spudley

Thanks to all the tips in previous posts I have a rough itinerary worked out but am still struggling with Andalucia portion of our 20 night trip to Spain for this retired, active couple.
Arriving in Barcelona (6 nights), train to Madrid (5 nights),and eventually departing from Seville (5 nights).
This leaves approximately 4 nights for Andalucia region.
Much will be done by day trips out of centers (e.g. Toledo, Cordoba)
We would like to see the major sights but are worried we will be overwhelmed with too many Mosques/Castles, and would love to spend the majority of time enjoying the ambience/culture by walking (biking?).
Under consideration is Granada, Ronda & White Hill Towns, Cadiz, Tarifa as overnights
Are....
Alcázar of Seville
Mezquita de Cordoba
Alhambra of Granada
All must sees?
Can we concentrate on just 1 or 2 without missing the "heart of Spain"?
The time/difficulty (without a car) it takes to get to Granada and Ronda is significant, and am wondering if we just go to Seville with a day trip to Cordova we will not "miss out"?
We could rent a car, but the expense of parking and hassle in the major cities makes me wonder if it is worth it?
Any more help or suggestion would be really appreciated!
Thanks & Cheers

nytraveler

Alcázar of Seville
Mezquita de Cordoba
Alhambra of Granada
All must sees?

Absolutely. And not only that there is a ot more in each town tht you need to see to really get a feel for Moorish Spain. You need to explore the neighborhoods with courtyard houses - to see the beautiful fountains, plantings and interior gardens in these gorgeous traditional homes.

Frankly I would cut time from Barcelona and Madrid to spend more here - but then I'm not a fan of Madrid.

kja

> Are....
Alcázar of Seville
Mezquita de Cordoba
Alhambra of Granada
All must sees?

Yes!

IMO, it is very difficult to combine these 3 regions of Spain (Barcelona+, Madrid+, and Andalucia) in the same 3 week trip - each area offers far too much, particularly for those who want to enjoy the ambience in addition to the sights. So you might consider dropping an entire region. Just a thought!

kimhe

All three are "musts" and totally different when it comes to history, functions etc. Dive into the history of each and your visits would be extremely more interesting.

You could easily find lots of litterature about world famous Alhambra and the Mezquita. The Reales Alcazares in Sevilla is a totally different thing than Alhambra, but there are abundant architectural similarities. Most of it was constructed in Arab style by Christian rulers in the 14th Century (Sevilla fell to the Christians in 1248), and the Real Alcázar thus stands as one of the best example of mudejar architecture in all of Spain. Stunningly beautiful. You could easily spend several hours here, and you could completely loose yourself in the gardens. It's now the residence of the king and queen when in Sevilla.
http://www.patronato-alcazarsevilla.es/index.php?ver=-1

I would suggest to slow down the pace and give yourself time to wander around and relax in all these beautiful cities.

ekscrunchy

They all be must sees at some point but I would not stress about including all three in the same brief visit. Andalucia is the largest region in the country and you will miss the real charm is you spend all your time rushing from one major sight to the other. Many people divide up the region into eastern and western parts and concentrate on one or the other in a single trip.

I would certainly not combine Sevilla and Granada in that same visit...not enough time to stop and smell the orange blossoms!

emily71

As someone who spent two weeks in Madrid and Andulusia you will not see everything. Myself, I loved Madrid so a week there sounds about right. Seville needs at least 4/5 days to see everything. I spent 3 days in Granada and if not for the strike could have sightseed every day. Add on Ronda and cordoba and you've almost 3 weeks right now. For me I'd leave Barcelona for another visit especially as you could spend 5 days there. My advice slow down, as noted in my trip report some of my favorite moments have come in the back alleys as I've been walking or people watching.

spudley

This all makes more sense, I have spent hours trying to figure out to include travel to Ronda, Granada, Cordoba, Tarifa and/or Nerja and it seemed so time consuming! It was 2.5 - 3 hours each way and with the packing etc., it would tie up most of a day, which seemed like a poor way to visit the region.
I will focus on day trips from the cities and this should enable us to really enjoy the surrounding areas as well as the city centres.
I am thinking:
Barcelona 7 nights
Madrid 5 nights
Toledo 1 night
Sevilla 7 nights
Is this a sensible division?
Thanks for all your advice and help!
Cheers

Bedar

I would cut four nights from Barcelona. You can make a day trip to Toledo from Madrid. From there I would go to Granada and spend two nights. Then to Cordoba and spend the night. And on to Seville. That would cover sightseeing priorities in Andalucia which is what you asked about. The other places you mentioned are all, while pleasant, secondary.

kimhe

Sounds much better, and remember Córdoba is only 50 mins away from Sevilla with the high speed AVE train. Save more than 50 % when buying tickets in advance at renfe.com.

nytraveler

We have done Andalusia twice - one for 10 days and once for 12 and still have alot to see there. We spendt 3 days in Madrid (one going to Toledo) and I 'm finished. (Have been back twice on business trips and we did nice retaurants and some shopping - but it's just not my kind of city.)

Can;t comment on Barcelona - since I was there only once and it was more than 25 years ago - so it has obvuiosly changed a lot.