Hello. I was hoping to get some advice on possible Spanish itineraries. I am flying to London for three days and then heading to the South of Spain to visit friends. We were planning on touring Seville and the surrounding area for about 5 days and then spending a few days with our friends in Mijias. However, we are now debating flying from London to Madrid for three days and then taking the train from Madrid to Seville for two days. Do you think this is a good plan or would we be better off staying in Andalusia? We would like to avoid renting a car and perhaps utilizing the trains. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

The Prado, the Thyssen, and the Reina Sofia are spectacular museums, but otherwise my wife and I didn't like Madrid. If it were up to me I'd choose Andalusia for five days over Madrid for three days and Andalusia for two. Another possibility is spending two or three days in Barcelona before going to Seville (by plane, of course). Barcelona is truly a great city, and well worth a trip.

hi, clbean,

the answer I would give is greatly affected by WHEN you are intending to travel.

if June-aug/sept, I would spend as little time in andalucia as possible due to the heat. Ditto Madrid.

however, if it is outside those months, I'd concentrate on andalucia. there is plenty to see in 5 days - Seville, cordoba, Granada, ronda.

Madrid is a good place in winter - the museums are well heated as are the restaurants. but my preference would be for andalucia.

regards, ann

I agree on focussing an Andalusia. Madrid has a few interesting sights but is basically a large modern city packed with skyscrapers and outlets of every chain store in existence.

Andalusia is much more reflective of what is different about Spain - the Moorish influence and the reconquest - and IMHO worth much more time than Madrid.

Madrid is interesting for museums, shopping, restaurants and nightlife.
Check:
http://maribelsguides.com/mg_madrid.pdf
http://www.madridshoppingtour.com/svp_7.pdf

Thank you all for your advice- I think we may decide to skip Madrid and concentrate on Andalusia. That way we can relax a bit and enjoy ourselves. Do you think it would be possible to avoid renting a car?

It's definatley possible to avoid renting a car. A car would be more convenient but with 5 days you really won't need one...5 days is not alot of time. I'm just base myself in Seville and do daytrips - it would be an easy and relaxing trip. For daytrips you could visit the sherry triangle cities, Cordoba, Carmona, Osuna, Arcos de la Frontera. 5 days would really just be 3 in Sevilla and a couple of daytrip days.

Hi, clbean -

I agree with CathyM - you can explore Andalusia without a car. Your options for day trips by public transportation from Sevilla also include Granada and Ronda, or you could spend 3 days in Sevilla and 2 in (say) Granada.

Hope that helps!

Not only is there much to see in Maddrid there are many towns to see around the city. The South is very different and you will not get the full textures of Spain. (There are many others including Barcelona, Basque Country, Galicia, etc.)