Seville or Malaga? Short break

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I have the option to do a short break in either Seville or Malaga in February. Will just be me and DP, wanting a rest from work and to sample delicious food. Seville is coming in slightly cheaper for a better standard of accommodation, but both options are good value.
I don’t mind that Seville isn’t by the sea, but DP does like to be near the coast. Aware it won’t be beach weather, but he likes to ‘see’ the sea! We could hire a car if staying in Seville and drive to thw coast anyway.
I think I’ll prefer Seville from what I’ve read, but it’s a close call.
Would love to hear from anyone who has visited these places - especially if you’ve been to both - and perhaps about the things you didn’t like. I know that sounds odd, but I’ve read so many positives maybe I need to be aware of some negatives. Not too many though 😄

Malaga!! unbelievably cheap, beach to cool off at. Such a beautiful city. I've been to Sevilla and it gets so so hot

We stayed in Fuengirola a couple of weeks ago and went into Malaga on the train - we met up with my parents whose cruise ship was in port for the day.

Malaga was really lovely. We went into the cathedral and had lunch and a mooch around. The Picasso museum had very long queues but I suppose it might be quieter in February. The port area was nice with bars and restaurants too.

It definitely wasn't Brits abroad, I found it really beautiful and would definitely go back for a longer stay.

Ah. Too late
Sevilla every time

For some reason, I though that Malaga was a bit ‘Brits abroad’ but that hasn’t come up in anything I’ve read or in your comments here so must be a misconception I’ve picked up

Ive visited Malaga 10+ times. The city doesn’t attract too many tourists. They tend to go to the coast.

Another poster said Malaga is more cosmopolitan. Spanish people wouldn’t agree. Malaga is seen as a much more laid back city. People don't dress as well and people are more overweight.
Seville has a very different vibe. I’d choose Seville for a mini break in February. If travelling from Easter onwards then Malaga would be nice. Both cities are too hot in the summer.

For some reason, I though that Malaga was a bit ‘Brits abroad’

It is.

@WellPlaced Oh, where did you stay amd
when?

Aah, @Wakintoblueskies I’ve just suggested to DP that maybe we should do Seville at NY. Not had a response yet It’s definitely on our
travel list for city breaks.

Out of interest where exactly did you stay in Malaga to form this opinion?

Are you confusing it with Benidorm or do you just want to piss on the OP's chips?

As far as I have researched for staying in Malaga and visiting Seville there is no direct train; it goes to Cordoba first so not quick and not cheap. Also train to Granada few options. Happy to be corrected.

Completely different but you may enjoy the culinary aspect of San Sebastián on a future break.

I have been to both. Malaga several times. Seville once. Two week stay in each to learn Spanish.

Seville is good if you like hot, old, historic, narrow cobbled, hilly streets. Which I don't. Good access to Cadiz which I love.

Malaga is good for the coast and easy access to other cities like Granada and Cordoba. Easy to get to Nerja which is gorgeous. Also, Marbella Fuengirola and Estepona are nearby.

Ronda is another place to do for a day trip.

I think weather wise in February, Seville would probably be warmer as no sea breeze. But I personally much prefer Malaga overall.

There is a direct train between Seville and Malaga, it takes about 2 hours.

Malaga to Granada there are usually about 3 direct trains a day, they take about 1h15, otherwise you have to change at Antequera. There’s a direct bus that takes about 1h30.

Seville to Granada takes about 2h30 direct.

@Roystonv I've just had a look at that as it was something we researched for a trip a couple of years back that was cancelled during pandemic and you could definitely do it then. We had planned to do it whilst staying in the area next February. There is a journey showing to be booked until October - about 5 trains a day, but it doesn't show after October - I'm hoping that it's just that you can't book it that long in advance or they don't confirm the timetables . The journey takes 3 hours but it's not expensive. We planned to stay over in Seville for a couple of nights .

Were any of your brave bonkers enough to do the El Caminito del Rey walk? If so, can you recommend a tour company?

DH did it one time we were there but we were with friends who are from the area so they did it self-guided as they could drive.

He definitely recommends it though as an experience, but it really isn’t one for someone who has a fear of heights (like I do!)

Easy to get to Nerja which is gorgeous

Full of expats. Do as the Spanish do and avoid!

Malaga is my go to place. Jump on the little train at airport to the city. Some fab places to eat

Not trying to piss on OP’s chips and didn’t realise she had booked. I’ve been to both and as the title specifically says a short break Seville would be my choice. A longer break would be Malaga but I also stand by my comment that, of the two, it’s definitely more ‘Brits abroad’.

Not been to Malaga but did go to Seville one February and it was glorious. Perfect weather. I think it's one of the hottest places in Europe (so best avoided in the summer) so lovely and balmy in Feb. Beautiful architecture, great deals on hotels and some lovely tapas restaurants and lots of things to see/do. Loved the orange trees! We booked a group tour but it was only us in the end as Feb not as busy. Loved it, would like to go back.

We have. Definitely do it, it's amazing. We did it independently, as part of a week touring Andalusia where we flew to Malaga, hired a car and stayed in an Airbnb then did el caminito del rey. Then drove to Granada and left hire car at Granada station.

But we did it when it first opened, so before the tour companies got involved.

You have to have a head for heights but if you like walking, scenery and history it can be a really memorable experience.

I went to Málaga in early May when I went, and I don't recall hearing another British accent or even speaking English myself, actually. I think we're all talking about Malaga city rather than further down the coastline, in the more general Malaga area, which is very much Brits abroad in places.

I wonder if the direct train that I caught to Seville might be a seasonal thing? Or they might have changed the route since do course as it was a while back. I'm sure it took a couple of hours and only stopped off in a couple of small towns before hitting the two main stations in Seville.

Have fun OP. Make sure you go to the sherry bar near the market.

Malaga is a great city, you can get the train from Malaga to Granada, takes just over an hour, I can recommend a great central hotel in Granada that is just off the old square walking distance to the Alhambra (although it's a steep hill, spend 5€ on a taxi up and enjoy the pleasant walk down!) . I'd definitely recommend a couple of nights in Granada if you can fit it in while you're in Malaga.

Great, Malaga is ace (as is Seville).

Granada beats both, but is more awkward to get to

one word on Seville though, don’t rent a car anywhere near it. I drove into Seville with dh when we’d only known each other a month and suffice to say it was quite a significant test. We got through it, but I think we were both close to getting out of the hire car and making a scarper to the airport.

Seville in February will smell gorgeous with all those orange blossom trees in full bloom!