Seville and Granada

[EllaPaella]

I'm off to Seville im a few weeks time (end of April). Staying 3 nights in Seville, 3 nights in Granada with one night in Cordoba.
We have already booked the Alhambra in advance but would be so grateful for any other 'must see' recommendations, wonderful tapas and particularly any recommendations for Flamenco. For Seville should we book the cathedrral in advance?
And does anyone have advice regarding trains - is it better to book tickets in advance?
Thanks in advance - I'm so excited 😁

If you look at travel companies they all do this trip and you will see where they go in each city, I’m planning to do this trip with Riviera for example.

@EllaPaella
Trains - must be booked in advance. Cheaper further in advance. Use https://www.renfe.com/es/en
Cathedral - yes book tickets.
Same for Real Alcazar. I did both the day before when we went in Feb. April might be busier, so better to book as soon as you can.
We did a walking tour on our first morning which was great for getting our bearings and info. This was the one we did https://www.guruwalk.com/walks/46956-the-best-of-sevilla-tour
Our best tapas was the place underneath the 'Setas de Seville'. Very reasonable prices. I'm sure there are nicer fancier places though!

Brilliant- thank you @House4DS
Alcazar and Cathedral now booked. Thank you for the tapa recommendation as well ☺️

The Alcazar is absolutely one of the most beautiful places on this earth.

Apart from the incredible Moorish parts of the building there's a slightly more modern (18th century) part which we nearly didn't bother with but turned out to have wonderful views over the garden. It had been raining but the sun was just coming out and I honestly felt like I was l looking at the garden of Eden.

I seem to remember the city museum was in a wonderful building and just wandering the streets was great too - you keep seeing gorgeous looking houses beyond the gates.

We also went to see Sevilla play which was great fun and quite a lot different to watching a match in England.

Don't miss the Mezquita in Cordoba - it's full of tourists but so light and airy feeling you don't notice.

I did find the begging a bit persistent at times - might be better now as this is a while ago.

Thankyou @HPFA
We have a full 24 hours in Cordoba so I'll add that to my list. Honestly I have heard so many amazing things about Seville, I can't wait.

@EllaPaella we absolutely loved it. Even without going in to any of the buildings, there's so much to see just wandering about. It's all walkable, about 30 mins from place de espagne to last setas.

I always like the hop-on-hop-off tour buses. We also did a horse and carriage ride in Seville and a hop-on-and-off mini bus in Cordoba which was nice as it went down the little streets where the large bus can't get.

Great tip, thank you @ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea

We had amazing tapas at this restaurant in Seville - Postiguillo. We booked a table, and I’m glad we did, as there was a big queue when we got there.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187443-d6539451-Reviews-Postiguillo-Seville_Province_of_Seville_Andalucia.html

For flamenco I can recommend Tablao El Arenal, it was outstanding. You can either book to have dinner and watch the show, or just book for the flamenco, which is what we did. If you book just the flamenco, you are seated to the side of the stage, really close and with a great view. You can feel the stage vibrate! It really was excellent, I felt quite emotional watching!

https://tablaoelarenal.com/en/

For Cordoba, book ahead for the flamenco at the tablao el Cardenal. Superb! We had a wonderful meal at a moorish restaurant round the corner and went back again the next day, it was so good : Salon de The on Calle Buen Pastor. Try to be early in the queue for the mesquita - if you can get in first, you can whizz ahead and take photos of an emptier area of columns before doubling back to see the bits you passed. I will never tire of that place.

if you have time in Seville go for a spa and massage at the amazing baths, the company is called Aire.
lots of flamenco in Placa Espagna, a great place to sit and watch. Take change to put into the hat.

Granada is so beautiful. Take in the sunset from Mirador San Nicholas. Get there earlier and get a table at one of the bars. You may well pay extra for the drink but the view is incredible.

leave plenty of time to get up to the Alhambra - entrance is at the top of the hill. Remember to pick your jaw off the floor when leaving the Sala de los Reyes. Do not be late for that bit! Timed tickets.

if you can, return for the week before Easter - busy times but the Processions are one of the most amazing experiences of my life.