Sevilla or Granada- Ist Visit to Spain with only 2.5 days
 

Hello Fellow Fodor Friends:

In mid May I will be traveling wih my 75 year old parents to see my brother who lives in Geneva. We want to leave Geneva and spend a few days in Spain. Both my parents and brother have been to Spain several times- this will be my first trip. We all agree that we want to see either the White Villages, Sevilla or Granada. Here are the issues:
#1 we only have 2.5 days.
#2 With this limited amount of time, which cities are the most memorabale for a 1st time visitor (Sevilla, Granada or villages?
#3 With older travelers in tow, which cities are the easiest to get around?
#4 We will by flying into Malaga (easyjet)- Should we spend nights there there as home base or stay perhaps in Granada for one night and Ronda for one night or Seville for one night and Granada for one night? Not sure about the driving distances between these cities...

My parents are young at heart and in good health but nevertheless in their mid 70's. I hear Granada is a difficult town for older people to get around (walking up/down hills)

I want this trip to be easy and not stressful. Beautiful countryside and picturesque views would be wonderful but my mother gets car sick quite easily. I love the idea of seeing the Alhambra and the lovely views from that city. While others suggest that if you are only going to see one city in Spain you should not miss Seville.

Any advice will be appreciated!!

Last September, my husband and I (in our early 30s) went to Seville and Granada (and Madrid). I loved both. Here are my thoughts.
1. Granada was only an interest for me with the Alhambra. We were there for less than a full day but I recall lots of walking. You can take a taxi from the train station to the top of the hill and probably one down as well but the actual Alhambra is a lot of steps and walking. But beautiful. If you go there, buy tickets ahead of time.
https://w3.grupobbva.com/ALHAMBRA/alhambra/home.html
2. Sevilla has more to see (in my opinion) but again we did a lot of walking. The Cathedral is beautiful but your parents might skip climbing to the top of the bell tower. Seeing a flamenco show was one of our favorite memories of our trip to Spain. There also is a bull fighting museum which was interesting. We were only in Sevilla for two nights.

I can't answer your questions about getting from Malaga. We took the trains around Spain and it was very easy.

Have a great trip!

We were in Madrid, Seville, Granada and Barcelona two years ago.

By far Seville and Barcelona were the favorite.

I was a bit surprised that Granada was more than just the Alhambra. However, you will be walking up/down quite a bit and 2 1/2 days is a bit much for Granada and doesn't leave enough for anything else.

Seville is flat. While you can do a lot of walking, the major sights aren't that far apart and you can either walk at your own pace or take short taxi rides.

We were there during the first half of June. We saw a digital thermometer ib a traffic circle and it read 39. That's very hot and it felt it.

At one point we were walking to go to a bridge to cross to the ceramics stores. We just jumped in a taxi for 5 minutes and he left us off at the bridge. It was too hot to walk so we ran across the bridge.

Now, when I think about it, a light colored umbrella might not have been a bad idea. The humidity was low so other than the sun it was pleasant.

Just things to consider.

I'd like to suggest you go to Casa Pilatos. For some reason there are two tickets. Downstairs/courtyard and addition of upstairs. Do both as updstairs show you the rooms and furnishings.

Also, we went to the flamenco show at Casa Memoria. Less expensive that those other two tourist shows that include a drink. This one is a block from Casa de la Juderia hote, an hour long and excellent.