as seeing the alhamba was the reason you wanted to stay in granada instead of just doing a day trip, i suggest that you at least look at availability for the days that you think you might be there. no point in booking the hotel only to find that you can't get tickets for the main attraction!

Everyone has been great responding to this posting. We have finalized our plans, and while we will be jumping around more than we prefer, here is our final itinerary:

4 nights Barcelona, then fly to Granada
3 nights Granada, train to Seville
2 nights Seville, train to Madrid
3 nights Madrid

We were nervous about flying to Granada on Vueling Airlines and booking the Alhambra the next morning, so we gave ourselves an extra night in Granada. We arrive Monday afternoon, have a free day Tuesday and Wednesday we see the Alhambra.

I would like to spend more time in Seville, but we will have to make do with 2 nights. I'll report back after our trip.

woodstockguy,
we just returned from a fabulous trip to Barcelona. I hope to start posting my trip report soon, maybe even tonight after work. I suggest Cerveseria Catalan on Mallorca St for delicious & reasonable tapas. There is usually a one hour wait, but it is worth the wait. Perhaps by end of October, the wait won't be so long. Also recommend Taller de Tapas in Born, by the Lady of the Sea Cathedral, for lunch or dinner, and Sagardi, right across the street, for pinxtos.

You probably know of all the "normal" sights in Sevilla, but I will suggest you go and see the "Hospital de la Caridad". If you are into chilling paintings and Sevilla golden-age history, go and see this. The 17th century repenting founder Miguel Mañara was - according to himself - "the most evil man that ever lived". All the paintings he commisioned from some of the most famous golden-age artists (many of them lived in Sevilla) for the hospital and its adjoining church dealt with the theme of death and redemption. The hospital, the church, the paintings and Mañara's grave are all in Calle Temprado, 3. Very Sevillano!
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/seville/sights/411842

Sevilla has got one of Spain's best tapas scenes.

La Eslava is excellent, popular with locals and in the charming San Lorenzo area off the beaten tourist track:
http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/category/eslava/

El Rinconcillo, in the east of what the locals call Centro, is allegedly Spain's oldest bar (1670), a must for the atmosphere and tasty local specialities: http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletap...l-rinconcillo/

Enrique Becerra is another favourite, not far from the cathedral and towards the lively El Arenal area:
http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletap...rique-becerra/

And excellent paella tapas at lunchtime in Restaurante El Cairo (at the bar) in Calle Reyes Católicos, 13. Cost almost nothing and great local atmosphere: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalusia.html

These sites give excellent information on tapas in Sevilla:
http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/tapas-tours/
http://www.exploreseville.com/tapas-bars.htm

And perhaps a great opportunity in Sevilla!
Pastora Galván had her definitive breakthrough as one of the world's absolute finest flamenco dancers during the almost month-long Bienal de flamenco in Sevilla some weeks ago. Most commentators agree she stands as the queen of the festival.

All the Fridays in October she has danced/dances in intimate Casa de la Memoria in the midst of the Santa Cruz district. Very probable that she will dance also on Friday the 5th of November, but the program is not set yet. If she is, you must buy tickets when they are laid out the day before (15E)!

The program on Casa de la Memoria is updated here: http://www.casadelamemoria.es/eventos.htm

From tripadvisor:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...Andalusia.html

Pastora Galván in majestic Teatro Lope de Vega in Sevilla on the 28th of October, in housedress and knee-socks, dancing a modernistic tribute to how the older women dance in the patios in Sevilla (she will do a more traditional routine in Casa de la Memoria...):
http://flamenko.es/component/k2/item...e-pastora.html

oops, should of course be 28th of September...

I'd strongly encourage you to take a night from Granada and add to Sevilla. You can see Granada easily in 2 days but you'll barely be able to scratch the surface in Sevilla with just 2 nights. Sevilla really deserves at least 3-4 days.