Keiracaitlyn

Hello everyone,

I am in the beginning stages of planning my graduation (woo!) trip for next year (February). I realize this is a matter of preference, but I have found that the order of cities can make a big difference to how I enjoy a city. For example, going from a quiet city to a noisy one, going from a bright city to a dim/smoky one, going from a "dirty" city to a clean one, going from a city full of friendly people to city of unwelcoming people, tend to be bad experiences for me. Doing them in reverse is a great experience.

Also, I tend to "hit the ground running" with lots of activity and slow down over time, so that's a consideration in this question. I know there are 20 million things to do in every city and I will not get to it all, but I just want to see the major sites at this point and get a feel for whether or not I want to return. Some cities are easier to be "busy" in, versus slower/more casual.

I am planning to go Seville (5 nights/4 full days) with a day trip to Cordoba (1 day), then on to Granada (3 nights/2 full days). I would like to add Lisbon (4-5 nights, 4 full days), but I don't know if it would be better to see Lisbon first or last, based on the above considerations.

*Side note, I would fly from Lisbon to Seville, or from Granada to Lisbon. The half day lost in flight time is not of concern for me.

Thoughts? Other comments about my itinerary are welcome.

KC

Pegontheroad

This is just my opinion, of course, but I wasn't impressed by Lisbon. The fact that it was years ago--maybe 25 years ago, and things may have/probably have changed by now. But at the time I thought it was kind of a shabby city. I love beautiful architecture, so I was disappointed. It seems to be that it would be kind of a letdown to see the Spanish cities first and then Lisbon.

I'd go to Lisbon first, and then follow your plan for Seville, Granada and Cordoba.

MinnBeef

I have been to all of the Spanish cities you describe but not to Lisbon. I LOVED Sevilla, really liked Granada (the Alhambra is a life time memory) and was so so on Cordoba (although the Mezquita/Cathedral is stunning.) I think your time allocation for your Spanish cities is just about perfect. I'll let others comment on Lisbon. Not sure though that I could add to your original question as only you really know what's important to you as you move from city to city. I would tend to save Lisbon for last only because you have less time as a whole in Portugal and should you have outbound flight delays, etc. it cuts into your already short time there.

Keiracaitlyn

Pegontheroad,

That is exactly my type of concern, so I appreciate your feedback. I had considered Barcelona for the architecture, but I feel it would be too drastic of a difference from the environment of Andalusia for me to enjoy it this trip.

lindygirl

I've been to Lisbon, Seville, and Granada but not Cordoba. I personally loved Granada over Seville but maybe it was because by the time I got to Seville I wanted to be in a smaller city. I went on a solo trip from San Sebastian to Barcelona to Granada to Seville - what made my trip was meeting feller travelers and I really hit it off with the person I met in Granada. The Alhambra in Granada made the Alcazar in Seville look tiny in comparison. The moorish architecture in Granada was super interesting compared to Barcelona and even Lisbon.

I thought Lisbon was okay but I much prefer the sights and feel of the cities in Spain. If you have time in Lisbon, please try to go to Sintra.

I actually have trip reports for all of these cities:
San Sebastian, Barcelona, Granada, Seville
http://fanofblank.blogspot.com/2014/...-in-spain.html

Lisbon and Sintra
http://fanofblank.blogspot.com/2017/...nd-sintra.html

Some characteristics I would mention:
Granada: small and intimate, Alhambra is a wonder, cool little neighborhoods to wander around in, easy to get around as everything is so close together

Seville: grand churches with interesting architecture, Alcazar (looked like a mini Alhambra to me), bull fighting museum and ring (if you can stomach watching a real bull fight. I could not.), pretty big city compared to Granada.

Lisbon: some interesting sights but I don't recall anything jumping out for me. Worth a visit to the Belem neighborhood to see the monastery and Belem Tower. Sintra is worth a day trip. Food wise everything was very salty and very sweet.

lindygirl

Oh, btw, I would also recommend starting with Lisbon. And then based on your preferences, the other cities in Spain. I just didn't think Lisbon was as interesting so you can get that out of the way and end with a bang!

Keiracaitlyn

Thank you, lindygirl. Your information is helpful regarding pace (and ending in Granada). I am planning a day trip to Sintra if I add Lisbon - and see Belem. I may also do my Cordoba day trip before seeing Seville because I have read that it can be underwhelming to see it after Seville. I will check out your trip reports!

Keiracaitlyn

Thanks Minnbeef. You confirmed that Cordoba day trip should be before Seville proper and Granada.

kja

I adored Cordoba and thought it worth two full days (48 hours+).

I haven't been to Lisbon yet, and so can't help you with the sequencing.

kimhe

<I tend to "hit the ground running" with lots of activity and slow down over time, so that's a consideration in this question.>

Then I would suggest you leave Lisboa to the end, a lovely laid-back city, and not as hectic and full of tourist attractions and tourists as much of Granada, Sevilla and Córdoba. Of course a lot of things to do in Lisboa, but it's something with that special old world/empire Lisboa atmosphere. For me it would be a perfect city to wind down in. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/portugal/lisbon

Nothing capture the Lisboa spirit better than the fado music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on9lKHZc5jA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdOE5ERp-s4

And I'll throw in an extra word for Córdoba, tons of things more to the city than the famous Mezquita and the Jewish quarter. You can easily get a very pleasant and laid-back Andalucian feel for life here. I think there are perhaps no better place in Andalucía to reflect upon what this very special and almost mythical region is and how it developed.

Few other cities in Europe beats the history of Córdoba, from Roman Corduba to the capital of Muslim al-Andalus after 766 AD, and then through Christian times after the 1236 reconquista capture and eventual steep decline. Córdoba was the most advanced city in Europe during caliphate times about 1000AD, some 500 000 inhabitants, and a great cultural, political and economic centre with 300 public baths and the greatest library in the world.

Have visited Córdoba in relation to magnificent theater performances, ended up in never to forget flamenco nights, had some of the best no fuss meals ever and met brilliant people. Perhaps the best description would be to say that Córdoba - outside the absolute most beaten track - is a place where Andalucía just tend to happen.

Córdoba life & spirit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyfGdpF55Uk

Keiracaitlyn

Thanks for the feedback Kimhe. I'm hearing from several people to give Cordoba stronger consideration, so I may end up doing 1-2 full days there (with an overnight) rather than just a day trip. You also make good arguments for seeing Lisbon last. I am definitely looking forward to the music in Lisbon!

HappyTrvlr

We loved Lisbon, spent 9 nights there, but have also enjoyed visiting Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada several times.
Why don't you start in Lisbon, recover from jet lag, and then head to Spain? The Portuguese are among the kindest people I have ever met and there is a lot to see in Lisbon. Consider a day trip by train to Sintra too. I can't understand why any traveler wouldn't enjoy Lisbon.

kja

If you add time for Cordoba, consider visiting the Viana Museum -- twelve different stunning courtyards!

Keiracaitlyn

HappyTrvlr, Sintra is definitely on my list as a day trip. I don't normally get jetlag, but it's not bad to consider for heading to Lisbon first.

Kja, thank you for the recommendation!

kimhe

Sevilla and Granada would be hectic and noisy and tons of things to see and do, whereas Córdoba and Lisboa would be more laid-back, contemplative and, especially Lisboa, melancholic.