Here is the overall itinerary:

Day 1 - Fly into Seville (dinner time)
Day 2 - Seville
Day 3 - Seville
Day 4 - Seville ***
Day 5 - Granada ***
Day 6 - Granada
Day 7- (morning train from Granada) Cordoba
Day 8 - Cordoba morning, afternoon train to Madrid (to fly out following day)

My question is Day 4 and 5, and when to leave Seville/head to Granada. We can leave later in the afternoon on Day 4 and sleep in Granada that night for three nights total. That would give us 2.5 days in Seville and 2 full days Granada. Or we can stay in Seville for that 4th night and transfer to Granada in the morning of Day 5 (making it 3 full days Seville and 1.5 Granada). With either option, there will be some luggage to deal with. I assume most hotels in a tourist area would hold our luggage before or after a reservation.

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

Given your constraints, I'd opt for 3 days in Sevilla and 1.5 in Granada. And I'd contact the hotels in advance to make sure they can hold your luggage -- most hotels with a 24/7 desk will do so, but no reason not to confirm in advance and far better to be able to plan if not!

Hi Travelfam!
Will this be your first visit to these cities?
Have you an idea of what you'd like to see in Sevilla & Granada? Just out of curiosity what time of year?
I will help me to better answer you.
Excited for your family trip!

amsdon

I appreciate the feedback!

Thank you! This is the first time to Spain. It is a mother-daughter trip and she is in college. Here is the itinerary I have planned, and I appreciate any feedback!

Day 0 (Fri Dec 5) - I am flying to London to meet up with my daughter
Day 1 (Sat Dec 6, national holiday) - Fly into Seville from London, dinner and wander
Day 2 (Sun Dec 7) - Real Alcazar and Cathedral of Seville, La Giralda; evening La Tunas at Plaza del Triunfo
Day 3 (Mon Dec 8, national holiday) - Plaza de España, Parque de María Luisa, Barrio Santa Cruz;
Evening look at Christmas lights Plaza de la Encarnación or Puerta de Jerez; Maybe a Christmas Markets at Metropol Parasol and/or Alameda de Hércules
Day 4 (Tues Dec 9) - Triana (Triana Market, museum), anything left over; Christmas lights not seen before
Day 5 (Wed Dec 10) Morning train to Granada, Walk around Albacin, Sacramonte including museum, Night cave Flamenco show
Day 6 (Thurs Dec 11) Alhambra, walk around Centro, Cathedral evening Christmas lights?
Day 7 (Fri Dec 12) Morning train to Cordoba, Afternoon visit to Mesquita, ; Patios (if Christmas decorations have started??)
Day 8: (Sat Dec 13) Cordoba Synagogue, Casa Desearad, Roman Bridge, Jewish Quarter; depart for Madrid by train around 5 pm
Day 9: Fly home from Madrid (back to US)

Every single traveler I have known expressed regret that they did not spend more time in Granada. I would say 2 in Granada.

You will be busy no doubt about that because Triana is a completely separate area than Sevilla.

However you decide to split up the days, this will no doubt be a memorable & bonding trip with your daughter. Can't wait to hear about it!

I thought 2.5 days -- and I mean very full days -- was barely sufficient for Granada. But then, I thought 2 days barely sufficient for Cordoba and 4.5 days barely sufficient to Sevilla. So whatever you choose, I think you will have to be selective -- and it sounds like you have identified your highest priorities. So no bad choice here, but I'll repeat that given your constraints, I'd opt for 3 days in Sevilla and 1.5 in Granada.

Hmmm....
In Sevilla, to me, the two must-see sites are a guided tour of the Cathedral and Royal Alcázar of Seville.

We spent three weeks in Sevilla in December of 2023 -- loved immersing ourselves in the culture, the Christmas markets, the shopping, old mansions, people everywhere!
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A lovely stroll through Santa Cruz and a meal at a charming cafe, maybe a Flamenco show, a tapas bar or two. It is a magnifent city that we hope to get back to. But again, the two big sites are the Cathedral and Alcazar -- both fascinating!

We spent three nights in Granada and yes, it's lovely and charming. The main site is the Alhambra and it was memorizing. We also went to two amazing restaurants and Taberna Casa Enrique. Loved strolling through the buzz ...

Here is my trip report for food for thought: Our December in Andalucia

Happy Planning!

I appreciate the input from all! Thank you!