stokebailey

Well, only six full days the second week of March. Our first time in Spain, and on spring university break for my daughter. We will just have been in London, so don't need too much in the art museum line. A lovely town, some ancient ruins, maybe?

What I most crave would be a chance to walk along a beach, and am thinking either Malaga or around Cadiz. There's a Zurbaran at the Cadiz Museum I'd kind of like to see, but mostly we're in it for the fresh air, stretching our legs and minds. Anyway, half the time you travel to see a painting it's at a blockbuster show somewhere else.

Travel to both of those towns seems to be around equal time by public transport, around 5 hrs round trip?

PalenQ

Cadiz and Malaga by train are less than two hours - 1:40 for Cadiz each way (buses to Malaga could be quicker I don't know) and Malaga about 15 minutes longer, by train.

Been to both and both have superb beaches but in March I suspect Malaga may have warmer waters than the Atlantic at Cadiz (have no real data on that but just thinking the Mediterranean may be warmer than the Atlantic)

Both are nice towns.

Jerez-de-le-Frontera is easy to combine with Cadiz - take a quick look and tour one of the very famous Sherry wine houses and take in the practice session of the famous local riding school where the huge horses are trained. Trains go there too as do buses.

stokebailey

Thanks, Pal!

Robert2533

The "huge horses" are from the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art Foundation (www.realescuela.org/ing/home.htm). Not to be missed if you have the time.

tower

Stan...write. Stu

kja

Cordoba and Ronda can be seen as day trips from Sevilla. I thought the Mezquita in Cordoba very special and would recommend that you look into it. (I generally recommend 2 full days in Cordoba, but you obviously don't have that much time and many people do go visit the Mezquita as a day trip.)

IME, Fodor's guide book provides good coverage of day trip options.

stokebailey

Hi, thanks Robt. Looks beautiful.

kja, yes, thanks.

ozgirl

I would also highly recommend the Mezquita and we also loved Ronda. Don't miss the Alcazar and the Cathedral in Sevilla and we took in a fantastic flamenco evening at Los Gallos.
Have a wonderful week!

stokebailey

Thank you, ozgirl. Good to hear. We're taking notes.

stokebailey

Does anyone have an opinion whether Málaga or Cádiz is more worth the time? We wouldn't be swimming, but would like to get near the water somehow. (As a landlocked Midwesterner drawn to the sea.)

I'm not sure I want to venture out for more than one day trip. I know there are lots of wonderful things to see, but like to stay put and explore where we are.

Fra_Diavolo

For ancient ruins, think about a visit to the Roman city of Italica, a short bus ride from Seville.

danon

another vote for Italica...only 30 min from Seville
Beautifully mentained site....a real gem, recommended to us by the locals.
Malaga is a lovely town with quite a bit to see... right on the water.

PalenQ

Does anyone have an opinion whether Málaga or Cádiz is more worth the time? We wouldn't be swimming, but would like to get near the water somehow>

Been to both and could not recommend one over the other - you will enjoy either but if not going for the water I'd say go to other cities like Cordoba, a fascinating city just about an hour by train from Seville - but no beach.

stokebailey

Thanks, Fra, danon, and Pal!

mjs

If you want to drive Granada, the white towns, as well as the south of Portugal are all options.

stokebailey

Hmm, yes. Thanks, mjs. I don't really want to drive, though peeking into Portugal is tempting.

PalenQ

Cordoba is really one of the finest of many fine Spanish cities - its former mosque turned into huge Christian cathedral is very famous and opulent - the town has an unGodly number of other ancient churches and monasteries and covents and and a ancient warren of lanes in the town center - I would say if spending six days in Seville Cordoba is a must.

https://www.google.com/search?q=cord...=1600&bih=1074

kimhe

Also recommend a visit to the Itálica ruins just outside Sevilla. The bus leaves frequently from the Plaza de Armas bus station just by the river a little north-west of the Santa Cruz district. Italica’s amphitheater seated 25,000 spectators, the third largest in the Roman empire, and it's very much intact. Roman emperors Trajan - allegedly the best of them all - and Hadrian were born here. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Andalucia.html

An fine tapas bar and asador right across the street from the entrance, Ventorillo Canario: http://www.ventorrillocanario.es/

stokebailey

Cool. Thanks, kimhe and Pal.

We'll have to visit Itálica for sure.

PalenQ

After several visits to Seville I have missed out on Italica and will do it next time - thanks kimhe

https://www.google.com/search?q=Ital...=1600&bih=1074