sndraco

Hi

I am landing in Madrid on a Sat at 15:30pm, city drop off my suitcase (have to return to Madrid on Monday, ie 9 days hence) at my hotel and then planning on heading out for a couple of days and then off to Morocco. (I have spent 10 days before in Spain in Madrid/Barcelona area and once I return will have two weekends, planning one weekend in Basque country and other either salamanca/near there or valencia). I might have a day or so on my way back from Morocco but don't know that yet.

So thinking i have two options

1. Head to Cordoba on Ave, spend the evening/night, see Mezquita and then off to Seville Sunday noon'ish and leave Mon/Tues for Tarifa to get to Tangier (only cheap flights I am finding are from Madrid and dates dont work). Option to skip Cordoba and spend the extra time in Seville (two nights)

2. Head to Granada, spend Sat night, all of Sun and then Mon try and get to Tarifa/Gibraltar (Algeciras) to take ferry to Tangier.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

S

PalenQ

I and many folks here seem to think a day for Granada is all most want - a big busy city and smoggy when I was there but with the great Mosque, which is stunning - but Cordoba and Seville have so so much to see and do.

If doing Granada perhaps head to Gibrlatar for the night before you take the ferries from nearyb Algerciras - catamarans do it in less than an hour I think. Gibrlatar is an offbeat place for sure - many are bored there but I enjoyed to the hilt my day there - climb the Rock itself but watch out for those pesky tailless monkeys running amok.

It is also quicker to get to Cordoba from Madrid than Granada and Seville is just a short high-speed train ride or slower local train ride from Cordoba.

MmePerdu

Please clarify - is it 9 days altogether, from Madrid back to Madrid? Please tell us how many nights (not days) you plan to spend in Spain and how many nights in Morocco.

PalenQ

he said a couple of days (nights in Spain) and the rest in Africa - arrives in Madrid on a Saturday - and has to be back in Madrid 10 days later - nine days out - a couple in Spain only.

How about flying back to Madrid from Africa?

Sassafrass

Such limited time does not work well for Cordoba and Seville or even just Seville.

I would head straight to Granada. An evening and whole day and evening would be OK there and allows for seeing the Alhambra both day and night and time for a nice stroll of the city center. Personally, I love Granada and would not rush to include Gibraltar.

MmePerdu

Given you've spent time in Spain, have you considered flying from Madrid to Morocco and back, to simplify the whole endeavor? It seems like a lot of work to get all that into a short time frame, when you'd likely enjoy it more by paring down the logistics.

Bedar

Option #2 is best. From Granada, take the bus to Malaga and on down the Costa del Sol to Algeciras where the Tarifa ferry has a bus to take you to it. You want to take that ferry which lands you up in the port of Tangier. The ferries from Algeciras take you to the new port of Tanger Med where you need to take a bus or taxi 40 km into Tangier.

BigRuss

What's the fascination with Tangier? It's a port city and not a top Morocco attraction like Marrakesh.

PalenQ

What's the fascination with Tangier? It's a port city and not a top Morocco attraction like Marrakesh.>

OP is spending a week in Morocco - did not say he's staying the whole time in Tangiers - just a gateway from Southern Spain as he wants to see some of those fantastic places mentioned as well.

He may well ending smoking hash in Marrakesh for all we know.

MmePerdu

There's probably more to smoke in Tangier than in Marrakech - close to the source in the Rif Mountains.

PalenQ

http://goafrica.about.com/od/morocco/a/moroccokif.htm

Not sure if this is the case in Tangiers! this article says most of the males in Marrakech smoke kif - or hashish and so do many tourists.

MmePerdu

Having spent quite a lot of time in Morocco, I've never seen it in Marrakech, while the hotel I stayed in for a while in Chefchaouen in the north smelled perpetually of pot in the evenings as the owners smoked it openly in the lounge. Not disputing your source, PQ, just my experience. Near Chefchaouen is the growing area and Tangier (no "s") is not far from there.

Ozarksbill

Now doing a report on our Spain/Portugal travels in October. You do need sufficient time in Cordoba and Seville. We didn't get to Morocco due to uncertain choppy seas affecting the ferry mentioned by Bedar.

PalenQ

MmePerdu - I know nudding - just that Marrakech has the reputation of lots of hash - a hash processing center - oh well probably irrelevant to the OP and I would advise any tourist to tread carefully as it is illegal with a 10-year sentence in the slammer potentially. I'll have to check out Chefshaouen!

Bedar

Perdu is correct. There is more dope in the north, where it comes from, than in other places. That said, there is a lot everywhere. Many kids go to Marrakech, so much is sold there. Tangier can be a terrific, lovely place beyond the pothead nonsense.

MmePerdu

"Tangier can be a terrific, lovely place beyond the pothead nonsense."

I completely agree, as I've mentioned here before. I think those who disparage the place have just been there on day trips or are repeating something they've heard. On the other hand, the more that believe it, the fewer other visitors there will be outside the very limited areas frequented by the daytrippers. I found it quite tranquil, maybe as a result.

lincasanova

I think your Cordoba/ Sevilla plan is logical. Have you checked ryanair for flights to morocco? www. whichbudgt.com will help out ALL flights from Madrid and Sevilla. .

kja

I agree with Sassafrass and Bedar -- go to Granada. Be sure to book your visits to the Alhambra (day and evening) well in advance. Enjoy!

lincasanova

should be www. whichbudget.com