Andalucia survey
 

Hello everyone,


Here is a question many people often ask about their travel plans in Andalucia:

If you had to choose between Seville AND either

A. 2 nights in Cordoba,

OR

B. 2 nights in Granada,

OR

C. 1 night in each,

which would you choose.


Let the voting begin.


Andrea

IMHO you need a lot more days and to stay in all 3 cities.

Hello everyone,


Here is a question many people often ask about their travel plans in Andalucia:

If you had to choose between 3 nights in Seville AND either

A. 2 nights in Cordoba,

OR

B. 2 nights in Granada,

OR

C. 1 night in each,

which would you choose.


Let the voting begin.


Andrea

2 nights in Cordoba.

I don't like moving around hotels for one day, and that would be two in a row, I suppose. If I"m on a road trip, that's one thing, but not a vacation.

I found the Alhambra interesting but nothing I would plan my entire vacation around to spend 2 days there. I'm not like all those folks who want to spend days at one tourist site. In fact, I liked the things I saw in Cordoba more. Otherwise, Granada is an okay town, sure, but didn't seem any better than many others. Cordoba is closer to Seville so you wouldn't spend as much time getting there, and it's right on the train line to Madrid which could be convenient for leaving. Right now, not sure how you get to Granada easily to/from Seville, actually. I thought the train line was closed or something and you had to take a bus. Not sure how you'd get there to Madrid if that were where you were leaving from.

You'll find plenty of folks on Fodors who tell people they can't even visit Granada for a day trip, that they must stay there and spend at least 2 days seeing that one place. So who knows if you will agree with that or see it more like I do. In fact, there are several things to see in Cordoba but you never heard anyone mention anything they do in Granada other than visit the Alhambra. YOu could see the cathedral and royal chapel, though, but no one ever mentions that.

Hi Christina,

Thanks for your reply. Cordoba looks just wonderful.

Are you saying that 3 or 4 nights in Seville followed by 2 nights in Cordoba is a good plan before moving on (we have a car)?

By leaving late morning from Seville, we could get to spend a day and half and two nights in Cordoba. Do you think that is ok? It seems walking around Cordoba late into the evening to be magical.

Thanks

I would do one night in Cordoba and one night in Granada, if your time is so limited. You cannot be in Andalucia, in Spain for that matter, and not visit Granada. Impossible. Believe Christina took a little bus tour there from Malaga, so, of course, she doesn't know much about it. Both Cordoba and Granada are mandatory. Cut out time from other places in order to visit them. Enjoy !

Hi Bedar,

Is 2 nights in Cordoba and 1 night in Granada ok?

We are going to be in Seville for 3 nights before Cordoba and ending in Madrid for 4 nights (after Granada).


Thanks

I abstain.

For me, hands down, extra time in Granada. Walking in the olive groves above the city and looking down at the Alhambra was magical. Also, loved the warren of tiny streets and plazas in the city center. It is one place in Spain which is on my list for a return visit. I was there 3 nights - 2 & 1/2 days.

OTOH, I would also like to re-visit Cordoba as we had only an afternoon, a night and a morning.

So, I would try to fit in both, but give the edge of the most time to Granada.

I would say one night in Cordoba and two in Granada.

I would spend the two days in Cordoba. I saw and enjoyed the Alhambra, but I found Cordoba, and its Mesquita just as interesting, and I liked the city of Cordoba more than I did Granada.

Can I take one night away from Seville (from 4 to 3 nights) to spend 2 nights in each Cordoba and Granada? We are ending in Madrid for 4 nights (3 days).

We will be in the Extremadura region for the first 3 nights (Trujillo and Caceres) and arriving in Seville very early afternoon, giving us 2 and a half days in Seville before driving to Cordoba, arriving at noon.


Thanks.

<<You cannot be in Andalucia, in Spain for that matter, and not visit Granada. Impossible. Believe Christina took a little bus tour there from Malaga, so, of course, she doesn't know much about it. Both Cordoba and Granada are mandatory.>>

I think you know very little about me or how much time I've spent in Spain. I also know a lot about Granada even though I did just visit the ALhambra for a day by bus. But you seem to think yours is the only proper opinion and that if anyone else doesn't feel and think exactly the way you do, they are wrong and ignorant. Nothing is mandatory nor is yours the only "correct" opinion. Different people have different ideas and different interests. That is what I said -- this is my opinion, but others felt differently and who knows which way you will feel. I didn't say my opinion is the only correct one and anyone else is wrong the way you do.

Travel is such a personal experience that nobody should assume to know what anyone else finds or should find important or worthy of their time.

Our family has been to places we found wonderful that others said were just ok and have visited places we found average that others found fantastic.

There are no musts to travel. What one finds great another may find mediocre, but that is what makes travel so amazing. We are all here to give our opinions and not to judge what another traveller finds may interesting.

Cordoba day trip. Granada 2 nights

C. 1 night in each is ok but what do you exactly like to do when travelling, as Airballoon said what one finds great another may find mediocre so for me Cordoba is very nice place but also a bit sad, I´m spanish so I don´t find people there very open minded, also the tourits places and the city are not integrated as they are in Sevilla, Granada or Malaga.

Granada is a vibrant city full of students and them the hippies near the mirador de San Nicolas, albayzin and for sure is the best place for tapas but you have to go far away from the tourist areas to get good free tapas with the drink.

Sevilla is more posh, the capital of Andalucia, if you like art, Sevilla is the place to be, but I think sometimes is ovevalue and people miss many interested places in another parts of Andalucia just to spend many days in Seville when they could go somewhere else like Cadiz, Malaga, Ronda or Almeria. Just my opinion and my personal experience as a spanish person living in Andalucia.

Tsk, Christina. On this forum you always discourage people from visiting Granada which, in your opinion, is only so-so. There are people here who are Spain experts; you have spent some time there, yes, but not so much. People post here who have limited time for their trips. Granada (and Cordoba) are iconic stops on a trip to Spain. If possible, visitors should try to squeeze in both.

@Lin - Right on, one night in Cordoba, two in Granada.

@alvamo - Yes, I agree that Seville is somewhat overrated (as is Barcelona) but people should see as much as they can in their limited time.

Hmm, with travelling to Barcelona, Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Arcos, Ronda, Granada, and Marbella, my least favorite places were Madrid and Granada. Yes, glad we got to see the Alhambra but did not care for Granada at all. Period. Favorites were Barcelona, Seville, Ronda & Marbella. Don't know how you can get from Seville all the way over to Granada for one-night and see the Alhambra, but if you can, great. But Cordoba definitely at least one night. Perhaps you can skim one night off Madrid? Hey, we only had a three-week trip and covered lots of day trips, but to each his own.

Well I;m not a fan of Madrid. I think 2 days there is enough - one day trip to Toledo and one to see the Royal Palace and the Prado.

then you will have more time for Andalusia which IMHO is FAR more interesting.

We have been to Andalusia twice - once for 10 days and once for 12 and stil have a lot we want to see. We esp love Cordoba at night - walking the streets after dinner and checking out the lovely courtyards with fountains and flowering plants.

I made sure I didn't have to make that choice! :-)

I don't believe I can offer a response that would be meaningful to anyone with out knowing more about their interests, the rest of their itinerary, their pace of travel, the time of year when they will be going, etc.

Granada for 2 even though the Mezquita is my favourite structure on Earth. At least until I see the Taj Mahal.

Sorry for not giving you some details on what we like to do when we travel.

We adore smaller medieval towns and villages, especially walking the narrow, cobblestone alleyways and passageways in the evening and after dark, when we think these type of places really come alive. We also love music of all sorts, and are so looking forward to listening to Spanish guitar being played as we walk (a la Vicky Christina Barcelona).

We also like visiting museums, especially those that are important to the local culture and history of the place being visited, but do not base our itinerary on museums alone.

We like to try local cuisine without over spending hours and money in overrated touristy restaurants.


Hope this helps

Thanks -- that helps!

Re: Granada: I personally don't recommend less than 2 nights in Granada for anyone who wants to see the Alhambra, and it sounds to me like that would be a high priority for you. I personally recommend a day-time visit, starting as early as you find reasonable. During the day, you can visit the entire Alhambra, but you will do so with MANY others, so be prepared for crowds. (FWIW, the audio guide met my needs.) In the evening, you can visit the magnificent Nasrid Palace (only) with just a few other visitors. When I was there, everyone who was there spoke very, very quietly, and I found it absolutely magical! I didn't need to learn about what I was seeing -- I had done that during the day. But I got to see this incredible palace with very different lighting, and to smell the flowering shrubs, and hear the fountains, and … well, I'm sure you get it. Since I was there, I believe the Alhambra also offers evening visits to the Generalife, and if I had the chance, I would snag one of those reservations, too! Do be aware that advance reservations for the Alhambra are critical.

I also strongly recommend an overnight (or two nights) in Cordoba, but I suspect that one night would suffice if the Alhambra is your goal and your time is too limited to allow more. And if your time is REALLY limited, then consider visiting Cordoba as a day trip from Sevilla.

But are you really saying that you are considering Sevilla OR Granada OR Cordoba? Then my bottom line is that you might want to consider deferring your time in Andalusia until you can give these magnificent destinations their due. There are PLENTY of other worthy destinations for a visit of just 2 or 3 nights.

Hope that helps!

The question was posed as a survey of what "I" would choose.
The post even ended with "Let the voting begin."

Therefore, my response was not objective and not intended as travel advice. It was based on my personal interests and especially on the experience I had in each place. Lots of things affected the experience - timing, weather, company.

To the OP, read as much as you can about each city and the major sites. Look at as many images as you can. See what musical venues may be open in either city. One thing I really wanted to do and missed in Granada is El Rocio Flamenco Cave (Zambra). Read about and see what is best. The center of Granada is a warren of very narrow cobblestone streets and a few pretty plazas. We really enjoyed the food there.

Evenings are so different from daytime in many places, but especially in Spain. Any time you can stay overnight or enjoy a late evening, you will see another side of the culture.

AirBalloon

I think you are getting the responses you wanted ie no agreement.

There's simply no point asking for subjective views and relying on them, that's what they are!

" you might want to consider deferring your time in Andalusia until you can give these magnificent destinations"

Why? My first and only visit to Venice was for half a day, two years ago. I've spent 20 odd trips to Italy avoiding the place. I loved it, incredible, matched everyone's hype. Most beautiful place I've ever seen (and in the rain). Was the half day worth it - yes!


Get on the plane, plan less, go and enjoy.

Personally, I find "Seville is over-rated" to be incomprehensible. In our experience it is one of the world's great small cities. I also struggle to see the the attraction of Granada, other than a visit to the Alhambra. Those are personal views, don't rely on them.

Don't forget Malaga if you can justify the time.

Here is our itinerary:

Land in Madrid, drive to Trujillo (we have car during our trip)
4 nights in the Extremadura region (Trujillo and Caceres, day trip to Merida)
3 nights in Seville
2 nights in Cordoba
4 nights in _____________ (beach and sun, see below)
4 nights in Madrid


We are going to skip Granada this time around as we cannot do and see everything and we do want to have some days just for relaxation. Also, we do not enjoy staying just for one night anywhere we travel, so Cordoba wins this time around. Should we add a night to Seville and take one away from Madrid?

Any recommendations on where we can stay for those 4 nights to relax at a nice beach? We do not want to stay at a built-up resort type beach area and do not mind driving a few km to a nice beach if we were to stay in a pretty village a few km inland from the coast. We are also considering Valencia or Malaga.

Thanks so much everyone.

Valencia is too far if you do not even want to venture to Granada.

Zahara de los Atunes might be what you are interested in

some photos

https://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=u...+d+elos+atunes

It is not because of the driving distance to Granada that we are choosing not to go there this time. It is that we cannot see everything on just one trip and have to make choices so we are not running around every few days. We want to spend a little more time in both Seville and Madrid (3 and 4 nights, respectively) and we chose Cordoba over Granada to spend the 2 nights.

We would drive the extra km if Valencia was worth it.

Andrea

Land in Madrid, drive to Trujillo (we have car during our trip)
4 nights in the Extremadura region (Trujillo and Caceres, day trip to Merida)

3 nights in Seville

4 nights in Pedregalejo (Málaga) Not touristy, not resorts, just small houses of fishermen, mostly spanish people, nice fish restaurants and not over priced, only 6 kms to the east of Malaga and if you like you can do a day trip to Granada only 1 hour drive from Malaga
http://www.lachanclahotel.com/en/hotel-overview.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nNl7oYlDuU

Them from Malaga to Cordoba is an easy drive, only 1 hour 45 minutes.

2 nights in Cordoba

4 nights in Madrid

I would leave 3 nights in Seville and 4 nights in Madrid. And Malaga for the beach.

Are the city beaches in Malaga nice or are there others within driving distance that are nicer?

Thanks for all of your help.

I spent my honeymoon at Zahara de Los Atunes, that was 21 year ago and the town was amazingly sleepy. Unfortunately the property boom 10 years ago saw large numbers of apartment block built which have changed the feel of Atlanterra beach.

We are staying in Conil for a week later next month.

The beaches and feel of the whole Costa de la Luz is perfect. Mainly Spanish visitors and good seafood. There is also usually a cooling wind to make the 40oC temperatures more comfortable.

We did a trip to the area last year and loved it! We did 1 night Cordoba, 2 nights Granada, 1 night Ronda, 4 nights Seville and the last night in Madrid (we had been there before so already had been to museums and major sights). I know it was a lot of moving around, but we are high energy and organized travelers, and managed. Yes, we could have spent more time in any of these places, but more time we did not have. Seville, in particular, we could have easily stayed busy for a week, lots to see and do there.

We used mostly train (1 bus), and it was easy and pleasant. Here's out report, for more info http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-andalucia.cfm

Are the city beaches in Malaga nice or are there others within driving distance that are nicer?

I like Almayate next to Velez-Malaga, some part is for nudism but not the rest.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRhnlXiHvGI

The beaches in/near Málaga are okay but the beaches at the Costa de la Luz are much, much nicer! Consider Conil de la Frontera or Vejer de la Frontera (more inland), Zahara de los Atunes or Bolonia.
Tip: in Conil, make sure to have dinner at Feduchy Lounge!

Thanks for Feduchy.

We'll look it up.

"Land in Madrid, drive to Trujillo (we have car during our trip)"

If there is any chance that you will experience jet lag upon arrival, consider putting your time in Trujillo later in your trip and instead take the high-speed train to Sevilla. One consequence of jet lag is a substantial increase in microsleep episodes, which are so short that you probably aren't even aware of them, but that are strongly associated with car accidents. Waiting even a day or two to catch up on sleep can make a major difference.

"Should we add a night to Seville and take one away from Madrid?"

Depends! For many of us, it is easier to reach Madrid than Sevilla, and if that's true for you, it might make sense to add the time to Sevilla.

The drive from Madrid to Trujillo is only about 250 km, or about 2.5 hours, so this should not be a problem (we usually drive this distance, sometimes more, after landing in a European center and then driving to our first destination).

That you have been lucky so far doesn't mean that you will continue to be lucky. Driving with jet lag can be as dangerous -- to you and others -- as driving under the influence of alcohol.

I do appreciate your concern, but we sleep quite well on the flight over so we feel rested when we land. A couple of hours in a car, especially with the excitement of a vacation just beginning, is fine for us.