Five days/four nights in Madrid and nearby towns, first time visitors
 

Hello all,

My two nieces and I are going to Madrid (Yes, we've decided on Spain versus Zurich) for four days in late March. From Madrid, we are thinking of going to the Andalusia region - Granada, Cordoba and maybe Sevilla, then fly out from Madrid.

I am looking for suggestions on the most efficient itinerary and places to stay. I am initially thinking of staying one night in Madrid, then take the early train to Cordoba or Granada the next day. Can we do Alhambra and Mezquita in one day? Where should we spend the second and third nights? Will we have time for Sevilla? Any other town that we should visit instead? We can also take an overnight train back to Madrid and head straight to the airport or go back on the fourth day and stay another night in Madrid.

We love to eat and do just a little shopping, and I think my companions will appreciate the palace and mosque.

I've read several topics on trips to the region but looking to hear more from others.

Thanks,
J

Perhaps you should consult a map and train schedules ( RENFE) before deciding.

Would it make sense to buy a Spain flexipass for three days?

The distance between Cordoba ( Mezquita) and Granada ( Alhambra )
is 125 miles ...I think it is safe to say " doing " both in one day would
present a challenge.

Checking Renfe and having difficulty getting train schedules but will keep trying...

Okay! You have a mere 4 nights and you want to spend all your time moving around? What would you like to do for fun? Use Madrid as a base and enjoy the city. There Ia more then enough to keep you busy.

I agree with what danon and Robert2533 said. And I wish you luck!

High speed AVE train between Madrid and Cordoba (1h 40 mins) and Madrid and Sevilla (1h 50 minutes). Sevilla is the undisputed queen of the cities in Andalucia: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/sevilla.htm

In your case I would have done 2 days in Madrid, and one night in Cordoba on my way to the final two days in Sevilla. Then AVE train back to Madrid to catch the flight.

You should see the Real Alcázar in Sevilla. The story of the Alcázar is very different from the story of the Alhambra despite obvious architectural similarities. Most of the Alcázar was constructed in Arab style by Christian rulers in the 14th Century (Sevilla fell to the Christians in 1248, but there was apparantly no question about architectural ideals), and the Real Alcázar thus stands as one of the best examples of mudejar architecture in all of Spain. http://www.patronato-alcazarsevilla.es/

hmm, the AVE between Madrid and Sevilla takes 2h 30 mins, but the AVE between Cordoba and Sevilla is only some 40 minutes.

I have to agree with others that with only 5 days and 4 nights, is visiting Madrid and doing some day tours. Toledo, Cordoba, Segovia are all accessible by AVE high speed rail. Madrid itself is worth at least two days for seeing the art museums, churches, and markets.

The connection between Seville/Granada/Madrid by train is not high speed. I believe it takes about 4 hours to get Madrid from Granada.

If you really want to see Seville, than I'd fly in and out Seville-spend two or three days there, take a day trip to Cordoba.

As said before, very easy to go from Madrid to Sevilla by the high speed AVE Train, 2h 30min city center to city center. Stops in Cordoba after 1h 40 mins.

Agree with your constructive suggestions. I too would spend more time in Madrid as it is my first time there. One of my two nieces have been to Madrid several times and that's why I am trying to find other places to visit outside of Madrid. I will check train schedules and maybe limit it to Seville and Cordoba which are reachable by AVE.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to the areas where we can stay? My niece who has been to Madrid depends on her husband for arrangements so she is not much help in planning. they are both depending on me to find safe and accessible accommodations.

Thanks again,
J

The fast trains in Spain are great, but in addition to time on the train...one has to consider
.. checking out of the hotel, getting to the train station , getting to the hotel from the station, check in...
The " trip " of a couple of hours quickly turns into half day.

You need to clarify: are you going to be in the Madrid area for four days or in Spain for four days? The posters above seem to think the latter. If so, you're not going to be able to see Madrid, Mezquita, Alhambra and Seville.

If you have 4 nights in Madrid PLUS some time for Andalucia, that's different.

Granada is still not on the AVE network - no fast trains. Two nights there is a stretch.

Aside from the train time, I can't imagine going to two major cities to visit the same day (Cordoba and Granada). I wouldn't even consider that if I were in the area, let alone coming from Madrid. Do you seriously have no desire to see anything in Cordoba except the Mezquita? YOu might want to consider the Alcazar, at least, and the archeological museum is very good.

If I were you, given such short time, I'd say you could do Cordoba and Seville, aside from Madrid. that's it, but only if you spend no time in Madrid. For four days, if you must go somewhere other than Madrid, I'd just pick Seville, probably.

Thanks Christina. I am checking train schedules to see how we can fit it Cordoba and Seville. We might have 6 days 5 nights after all.

Now I have to look for accommodations. Any suggestions will be much appreciated.

J

well, that's what I would do. I wasn't focusing on the fact that you weren't that interested in Madrid due to others already being there. In that case, going to Seville would be fine, you can stop in Cordoba on the way if you want for a night, or just go there by train for a day trip, which is what I did. Or you could go to Seville and then stop in Cordoba on the way back to Madrid for a night, which probably makes more sense as it will shorten the time to Madrid on your way back. I'd just go to Seville for the entire time and visit Cordoba as a day trip, it makes it easier than moving hotels for one night.

Train schedules are easy to see on www.bahn.de, very user friendly, even if German rail site. It's good for planning, even if you can't buy your ticket there, of course.

I'm not clear on your return train trip. The train from Seville to Madrid only takes 2:30 hrs. I don't think there are any overnight trains, not sure how there could be. I think the last train leaves around 8-9 pm (to arrive in Madrid around 11-11:30 pm) and the first one starts around 6:45-8 am, depending on day of week. the only overnight train I see on the schedule is only overnight because you have to get out in Cordoba and then wait there at the train station about 9 hours for the next train to Madrid the next morning.

Toledo! Don't overlook this, very easy to visit from Madrid, ancient city with a masterpiece of a cathedral. It is by train only about 30 minutes from Madrid.

You do not have time to fit in Granada.

Seville and Cordoba make more sense from Madrid.

Night train does not work from Granada to Madrid.

OK you keep saying 5 days/4 nights and 6 days/5 nights.

It doesn't work that way.

4 nights equals 3 full day and a skosh more.

5 nights nets you 4 full day and a few hours