Spain Itinerary - mostly Andalucia
 

Hello all.

I'm looking for any feedback on a proposed itinerary for a 10 day trip in Spain at the beginning of October (eg on the number of nights, must see sites, things to skip, close by places to add on, etc):

Fly in to Madrid
Train to Seville. 3 nights in Seville.
Rent car and drive to Costa del Sol. Malaga or Nerja, or elsewhere? Day trips and touring from here to Malaga, Frigliana, Ronda, Zahara, other coastal towns. 2 or 3 nights.
Drive to village in Sierra Nevada, likely Capileira. Explore villages, drive to national park, hikes. 2 or 3 nights.
Start making way back to Madrid. Day or overnight visits in: Jaen, Toledo, Madrid.? Wine areas along the way?

Thanks for any input!

It is difficult for strangers to offer advice without knowing your interests and tolerance for constantly being on the move.

If you made a temporary itinerary and accounted for moving from to place and looked at some guide books, you will naturally attracted to some more than others.

Be conservative in the time it takes to get from one place to another, so you can savor the experience.

I agree with IMDonehere -- be sure to take transportation into account!

But I'm confused -- you say you are trying to plan a 10 day trip (how many nights is that, exactly? could be 9, 10, or 11!), but once you count transportation (and is jet lag a possibility?), it seems to me that you've essentially accounted for most of that without any time in Madrid, except for a night before your flight, and yet you are looking for more? It seems I'm really not following....

And it seems to me that you are skipping a LOT -- no time in Granada? or Cordoba? (Two of Andalusia's gems)

BTW, I found Capileira, which doesn't make it onto many itineraries, quite nice and a great base for a few hikes.

If you haven't already done so, I recommend that you consult some good guidebooks (always a worth investment, IMO, or spend some time with a few in your local library), identify the things you most want to see in each location, note their opening/closing times, and mark them on a calendar. Then pencil in your transportation, add some time on either side (for getting to/from your lodging, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting oriented, etc.). Note that many things in Spain are closed for long mid-day siestas, all day on Monday, and much of Sunday. Pay attention to sunrise / sunset times. Then see how things fit together.

Hope that helps!

Thank you IMDoneHere and kja. I guess my original post is a bit confusing. We have the tentative plan outlined above. I was just looking for input from people who know more as to whether it makes sense and if we're missing some interesting things along the way (that are maybe not highlighted in the guide books).

We fly in to Madrid because it is the cheapest flight for us be we were never really planning to spend much time there, so you're correct -- we have not accounted for any time in Madrid.

We don't mind moving around -- enjoy the car rides. But we're also looking to get a bit more than just a cursory view of everything. that's why we want to spend a few days in each place, in most cases. We want to see some history, some art, drink wine, eat nice food, learn about Spanish culture, see beautiful scenery. With some down time to sit and drink coffee.

Thanks.

Your must-sees in Andalucia are Granada, Cordoba, and Seville. All other places are second-tier. The guidebooks are good. There are really no "secret" spots. From this and your other post, you seem v. interested in the coast. I would second Robert's suggestion of Malaga. Beyond the beaches there's lots to experience for the tourist. From there you could drive up the coast for a look-see of Nerja before heading up the road at Motril for the Alpujarra and Granada. We prefer Bubion over Capileira, but they're right on the same road. Forget Jaen except perhaps for lunch at the Parador. The vistas over the olive groves are splendid. Have fun. 10 days isn't very long. Good luck fitting all in.

IMHO Granada and Cordoba are must sees - with much more to see and do than many of the places you have listed. I would add them at the top of your list.

You don't have a lot of time to explore too much, but you can include Cordoba and Toledo.

try to find 2 places for so and use them as bases for day trips to tourist sites. much nicer and cheaper. apartments and villas so much nicer than hotels.

We've visited most of the places you include in your itinerary and enjoyed them but you simply must include Granada and Cordoba. They are much more special than many of the places you include and not to be missed. I can't imagine visiting Andalucia and not seeing the incredible Alhambra.

Spend at least three nights in Seville and visit Cordoba one of those days on the high speed train. Spend two nights in Granada, the alhambra is a "must see". You could spend a night in Malaga but I think you should finish your trip with 3 nights in Madrid with a daytrip to Toledo. Now if your purpose is to hike then forget Madrid and rent a car to get around Ronda and/or Antequera outskirts.

My proposed itinerary for you:


Fly in to Madrid

Train to Seville. 2 nights in Seville.

Rent car and drive to Ronda

Malaga 3 nights Day trips to Antequera (El Torcal) and Alora (Caminito del Rey) http://www.caminitodelrey.info/en/

3 nights Capileira Explore villages and drive to Granada to see the Alhambra

Start making your way back to Madrid and stop overnight in Cordoba.

Bye bye Andalucia and Spain!!

Thanks for the input. I appreciate the good advice here.

We're actually kind of doing a major shift in thinking now...

Husband really wants to visit/stay at a winery, and I really want to go to Valencia. We originally had these in our plan and then cut them out because it seemed like too much, but we keep going back to them.

We are committed to Seville because we have accommodations booked there already using points.

So we are now thinking of doing something like the following:

- Fly to Madrid.
- Train to Seville. 3 days/nights in Seville and exploring the area around there (including Cordoba).
- Go from Seville to Valencia. Considering an inexpensive flight, rather than renting a car.
- 2-3 nights in Valencia.
- Peniscola for a night.
- 1-2 nights in village such as Chulilla.
- 1 night at winery on way back to Madrid.
- fly out of Madrid.

It seems a real shame to miss Granada.