Nisha

Hi! <BR>Just wondering how many days do we need for sight seeing in Seville, and in Granada, and in Cordoba? Also, places like the Alhambra or the Great mosque in Cordoba, or any other site, do we have to book in advance, or we can buy tickets when we get there in early June? Last question, is it worth taking the speed train from Seville to Madrid and spend the day in Madrid and come back at night? Or better to spend at least one night? If there is one place you would visit in Madrid where would it be? Your help will greatly be appreciated. <BR>

bo_jack

It's hard to know what to suggest without a better understanding of your situation. In any location (city or village) it's best to spend at least two nights; otherwise, it is just moving into and out of hotels. On three recent vacations to Spain we spent a couple hours in Granada (saw the Alhambra), three nights in Cordoba (sightseeing plus getting a reasonably good "feel" for the city); and we have yet to stop the car in Sevilla (did not even get off the motorway). Certainly, this is not what most people would choose, but it was our choice. You do not need to book the Alhambra or the Great Mosque in advance; you may wait a short while (an hour or so) at the Alhambra, you probably will not have to wait except a few minutes in a ticket line at the Great Mosque. Personally, I would not bother with going into Madrid for either a day trip or an overnight; I would save the time and money and see more of Seville. However, if setting foot in Madrid is a "must" -- then I would do it as a day trip (save the hotel move) if the train trip is no more than a few hours and go see the Prado. It's not really a comfortable building, but it does have many great art works in it, the location is relatively nice, and if you say "been to the Prado" most people will know where that is.

frank

Of the three, I'd allocate most time to Seville, don't miss the cathedral or the Alcazar, you don't need to book.Having said that, I just got back from Andalucia yesterday <BR> & visited none of these this time -spent a week in Cadiz, no great sights (torre tavira is good)just a very jolly city with a very large old barrio,not tourist infested, and a week around Tarifa(southernmost tip).Amazing how close Africa is.

ann

I agree with the previous poster - definitely spend the most time in Seville. We stayed there for four nights, and used it as our base for a day trip to Cordoba. It's a short train ride, and we had plenty of time to visit the Mezquita and stroll around the city. That left us 2 1/2 days to devote to Seville, which allowed us to see the main sights (the bullring, the Alcazar, the Cathedral and Giralda) and to just wander through the Barrio Santa Cruz, Triana, etc. <BR> We stayed 2 nights (1 1/2 days) in Granada, spending most of one day at the Alhambra, and the rest of the time downtown around the Cathedral and in the Albaicin (which, personally, I think you could skip). <BR> On the AVE, the trip between Seville and Madrid is less than 2 1/2 hours, so you certainly could go as a day trip - maybe visit the Prado and the Palacio Real, and stroll around the Plaza Mayor.

Ruth

I had a different reaction to Granada than Ann. Spent two nights and wished we had another. The Alhambra is magnificent and I loved walking around the Albaicin area--thought it very pretty and atmospheric. Sevilla was lovely, but for some reason I liked Granada better.

Nisha

Hi! <BR> <BR>Thank you very much Bo_jack, Frank, Ann, and Ruth for the valuable information. You have all been very helpful. I appreciate.