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.