My wife and I are going to be in Southern Spain during late September and would appreciate advice on how much time to spend in Sevilla and Grenada since we haven't been in this area before. We have been thinking 6 days in Sevilla, allowing a day trip to Cordoba, and 2 days in Granada before heading onto Malaga. Should we stick with the 6 - 2 split or go 5 (Sevilla) and 3 Granada? We're traveling by train and also plan on 3 days in Malaga.

We spent 3 nights in Granada, 5 nights in Seville (it was enough and we got everything done - all the little museums and sites) and 2 nights in Cordoba. So many posters on Fodor recommended staying overnight in Cordoba (not a day trip) and they were right. We really enjoyed the time we spent there. We flew into Madrid so Cordoba was a easy stop on the way south.

Your itinerary sounds great. Loved Seville and I wished we had stayed one more day-3 total-in Granada, but we were at the end of our time in Spain. Have fun!

We just spent the same amount of time in Seville, Cordoba and Granada as Taltul did and liked that pace. I actually would have liked another night in Granada (but not at the expense of our other stops).

My best advice is to sit down with some good guide books and map out--paying close attention to opening and closing times--what you actually want to do in each place and determine how much time it will actually take you. That's how we decided to split our time and while I could have spent more time in each place, in the very least, I allowed sufficient time to do and see what me most wanted to do and see.

I'd add that it may make more sense time-wise to do an overnight in Cordoba on your way from Seville to Granada, rather than a day trip, as Cordoba is sort of on the way.

It takes about 45 minutes to get to Cordoba from Seville on the AVE (high speed train). From Cordoba, you can take a relatively inexpensive ALSA bus to Granada that takes about 2 hours and 45 mintues (the train is comparable but IME more expensive). If you do a day trip to Cordoba, you'll spend another 45 minutes on the train to return to Seville AND have a 3 1/2 hour train ride to Granada.

Great advice from all who responded. Thanks for your insights.

The train from Córdoba does not go all the way to Granada. You have to get off the train in Antequera and then take a bus to Granada.

We are planning on taking the ALSA bus from Córdoba to Granada in September. Indyhiker, did the bus have a bathroom?
Thanks.

It depends on what YOU want to see and experience! I spent an entire day at the Alhambra, so to see any of the rest of Granada required 3 nights; YMMV. And I was very glad that I spent 2 nights (and 2 full days) in Cordoba, although many people visit is as a day trip.

I agree with indyhiker’s recommendations about plotting out your time. Note that many things in Spain are closed on Monday, and often for all or part of Sundays too; and many things in Spain will also be closed daily for a very long mid-day break.

It's an entrancing part of the world -- enjoy!

@KarenWoo. The bus did not have a bathroom. We took the 11 am bus and tried to limit our coffee and water intake that morning. We RAN to the bathroom in Granada.

The bus was comfortable though.

Sevilla is the undisputed queen of the cities in the South, you could easily have spent all your time there: http://exploreseville.com/

And enjoy your time in 3000 year old Málaga, my favourite city in the region after intensive traveling in Andalucía the past fifteen years. Genuine Andalucian atmosphere, great sights, food scene, culture/theater scene and nightlife. Málaga is Andalucía's "city of culture with its so-called 'mile of art' being compared to Madrid, and its dynamism and fine dining to Barcelona."
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/andalucia/malaga

We spent 2 full days in Granada and managed to visit the Alhambra twice (day and night), the cathedral and to spend a day touring the Albayzin area (we loved it) using the minibus to avoid climbing the hill to the upper part. But we walked down - an easy walk. And we did this all of this at an easy pace. But Granada is out of the way as far as inter-city transportation since I understand from KarenWoo that the train still isn't running from Antequera. The connection (train to bus) is very well organized and it doesn't take long but I personally prefer trains to buses.

I apologize for hijacking this thread, but hopefully the information will help the OP, too.

Indyhiker, we are planning on taking the 11AM bus, too. I think there is a later bus that does have a bathroom, but I prefer to get to Granada earlier rather than later. Good to know there isn't a bathroom. Will have to limit intake of coffee and water, too! The train/bus connection that has the shortest layover in Antequera also leaves Cordoba in the afternoon, so I think for us the 11AM bus is best.

How far in advance did you buy your bus tickets?

Did you just return from your trip? Have a you written a trip report? What was your itinerary?

Can anyone recommend some restaurants? I know someone, don't remember who, recommended Regadera Restaurant in Cordoba.
Thanks!


m2m496, if this helps, we are spending 4 nights in Seville, 2 nights in Cordoba, 2 nights in Granada, and 2 nights in Malaga.

<<How far in advance did you buy your bus tickets?>>

KarenWoo, I just checked my records; I bought our bus tickets on line through the ALSA website about 7 weeks prior to our trip.

I booked ours a month in advance. You have to use Paypal as far as I know; the site doesn't accept US credit cards.

I have not posted a trip report. But we did just get back. We spent 5 nights in Seville, 2 in Cordoba, 3 in Granada and 3 in Madrid. I loved all of it.

I did recommend Regadera. Loved it. We also had a nice lunch at Bodegas Mezquita.

Indyhiker, thank you! I have on my checklist to make reservations at Regadera! And thanks for your tip about Bodegas Mezquita. It's always helpful to have restaurant recommendations when traveling. Choosing a restaurant is hit or miss.

Thanks progol. It's helpful to have an idea how far in advance to make the bus reservations.

When it comes to restaurants in Málaga, perhaps try one of the five "gastronomical spaces" in the newly reopened Gran Hotel Miramar from 1926, all with sea views: http://www.granhotelmiramarmalaga.co...-hotel-malaga/

Or have the freshest typical Málaga style fish and seafood lunch in very popular Chiringuito Cachalote right on the Malagueta beach. http://chiringuitoelcachalote.com/

Affordable cuttting edge Málaga-Japanese dining in Óleo at the Contemporary Arts Center by the river. Excellent terrace, atmosphere and the most friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating waiters. Best food experience in more than a year, and that includes several days in food mecca San Sebastián: http://azahar-spain.com/azahartapas/oleo/

According to a friend who lives in Málaga, recently opened and cutting edge Eboka, close to the cathedral, is very well worth a visit: http://ebokarestaurante.com/
Gets raving reviews from locals: https://www.tripadvisor.es/Restauran...Andalucia.html

Highly recommend hole in the wall Wendy Gamba with the gourmet bulltail burger with au jus mayo and havarti cheese (and lots of other goodies) plus vermouth on tap. A great food find on our latest trip here in early October. http://azahar-spain.com/azahartapas/wendy-gamba/

The new Gastro-market, next door to the Picasso birth-house. https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2...odie-traveller

For the best traditional Málaga tapas and meals, go to El Cortijo de Pepe on lively and local atmosphere Plaza la Merced. https://www.cortijodepepe.com/

For the best steaks, lamb etc., go to El Botijo a 5-7€ and 5-7 min taxi ride from the heart of town. Had the most juicy and tasteful lamb leg here, and the solomillo with the house mushroom sauce was also spot on. Genuine and popular place with no molecular gastronomy pretensions, and not many tourists find their way out here. http://www.tripadvisor.es/Restaurant...Andalucia.html
Homepage: http://www.restauranteelbotijo.com/M...tacion_ma.html

The great food scene in Málaga is much thanks to the fabulous Atarazanas food market right in the city center. My favourite food market in all of Spain after thirty years of much travel around the country. Also a couple of fabulous tapas bars in here: https://eastofmalaga.net/2014/07/25/...ry-perception/
Café Bar Mercado Atarazanas: http://azahar-spain.com/azahartapas/...do-atarazanas/