Spain in 9 days
 

We are traveling to Spain at the end of April for 11 days of which 2 will be travel. We need to be in Barcelona for 4 days and would like to see Madrid, Seville and Granada with the remaining 5 days. Is this too much? Thanks

Probably. Have you looked at the transportation details?

No, not yet, but thinking of flying from Barcelona to Seville, renting a car, driving to Granada and then Madrid and high speed train from Madrid to Barcelona.

If you fly into Barcelona and out of Sevilla, you may be able to visit Madrid (needs at least 3 days) and Sevilla (needs 2 days). The train ride from Barcelona to Sevilla would take 5 1/2 hrs (similar to the door to door journey time if you fly).

Unfortunately, already have flights in and out of Barcelona from the US. Thanks for your response!

Consider changing your return flight. The cost might be worth it. After all, you will have to pay for the train back to Barcelona and you also pay in lost vacation time.

That said, 5 days isn't much for Seville, Granada and Madrid. You could skip Madrid and fly home from Seville.

Remember you lose at least 1/2 day every time you change a city. And what will you see in each place for a max of 36 hours? For this trip because of your flight plans, I would skip Madrid, not because it is not worth it but because it is too much.

>Is this too much? < In one word, Yes!

Since you're already commited to flyiing in and out of Barcelona, one option would be to fly to Granada for 2 nights, take the train or bus to Sevilla for 2 nights and fly back to Barcelona, skipping Madrid. This can get expensive. The fastest train, the AVE, would take 5-1/2 hours and currently only runs twice a day on this route.

If you wanted to only do Granada and Madrid, then you could take the AVE back to Barcelona. The ALTARIA from Granada to Madrid takes about 4-1/2 hours.

Another option would be to simply enjoy Catalunya. Visit Girona for the day. See Vic by train. You can also head on down to Tarragona on the train for a day, or spend the night and maybe do a day tour of the Priorate wine region, spending the night in Falset.

Great replies! Thanks to all!

Granada deserves two days-one for Alhambra, second day for town.

Seville-3 days will allow you to see most of the attractions.

Plus transportation time between cities.

Skip Madrid and go by train from Barcelona to Sevilla-Granada and back to Barcelona.

Not enough time for two big cities.

Emily, I think you nailed it! Thanks

Some of the most famous European paintings hang in the museums of Madrid.
Madrid is furthermore the base for daytrips to gems like Toledo, Avila or Segovia.
It's up to you to make a choice.
If you want to visit Granada, you may book the overnight train Barcelona dp 8pm - Granada ar 8am (not daily).

I second Emily's suggestion - just exactly what I was thinking.