Traveller51

Thinking of a trip to southern Spain in early July. There will be at least 5 of us. 26 to 66 years in age. For most of us it is the first trip to Spain. I know there may be better known places in Spain to go but we go where I can get reasonable airfares. We have 7 nights. Was thinking of a couple nights in Malaga or somewhere nearby close to the beach and 2-3 nights in Granada to see the Alhambra. Will probably rent a car or hire a driver if we are more than 5 for some of the days..

PalenQ

Why not take the train to say Seville for a few days- unless into beaching it a day or two in Malaga would be enough - other towns nearby tend to be modern high-rise resorts. Granada of course but maybe train to Cordoba or Seville? For lots on trains check www.renfe.com; www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Granada to me was not nearly the awsesome cities Cordoba and Seville were though the Alhambra is of course a must.

KarenWoo

You can click on my name to read my trip report from our recent trip to Andalusia. We spent 2 nights in Malaga and loved it. I think Malaga is an underrated city. Cordoba and Seville were 2 favorite cities, and I agree with PalenQ that the Alhambra is a must.

Do you have 7 nights on the ground? To give you a comparison, this was our itinerary:

Córdoba - 2 nights
Granada - 2 nights
Malaga - 2 nights
Seville - 4 nights

We also went to Madrid and Toledo.

However, you can see that we spent a total of 10 nights in Andalusia. Have you read any guidebooks to help you decide what you would enjoy? Some people go to Córdoba as a day trip from Seville; however, we loved Córdoba and were very happy to have 2 nights there. Some people skip Malaga, but I think it would be a nice respite from the heat, especially in July.

Can you go to Andalusia at a different time of year? It will be very hot in July. We were there in September and it was in the mid-80's (Madrid) to the mid-90's (Seville).

PalenQ

Keep in mind however that those cities take most of a day to go between, relocated, etc. Except Cordoba-Seville only a few hours by train - could base in Seville since on short time and day trip to Cordoba or stop by it en route to or from Malaga. the ancient mosque turned cathedral is about the most famous Muslim-rooted edifice in Spain after Alhambra.

kja

If you are thinking of going anywhere other than Malaga – and I would agree doing so makes sense – be sure to consider the cost of transportation and time before deciding that Malaga is your most affordable option. The phrase, “penny wise, pound foolish” comes to my mind.

With only a week, you will need to be selective. The highlights of Andalusia are Sevilla, Cordoba, and Granada, and they can easily take 4, 2, and 3 nights, respectively. And as already noted, the area will be HOT in July.

Hope that helps!

LancasterLad

Nerja and Frigiliana, are both east of Mallaga, easy to reach, and definitely not high rise, in fact they are white villages.

Bedar

Nerja has a problem. The sewage treatment plant has not been completed. I wouldn't swim there. But, maybe it will be by next summer. Miracles do happen. Otherwise, with only a week, I'd stick to Malaga and Granada.

yorkshire

I greatly enjoyed Malaga and think it would make a fine trip along with Granada. I always thought Antequera sounded interesting--that might make a additional stop.

Traveller51

Thanks for your thoughts.

I had planned to do Seville, Cordoba and Granada a few years ago in April but the trip never came off. That was going to be a ten day trip. At the time, I felt Granada was not all that convenient from the other two.

So for this short of a trip I felt it would be trying to do too much in too a short period of time to do all three. I would save Seville and Cordoba for another trip.

I like the idea of the smaller towns mentioned by Yorkshire and LancasterLad.

Are there any tour guides or tours that you could suggest?

PalenQ

Just curious is water is warm enough to swim in April? (Malaga area)

Cofdoba is actually only 50 minutes now from Malaga by train - why not do a day trip to that fantastic city everyone loves it seems>

See some nice countryside on the way? quicker than commuting to Granada and some other places mentioned.

I did a day trip from Seville to Cordoba and was satisfied with a full day there (but always nicer to stay few nights).

kja

IMO, you don't need tours or tour guides -- just invest in a good guidebook or two, perhaps the Rough Guide or Michelin Green Guide. The cost will be nominal in comparison to the cost of your trip, and you will find a wealth of information at your fingertips. Of course, if you prefer to work with tours / tour guides, that's always an option.

With so little time, I personally would not try to fit Cordoba in to this trip unless you give up either Malaga or Grenada; I think those two would fit your time well, and like your plan of waiting to see Cordoba until a trip that also includes Sevilla.

PalenQ

7 nights not long -I agree with kja stick to Malaga area though one day trip to Cordoba may be nice too and again less than an hour by train - to me Cordoba is a much nicer city than Granada to spend a few days.

Traveller51

Thank you. I have used guide books on some trips and tour guides on others. Some of the guides we have used have been the highlight of the trip. I find them particularly useful when we have a small group of family members.

Bedar

I always recommend Cordoba, but it is considered la sarten (the frying pan) of Spain in summer. Better to spend time in Malaga and Granada which is cooler because of the altitude. If you have a car, then head to the villages of the Alpujarra on the way to the coast, and then back to Malaga. A nice loop.

kja

Even if you use a guide, do get a good guidebook!

PalenQ

Yes a problem in southern Spain in July - boils - Seville avg well over 90 f high so coastal towns like bedar suggests can be a lot more tolerable but also crowded with invasions of northern Europeans.