I was very glad to have 2 full days in Granada, but then, I had more time for the area than you do. Given your interest in the Alhambra (and it is, IMO, well worth visiting twice -- first during the day, later at night), I think it would behoove you to spend at least two nights there. Book the Alhambra well in advance.

I thoroughly enjoyed Sevilla and was glad to have 3 days there. I also adored Cordoba, where I spent 2 full days. Many people visit Cordoba as a day trip from Sevilla, but if my time were limited, I would give up a day in Sevilla just to have more time in Cordoba. But then, I don't mind changing hotels with some frequency if it suits a purpose....

Too little time unfortunately. I'm also in the Sevilla > Granada camp but the Alhambra and Mezquita are excellent sites.

I know there are a lot of see the Alhambra twice folks, but given the short time, I wouldn't sacrifice a day in Sevilla for it (perhaps you don't have to though).

My trip with photos if that helps:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-with-kids.cfm

@Robert2533: I was looking at that flight combination -- there is a 4-hour stopover in Madrid in between flights, which I thought was excessive. However, now that I know that there's a terminal switch as well as time needed for getting through customs and baggage claim, it makes sense that there's a lag.

Would be nice if the USAirways/American Airlines merger is completed before the Spring -- would give me so many additional choices on flights.

The flights I looked at will still get me to Granada by 1PM, lots of time to sight see and catch the Alhambra at night.

My tentative itinerary calls for 2 nights in Granada with the remaining time in Seville.

I think 2 nights in Granada and the remainder in Seville is a good itinerary considering the short time you have. You can always return and see some of the things you will miss on this trip.

I also recently returned from a 2 week trip to Andalucia. We spent 4 nights in Seville, 3 in Cordoba, 2 in Ronda, and ended up, because of an unfortunate event, in Granada for 4 nights instead of 2.

Of all the places we visited, or at least say the "big 3" we loved Seville most and would definitely return. We actually liked Granada the least and I can even say that the Alhambra did not "wow" me as much as I had thought/expected. I also reserved both day and night visits - the day visit would have been more than enough.

To each his own, as always.

Have a great time.

I've been looking at flight options and found the following:

Philly - Madrid - Granada with a return Seville - Lisbon - Philly. The flight to Spain is 13 hours and the return is 12 hours.

With this flight itinerary we can stay in Granada for 2 or 3 nights, then train or bus it to Seville for the remainder with a day trip to Cordoba.

Does this sound reasonable?

If you have five nights total, spending the majority in Granada will diminish the value of your trip. One of the earlier comments said "I am usually the lone voice here asking why anyone would want to spend more than a day in Granada" - and she's not alone - I dunno why more than one night in Granada is necessary other than getting over the jet lag. Seville and Cordoba are much nicer.

We spent three nights/two days in Granada and loved it. We stayed up on the Alhambra hill, one night at the Hotel American inside the Alhambra, and two nights nearby at a charming place recommended in Maribel's Guide. We walked down into the city for dinner, and once through the Albaycin and up to the mirador at sunset, but otherwise we pretty much immersed ourselves in the Alhambra.

In addition to a night visit and a standard day visit (with morning entry time), we did a themed walking tour with an excellent guide. It was 30 euro for a 5-hour tour. These are still given as the "Other Look" tours; they offer a different one each day of the week. Ours was the Conquest of Water and I highly recommend it.

http://www.alhambra-patronato.es/ind...5d637b1e38d/0/

One thing we missed, because we did not find out about it in time, is the "Place of the Month." this is an area or structure that is normally closed to general entry, but is on offer for the month. You must go during your ticket time (i.e., with a morning ticket you have to enter before 2:00 just like the other areas). We had trouble finding anyone who knew about it, and by the time we did, it was 15 minutes too late.

http://www.alhambradegranada.org/en/...hambranews.asp

The train from Granada to Seville (or Cordoba) is easy and pleasant. We booked the morning train in advance, and arrived in Cordoba with most of the afternoon and the evening to enjoy the city. WE enjoyed spending one night there (but we do not mind moving around and changing hotels; others recommend Cordoba as a daytrip).

I clicked the Alhambra site to find out more about the "Place of the Month" but could not find a schedule (if that is what I'm supposed to be looking for).

The reason I'm thinking of 3 nights in Grenada is because we wouldn't arrive until afternoon of Day One....thinking that 2 full days is needed in Granada? There are a lot different opinions about this, but I would hate to stay only 1.5 days and regret it later.

As for the total number of days, I think I am going to expand the trip by an extra day: Leave the USA on a Wednesday evening (arrive in Spain Thursday) and return to the USA the following Wednesday.

That will give us 5.5 days in total for all 3 locations.

Maybe we should schedule just 2 nights in Granada (1/2 day Thursday, Friday, 1/2 day Saturday) and leave Granada Saturday afternoon for Seville and spend the remaining days there (with one day trip to Cordoba)?

That would still give us 2 "full" days in Granada.

Another question is regarding which neighborhood to stay in. While I would LOVE to stay at the Parador de Granada it is not in my budget. Not sure I want to stay in the Alhambra as we like to stroll around after dinner and soak in the ambiance of the town.

I'd be OK spending as high as $200 per night -- but not sure which neighborhood is best for us given our short stay. Cathedral area? Plaza Nueva? Albacin?

There is no schedule for "place of the month"; they just designate a different structure or area of the Alhambra each month for public visitation. It is not normally open to the public but during the designated month it is. Just another way to see more of the unusual aspects of the Alhambra.

<<Maybe we should schedule just 2 nights in Granada (1/2 day Thursday, Friday, 1/2 day Saturday) and leave Granada Saturday afternoon for Seville and spend the remaining days there (with one day trip to Cordoba)?>>

That sounds like a great plan, Judy. I agree with all the above posters on spending more time in Seville, where you'll get better wandering, food, flamenco, culture, etc.

As for Cordoba, it is gorgeous and amazing. However, I'd suggest making that decision after you get to Seville. You may decide you want as much time as possible there in which case Cordoba can be for your next trip to Spain.

Although it depends on your interests, 2 full days in Granada is likely to be sufficient. I'm glad you'll be able to add a day to your trip!

That's something to think about -- I'm sure the hotel concierge can help us if we decide on a day in Cordoba.

Glad that is out of the way! And yes....adding one more day is awesome!

Any suggestions on which area to stay in Granada? Since we'll be there just a few days I'm wondering which neighborhood would serve us best.

I was thinking near the Cathedral or Albaicin (but have read mixed reviews regarding safety in Albaicin).

Seville needs some thought on where to stay as well, but I think I'll focus on one city at a time.

BTW, I loved Cordoba and would not have skipped it for the world! To each his/her own.

I did some research on Cordoba and I agree it is worthy of a visit, but with just 6 days (actually 5 1/2) on the ground it might not work out for us.

I think one of the bigger issues with staying in Albaicin is that it can be tricky to navigate.

I stayed a couple blocks off Acera del Darro near Puerta Real which was near lots of hot tapas zones and a direct bus ride from the airport. It was a 20 min walk to the Alhambra and short walk to the Cathedral and Albaicin. The area around the Cathedral probably would have been more convenient for the day-time but this area was perfect for my late-night munching.

As I'm sure you know from Bourdain show, you get a free tapas with each drink in Granada and often you can pick what you want from a menu.

For what it's worth: Easyjet flies to Seville from London's Gatwick airport. It's a direct flight, but unfortunately leaves in the early morning, so you'd have to overnight in Gatwick area after flying to London.

I am sorry, but I do not think you have a workable plan here. A trip of this length is only suitable for cities to which you have, more or less, a direct connection. Four days in London: check. Four days in Paris: check. Four days in Madrid: check.

Four days trying to scramble to secondary gateways like Seville or even worse, Granada, - NO.

Don't. A python or boa constrictor as a birthday present would be less stressful.

Okay, so now you have six full days, assuming no screw-up with your flights. Let's try:

Leave Wednesday night arrive Thursday Madrid. Collapse at hotel, then go see the Prado.
Friday: Fast train to Seville, then regular train to Granada for Friday, Saturday. We had 2 nights in Granada and left wishing we had more, but there it is.
Back to Seville for Sunday and Monday night.
Leave Tuesday noon on fast train back to Madrid. So you'd have almost 48 hours in Seville, not too bad.
Fly home Wednesday.

Doable. But one last thing: don't surprise your husband with purchased tickets, but with a card two or three months in advance letting him know your plans. Should your husband have a boss at work, remember that bosses, like most reptiles, do not care for being surprised.

Aha. Just checked rail schedules, you can take the 'Altaria' straight from Madrid - Puerta de Atocha (someone else here will have to help you on that one, I know zip about this train) station to Granada in 4.5 hours, leaving say, 09:05, arriving 13:30. Way more fun than hanging around in an airport the previous day.

By the way, just to add to the fun, the Altaria stops in Cordoba en route Granada.

Bus or train Granada to Seville is, if memory serves, around 3 hours.