seeksocean

There are three of us, in our 60's, on an adventure. After arriving in Cordoba the week of a big festival, we are thinking of three nights there (we arrive by train from Barcelona and the train arrives in the evening). Then we have 8 nights to see the other three, ending in Malaga for a train back to Madrid. In what direction should we travel the 'Golden Triangle' and which towns should we give priority? Of course I am reading, reading and researching. But I love opinions too. Thank you so much!!

seeksocean

PS. I wanted to throw Cadiz in the mix. But,there seems like no time for it. We might rent a car...bus..train..private driver

Christina

Those four cities aren't a triangle, they are really a parallelogram, more or less.

Your plans are odd as there isn't any great way to do it if you must end in Malaga. Why wouldn't you end in Sevilla, and you can easily take the AVE from there to Madrid.

seeksocean

One of us needs to fly to Amsterdam. Two of us go on to Madrid. Could you please help me figure that one out. Thank you!

Robert2533

I would do 2 nights in Córdoba, then take the train to Sevilla (3 nights), bus to Granada (2 nights) and bus to Málaga (3 nights).

You can visit Cádiz from Sevilla by train. No need to purchase this ticket ahead of time, but be sure to purchase a roundtrip ticket when you do.

MyriamC

Transavia has daily direct flights from Sevilla to Amsterdam.

Anyway, it's not very logical to start in Córdoba.
I would start in Málaga, then Granada, Córdoba, Sevilla.

kja

"In what direction should we travel"

First and foremost, make sure you can get tickets for the Alhambra, preferably one during the day and at least one during the evening (I was glad to visit the Nasrid Palace in the evening AFTER the main day-time tour; if there had been an evening tour of the Generalife at the time I went, I would have visited it the night before.)

Then check the opening times of other places you want to see: Many things in Spain are closed on Mondays and part or all of Sundays, and a lot of things are closed for a very long mid-day break.

That's the information that I would use to plan a route!

As for how to get to various places, check rome2rio.com or the Rough Guide.

Enjoy!

DarkMystique

Just back from a 10 day trip to Andalucia. Chose to skip Malaga and drove past Cadiz, so wont comment on those. Spent 4 nights in Sevilla ( could have easily spent another couple of nights since we did not get to see it all). Ended up going for Flamenco 3 of those 4 nights (skipped New Years). Museo de Baile Flamenco ( cave style) and Los Gallos put up spectacular shows! Did a day trip to Cordoba from Sevilla - it was a bit rushed and the weather did not cooperate. Not sure if I'd want to spend 3 nights in Cordoba - 1 or 2 nights, yes absolutely. The Mesquita is gorgeous!

We took the train from Sevilla to Granada - here you need to keep in mind that hi speed rail work is going on between Santa Ana and Granada ( last 1 hour is in a bus).

Spent 3 nights in Granada - Alhambra by day, Alhambra by night, 2 consecutive nights of fabulous flamenco at Casa del Flamenco and a day trip to Nerja on the Costa del Sol to check out the Nerja caves ( fabulous Stalactites and stalagmites). Next time will definitely plan to stay in Nerja for a couple of days and check out more of the coast line.

Took the AVE from Granada to Madrid - again had to take the bus to Santa Ana and then transfer to the train.

Its going to be an amazing trip - full of history, culture, awesome food, and some very nice people!! Enjoy

Robert2533

How does one "drive past Cadiz" unless you where driving up from Vejer?

DarkMystique

@Robert2533 - sorry meant driving up A381 from Algericas (province of Cadiz) to Sevilla. Port Cadiz was a 30 minute detour but chose not to go in.

Robert2533

10 days didn't leave you much time, but the next time you should include both Vejer and Cádiz, with a stop to have lunch on the beach in Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

Vonse

Robert: Is Sanlúcar de Barrameda a viable daytrip from Seville using public transportation?

Robert2533

Yes, we did it a couple of years ago in March and the weather was sunny and cool, but good enough for a Paella on the beach (http://tinyurl.com/qxw72dy).

seeksocean

Booked it! Flying Barcelona to Sevilla, 4 nights in Sevilla. On to Córdoba, 3 nights there. On to Granada, 3 nights there. Then Malaga, 2 nights. Train to Madrid, 3 nights.

Questions...is a guided tour through the Alhambra worth the extra expense as opposed to the MP3 player type guide? And, should I buy my Picasso Museum tickets in advance? Thanks...really appreciate all these posts!

progol

No need to purchase the Picasso Museum tickets ahead -- it took no time to purchase our tickets and we were there at the end of last May.

I found the audio guide plenty sufficient for our interests at the Alhambra, but it's a matter of personal taste as to how much you want a human guiide. Frankly, given the crowds of people who are there, I found it preferable to have the audio and go at my own pace.

kimhe

Could be long lines at the Picasso museum. We've been in Malaga many times for completely different reasons, and the times we have checked the Picasso museum, we've turned around and into the next bar because of the long lines and hordes of people.

progol

I'd listen to kimhe, not me! He's been there many times, I've been to Malaga once -- so purchase the tickets ahead of time and don't take the risk of long lines. I can only say that my own experience was without problem. There was a line but it did move quickly.

Robert2533

The audio guides at the Alhambra where not availabe last month. They said that they may be available sometime in March or April, but weren't sure.

kimhe

When in Malaga, you should consider one or all of these three places within 100 meters in the heart of town:

All kinds of Malaga wines on barrel in Antigua Casa de Guardia, not much have changed since they opened in 1840: http://antiguacasadeguardia.com/

The fabulous Atarazanas food market, also a couple of great tapas bars in here, the finest oysters, conchas finas, razor clams, prawn skewers etc. etc.: http://eastofmalaga.net/2014/07/25/w...ry-perception/

Casa Aranda, one of my favourite cafes in all of Spain, THE place for churros con chocolate: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/an...=lp-affiliates

seeksocean

Wow! Thank you!!! Where I am right now I have horrible Internet, but when I get back to good Internet I will look at all of this. Pretty exciting stuff!