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kdd Jun 23rd, 2017 08:57 PM

Day trips from Seville -Granada, Cadiz&Jerez or white villages
 
All,

i have a limited amount of time in Seville and hence i am having to choose 2 day trips out if the below liated 3. Which ones should it be?

Granada
White vilkages abd Ronda
Caduz abd Jerez

Please help!

kja Jun 23rd, 2017 09:14 PM

Granada is, IMO, not a good day-trip from Sevilla; IMO, it warrants a two night stay to allow adequate time for the Alhambra.

Ronda might be a decent choice and can be reached by car (in a time span that I would consider manageable) or by public transportation (in a time span that I would find painful for a day trip; YMMV). It is, IME, much more enjoyable after sunset and after daytrippers leave. JMO.

Of course, Sevilla itself has a wealth of worthy sites, so I'm not sure why you are so committed to leaving it.

And I'm surprised that Cordoba isn't on your list. Its Mezquita is a gem well deserving of its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cordoba is ridiculously close to Sevilla, and IMO, easily merits two full days and nights -- even though many people visit it as a day trip from Sevilla.

In the absence of information about how much time you have in Sevilla, or what other places in Spain your trip includes, whether you plan to rent a car, when you plan to visit (etc.) it is VERY hard to answer your question, but I hope my response helps!

I suspect that a good guidebook would help you choose....

Robert2016 Jun 23rd, 2017 09:58 PM

And just how long are you going to be in Sevilla?

kdd Jun 23rd, 2017 11:08 PM

Hi,

I will have 2 full days in Seville. I must look up Córdoba now! So drop Granada and go to Córdoba instead? Jerez and Cadiz also sound interesting, but a difficult choice has to be made.

kja Jun 23rd, 2017 11:21 PM

2 days is not much for Sevilla. Cordoba is a gem. Granada is also a gem, but it takes time to reach and -- as I noted above -- really requires 2 nights at a minimum and more if you want to see anything more than the Alhambra -- and there is MUCH more to see in Granada, IMO!

Personally, I would think Cordoba a MUCH greater priority than either Jerez or Cadiz -- but then I skipped both of the later, so I might not fully appreciate their merits. I can say that the Mezquita of Cordoba is, IMO, one of the most impressive man-made structures in the world, and I've been fortunate enough to see quite a few!

YMMV.

MyriamC Jun 24th, 2017 05:26 AM

Córdoba, no doubt.

Loacker Jun 24th, 2017 06:46 AM

Cordoba is an easy day trip from Sevilla.
You can see the Mezquita and be back in Sevilla by the afternoon.

I disagree with Kja about Cordoba deserving more than 1 day, though. The highlight there is the Mezquita. The town itself, outside the tiny historic center, is an eyesore.

MyriamC Jun 24th, 2017 07:11 AM

Disagree with Loacker!
There's a lot more to see in Córdoba than just the Mezquita. The Judería, Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos (especially the gardens), Puente Romano (at night), Palacio Museo de Viana (house + patios), ...
All is much smaller than in Granada or Sevilla, but well worth seeing. We spent two full days and weren't bored at all.

Loacker Jun 24th, 2017 07:34 AM

MyriamC, all those places you mentioned are within the historical center, just steps away from the Mezquitq and can be seen in 2-3 hours.


The rest of Cordoba is ugly.

suec1 Jun 24th, 2017 07:37 AM

I go for Cordoba - very easy day trip from Seville and the Mesquite is amazing. Granada - IMO a bit far and I think if you go to the Alcazar in Seville, it is a very good example of the moorish architecture you will find in the Alhambra.

For you other day trip - the white villages and Ronda. I assume you mean Cadiz as your other option - I really didn't find much there unless you are looking to be by the sea. How are you doing the white villages and Ronda? it's nice to drive but parking can be a royal PIA.

maitaitom Jun 24th, 2017 07:39 AM

With only two days in Sevilla, I agree with Loacker. Early train to Cordoba. See the Mezquita (a true wonder) and a couple of nearby sights and head back to Sevilla.

((H))

Christina Jun 24th, 2017 09:51 AM

I gather this means 2 days for Seville and 2 days for some other place? I also would just do one day trip in that time frame and would choose Cordoba as number one choice. Other things to see may be in the general historical center, but there is certainly more to see than the Mezquita, as first stated. I enjoyed the Alcazar there, for example.

Granada is too far from Seville for a day trip unless this was on your bucket list and you were never going to be there again. Then, I could see doing that long travel to see it. I didn't even go there until I'd been to Spain a couple times, but I'm not as gaga over it as some people on Fodors, it's just one more interesting historical Moorish site to me, worth part of a day.

I wouldn't go to Jerez unless you really were into that riding school.

After Cordoba, I'd put Malaga. YOu can actually get to Malaga from Seville in only 2 hrs, which is about my limit for day trips. There is an AVANT train from 8-10 am, for example. I don't know how you plan to get to Ronda, I haven't been there so maybe if you don't want a city. It takes longer to get there by train than to Malaga, actually, because you have to transfer at Cordoba.

Loacker Jun 24th, 2017 10:14 AM

Actually, if you have two days to spare I would vote for Granada first.
The Mezquita is special, but the Alhambra is even more awe-inspiring with its gardens and gorgeous setting against the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Not to mention that Granada is a more beautiful city as a whole. Lots of tapas bars and a beautifully-preserved old Moorish district.

kimhe Jun 24th, 2017 10:35 PM

Another crystal clear vote for Córdoba, 45 mins from Sevilla and the most advanced city in Europe around 1000 AD. Much more to the city than the spectacular Mezquita, the Alcázar, the Judería, the Madinat al-Zahra etc. See this, and you're sold: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyfGdpF55Uk

As kja says, Córdoba deserves much more than a day trip, but you will of course get a taste of it in a few hours visit. Be sure to have lunch or dinner in one of the many traditional and local atmosphere tabernas just North of the Mezquita area, in Roman Córdoba around the main Plaza de las Tendillas and unique Plaza de la Corredera: http://english.turismodecordoba.org/...las-tendillas2
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/c.../484234/360732

Madinat al-Zahra is, by the way, often overlooked: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/c.../484214/360732

HappyTrvlr Jun 25th, 2017 02:48 AM

With only two days you really need to stay put in Sevilla.

Bedar Jun 25th, 2017 11:11 AM

Agree with Loacker. I'd choose Granada. Or, start out very early and go to Cordoba to see the Mezquita, then carry on to Granada for the Alhambra. The two must-sees of Andalucia.

Loacker Jun 25th, 2017 11:55 AM

I like Bedar's plan. It's a bit rushed but feasible.

Get up early and head straight to Cordoba, tour the Mezquita, Juderia, and Alcazar's gardens. By 2pm you should be done. Have lunch then take the train to Granada.

Check into your Granada hotel, then spend the evening touring Albayzin. Climb the Mirador de St Nicolas to see the Alhmabra lit at night. Have dinner in one of the restaurants overlooking the castle.

Spend the next day touring he Alhambra castle.

PalenQ Jun 25th, 2017 12:45 PM

Cordoba! I saw many sights in a day trip from Seville -yes nice if you had more time but with just a day it's still #1 on your new list.

All those places can easily be done by train or bus - buying ticketsin advance for certain trains can yield sweeet discounts -check www.renfe.com for booking your own and see what the savings would be - discounted tickets are train-specific and cannot be refunded nor changed I believe - you can always buy full-fare tickets on regional trains. For lots of info on Spanish trains check www.seat61.com (great advice on getting the beguiling www.renfe.com to actually work for Americans at least); www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

I did Cadiz and Jerez the same day - Jerez is a dud except and a big exception for its Sherry (a British corruptions of the word Jerez) tours - really liked the one I took right in town and practice sessions of the world-famous Andalusian Horses in the local arena most days.

Cadiz is nice town but not nearly IMO remarkable as Cordoba.

Loacker Jun 25th, 2017 01:04 PM

I wonder if those picking Cordoba over Granada, have actually been to Granada.
Granada blows Cordoba out of the water.

With two extra days, the choice is easy: Granada. Or do both Cordoba+Granada as suggested above.

suec1 Jun 25th, 2017 01:18 PM

I have been to Seville, Cordoba, and Granada - I think all of them twice. Granada is going to be a time consuming day trip. Cordoba has the Mezquita - which I think is pretty unique. It is super easy to get from Seville to Cordoba as a day trip. And as I often post, I think if you see the Alcazar in Seville, it is also a great example of moorish architecture and quite similar to the Alhambra. The gardens are more extensive at the Alhambra and the views from and of, more dramatic. But I really don't think you need to include both on a limited itinerary.

PalenQ Jun 25th, 2017 01:41 PM

I wonder if those picking Cordoba over Granada, have actually been to Granada.>

I have been to both and for me Cordoba hands down -in spite of Alhambra I found Granada to be a huge rather blah city with lots of smog.

Granada's drawback is it is so far away - takes about 3.5 hours by direct train each way plus then getting from the station to Alhambra- on a day trip no time to see its other joys. Cordoba is a bit smaller I'd say and more compact in termsof sites.

It's kind of foolish to pick one over the other so other factors are important - a day trip - Cordoba about an hour away each way. easy choice.

Loacker Jun 25th, 2017 02:32 PM

PalenQ, I guess you weren't wearing your glasses when you visited AlHambra, because you seem to be describing a completely different city.

Granada is a much more pleasant city than Cordoba.

Cordoba is a concrete monstrosity outside the historical center and has some of the ugliest buildings I have ever seen.

It's foolish to compare the Mezquita to Alhambra. Both are important in their own rights.

But to say Cordoba is a prettier city than Granada, one can't help but question your aesthetic sense.

PalenQ Jun 25th, 2017 02:48 PM

But to say Cordoba is a prettier city than Granada, one can't help but question your aesthetic sense.>

In my memoryand it was a whiles ago (OK memory iffy at best), I had the opposite feeling -except for areas north of the Alfama where they had tiny lanes the rest of Cordoba for me had a busy Madrid-like look and feel for me - enough said. Beauty is indeed in the I of the beholder- but it has been probably 20 years since I visited either - but that is my impression. Inner Cordoba a much more smaller city feeling for me- Granada saw this only in the preceints of the Alfama. who knows maybe I visited Cordoba on a Sunday and Granada on a weekeday? I just know I strolled from the cathedral area- a real warren of whitewashed lanes if I recall right- to several really neat monasteries, other churches, convents, etc.

I would not compare Cordoba's cathedral and former mosque to the Alhambra -one of Europe's true top ten mesmerizing monumental sights and the finest Moorish thing left in Europe. You are right on that but the Cordoba cathedral is perhaps the 2nd best Moorish relic in Europe?

I wonder how others here feel about that - which the dreamier, old-world pretty - Cordoba or Granada or draw?

CounterClifton Jun 25th, 2017 04:16 PM

Granada has a lot going for it as a place to do some poking around beyond the (much deserved) admiration for the Alhambra. There's a lot of history in the cathedral, the hills of the Albaicin are as close as you're going to get to a Moorish neighbourhood without heading across the straights. Even the more modern city around the square and market is pleasant (though the trinket market isn't exactly a place to find yourself a treasure)

Bedar Jun 25th, 2017 04:53 PM

The point here is not which city is nicer but rather how to make sure the OP will get to see the two main gems of Spain in only two days !

CounterClifton Jun 25th, 2017 05:00 PM

Good point. Granada is a lot to see and a pretty far haul from Seville for a short sidetrip. Sometimes, the more there is to recommend a place, the more it's a shame to try to shoehorn it in.

suec1 Jun 25th, 2017 05:06 PM

The comparaison is not between the structure in Cordoba (Mexquita) and the Alhambra! The Mesquita is totally different than the Alhambra. The two that are similar are the Alcazar in Seville and the Alhambra in Granada. All three are IMO A list sights, the outlying cities pretty superfluous but I think Cordoba has a nice "old city" core.

Bedar Jun 25th, 2017 05:33 PM

Yes, but when tourists come from a great distance and have very little time, they have to shoehorn in most things. I lived in Spain for 20 yrs and had the luxury of seeing all this numerous times; others don't have that luxury and so have to squeeze in as much as possible. These two places are monumental monuments and must both be seen.

PalenQ Jun 26th, 2017 10:48 AM

These two places are monumental monuments and must both be seen.>

agreed but on a day trip where they have to chose -Cordoba just for being so close and also even if #2 to Granada has lots to fill a day.

Bedar Jun 26th, 2017 11:14 AM

Pal - don't you read what people have written above ? They can start out early for Cordoba, see the Mezquita and whatever else, have lunch, and then continue on to Granada.

PalenQ Jun 26th, 2017 11:17 AM

They can start out early for Cordoba, see the Mezquita and whatever else, have lunch, and then continue on to Granada.>

Yeh but they hardly have time to see one of those amazing cities not two -but yeh if they just want to see the two famous things it is very possible.

I would not recommend it but very possible.

MyriamC Jun 27th, 2017 09:48 AM

<<I wonder if those picking Cordoba over Granada, have actually been to Granada.
Granada blows Cordoba out of the water.>>
Yes, we have been twice. I prefer the smaller and for me Córdoba blows Granada out of the water. To each his own, I guess.
Besides that, a day trip from Sevilla to Granada is 3 and a half hours one-way on the train. Seven hours in total (crazy!) which leaves too little time to appreciate the sights in Granada. Sevilla to Córdoba is only 45 min.

Doing the two cities in one day? Just to be able to say: I have been to Córdoba and to Granada. Stupid, IMO.

Loacker Jun 27th, 2017 11:35 AM

<<Doing the two cities in one day? Just to be able to say: I have been to Córdoba and to Granada. Stupid, IMO.>>

The OP mentioned they have two extra days, in addition to their
Trying to fit 2 UNESCO Heritage sites in 2 days is the smartest thing one can do, in my opinion, and is totally feasible as detailed below.
Much smarter than not seeing Alhambra because some lazy forum members are all about kicking back and sipping sangrias.

Yes more time would be ideal. but Cordoba and Granada are all about the Mezquita and Alhambra anyway.

Christina Jun 27th, 2017 11:41 AM

<<I wonder if those picking Cordoba over Granada, have actually been to Granada. Granada blows Cordoba out of the water.>>

I don't know about blowing, but I would say it is obvious that people are saying Cordoba because of the logistics, that's all. I thought that was obvious. I imagine everyone who gave advice has been to both of them, not sure, I know I have. I do not agree with the idea that there is some rule that you have to spend days viewing the ALhambra or you shouldn't go or that you HAVE to view it at night for some mystical reason.

Loacker Jun 27th, 2017 12:08 PM

Christina, I agree. But people here are under the impression that OP only has one extra day. In this case, of course Cordoba would make more sense logistically.

But now it looks like OP has two extra days, which is enough time to see both the Mezquita and Alhambra, imo the highlights of Cordoba and Granada.

PalenQ Jun 27th, 2017 12:11 PM

i have a limited amount of time in Seville and hence i am having to choose 2 day trips out if the below liated 3.>

This gave me the impression that OP wants to one day-trips out of Seville where they probably have booked or planned on a 3-day stay. Your are guessing they want to to 2 days away from Seville leaving just a one night stay there.

Loacker Jun 27th, 2017 12:38 PM

OH oK PalenQ, thanks for clarifying this. I spent 5 days in Seville and didn't wanna leave. It's such a beautiful city.

PalenQ Jun 27th, 2017 12:42 PM

Actually doesn't say how much time OP has in Seville but just "limited".

And yes Seville is so neat you want more than one day there.

If just spending one day in Seville and doing 2 days trips - maybe better to base in Cordoba and day trip to Granada and Seville.

But I think Seville is the finest of them all, overall.

Bedar Jun 27th, 2017 01:12 PM

Get some glasses !! In the third post down, the OP says that two (2) days will be spent in Seville.

Loacker Jun 27th, 2017 01:19 PM

The OP started WWIII and disappeared.


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