice and healthy!" Inland, ask for a good pork steak or jamon. Red wine with lemon soda is quite nice. It is called Tinto Verano.
Hope you enjoy, and I helped a bit!

neckervd

I fully agree with Michel, but:

the whole trip can be done by public transport without any problem:
2-3 days or so for Sevilla
day trip by train (40 min/OW) from Sevilla to Cordoba
bus from Sevilla to Ronda
train from Ronda to Granada
bus from Granada to Malaga and fly home from there
or train from Malaga to Sevilla

Ronda: the visit of the city takes not more than a few hours, but it is highly recommended to visit the Cueva de Pileta too
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cueva_de_la_Pileta
http://www.cuevadelapileta.org/texto...os/pileta.html

Other gems in the area: the white villages (best visited by car, however)

Viajero2

CRITICAL question: what time of the year would be going? Andalucia has mild winters and it is a great time actually to visit, but it can get quite rainy in the white towns region (Ronda, Arcos, Jerez de la Frontera, Grazalema...). Also, if you rent a car (not needed in Seville nor Granada, a must if driving to the White Towns), the daylight is shorter, something to ocnsider. In the winter, you may not even need to worry about advanced reservations at the Alhambra (been there twice in November; walked right in). Agree with Ronda been a gem; experienced travelers know how to unlayered a gem and Ronda is one of those The main square in Jerez de la Frontera captures 1,000 years of history in Spain. Just go, sit on a vench, and looked around to understand what I mean.

Spain is an amazing destination. I've been there 20 times and am just researching some towns that are already blowing my mind. Can't wait to go back!!

stevelyon

Melissa, i think you meant to write "dont bother with Gibraltar" - that hadnt been mentioned before, but I agree dont bother with Gibraltar.

yorkshire

Please tell us When, How (car or public transport) and your air travel options (into and out of what cities). Do you like museums, food, nature?

michelhuebeli

"Ronda takes only a few hours" A typical comment from someone who does not appreciate being anywhere..."

Robert, did you get out of bed on the wrong side this morning? Come on, lighten up, be nice! And be reasonable, please - OP has a limited schedule, and in a few hours can marvel at the gorge from the bridge, maybe do the scamper down and back up, and see the old town. Surely enough for someone on his schedule, notwithstanding folks like you who prefer to give it two days, no?

Now take a hot toddy and feel better.

lyntay

Wow, thanks for all of your replies. I really appreciate it. You've have given me what I needed - approximate time in each place. Thanks. First, I am currently going through guide books, but I find everything (well almost everything) appealing. I have narrowed it down to this region but now need your ideas as to what to leave in and what to leave out for the time I have. I do realize that 10 days is never enough, but, alas, it is all that I have. @Michelhuebeli, I get it - Tsfat, in Israel was one of those places for me - I don't know why but that's how that place struck me - like Ronda for you.

I am travelling in the first two weeks of August - a nice, scorching hot time of year. I can travel by car or bus or train. I will be coming from Barcelona, but not necessarily leaving from there. I am flexible on that. What I definitely know - I'm super excited.

Now, can anyone suggest places to stay? We are not the huge hotel people. We actually prefer B & B and boutique hotels. Again, thanks for your ideas.

C

danon

" experienced travelers know how to unlayered a gem and Ronda is one of those"

Many travellers just don't have the luxury of spending days in every town.
Not a matter of experience .

ClementineLdn

Oooh, I wouldn't fancy travelling around Andalucia in August. It's very, very hot. I lived there for a while and found it a struggle to even walk down the street between midday and about 6pm for most of the summer. You don't seem to mind the idea of the heat, but in my mind, a trip like this involves lots of walking up hills - surely milder months like May or October would be better? Just my opinion.

yorkshire

Agree about August--I am not bothered by hot weather, having grown up in the American south, but August in Andalucia is another story. Plus, many places may be shuttered. I understand needing to work with the time you have, but I would strongly consider going to the Basque coast instead.

Viajero2

...and this is is WHY I asked which month for this trip! August throws in a "monkey wrench" on any itinerary to Andalucia. I would head out Northern Spain.

michelhuebeli

"...Now, can anyone suggest places to stay? We are not the huge hotel people. We actually prefer B & B and boutique hotels...." Hurry and book, August is - well, you know...

Try www.housetrip.com - fairly new, not as overbooked as others I would think