kja

No need for advance tickets for the Mezquita or, to my knowledge, anywhere else in Cordoba, except (perhaps) the better flamenco venues. Just be sure to check hours.

Be sure to give yourself enough time for the Alhambra. For me, that meant a minimum of 2 nights in Granada. YMMV.

Sassafrass

I have been to Spain twice in July. It was super hot, but I survived, and enjoyed it. By mid-Sept, it will still be hot, but cooled down from July and August. Even in July, by evening it cooled down enough to be OK. Be sure your hotel has AC and take a nap in the afternoon. You won't have dinner until 9:00 anyway. You might splurge and get a hotel with a pool.

A three hour round trip for the sea and possibly cooler day in Cadiz over Córdoba would not work for me.

I recommended going from Granada that afternoon - so you could have all the next afternoon at a beach near Valencia. Can't make REC's on that as I haven't been, but others could and you could do some research.

There are beaches all along the coast, in towns and cities and more isolated ones. I thought of suggesting that you head from Granada to some beach location on the way to Valencia, but I would not want to go far out of my way to do that. We have driven along a lot of the Coast, but it was late Fall, and I would not know which beaches to recommend. Other people who know more can, and you could research that.

Sassafrass

Must agree with Kja about the Alhambra and Granada. It is worth going for the Alhambra, but there is much more to see and do there. It is actually one of my favorite cities in Spain.

I suggested such a short stay there only because beach time seems important to you, and it is your trip. I often make treks to see things that nobody else would care about, but are of interest to me, and have been glad I did - my trip, my time. Also, you are going to be in Valencia anyway, thought you might as well see a bit of it.

kja

As always, Sassafrass offers great advice. It really is one of the decisions that only the OP can make, and decisions of how to spend one's time can be very, very difficult!

khedge

Thank you both! I now realize going to Cordoba is a must. Frankly not sure why I'm so worried about the weather; typically I love the heat and I traveled all over southern China carrying two toddlers in July when it was 100 and have only great memories of the trip. Though we did spend a lot of time in the hotel as the littles couldn't handle it as well as I could. (this was during their adoption).

So I think now my only question (besides what to do in Valencia which I will research) is - is 1 night going to be enough for Granada?

The much appreciated itinerary is suggesting 4 nights in Seville (but yes includes a day trip to Cordoba). Wondering if should do 3 nights Seville and 2 nights Granada.

Will have to figure it out! Both cities look marvelous to me!

Thanks!

danon

The best hotel at the beach in Valenci ...Las Arenas.
We stayed in an apt. across the hotel...you can take a taxi to the Old Town and The City of Arts and Sciences. 10-15 euros.


there is more to see in Granada than Alhambra, but with a short time you have
I would stay longer in Seville ( with a day trip to Córdoba ) and just spend a night in Granada.

kja

Just in case I haven't been clear -- I would not cut any time from Sevilla. IMO, you are already as close to the bone as possible for that magnificent city. If you add a night to Granada, I'd take it from Valencia. JMO.

kimhe

You have got great advice here, and whatever you do don't cut back on time in Sevilla. The queen of the cities in the South, and she should be taken in in peace and quiet. Perhaps see some flamenco here, the beautiful and powerful art so important for the city and the region? Nowhere better in the world to experience real deal flamenco than in Sevilla.
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/2012...flamenco-scene

And, as many have said, Córdoba is something special, see this video and you're sold, "Vida y genio" (Córdoba life and spirit): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyfGdpF55Uk

khedge

Thank you, Kimhe! I'm so excited! So grateful to receive this advice!

Does anyone know best place to purchase our Alhambra tickets online? I'm ready to do that now! Thanks!

Loacker

For a first trip:
Sevilla 4 days (including a daytrip to Cordoba
Ronda 1 night
Granada 2 days

You have no time for Morocco or Cadiz

kja

There are TONS of threads on this board about booking for the Alhambra. Please use the search box to the upper right, or for that matter, do a google search with keywords "fodor's alhambra tickets." I'd give you the info, but it has changed since I was there, and there are nuances depending on what gate you plan to enter, how you choose to pay, etc.

khedge

My husband booked Alhambra tour last night through "Book Your Tour" and we received a voucher via email. I got it's legit!! Anyone every use them? Thanks!

CGS

I think you've gotten great advice on Sevilla, Granada and Cordoba. We had 3 nights in Sevilla and it was not enough - it's one of my great regrets that I didn't have more time. It's hard to imagine how you could see the Alhambra and the rest of Granada with less than 2 nights. And Cordoba is not to be missed. We loved Ronda, but Cordoba is definitely the better choice between the two. The Mezquita is an absolute wonder. We were there one day and night and wished for more.

We were there in late June and it was baking hot. 103 Degrees F in Sevilla. We were sweating walking the streets at 11 pm. Make sure you have air conditioning and take showers. But I would say, don't let the heat stop you or influence your itinerary unless you are especially sensitive to it. I have no regrets about being hot, only about not having enough time in these spectacular cities.

Did you book your Alhambra tickets on the Alhambra website? If so, it's legit. Make sure you have the same credit card with you that you used to book the tickets. At least a few years ago, that was required.

Hope you have a great trip!

CGS

I should also say that I suffer more in my business clothes in the summer humidity in NYC than I did in my tourist attire in the dry (at least when we were there) heat of Sevilla.

benmia

We were in Spain this past September, and yes, it was hot! We booked our Allhambra tickets through their website and it was not a problem. We also hired a private guide to be with u s for a 3 hour tour. So worth it!! BTW, we stayed at the Allhambra Palace--a lovely hotel walking distance from the entrance to the Allhambra.

khedge

Thank you so much for that advice! I have to admit I was letting the weather determine our plans in the beginning (like trips to Ronda and Cadiz). We're good with the heat. I plan to wear skirts and skorts for some "open-air" flow! So glad for all these recommendations - have changed the itinerary. Had not even been planning on Cordoba until I learned more about it I was talking to a customer on phone today and she went to Malaga for her honeymoon, and she said we should go to Morocco. I said we would have to decide between that and Cordoba and she went online and looked at Cordoba pics and said "Oh! I wish we would have gone there!"

I had a typo above and meant to say: My husband booked Alhambra tour last night through "Book Your Tour" and we received a voucher via email. I HOPE it's legit!! Anyone every use them? Thanks!

Does anyone know if this company is legit? THANKS!

Alec

Did he book on:
http://apc.ticketmaster.es/nav/landi...nk&canalMB=ALH
Then it's the official site. It should cost 15.40 euro each for general ticket.

KarenWoo

Benmia, when in September were you in southern Spain? We will be in Madrid, Toledo, and Andalusia from Sept 18 to Oct 3, and I was hoping it would be cooler then, but now I'm not so sure. What was the temperature in Fahrenheit?

kja

@ KarenWoo: As noted upthread, you can get historic climate data at timeanddate.com. Here's the link again. Note that you can change the city, switch to last year's data, etc.
https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/...ordoba/climate