My family is visiting Spain for the first time this June, staying for 13 nights. We are traveling with our 15 and 19 year old daughters and 22 year old son. We love walking around to see the sights, good food, and getting a feel for the culture. My husband, son and I enjoy history and museums, the girls less so. My daughters would love to include a beach visit, which currently is not in our draft itinerary. We plan to take trains and buses.

We land in Barcelona on Wednesday, June 21. We are thinking of:
Barcelona (3 nights)
morning AVE to Madrid/transfer to Toledo, Toledo (2 or 3 nights)
Seville (3 nights)
Ronda (2 nights)
Granada (2 nights)
Fly to Amsterdam for 2 days, then home

If I wanted to make my daughters happy and include a day at the beach, should we take away a day from Seville or Ronda, then do the last night in Malaga and fly out to Amsterdam from there? I'm worried it makes the other places feel rushed?

We are considering doing a day trip to Madrid from Toledo or going to Madrid for 1 night before taking the train to Seville. I realize this is unusual -- the thought is that while Madrid sounds great, it seems more likely we could get there in the future.

For Andalucia, does the ordering of places make sense - Seville to Ronda to Granada? Rick Steves suggests the opposite direction, ending in Seville. We are thinking perhaps it will be ever so slightly less hot in Seville if we go there first, but maybe that doesn't matter over such a short time period. We live outside of Washington, DC, so we are hoping we can cope with the heat and find a cool air conditioned spot during the afternoons.

I've reserved hotels in Barcelona, Ronda, Granada, but they can be changed.

I've been reading the Fodors forums for years but this is my first time posting. Thank you so much in advance for any advice and guidance!

Of course you need to go to Madrid from Toledo in order to catch the train for Seville. I'd cut time from Toledo and totally drop Ronda. Go to Cordoba instead for a night and then to the beach in Malaga from Granada. It doesn't matter in which direction you travel, but, yes, Seville might be cooler if you start there.

You could let her go on the beach in Barcelona or
Drop Ronda and go to Malaga, both would be easy.

Sorry just noted Bedar beat me to it.

Thanks for the quick replies! Another question -- We are wondering if it makes sense to rent a car after Toledo/Madrid instead of taking the train/bus. What do you think?

Oh see, I loved Ronda. It is so unique. We stayed in the Parador that looked over the gorge. Amazing! We rented a car and driving was very easy. If you are near the cave, definitely take it in. It was one of my highlights and the teens would love it.

http://www.cuevadelapileta.org/

Renting a car is a good idea because it's cheaper than the train, but you'll need one with enough space in the trunk for all that luggage. You don't want any bags showing. Try AutoEurope.

Second the idea of going to Málaga city for beaches, this is where the Spanish go: https://www.spain-holiday.com/Malaga...ty-beach-guide

3000 year old Málaga city is also genuine and laid-back Andalucian atmosphere and the major museum city in Andalucía. Also lots of historic sights right in the city center, the Roman theater, the Moorish Alcazaba Palace/fortress, the "one-armed" cathedral, the Picasso birth-house etc. etc. and a fabulous food scene: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/andalucia/malaga

About the museums in Málaga (the Picasso museum, Carmen Thyssen, the Pompidou center, the Russian museum, the Contemporary Art Center and the largest Fine Arts and archeological museum in Andalucía plus many more. We especially enjoyed the Popular Arts and Customs museum on our last visit in September. http://www.andalucia.com/cities/malaga/museums.htm
Can't wait to see the newly reopened Museo de Málaga:
http://www.surinenglish.com/20161212...612121326.html

The great food scene in Málaga starts with the Atarazanas market right in the heart of the city:
https://eastofmalaga.net/2014/07/25/...ry-perception/

Fine video intro to Málaga: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...pt-secret.html