Seville or Grenada
 

If I only have time to go to one or the other--which should I choose?

If you wish to see the Alhambra then obviously Grenada. If the Alhambra does not excite you than I would choose Seville.<BR>

I'm looking for the most all around charming, beautiful, interesting with great restaurants, etc...

Grenada is in the Caribbean. Granada is in Spain. Named after the fruit pomegranate.

Seville has far more to do, more sites to see, more good restaurants. It is a major destination and far superior to Granada.

Definitely Seville. So much more to do. I loved Seville.

I agree that Seville is the more interesting city. But the Alhambra is an absolutely magical place, and I think deserves a stand alone visit. <BR><BR>In my first trip, I didn't make Seville at all - I was so fascinated by the Alhambra and the gardens, etc. I've been again, and flew into Seville. It needs a couple of days to itself.<BR><BR>Depends entirely on your priorities - the aim of my whole first trip to Spain was to see the Alhambra.

I was going to send you an e-mail - then I read mae's reply and it is exactly what I was going to say.

I have to admit I've not visited Seville nearly as extensively as Granada, but I felt that someone should give the other side of the picture in this thread :)<BR><BR>There are various reasons why one might choose Granada over Seville. As Granada is a very popular day trip destination, many people think that there's nothing more to it than the Alhambra. Of course, if you do visit Granada you'd be crazy to miss out on this beautiful moorish palace, but there's a lot more to do in the town. The stunning cathedral and royal chapel, the final resting place of the Isabelle and Ferdinand, the Catholic Kings. The monastery at la Cartuja. The Sacromonte, with its ancient cave dwellings and gipsy population. The Albaicin, which is the old Moorish quarter, full of tiny whitewashed streets, cobbled squares, tapas bars and hidden courtyards, with beautiful views of the city and the Sierra Nevada. Then there's the Realejo, the old Jewish quarter opposite the Albaicin. <BR><BR>Granada is a great city for walking around, wandering, stopping for cafe con leche or a beer and a bite of tapas. Indeed, one of the great things about Granada is its tapas bars: unlike many other places in Spain where you tend to get a few olives or chips, or a bit of ham, in Granada you can get practically any kind of food (Spanish, italian, seafood, greek, turkish, burgers, sandwiches, fries) served up for you free as a tapa with your drink. <BR><BR>Throughout the winter months you can take a trip up to the nearby Sierra Nevada and go skiing. Or travel into the Alpujarras mountains.<BR><BR>One last point to take into account is the weather. Summer temperatures in Seville can be unbearable (when i was there it was extremely hot and stuffy, especially at night). Granada's hilly location means that temperatures may climb during the heat of the day, but it cools down again at night.<BR><BR>Just wanted to even up the stakes!!

Thanks for your advice--it's all very helpful!

Although I enjoyed visiting both cities, Sevilla is my hands down favorite over Granada if I had to choose. Sevilla is classic spain. The atmosphere and vibrance are indescribable. I spent 3 nights in Sevilla and could have easily spent a week whereas 2 nights in Granada was plenty.

I´m madly in love with Granada and<BR>I´m afraid I have to betray my hometown and agree wholeheartedly with Ibeg.<BR><BR>I´ve been to Granada on 4 occasions for 2-3 days at a time. My husband is from the U.S., so everytime we have family or friends visiting Spain we feel we have the duty to show them Granada. Some of them have repeated the trip, they loved it so much.<BR><BR>There is more to it than the absolutely magical Alhambra -which I simply do not tire of visiting- and the rest of the monuments -specially the Cartuja-. There is something special about it, it´s like the Alhambra atmosphere impregnates the whole city, specially the Albaic&iacute;n. The andalusian moorish feel is still alive in this city, not so in all the other ones I´ve visited, including Sevilla. There is a hopeless romanticism in its historic and artistic figures, from Boabdil and Lorca to Falla and the late singer- songwriter Carlos Cano -whom I recomend if you want to get in the mood before your trip-.<BR><BR>The free tapa custom is great, huge variety, too. The nightlife is great, it´s an important university town and as such there is a lot going on culturally and in the entertainment realm.<BR><BR>Also, for daytrips, the great ski resort Sierra Nevada is near the city and the coast is just an hour drive away through the beautiful Alpujarra white towns area.<BR><BR>What can I say? For my money, it´s got it all.

Hi May andOlga, I agree with you, Granada is a magic place.

I wish to add, going to Granada only because of the Alambra is like going to the Louvre only for Mona Lisa.

Would pick Seville. While the Alhambra is incredible, Seville has a similar cite (the Alcazar), plus it has so much more...the Cathedral, the Plaza de Espana, the Barrio Santa Cruz, flamenco. Both are great and you really won't regret going to either one.