Valencia, Granada, Seville or Malaga ????
 

We have a 14 day trip coming up in early May and are trying to finalize the itinerary at a high level. On the definite list is Barcelona (3 full days), Madrid (3 full days), Lisbon (3 full days). We are going back and forth on a few other hot spots....Granada, Malaga, Seville, or Valencia. Our original idea was to fly into Barcelona, rent car and drive down the coast to Valencia, head over to Granada, then Seville. Take a train from Seville to Madrid and end with flying to Lisbon. Leaving from there to fly back. We have since received some feedback from others to skip Valencia and go to Malaga instead but that is about a 10hr drive from Barcelona. Even though we want to drive down the coast that is a little too much in one day. Should we take the train to another area on the coast then drive to Malaga from there? And we are also thinking of removing two of the four areas listed (Valencia, Granada, Seville, Malaga) so that we wouldn't be as rushed. Suggestions?

We aren't really into visiting a lot of museums or historical building. Our interest are more focused around getting to know the local culture, good food, and beautiful scenery.

If you want to drive the coast stick to your original plan. It only makes sense with valencia.

If you decide to give up Valencia then you could fly to Malaga and drive to Granada and then Seville and then back t your original plan.

But you only have 5 days left and using those of Seville and Granada 3.5 and 1.5 days each, and respectively ,makes more sense than trying to squeeze in Malaga too.

I would take off Valencia and Malaga. You just don't have enough time. Fly or take the train from Barcelona to Seville, see that, Cordoba, and Granada and then on to Madrid and Lisbon.

Have been to all cities mentioned. Loved them all but go to Seville and Cordoba and Granada and skip Malaga and Valencia.

I agree with Bedar and jan47ete -- Granada's Alhambra and Cordoba's Mesquita are among the most beautiful places in the world IMO.In fact, if you don't already have your flights yet, visit ONLY Andalusia. ;-)

Haven't been to all the places listed but it seem Lisbon is too far away and would use up valuable travel time.

Seems like for 14 full days (between arriving and leaving Europe), 3 or 4 cities at the most should be the goal.

I've done Cordoba as a day trip from Seville. Or Possibly go to Cordoba on the way between Seville and Madrid.

I think they now have AVE to Barcelona but is it only between Barcelona and Madrid?

I like Granada because you can soak in the atmosphere (free tapas per drink, unlike other towns) before visiting the Alhambra. None of these cities have a more memorable view than to see the Alhambra from one of the vantage points high up in the Albacin.

Honestly, you can spend the whole 14 days for Seville with Cordoba as a short day trip or on the way to Madrid, at least a couple of days in Granada and then from Madrid, you can also take day trips to Segovia and Toledo.

Not sure how many days that leaves Barcelona, which also has day trip possibilities to Montserrat and other coastal towns to the north and south.

<Our interest are more focused around getting to know the local culture, good food, and beautiful scenery>

May is serious festival time in Madrid and in Andalucia, an excellent opportunity to get under the skin of things and experience the local food, drink, music, song, dance and fiesta spirit.

Cordoba is fiesta almost 24/7 through all of May, with the patio festival from May 4 to 17 as a highlight. Not only patios, also food, drink, concerts, etc etc: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/cordoba/patios.htm

Or/and go to Madrid for the celebration of the patron Saint San Isidro by mid May, the major festival of the year in the capital: http://www.spain.info/en/reportajes/...en_madrid.html

In rereading your post and the comments, just want to add, DO NTO forego Lisbon. We loved it--FABULOUS people, great hills, wonderful river tours, elevators, cable cars, great food!

agree that you are trying to cover way too much territory in too few day - and you will need to make some decisions on focus.

We love Andalusia - have been once for 10 days and once for 12 - and still have a ton we want to see and do. And early May is good weather - before th ehell of midsummer sets in.

Madrid is NOT my favorite (have been 4 times, one vacation and 3 business and to me it is just too much a big modern city - versus the unique sights in Spain).

But I think trying to see northern (Barcelona), middle (Madrid and day trips) and southern Spain will just leave you with too little time anywhere.

I would do more research on specific sights and decided which are the must sees.

I have been to all places you wish to see( many, several times)
Some posters will say not to miss Lisbon, some love Andalusia, some hate Madrid,
others would skip Valencia or Malaga...etc
All observations are highly subjective
You can fly from Barcelona to Lisbon on Vueling
or Madrid to Lisbon with easyJet.
You may wish to fly to Barcelona, then fly to Granada, rent a car for a few days in Andalusia, ditch the car in Seville, take a train to Madrid , fly to Lisbon.
Barcelona 3 days
Granada 2
Cordoba 1
Seville 2
Madrid 3 ( if you are not interested
in art museums , visit Toledo)
Lisbon 3
One has to count on losing time while moving around, checking in and out of hotels, airports, trains.
Spain is big and diverse country, Lisbon is an interesting city
many options available....

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for Valencia..there are many places you should visit like The City of Arts and Sciences..this will help you to plan your trip to valencia..
https://quooi.com/valencia-spain-travel-guide/