muscles

heading to spain for three weeks with husband and two kids. Into Madrid and out of Barcelona. What would be our best option to travel Southern Spain ie., train, or drive. Must see destinations are Seville, Granada and Toledo. Help greatly appreciated.

sparkchaser

Driving gives you the most flexibility but the drive from Madrid to Granada is pretty long and boring unless you like seeing endless rows of olive trees.

Mimar

How old are the kids? Are you going in the summer? Because it gets VERY hot in Andalucia in the summer.

You list cities. It's much easier to get from city center to city center by train (or bus). Whereas it's difficult to find your way around medieval centers in a car. And in the city you'll just park the car and pay for a garage.

nytraveler

Agree - when are you going and how old are the kids.

I would not take toddlers or small children to Andalusia in high summer - when the temps often top 100 and the only thing to do in the afternoon is sit in a pool or an AC room (that's what locals) do.

If another time of year (we were there in late April and it was already upper 80s) and kids are older then go for it - a fascinating and wonderful part of Spain. We drove and it found it very convenient - and I think with kids that is preferable to public transit so you can adapt the trip to the needs of the kids.

muscles

Thanks for input. looks difficult to access Andalusia via PT. KIds are older 10/12

nytraveler

Andalusia can be visited by public transit - but for 4 people can be more expensive than by car - and you have a lot less freedom to to go where you want/exactly when.

cdnyul

Drive.

There are plenty of other "must sees" in Spain that you will only get to see and experience with a car.

Merida, Trujillo, Guadalupe, hikes to the castle ruins in Alange, Medellin, Magacella, hikes in many of the parks and forests along the way, picnics in scenics spots, etc.

http://www.castillosnet.org/espana/index.php

Mark