WillTravel

I am flying into Madrid and out of Malaga. I've worked out this itinerary, but I'm not sure it's optimal. I wonder if I might like to hang out in some city for 5-7 days, or if I am missing some key spots. I've booked centrally located lodgings in each case (average single room about 33 Euros/night over the entire stay, and all are well-reviewed). I plan to travel by train or bus.

Madrid, Dec. 25-27 (may do a Viator daytrip to Avila and Segovia, as I doubt I could easily manage both in one day. I have previously visited Madrid and Toledo.)
Cordoba, Dec. 27-30
Seville, Dec. 30 - Jan. 3
Jerez de la Frontera, Jan. 3-6 (possible daytrips to Ronda and/or Cadiz)
Granada, Jan. 6-9
Malaga, Jan. 9-12 (very early departure)

Any suggestions to tweak or radically revise this itinerary?

kimhe

Sounds like a great plan, will give you a taste of many fabulous and quite different cities.

You come to Malaga on a Saturday, and then I strongly recommend to have lunch in one or more of the tapas bars inside the fabulous Atarazanas food market. Had a fabulous lunch here last Saturday (in Cafe Bar Atarazanas and El Yerno), conchas finas, oysters, razor clams, prawn skewers etc. etc, much fish and seafood, but also great vegetable and meat tapas. Full of groups of friends and families, loud, crowded, but still very laid-back and the people running the bars are in full control. And Saturday lunch is more crowded than usual and a very special experience, the best atmosphere and many GTs around...
http://eastofmalaga.net/2014/07/25/w...ry-perception/
Cafe Bar Atarazanas: http://azahar-spain.com/azahartapas/...do-atarazanas/
El Yerno: http://azahar-spain.com/azahartapas/el-yerno/

CGS

We were in Andalucia two summers ago. Of the places you are visiting, we were in Cordoba, Seville, Granada and Ronda. Based on our experience, I would consider shaving a day or two off Cordoba and adding them to Seville, since you will be in Seville over New Years, and presumably things will be closed during some of that time. Of course, only you can determine what you enjoy seeing, and both cities are wonderful, but there is quite a bit to see in Seville - more so than Cordoba. We adored Ronda, but I can't say whether it is somewhere you will enjoy in winter or not - I think it can be quite cold. We stayed the night in Ronda and it changes dramatically when the tourist buses arrive and when they leave. We especially loved it in the morning and the afternoon/evening before and after the buses. Enjoy your trip and don't forget to get your Alhambra tickets in advance!

WillTravel

Thanks for that suggestion. Probably what I will do is set it up so that I arrive in Cordoba relatively late, and leave early in the morning, in order to maximize time in Madrid and Seville.

I've experienced the phenomenon of a completely different town after the tourists leave in Toledo, so I get what you are saying with Ronda. Maybe I will take a night off Jerez in favor of Ronda?

Egbert

If there is a city I would want to hang out in for 5-7 days in Andalucia it is Sevilla. Other than that, not much to add, looks like a great plan.

kja

I loved Cordoba and was glad I gave it two full days. OTOH, I think the idea of adding some time to Sevilla at that time of year could make good sense. So I would actually limit your time in Madrid, since it has an international airport, which would make it easier for you to visit it on a subsequent trip.

If you do visit Segovia and Avila, have you considered staying overnight in one or both rather than day tripping? Both are IME much more magical after day trippers leave, they are easy to reach by public transportation, and as another solo traveler, it is easy enough to move on rather than return to a base. You could go straight from Madrid to Segovia upon arrival; leave sometime the next day for Avila, and either spend the night in Avila or move on, depending on how the timing works out for you. Again, not my first choice (which would be to maximize your time in Andalusia), but perhaps worth considering....

WillTravel

I get what you are saying, but I really like Madrid and feel there is more I want to see there.
So far as staying overnight in Avila or Segovia, I can see the argument for it also, especially given how much I liked Toledo at night, but given it will be Christmas Day night and Boxing Day, I think it might be best to be in a larger city then.

kja

I can easily understand wanting to spend more time in / around Madrid! And sorry, but I hadn't paid sufficient attention to the dates. But I still think you might want to make the most of your time in Andalusia.... JMO!