passported

Well, he’s flexible, honestly, and will leave it to me to figure out. Yes, we’ve already pared away Barcelona for another trip. It’s a big country, and this is just a first trip! Do write a trip report when you return! Twk, would you share where you are spending your time, cities wise?

KarenWoo

Passported, I think you have enough time to visit the cities you want to visit (including staying overnight in Cordoba and visiting Granada) in 13 nights. Last September we had 15 nights, and we visited all the cities you plan to visit, in addition to spending 2 nights in Malaga. This is how we divided our nights: Madrid (4 nights), Toledo (1 night), Cordoba (2 nights), Granada (2 nights), Malaga (2 nights) and Seville (4 nights). You can click on my name to read my trip report, if that will help.

We loved Cordoba! I personally think that people who stop over in Cordoba for a day trip on their way somewhere else are missing a lot. It's such a pretty city, with its white washed walls, narrow cobblestone streets, flower pots attached to the walls. it's also smaller and less crowded than many of the other cities. There is more to Cordoba, IMO, than the amazing Mezquita, such as the lovely gardens of the Alcazar, the Palacio de Viana, Roman Bridge, the Juderia, the market. I wish we had a 3rd night there because there are a few sites we missed, and I would have enjoyed wandering around the Juderia more.

Regarding Granada, we loved loved loved the Alhambra. We spent almost a whole day there, and then returned at night for a night tour. I can't imagine going all the way to Andalucia and not visiting Granada. It's a lovely city, and I wish we had a 3rd night there. Regarding architecture and ambiance, it's very different from Seville and Cordoba. I don't think it's that difficult to get to. We took the ALSA bus from Cordoba to Granada. I believe it was about a 2.5 hour bus trip. The bus is clean, modern, air-conditioned, and very comfortable. The question to ask yourself is this: If you don't visit Granada on this trip, would you return to Andalucia just to visit Granada?

Hope this helps.

PalenQ

As a city no one could say Granada is better than Cordoba IME - I was much more impressed with Cordoba as a city - lots of folks do it as a day trip from Seville but many here rave about their stays in Cordoba. I did a day trip and walked all around and was amazed at how much an ABC city it was - Another Bloody Church on every corner and all were really nice - monasteries and convents included. Not a large area the central city but try to stay overnight -wish I had.

efarr99

I loved loved loved Granada! Really enjoyed our four days there.

passported

Y'all are the best, thanks. I will keep working on it and work through my analysis paralysis!

kja

I’m not sure I can articulate my experience well, but FWIW: Many of Toledo’s narrow, cobbled lanes are lined by long, tall walls that are broken only once or so a block by massive, closed doors, and few of those lanes lead to intersections with open sight lines. When I was there, roaming around after dark, I was often the only person on a given block, with just a cat or two sitting in a doorway or stepping around a corner. I found that effect quite evocative, in a brooding sort of way. Of course, there were plazas that were lively in the evening, and many of those walls hid lovely courtyards, and once you step out of the Old Town, there are parks and open spaces.


If you can push on to Toledo, I don’t think you would regret it.


I love Granada! There is MUCH more to it than the Alhambra. Many people don’t give it enough time to see anything except the Alhambra, so I would urge you not to count their silence against it. And as karenWoo points out, would you return to Andalusia just for Granada? IMO, if you’re going to shortchange anything, you should consider shortchanging Madrid because it’s the easiest place to include on a future church.


I wouldn’t say Granada is better than Cordoba – nor would I say the opposite. I won’t try to choose.


I was struck by the opposite: I though Cordoba had far fewer churches than most other Spanish cities.

twk

6 nights in Madrid (will make daytrips to Toledo and El Escorial--maybe Segovia or Salamanca)
3 nights in Seville (spending 7 hours in Corboda on the way there)
Drive through the Pueblos Blancos (probably stopping for mid-afternoon lunch and look around in Ronda) on the way to Marbella, where we will spend 2 nights (with the intention of making a day trip to Gibraltar)
3 nights in Granada
1 night in Madrid

This itinerary was settled on partly because a member of our party, who now is not likely to make the trip, has a brother in the Madrid area, and we decided not to do open jaw. If we hadn't been trying to maximize time in Madrid for that reason, I probably would have gone straight to Toledo on arrival, spent 2 nights, then proceeded to Seville, Marbella, Granada, and ended with 5 nights in Madrid, or maybe just 4 and added a night elsewhere.

passported

Good input all. I’m now thinking:

• Arrive Madrid early evening
. Madrid - 2 nights
• Train to Córdoba: 1 or 2 nights
• ALSA bus to Granada - 3 nights
• Bus/Train to Seville - 4 nights
• Train to Madrid - 2 nights
• Depart Madrid noon

Going to Toledo and then backtracking to get to Córdoba just seems like perhaps a stop too far. We do also want to see the main museums in Madrid, so need some time there to accomplish that.

Any favorite don’t miss hotels in Córdoba, Granada or Seville?

kja

In Sevilla, I enjoyed Las Casas de la Juderia, which still gets very good reviews.

danon

In Granada we stayed at Casa Morisca.....very atmospheric, walked uphill to Alhambra.
they also booked Alhambra tickets for us.
It was some years ago...though , better check the reviews.
Since you are visiting Córdoba perhaps you might consider taking one night from Seville
and spend more time in Madrid to explore the great city or , if you have the energy ,
spend a day in Toledo.

PalenQ

Yes, Toledo easy day trip from Madrid but keep in flux- to me I'd put it above spending a full third day in Madrid - but depends on what turns you on I guess.