TMMT

Hi - we are planning a 2 week visit to Spain this December (during Christmas) and would like to visit historical places, some beautiful beaches and avoid massive hotel resorts (e.g. Torremolinos).

14 days arrival during Christmas. Where is the best place to be around during Christmas, so where to fly to? Sevilla or Malaga?

What is a great route that includes also Gibraltar, historical cities, some beaches and avoids large touristic cities such as Torremolinos (we 'hate' places such as Benidorm / Salou / Ibiza).

Thanks.

humptynumpty

Look at Rhonda, Jimena, Arcos de la Frontera, Gaucin, Alhaurin el Grande, Tarifa, Cadiz and Jerez. All very Spanish places.

Avoid the whole coast between Malaga and Gibraltar it is appalling. Try to spend some time in Malaga which has some great restaurants and architecture.

The beaches of the Costa de la Luz are beautiful and fairly unspoilt. In particular, those at Cape Trafalgar and Bolonia.

mamcalice

While the beaches of Costa del Sol are beautiful, but it will definitely not be beach weather.

A suggestion for an itinerary would be Malaga, a drive east along the coast, north to Granada, west to some of the "white villages" suggested by humptydumpty (we especially like Ronda and Arcos de la Frontera), and Seville. You may also have time to visit Cordoba. This part of Spain is my favorite because it seems so typically Spanish.

Where to fly to and from depends on where you are coming from. With the itinerary suggested, consider flying in to Malaga and out of Seville.

kimhe

Perhaps go to Antequera, the so called heart of Andalucía, some 35 miles north of wonderful Málaga and on the way to Sevilla. Known as the "heart of Andalucía" with its dolmens (ancient burial chambers, some 5000 years old), Roman baths, a Moorish Castle, Gothic churches, Renaissance fountains and baroque bell towers. Antequera was the first of the Granada emirate towns to fall to the Christians in 1410.
http://www.andaluciacoastandcountry.com/antequera.html

The article "A Tapas Tour of Antequera" should give you some ideas of great places to eat in this fascinating town. I've lived in Hotel Castilla and can recommend the adjoining bar/restaurant mentioned in the article.
http://www.andaluciacoastandcountry.com/tapaspain.html

Here's a good site on hotels in Antequera with lots of guest reviews. http://www.booking.com/searchresults...b;city=-370891

From Antequera, you can go into the beautiful Serrania de Ronda (The Ronda mountain region). http://www.squidoo.com/ronda

You should of course see Ronda, but you could also take a look at far less known Ardales: http://www.andalucia.com/province/ma...dales/home.htm

From Ronda, go north towards Morón de la Frontera and on to fabulous Sevilla. http://www.exploreseville.com/

I have been in Málaga and Sevilla lots of times in recent years, and I can give you some tips based on your interests.

TMMT

Thank you all for the responses! Very appreciated.

1.) Which city would you rather to spend to fly to and spend Christmas?
2.) We are thinking of taking 2-3 hotels during the 14 days to maintain relaxation. Which would you specifically recommend?

danon

"Try to spend some time in Malaga which has some great restaurants and architecture."

Second.

Many travelers skip this lovely town because of the
whole "appalling coast" business.
The old town is charming and elegant.

humptynumpty

I really like the idea of flying into Malaga and back out of Seville if it is possible.

I personally think Seville is the greatest city in the world but that's just a personal opinion. It has a perfect balance of rejecting being swamped by world culture but absorbing enough outside influences to feel cosmopolitan.

I would spend Christmas in Seville. It is also the warmest city in Europe over winter.

What's your hotel budget?

castlevisitor

Bookmarking the nice ideas here for our upcoming trip.
Thanks.

kimhe

Christmas preparations in Sevilla: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ltDBAXXnqI

I'll come back with recommendations on where to stay in Málaga, Antequera and Sevilla. You could be up for one of those really great trips!

kimhe

In Sevilla, watch out for inforgettable experiences: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swEAy2jAB7E

mamcalice

I, too, would spend Christmas in Seville. It is a very festive city and, while I haven't been at Christmas, I am sure it celebrates the season in a festive spirit.

kimhe

In Málaga, I would suggest you stay at Don Curro, a bit more upscale and next door to where I use to stay (Hostal Victoria). The best location, excellent reviews: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/hote...-us.html?dva=0

In Antequera, you should take a look at Coso Viejo, in the heart of "the heart of Andalucía". http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/ante...-viejo.en.html

In Sevilla, I can recommend Apartamentos Murillo in the midst of the old town/Santa Cruz district. http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/apar...-us.html?dva=0

Great flamenco at close by and intimate Casa de la Memoria. Popular with tourists, but only top artists perform here who most likely will give you a glimpse into the beauty of flamenco art. Every night at 9, changing artists all the time. Sometimes two performances per night when established stars such as Pastora Galván, Adela Campallo, Rafael Campallo, La Choni, Leonor Leál etc are on. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Andalusia.html

You will also be close to the Arab bath house Aire de Sevilla. A friend of mine went five times in a week: http://www.airedesevilla.com/

TMMT

Thanks again everyone! We booked the tickets:

Day 1: Arrival Sevilla in the evening
Day 2 (1st Christmas Day): Sevilla
Day 3 (2nd Christmas Day): Sevilla
Day 4: Sevilla (visit Córdoba?)
Day 5: ??
Day 6: ??
Day 7: ?? (New years eve)
Day 8: ??
Day 9: ??
Day 10: ??
Day 11: ??
Day 12: ??
Day 13: ??
Day 14: Malaga
Day 15: Departure Malaga in the morning

Anyone who is able to provide a great schedule? We would like to visit Gibraltar, but thinking of visiting it from Malaga. Would it be recommendable to stay 4 days in Sevilla, then 5-6 days somewhere else and the rest in / around Malaga? Where to stay in Sevilla (which area of Sevilla5.com, we will rent an apartment)? And lastly, where to celebrate New Years Eve?

Thanks all!!

TMMT

And our hotel budget for 4 persons is +- € 70,- nightly for 4. I see for instance in Sevilla the apartment prices start at € 40,- nightly.

Egbert

5. Seville
6. Cordoba (or Seville)
7. Cordoba (or Seville)
8. Ronda
9. Ronda
10. Granada
11. Granada
12. Guadix (or Comares)
13. Malaga

kimhe

I suggest Córdoba for New Years Eve. The thousands of people gathering at the atmospheric Plaza de las Tendillas for the midnight eating of the grapes is traditionally directly televised on national tv. The clock on the Plaza has got no bells. Since 1961 the hours (and the new year) has been chimed in by recorded flamenco chords from the guitarist Juanito Serrano. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fexMbX4EsRE&NR=1

This "other" Córdoba around Plaza de las Tendillas, the Plaza Mayor-like Plaza de la Corredera, the Roman ruins etc can be highly recommended. All very close to the main tourist attractions but a totally different and more local atmosphere.

Several fine bodegas/tabernas in this area. Here you'll find great local places on every corner. Just had some excellent meals in a couple of them. Taberna Salinas comes recommended in the Michelin guide, and we were perfectly happy after two raciones, a bottle of wine and a couple of brandys for some 35€. http://www.tabernasalinas.com/

Here is the above mentioned Plaza de las Tendillas - where the major New Years Eve party take place - and a short intro to the city: http://www.destination360.com/europe/spain/cordoba

We lived in modern Hotel Córdoba Centro a couple of months ago. Just excellent, some 300 meters north of the Mezquita, next door to the Tendillas Plaza. http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/cord...?rid=702348143

TMMT

Kimhe: that looks indeed amazing! Thank you for the suggestion. Would you recommend taking the bus/train to Córdoba or by car from Malaga? Is parking expensive?

@Egbert, we though of a combination of the other white towns as recommended above. Only thing is that we will be during NYE in Jerez, which I am not familiar with for NYE? Kimhe's suggestion looks also interesting....

Day 1: Arrival Sevilla in the evening
Day 2 (1st Christmas Day): Sevilla
Day 3 (2nd Christmas Day): Sevilla
Day 4: Sevilla
Day 5: Sevilla
Day 6: Sevilla
Day 7: Jerez de Frontera (New years eve)
Day 8: Jerez de Frontera
Day 9: Ronda
Day 10: Ronda
Day 11: Antequera
Day 12: Antequera
Day 13: Malaga
Day 14: Malaga
Day 15: Departure Malaga in the morning

kimhe

I would recommend the high speed AVE or AVANT train from Málaga to Córdoba, only some 55 minutes. Car/bus would take much longer. Driving in the center of Córdoba is very difficult, and you don't need a car in this small and very walkable city. Some 6-7€ with taxi from the train station to the hotels in the center (Tendillas/Mezquita and around).

Just be aware that you save MUCH on the train tickets if you buy them in advance on the renfe.com website. Normal price on the web for the Málaga-Córdoba train is 22.40€. If you buy them on the station, the tickets would be up to 80€. The prices may be a little higher during this time of year, and it would always be wise to book ahead.
http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/index.html

TMMT

Great, in that case we will visit Córdoba from Sevilla in 1 day with the AVE. Thanks for the advice, I see indeed it's possible already for € 16,- (we are with 4 persons).

Any recommendations for our itinary?

Thanks!

Egbert

I also like kimhe's itinerary but if you go all the way to Andalucia you really should go to Granada. There aren't a lot of "must sees" in Andalucia but the Alhambra is number one. I would take Antequera out and substitute Granada.