Portugal and Southern Spain
 

We are planning a 22 day trip in these two countries beginning in Lisbon and flying out of Madrid.

We like to make a mix of cities and smaller towns and have put beach time as well.

This is our preliminary itinerary and any suggestions would be welcome:

Lisbon 4 nights with side trip to Sintra
Obidos 1 night (arrive by train) or should we drive?
Coimbra 1 night (arrive by train) or should we drive?
Porto 2 nights (arrive by train) or should we drive
Evora 2 nights (train or drive?)
Seville 2 nights (train or drive?) - pick up car
Marbella or somewhere special of beach rest for 3 nights - probably with car
Granada - 2 nights - drop off car and take train
Madrid - 3 nights

Any comments welcome!

Thanks in advance

I would never miss Cordoba - to me one of the most fascinating cities in Spain. I would have not trouble dropping Evora.

And you don't say when you are going - this is not a trip I would do in summer due to the tremendous heat.

Thank. We are going from sept. 18 to Oct. 9th. Will chevk out Cordoba!

The world's greatest flamenco festival goes on in Sevilla from Sept 8. to Oct. 2. The finest flamenco artists on stages in theaters all around town every night. Also a quite spectacular outdoor venue in the Real Alcázar gardens: http://www.labienal.com/en/

Thanks for the info!

I liked Evora a lot. I would drop Coimbra and Obidos this time. I would try to work in at least a few hours at Cordoba to see the Mezquita which is quite remarkable. Sevilla is worth more than 2 nights because there will be travel time involved and there are lots of things to see there.