helenabelle

kja

Your itinerary might work for you, but I would find it too rushed. I wanted 5 full days for Barcelona, not counting day trips (and not counting any time to recover from jet lag); 4 full days for Madrid, 2 full days for Toledo, 3 full days in Granada (which does not lend itself readily to a day trip as the Alhambra alone can take a full day), 2 full days in Cordoba, and 4 full days in Sevilla. Be sure you think through your priorities and plot them on a calendar or otherwise lay them out so you can see if you are giving yourselves enough time to see and experience the things that are your priorities.

Spain is a delight -- enjoy!

KarenWoo

I agree with kja that Granada does not work as a day trip. You need a lot of time to see the Alhambra properly. It is a huge and magnificent place. Please take the time to savor it and enjoy it. It is not a place to rush through. We spent almost a whole day there, and then returned that evening for the night tour. Granada also has other interesting sights, and is a wonderful city to just wander and take in the ambiance. And I will say the same about Cordoba. It was one of our favorite cities on our trip, and seeing Cordoba as a day trip does not do it justice. I can't comment on Ronda or Antequera because I haven't been there, but I would definitely choose to spend at least 2 nights in Granada and 2 nights in Cordoba. Historically, Granada, Cordoba, and Seville are the highlights of Andalucia. And I think Seville deserves at least 4 nights, which gives you 3 full days. Seville is larger than Granada and Cordoba, and there is a lot to see and do there as well. I would have felt very frustrated with only 3 nights in Seville.

PalenQ

Just about trains - booking long-distance high-speed AVE type trains far in advance can yield deep discounts. Check Renfe - Spanish Railways site that seems to me impossible to book on or very hard for novices but www.loco2.com has similar fares to Renfe and is easy to work and you pay in dollars - the renfe.com site many say is tough for foreigners to use but Loco2 so simple - and I checked last night they do offer deep discounts for many trains. www.seat61.com has sage tips on booking own tickets and telling all about Spanish trains (as does Loco2) - general info trains also BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com.

helenabelle

isabel

While I agree that each of your destinations could use more time I don't think the Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid parts are unreasonable, even with the day trips. Rushed yes, but for an 'overview' not bad. However, I would not want 4 nights in Antequera, nor would I want Granada or even Cordoba or Ronda as just day trips. I assume you picked Antequera because it looked central to those others? Still, I'd want at least 2 nights in Granada and one each in Ronda and Cordoba. And that would be a lot of 1 and 2 night stays. You are really trying to cover too much ground in the amount of time you have. But if you really don't want to drop anywhere, I 'd say take a night or two from Portugal (you don't say where you are going in Portugal, but something has to give) and add to Granada and Cordoba. Skip Antequera. How are you traveling? train? car? If you are driving (lot's of problems with that idea given where you are going) you could stop in Antequera for a quick look around as you pass by. I would strongly suggest you do the whole trip by train. But that would probably mean skipping Ronda. Not a bad idea, as nice as it is.

PalenQ

I went by train and found Ronda easy to hit - actually I took a bus from Seville thru the iconic white villages, then train to Granada or Cordoba. To me Ronda was a few hour thing to admire the large gorge running thru town. Oh nice enough town but no many nicer towns elsewhere. But if looking for good hiking and biking in countryside Ronda is said to be good for that. Ronda has direct trains to Granada - 2.25 hours and about 1.5 hours to Cordoba with one change. And buses from Seville.

helenabelle

Sberg

bookmarking

jannie_1947

MADRID : I hope you like sites that you would never find by yourselves as now I'm going to pass you some. Walk Barrio Universidad Some steep other flat, narrow streets. Multicolored façades of 3 floors, XVIII century buildings. Look up to the rooftop terraces and the artistic wrought iron railings of the balconies. Start with Conde Duque area. In Plaza de las Comendadoras, stop for best local beer at El Cangrejero . Angel, the owner, is a good guy in spite of his undaunted face. Visit Cuartel Conde Duque. This Cultural Center is also a great example of old military architecture. One of the most charming streets of Barrio Universidad is Galeria
de Robles, 8' walking distance from Conde Duque. Artists made of its traffic poles inventive, colored sculptures. On this same street is Cafe Ajenjo . Helios, the owner, offers the best coffee in town. He is also proud of his homemade carrot cake. Cafe Ajenjo is a meeting point for writers, artists and people from the neighborhood. You will feel here an authentic, warm, friendly local atmosphere. For further 'insider leads', take advantage of private Madrid Museum Tours. Its owners, Irina and Hernan, are long time specialists in private tours for travelers who are looking for original and different things. At the end of the day,you may stop at De Vinos, a small tapas and wine bar in calle Palma 76. Yolanda, the owner, is a nice hostess. She offers 80 different varieties of wines. Few, but tasty tapas.
Wish you a wonderful stay in Madrid and Spain
I wish you the best with a picture of Madrid Rosegarden today

Madrid Rosegarden, May 12, 2019

PalenQ

Faro IMO is not as nice or old-looking than nearby Lagos - a whitewashed old town with lots of small alleys - Faro looked much more modern.

helenabelle