7 day Southern Spain Itinerary – Everything You Must See in Andalusia!


 

Southern Spain Itinerary

Cities: Cordoba, Seville, Granada

Length: 7 days, 6 nights

 

Gypsies, flamenco, horses, bulls – Andalusia is the Spain of story and song. For 781 years the region was a Moorish empire named for Al-Andalus (Arabic for “land of the west”) and where the history and character of the Iberian Peninsula is most visibly and aromatically apparent.

On my 2 week trip visiting Spain, the southern cities in Andalusia were my favorite. I spent the days wandering the narrow, white washed alleys, relaxing siesta style from the hot Spanish sun, and emerging once again at night to taste my way through as many tapas bars as humanly possible.

Read on for our 1 week Andalusia itinerary!

 

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Spanish Cities

Cordoba


A must-see destination, featuring one of the world’s greatest Moorish buildings, the Mezquita, at its heart.

Seville


Seville is the heart of Andalusia, combining gorgeous buildings with a vibrant flamenco and tapas scene.

Granada


Overlooked by the seductive Alhambra, the historic city of Granada is one of Spain’s most compelling attractions.

 

The 5 Best Things to Do in Southern Spain

  1. Appreciating the exquisite architecture of Granada’s Alhambra and Cordoba’s Mezquita
  2. Watch the vibrant dancing of the flamenco
  3. Admiring the Golden Age of Spanish art at Seville’s Museo de Bellas Artes
  4. Trying a little bit of everything on an evening tapas crawl
  5. Enjoying the simple beauty of a bygone era by exploring the gleaming pueblos blancos (white villages)

 

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The Best Southern Spain Itinerary

6-8 days (adjustable)

 

Before You Go:

I found Rick Steve’s Spain guidebook invaluable for his in-depth coverage of several museums and sights

Buy your train tickets in advance! Spain’s rail system operates on a flexible pricing scale where the farther out you purchase, the more you save. Check ticket fares for your dates here.

Granada’s main attraction, the Alhambra, limits the amount of daily visitors so tickets are impossible to buy upon arrival. Instead book far out in advance (ideally 60 days before your trip) to get the best shot of booking the ideal time slot. Tour tickets allow you to skip the line and are convenient as well.

 

 

Day 1: Arrive to Cordoba

Morning: Depart Madrid bright and early from Atocha rail station on the high speed AVE train southwards to Cordoba.

The ride takes approximately 2 hours and there’s ample luggage rack storage at the ends of each car. Make sure to book your train tickets before you arrive in Spain.

Upon arrival into Cordoba, check into your hotel and freshen up.

 

 Read more:  5 Can’t Miss Sights in Cordoba, Spain

 

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Afternoon: Do a walking tour of the Jewish Quarter and stop for lunch at Plaza Juda Levi, a lively square in a maze of narrow streets.

Afterwards, head to the Palacio de Viana, a museum noted for its grand mansion and 12 beautiful outdoor patio gardens. Cordoba’s main draw is the charm and beauty of it’s flower filled public courtyards.

Evening: Grab dinner and go for an evening stroll on the Roman Bridge. People watch and make sure to snap a photo of the Mezquita lit up at night!

 

Where to Stay in Cordoba: 

Eurostars Palace Hotel – this hotel has a gorgeous inner courtyard and gives travelers a true feel for Cordoba's patios, which are usually hidden to outsiders except during the festival. We recommend at least 1 day in Cordoba, but 2 days if you'd like to take things more leisurely.

Check rates: Hotels.com, Booking.com

Read reviews: TripAdvisor

 

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Day 2: Cordoba Sightseeing

Morning: Get an early start and walk to Cordoba’s Mezquita Cathedral by 8:30 – 9:00 am. Built between the 8th- 10th century, Cordoba’s mosque is one of the earliest and most beautiful examples of Spanish Islamic architecture. If you arrive early, you might get to hear the organ warming up!

Afternoon: After thoroughly exploring the Mezquita (did you see the contrast between the Islamic and Christian motifs inside?) walk 5 minutes over to the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos.

This fortified “palace” is where Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand launched their Catholic campaign against the Muslim rulers of Andalusia. The site is more military fortress than castle but it offers great views of the city.

Take the time to explore the gardens, which are beautifully landscaped.

 

 Don’t Miss:  Spring in Cordoba – Visiting the Flower Festival

 

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Evening: Hop on the high speed train to head onward to Seville! 

The appeal of Seville, Andalucía’s sunny city, lies in its extravagant Moorish architecture and its exuberant street life. There is always plenty going on in Seville’s picturesque cobbled streets, from religious processions to fiery flamenco.

Check into you hotel, grab dinner and relax.

 

Where to Stay in Seville

Seville has a great food scene, with classic tapas bars and more upscale fine dining. Take 2 nights in Seville to fully enjoy both the sights and the local cuisine.

Hotel Casa 1800 Sevilla is a boutique hotel with plenty of comfort: wifi, slippers, in-room safe and more! Definitely my top pick for convenience and comfort as it overlooks the Giralda Tower and is very centrally located.

Check rates: Hotels.com, Booking.com

Read reviews: TripAdvisor

 

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Day 3: Seville

Morning: Head early to the Real Alcazar de Seville to avoid the crowds. This Muedejar palace was built by Pedro I on the site of Seville’s former Moorish alcazar and the grand architecture and rooms are an interesting study. 

Don’t miss the gardens! You might recognize them as the site for the Water Gardens of Dorne in Game of Thrones.

Afterwards, head across the square to explore Seville’s cathedral. While the dimly lit interior can be disappointing, look for the tombs on the side of the chapel, the courtyard of orange trees on the church’s northern side and the lizard’s gate in the corner.

Make time to climb the Giralda, or belltower. It’s 40 flights up but ascends via a smooth ramp, so there aren’t stairs to climb! I really enjoyed peaking out the windows for views of the city below every 10 or so floors.

 

 Read more:  3 Fantastic Tapas Bars

 

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Afternoon: Head to Barrio Santa Cruz, the old Jewish Quarter for a feast of tapas. One of my favorite spots was Bodega Santa Cruz Las Columnas, an authentic spot frequented by locals, where the bartenders keep track of your order on the counter with chalk.

The medieval Jewish quarter, Barrio de Santa Cruz, is a lovely, whitewashed tangle of alleys. On some streets, bars alternate with antique and souvenir shops but most of the quarter is quiet and residential.

Pause on Plaza Alianza to enjoy the antique shops and outdoor cafes or head back to your hotel for an afternoon siesta.

Evening: Well rested, head to Casa de Pilatos to see the gardens of a 16th century palace. With its fine patio and superb azulejo decorations, the palace is a beautiful blend of Spanish Mudejar and Renaissance architecture and has extensive grounds and vibrant peacocks.

 

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Day 4: Sightseeing in Seville

Morning: Have a traditional Spanish breakfast of cafe con leche (coffee with milk) and a chocolate croissant or two. 

Then head to a new addition to Seville’s skyline to Las Setas, a modern art structure and canopy. If you’d like an impressive view over the city, head up the Metropol Parasol.

Afternoon: A can’t miss sight in Seville is Plaza Espana, a grandiose half-moon of buildings built for the 1929 World’s Fair. Each brightly colored azulejo represents a different province of Spain, while the four bridges symbolize the medieval kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula.

In summer you can rent small boats to row along the arc shape canal. Just next door is Parque de Maria Luisa, a beautiful blend of formal design and wild vegetation.

Or, just book an epic Highlights of Seville tour for convenience!

 

 Read more:  The Best Things to Do in Seville

 

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Evening: Seville is one of the best cities in Spain for authentic, innovative and best of all, affordable tapas. Head to Barrio de San Lorenzo for the best selection of tapas grazing.

If you do not mind sitting at the counter, and you do not mind arriving at opening time (which ranges from 7:30pm to 9pm) you will be almost assured of space at the counter, and might score a table without having reserved in advance.

Have more time in town? Book a gourmet wine and tapas tour and see a flamenco show!

 

Overnight: Hotel Casa 1800 Sevilla

Did I mention they serve a delicious afternoon tea with sandwiches and pastries? Mhm
 

 

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Day 5: Depart for Granada

Morning: Wake up early to head to the last and most impressive city on the Andalusia tour: Granada! A convenient option is to take the Alsa bus, about a 3 hour comfortable ride. Upon arrival, check into the hotel, drop off your bags and freshen up.

Afternoon: The highlight of any trip to Granada is a visit to the Alhambra. It is virtually impossible to see the palace without advance reservations.

For more information about times, buying tickets and the best way to tackle the 3 sights of the Alhambra you can check out my Alhambra post.

 Read more:  Essential Tips for Visiting the Alhambra

 

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Evening: Get a sense of Granada’s history by visiting the Corral del Carbon, a caravanserai where merchants on the Silk Road rested their camels and spent the night. Here you’ll find a square with a water fountain and 14th century Moorish brickwork.

From the caravanserai, exit to the main street Calle Reyes Catolicos and walk straight to the Alcaiceria, a recreation of the ancient Moorish silk market with shops selling spices, silver and silk. While you’re in the area, stop by the Cathedral and Royal Chapel.

 

Where to Stay in Granada

Granada is a much larger city than Cordoba or Seville. Ideally, take 3 days to explore it all! Visiting the Alhambra alone easily takes a full day.

Hotel Anacapri Granada – affordable, clean and walking distance from the Alhambra. The Anacapri Granada is located in the heart of Old Town and also conveniently near the local bus stop, should you wish to explore Granada's farther sights.

Check ratesHotels.comBooking.com

Read reviews: TripAdvisor

 

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Day 6: Exploring Granada’s Alhambra

Morning: Rise bright and early to tour the Alhambra! The Alhambra is a massive complex with 2 entrances: the main entrance and the Gate of Justice. To get to the Alhambra, you can either take the many public buses from Plaza Nueva or walk.

If you have a morning slot booked and tickets in hand (recommended), the Puerta de la Justica is the closer entrance. Walk 15 min uphill (it’s a bit of a climb) from Plaza Nueva to enter at the gate and see the Nasrid Palaces before the crowds rush in!

Afterwards, wander through the very impressive and very extensive Generalife gardens and then circle back to wander the Renaissance Palacio de Carlos V (palace of carlos v), the Museo de Bellas Artes upstairs and also check out the ruins of the old fort.

 

 Read more:  The Best Things to Do in Granada

 

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Afternoon: Granada’s teahouses, the majority of which are clustered in “Little Morocco” around Calle Caldereria Nueva, are peaceful, atmospheric places to take a break after that exhaustive tour of the Alhambra.

Settle down with a fresh mint tea and a puff of shisha. Prefer the spa?

Another relaxing option is the Hammam Arab baths. Baths played an important role in Muslim life and you can relive the experience at this modern day version. The Hammam is built above the original site and you can relax in multiple bathing pools of different temperatures or get a massage and exfoliation scrub down.

EveningMirador de San Nicolas is the spot to be if you want to catch the Alhambra at night. We visited at sunset for a packed but breathtaking view and then ate at a local restaurant in the Albayzin.

Rick Steves cautioned against wandering the district at night in his Spain guidebook, but I personally didn’t feel unsafe. Just know that even though one street may be quiet and deserted, you can walk through a tunnel and then emerge onto a bustling busy street with restaurants. Don’t be afraid to explore!

 

Overnight Hotel: Anacapri Granada

 

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Day 7: The Albayzin

 

Morning: Walk to Plaza Nueva, a large public square with fountains, restaurants and cafes where the local hippie community hangs out. From here, you can people watch and grab breakfast at a sidewalk cafe or tapas bar.

After a jolt of cafe con leche, catch one of the local shuttle buses that serves the Albayzin, or Moorish Quarter. The buses stop every couple minutes along the route up towards the Albayzin.

If you’re down to stretch your legs, I recommend walking the first 15 minutes or so to feel the spirit and vibrancy of Granada.

 

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Afternoon: Head north from Plaza Nueva and walk along Paseo de los Tristes, a long road named “walk of the sad ones” as it was originally the route of funeral processions to the cemetery at the edge of town.

Along the walk, you’ll see the broken remains of the once grand 11th century bridge over the river that leads to the Alhambra. From here, the road arcs up to the Alhambra – hop on the local shuttle bus now to save your legs the brutal climb!

Or if you’ve worked up an appetite, you can backtrack slightly to Calle de Gloria to buy cookies and monastic wine from the Convento de San Bernardo.

Evening: Grab one last bite of tapas and pack up to depart Granada for the next stop on your tour. I recommend flying to Madrid or Barcelona and starting my Essential Spain itinerary.

 

 Read more:  How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Spain & Portugal

 

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Transportation in South Spain

Our itinerary went Madrid – Cordoba – Seville – Granada – Barcelona as this was the easiest logistical route.

You can easily do the reverse, but I wouldn’t recommend for example, Barcelona to Madrid then south as you’d be stuck south and have to backtrack to one of the major cities anyway, wasting time. Flights from the Andalusia cities typically have a stopover in Madrid or Barcelona before heading international.

 Check here  for flight deals

 

Getting Around by Train

The Southern cities are connected to Madrid via the high speed AVE rail line.

From Madrid’s Atocha station, the trip takes approx. 2 hours to Cordoba. Add an extra 75 minutes if heading straight on to Seville. We found the train to be very convenient in Spain. We used it for individual day trips and also to get from city to city. 

 Check here  for train schedules

 

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Train Class

Spain’s train system operates on a tiered pricing schedule where the earlier you buy, the more you save. There are two types of ticket fares available: turista (2nd class) and preferente (1st class) and seats are assigned.

I found the turista tickets to be just fine, with the seats quite comfortable and roomy. Train time tables are released roughly 60 days in advance, but don’t be alarmed if the tables aren’t out – the site is known for being delayed.

If you’re taking the high speed train, buy your tickets well in advance of your trip as they get increasingly more expensive and certain routes and times can sell out, especially in peak season.

 

How to Buy Tickets for Spain’s AVE Train

Spain’s national train system is run by Renfe, and you can find the latest schedules and times tables on their Spanish site. But, fair warning – that site is incredibly difficult to navigate for non-locals. It doesn’t quite translate things fully to English and has incredible difficulty accepting American bank and credit cards.

We tried and it wouldn’t accept our payment.

Instead, we booked our tickets on Omio. It’s much more user friendly to navigate, shows you the price in USD and accepts international credit cards. Best of all, you pay pretty much the same rate the locals do with a nominal booking fee.

We recommend planning out your route, finalizing your itinerary, and then booking all the train tickets on Omio in one checkout. That way, you only pay the booking fee once!

Super affordable and stress free.

 

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Buses in Spain

Buses in Spain are quite comfortable and I found them most convenient for day trips. On the Andalusia route, I would recommend the bus only on the Seville – Granada route as the fare is often on sale and the ride is doable at 3 hours.

The local bus company Alsa departs Seville’s Plaza de Armas towards Granada. Similar to the train system, bus fares in Spain will vary depending on time of year and how close to your dates that you book.

If you book in advance, you can find deal fares for as low as 5 euros per person! I booked about two weeks prior and still got a steal at 10 euro per person. Regular fare is anywhere from 20 to 30 euro per person.

 Book  bus tickets in Spain

 

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Renting a Car in Spain?

In Cordoba and Seville, I got around purely on foot. The towns are small and all the main sites are within walking distance if you stay in the old quarters.

Granada is much larger, it’s more of a hustle and bustle city and I used the local bus on occasion – there is a tourist bus that runs in a loop to tackle all the farther sights. We didn’t rent a car and found it perfectly fine!

But, if you want to explore the countryside and see some of the famous white towns around Andalusia, you will need a car.

 

And that’s it! Our one week Southern Spain itinerary.

This is a pretty condensed itinerary (roughly 2 days per city) and goes well within a larger trip to Spain if you’re also spending another week in Madrid and Barcelona.

If you have more time, I have expanded guides for CordobaSeville and Granada covering restaurant recommendations, convenient and affordable hotel options along with a more complete sights list.

 

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Visiting Spain – Travel Checklist

To make the most of our time, we booked open jar flights, flying from NY to Madrid and departing from Lisbon. Check flight deals for your dates here.

For getting around within Spain, we recommend the local train system. Both fast and slow options are available, so Spain train travel is easy and effective! The only catch? It's difficult for non Spanish users to book. Instead, book your tickets on Omio, which is much more convenient for English speakers and accepts international credit card holders. Check train schedules for Spain here.

We mixed up our accommodation throughout the trip, alternating between Airbnb and hotels. You can browse last minute Spain hotel deals here

Lastly, be sure to visit Spain with travel insurance. Whether you get injured and need to be hospitalized, your phone gets stolen, or a flight delay leaves you with nothing but the clothes on your back, travel insurance will help when you need it most. Get a quote for your trip here.

 

 You Might Also Enjoy: 

 

Spain Vacation Planning Articles

Spain and Portugal: A Perfect Itinerary to Explore Both Countries!

Headed to Andalusia? Check out this 7 day Southern Spain travel guide

 

Granada

How We Spent 3 Incredible Days in Granada

Insider Tips for Visiting the Alhambra Palace

 

Seville

The Best Things to Do in Seville

A Spain Food Guide: Important Tapas + Food Names in Spanish!

 

Cordoba

Spain's Hidden Gem: The Quaint Town of Cordoba

Don't Miss Cordoba's Patio Festival! Here's Why

 

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66 Comments

  1. Carmen
    August 7, 2016 / 5:13 pm

    I just love your posts on Spain! Andalucia is one of my favorite regions in the world. Thanks for sharing and happy travels :)

  2. travelling chingrita
    August 7, 2016 / 5:35 pm

    you’re tempting me more and more to visit spain! i’m trying to remain disciplined until my best friends and nieces go back to visit so i can tag along and then discover the places i wanna check out… especially granada!

  3. anna
    August 7, 2016 / 10:36 pm

    I love your website and the layout! So clean :) I absolutely love Spain and seeing the Alhambra was one of my trips highlights as well!

  4. Salini
    August 8, 2016 / 5:50 am

    I loved going through the spanish cities through your blog. I am not acquainted with these Spanish cities, I enjoyed them a lot. You have got some great photos here. I am amazed by the greenery and the beauty of the boutique hotel.

  5. Maria
    August 8, 2016 / 11:22 am

    My sister went to Andalucia a few years ago with her family and ever since then, I have wanted to go as well. Your pictures are absolutely stunning and I would love to see it with my own eyes even more now!

  6. Janna
    August 9, 2016 / 11:45 pm

    Oh my how lovely and charming Andalucia is! I’ve never heard of this place before so thanks for sharing. You have some beautiful photos as well!

  7. Lesley Carter
    August 13, 2016 / 3:07 pm

    Dancing the flamenco sounds like so much fun. I’m a horrible dancer but I love trying.

  8. mark wyld
    August 14, 2016 / 4:18 pm

    We are headed for Granada and Seville in November can’t wait. You articles on these cities have been a timely read lately on what to expect in this region of Spain

  9. Aileen Adalid
    August 14, 2016 / 7:33 pm

    I haven’t been to Andalusia but I’ve absolutely heard great things about it! Reading about your post now, I can see even more as to why. :D

  10. Elena
    August 15, 2016 / 6:11 am

    Andalucia is one of my favorite places (second to Lisbon and way higher than any other destinations on Earth). Hence, I am glad that you liked it and put together an itinerary for those who would want to visit it. With limited time in mind, this is a lovely plan (keeping in mind that there are tons of other worthy places to visit there). I would add a word of caution, though: during summer all three cities get scorching (36C-40C with bright skies). I agree that walking is the best way to explore any new place, but those unaccustomed to extreme heat should be very careful.

    • Sher
      Author
      August 15, 2016 / 10:36 am

      Ah totally agree about the heat Elena! I definitely advocate doing as the locals and taking a big siesta from 2-6pm to avoid the sun. I went in May and it was already a scorcher!

  11. Rush Shah
    August 16, 2016 / 9:22 am

    I absolutely love your posts on Spain and Andalucia! I’m actually leaving for Spain later today and this guide and the one on Alhambra have been so helpful! I’ve read dozens of guides so far and bought the Rick Steves guidebook, but your blog still trumps them all! :)

    We have tickets for the Alhambra for the afternoon session with a 2:30 pm entrance time for the Nasrid Palaces. Is the weather really THAT hot/unbearable? We live in NY so I wouldn’t say we are used to extreme heat.. What do you think? Thanks again!

    • Sher
      Author
      August 16, 2016 / 10:02 am

      Hey Rush! Thanks so much for the kind words. I doubt I am more helpful than Rick Steves but your comment made me smile ha.

      I went to South Spain in May and the weather was unpredictable. Half the week was 90 degrees and then half the week rained.

      I will say that in general the cities are much quieter in the morning (7-12pm), by 1pm everyone is out and about so you’d probably be more uncomfortable with the combined crowds and heat. The Nasrid Palace is enclosed and pretty cooling with all the stone, the gardens might get pretty hot as they are extensive and completely unshaded.

      vs. NYC: The weather in NYC these past few days has been brutal all day, super muggy into the evening! My experience with Spain was that it would start off relatively cool in the morning and then get boiling hot by 11am but there wasn’t really sticky humidity. Layers are great to pack! Have a great trip!

  12. Emma
    May 7, 2017 / 2:32 pm

    Thank you for sharing all these wonderful Spain intineraries!! They’ve been very helpful. Im planning a trip in August (scorching hot I know), and I wanted to get your opinion on the route. Im flying into Madrid and then planning on taking the train to Barcelona, then fly out to Granada from there…and then of course Cordoba and Seville. I was able to find 2 nonstop flight out of Seville to Lisbon. What do you think? Thanks for taking the time to read this! :)

    • Sher
      Author
      May 7, 2017 / 2:38 pm

      Sounds great, especially as you were able to find a flight from Seville! Thats pretty rare :) youll be doubling back slightly from granada > cordoba > seville but what youre planning makes sense given the flights

  13. Felicia
    July 4, 2017 / 5:53 pm

    Just the itinerary I was looking for! I’m planning a trip in Sept and I was curious if you stayed in a hotel in Madrid before taking the train to Cordoba. Btw, this is the BEST travel itinerary for southern Spain and I’m tempted to just follow along based on your postings. The pictures are really great. I’m also glad that you listed suggestions on where to eat etc. This is so helpful.

    • Sher
      Author
      July 4, 2017 / 6:04 pm

      Hi Felicia, thank you so much for the kind words!! I’ve been pretty blown away by the response to my Spain posts and i really appreciate you taking the time to comment :)

      Yup! I spent about 2.5 wks in Spain/Portugal and saw Madrid before heading south (i have the general itinerary i took for my trip in a different post, which you can find if u click the “Spain” category)

      For Madrid, I spent 3 days/nights and also did some nearby day trips. Im glad I saw it but ended up loving Barcelona and Andalusia much much more. Thought the sites and food elsewhere was more impressive, etc.

      Let me know if you have any other q’s!

  14. Felicia
    July 23, 2017 / 12:38 am

    Hi, how did you get to your hotel in Madrid from the airport? I’m told that taking a taxi is costly. Also, are the train stations within walking distance from your recommended hotels (esp in the Andalusia region)? Is a bus ride needed from hotel to train stations? –Felicia

    • Sher
      Author
      July 23, 2017 / 12:53 am

      Hey Felicia, we took the train to Atocha station then connected to the metro. For Andalucia, we had to take a cab in Granada because its a huge city but otherwise the train stations connect to the town centers easily. I generally dont take the bus in foreign cities bc its hard to figure out when to get off, and prefer to take the subway/metro if possible. Yes the hotels I recommended are centrally located near public transportation:) Hope that helps!

    • Sher
      Author
      July 23, 2017 / 12:55 am

      A great tool btw is to use Google Maps. I plug in all my locations before I go so i can get an idea of how to get from place to place. You can also download offline versions of their city maps on your phone as well (download the phone app) and that way you can locate yourself anytime!

  15. dkschibel
    December 18, 2017 / 12:04 am

    Quick question…We arrive in Cordoba at 11am and plannin to depart the next day for Granada…Do you suggest we take the 11am bus to Granada or stay a bit longer in Cordoba and take the 2pm. Any assistance is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

    • Sher
      Author
      December 18, 2017 / 9:43 am

      Hi! Up to you – the difference btwn 11-2 is not really enough time to see all that much so you might prefer to just get to granada.

      If you like small towns youll enjoy cordoba. You can either just walk around or visit the patios museum!

  16. June
    January 11, 2018 / 12:50 am

    Hi Sher, we are planning to go to the 3 cities in mid March. Appreciate your help with my following questions. 1) How do you book Alsa bus from Seville to Granada in advance? Please provide link. 2) Please suggest a more affordable yet central hotel in Seville besides Hotel Casa 1800. 3) To take the AVE from Seville to Cordoba, what is the name of the high-speed station in Seville – there seem to be 3 stations in Seville.
    Many thanks!

    • Sher
      Author
      January 12, 2018 / 1:15 am

      Hi June – you can google Alsa bus and book on the spanish website. If you click on the Hotel Casa 1800 link, it directs you to booking.com and tripadvisor. either of those 2 websites are great to find more Seville hotels that fir in your budget :)

      Finally to answer your last question, it depends on the train you take. Go to rail europe (I linked it in the post), choose the train which works best for your schedule and it will say which Seville station that route goes to.

  17. June
    January 15, 2018 / 5:38 am

    Hi Sher, thanks for your reply…we have finally booked our hotels in seville, cordoba and granada, just waiting for the train schedules to be released. Great blog you have here :) and the tips are invaluable.

  18. Lina
    February 3, 2018 / 7:33 pm

    Hi Sher. Love all your travel pixs! I am planning a trip to South of Spain end of April till 1st wk of May. I will be staying in Marbella most of the time How and what is the best way to get to Granada from Marbella. Bus or Rail?. I could get buses schedule that travel from Malaga to Granada but none from Marbella to Granada. Pls advise as I am travelling alone. Any tips or help you could furnished are most appreciative. Thank you.

    • Sher
      Author
      February 3, 2018 / 9:53 pm

      Thanks Lina! I haven’t been to Marbella or Malaga so I’m not sure. Perhaps try searching rail options on Rail Europe?

  19. ZURAIDA ZAINAL ABIDIN
    March 1, 2018 / 3:56 am

    Hi! I just love your post on Andalusia. If I skip Seville so that I have an extra night each in Cordoba and Granada. What are your thoughts? I have 7 days and am planning to go in December.

    • Sher
      Author
      March 1, 2018 / 12:40 pm

      Sure – sounds like fun!

  20. Dey
    March 8, 2018 / 12:04 am

    Hi Sher, thanks for the tips. We are going to Spain in June for honeymoon and this looks like a good itinerary to start. Covered most of the region’s highlights while not feeling rushed. Might DIY my tour then than book with a trip which, despite covering more areas, feels just too tight. Have you tried Hammam? Is it worth it?

    • Sher
      Author
      March 8, 2018 / 10:39 am

      Yes! Went to a Hammam and loved it – the one we tried is linked in the post.

  21. Foxcroft Elena
    April 11, 2018 / 4:54 pm

    Hi Sher,
    I really enjoyed the iteneary you offered, we are family of four ( kids 20,16 :) ) landing in Malaga ( very late at night) and departing from Barcelona. ( early in the morning)
    We have 15 nights to see South of Spain and Barcelona. What adjustments to the iteneary you posted would you recommend, where should we start?
    I rented the car for now, but it can always be canceled
    Thank you!
    Elena

    • Sher
      Author
      April 12, 2018 / 8:56 am

      Hi Elena – Glad you liked my itinerary! I included some day trip options in my Spain + Portugal itinerary for those who have longer time. You can certainly modify things how your family would like. Or a friend of mine is a travel agent that helps families plan personalized trips, let me know if you want her contact info!

  22. Fiona
    August 2, 2018 / 4:19 am

    Came upon your awesome blog when planning my trip to Andalusia + Morocco for next month. You’ve definitely helped me with the timing of activities & places and on where to eat. Just wanna say thank you for sharing! I’m also interested in exploring the Pueblos Blancos- if you have any information, please let me know which ones are best (there are so many)! Happy travels :)

    • Sher
      Author
      August 6, 2018 / 2:18 pm

      Hi Fiona – so glad my site was helpful! I haven’t seen many of the Pueblos Blancos but I hope you have a great time.

  23. Susan M
    September 13, 2018 / 11:42 pm

    This has been fun to read but there is something I’m confused about. You make it sound like Granada is much bigger than Sevilla but the population of Granada is about 100,000 and Sevilla is 700,000. Does Granada feel bigger?

    • Sher
      Author
      September 16, 2018 / 11:55 pm

      Hi Susan – Oh hm, it was just how it felt! Thanks for pointing out that’s its actually the opposite by population!

      Most of the historical sights are concentrated in a small, walkable area of Old Seville so it’s very compact (and you mostly see other tourists). Seville has a really nice ambiance, most sights are just steps from one another.

      In Granada, the city is quite hilly and has a big student population, so it felt more like a “normal” city. The famous sights are much more spread out and we often took the bus so we felt like Granada was “bigger”

  24. Kelsey
    October 14, 2018 / 3:16 pm

    I am dyyyying to go to Andalusia, thank you for the itinerary! You’ve hit a lot of great points here, did you get a chance to check out the olive groves of Southern Spain?? My buddy went last fall and the olive oil is an incredible part of that region. Can’t wait to eat my face off!

    • Sher
      Author
      October 14, 2018 / 7:28 pm

      I haven’t, but they sound incredible! Let me know how your trip goes!

  25. Robin
    November 2, 2018 / 12:11 am

    Hi, We are planning our trip to Andalusia, I really like this itinerary!!It looks amazing. I was wondering what you do with your luggage on the days you are travelling at night?(2nd day in Cordoba) I assume you check out of your hotel in the am and then what? Thanks for the info.:)

    • Sher
      Author
      November 4, 2018 / 2:43 pm

      Hi Robin! Most hotels are happy to hold your luggage for you :)

  26. Catherine
    November 8, 2018 / 7:19 am

    Hi! I was just wondering where that picture of that abandoned house is taken? Great article!

    • Sher
      Author
      November 11, 2018 / 3:44 pm

      Hi Catherine – glad you found the article helpful! Hm, I’m not sure which picture you’re referring to. Do you mean the photo right above “day 7: the albayzin”? If so, it’s on the Paseo de los Tristes.

  27. Amy
    January 9, 2019 / 1:40 pm

    Thank you for sharing your travels! We are heading to Spain this summer and hope to follow a similar itinerary so your information is invaluable. At this point we were thinking of flying into Barcelona and out of Madrid but I like your itinerary of Madrid – Cordoba – Seville – Granada – Barcelona (although we may also add a stop in Mallorca). My question for you… Is there transportation between Granada and Barcelona without going through Madrid? When I’ve looked at the train schedules it appears you’d have to go from Granada to Madrid to Barcelona. Any advice you have would be great!

    • Sher
      Author
      January 9, 2019 / 2:01 pm

      Hi Amy – glad you found my site and so happy it’s been helpful! You can fly from Granada to Barcelona! It’s a super short flight and I think we took the local Spanish low cost carrier Vueling, since they had a lot of availability. You can check flight availability for your dates here.

      There was an overnight train from Granada to Barcelona, but they’ve been doing construction so it’s not always offered. Plus it’s a pretty long ride by train. Hope that helps!

  28. Sne
    February 20, 2019 / 1:50 am

    is it doable to do both barcelona and andalucia region– we are flying into barcelona from NYC reaching thurs and leaving monday AM and were hoping to get away from typical urban life..is it worth to go straight from barcelona to andulucia fri-sun?

    • Sher
      Author
      February 20, 2019 / 11:22 am

      Hm.. I think it would be pretty exhausting. Have you been to Barcelona before? If not, you could stay in the city to explore and then do day trips to places nearby! Check out my Spain & Portugal itinerary, I have more info there :)

  29. April 2, 2019 / 8:55 am

    Hi there, what a fabulous itenerary You got here. I it’ll just perfect for our plan to visit Andalucia this September. Only one little difference, our trip will start and end from Barcelona. Will it be doable? And which will You suggest, train or plane to get to andalucia from Barcelona?

    • Sher
      Author
      April 2, 2019 / 12:31 pm

      Hi Dimas, Yes you can definitely start and end in Barcelona! I covered transportation options in the post :)

  30. Caitlyn
    April 6, 2019 / 8:27 am

    Hi!

    I love this itinerary. It should be enough to see the main sights, but each of these cities could also be visited for a week. There is so much to see and everything.

    I loved Sevilla and it is part of the reason I moved to Andalucia!

    Thanks for this great post!

  31. Andrew
    June 13, 2019 / 3:48 am

    Hi,
    Can I have your suggestion pls?
    I bought flight arrive and depart from Barcelona.
    My route plan as follow: Barcelona – Lisbon – Seville – Cordoba – Granada – Barcelona.
    Do you think it makes sense or do you have better suggestion?
    Thank you.

  32. Babu kaji Sitaula
    August 30, 2022 / 5:09 am

    What a great itinerary you offer here; Spain is the best travel destination; many thanks for sharing it.

  33. Hari Sitaula
    October 17, 2023 / 5:24 am

    Great Itinerary, thanks for the information..

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