Granada, Cordoba and Malaga late December

[ElbowsandCrumbs]

Hi there , we're planning a trip to Andalusia, flying out on Dec 28th for 10/11 nights.
3 of our boys are coming with us aged 13 15 & 19 . They are all foodies , 19 year old has ADHD so although we want to see plenty of sites we'll have to also have some downtime too & he will be happy to chill out in our apartment or hotel if we head out.
Our Itinerary at the moment is
2 nights in Granada & get tickets for the Alhambra
3 or 4 nights in Cordoba for NYE staying near Plaza de Las Tendillas , we've heard that Cordoba is a relatively walkable city so thought it would be a good place for the boys to be able to go out together for a mooch around etc .
And finally 5 nights in Malaga staying near Calle De Larios , to enjoy the lights, 3 kings parade , the city & maybe a trip to a beach if the weather is suitable etc .
Does anyone have any recommendations on what area in Granada to book accommodation? And has anyone spent any time in Cordoba over New Years etc any info or help for our Itinerary would be much appreciated x

We went to Malaga and Granada last January. In Granada we stayed here https://www.hotelpalaciodelosnavas.com which was very good value and convenient for walking to the Alhambra. It also had lots of good places to eat and drink nearby. If you can get up nice and early the Alhambra is much quieter first thing in the morning, book your tickets well in advance from the official website to ensure you get in. No need to pay a guide as it’s well sign posted. It’s definitely worth going up the hill behind the Alhambra to get the iconic photo with the Sierra Nevada mountains behind it if you have a nice day.
Malaga was warm enough to sit outside in the evenings but Granada is higher and much colder - take some warm clothes!

The Plaza Nueva area is well placed as its at the bottom of the hill from the Alhambra and also the Albacin on the opposite hill, and the rest of the city.

Although I noted Smart Suites Albacin as a possible accommodation option from a previous MN thread on Granada.

If you haven't booked yet, 3 or 4 nights in Cordoba is quite a lot, if you're going over that way, you could look at Seville instead for 2/3 nights or even do Granada, Seville and Malaga and have a day trip by train to Cordoba from Seville. I'm not sure I'd spend as much as 5 nights in Malaga either. But I would definitely try and get on a tour to El Caminto del Rey, which is spectacular - you can probably go from Malaga on a tour the easiest if you're not hiring a car

https://www.caminitodelrey.info/en/

The other thing you must do is walk up into the Albacin at night to the viewpoint for the Alhambra - it's signposted from Plaza Nueva and the walk goes up to a square with lots of restaurants and then the viewpoint is just along from there.

3-4 nights in Cordoba is quite a lot. I would suggest Seville instead. It's also very walkable and lots to see. Great food and flamenco bars too.

Many thanks, I was thinking about Seville? Maybe Seville, Granada and then Malaga, we could Spend NYE in Seville and there's plenty for the boys to see & do

Seville is a great place to visit for a few days. You only need a couple of days each in Granada and Malaga.

I think 5 days in Malaga is fine, we had a week there a few years ago and there are lots of museums and art galleries.

Which is good if you have the kind of teen boys who want to spend a week looking round museums and art galleries.

I think trying to fit in Seville may be a bit much , we live in West Wales Cardigan and we'd have to fly from London or back into London for a trip to Seville, I'll probably leave that for a future visit.
The boys love shopping they don't get to do that much of it here in Cardigan Bay, so I'm sure Malaga will be great for that ! Plus there is a car museum & video game museum & we can take a trip to a beach etc
Although we'll be sightseeing, we also like to kick back and relax & just take it all in , enjoy lazy lunches etc I have friends who did 6 nights in Cordoba and loved it , but it's good to get different opinions hence why we post on these forums !
I may tweak the itinerary slightly, 3/4 nights Granada , 2/3 in Cordoba and 4/5 in Malaga.
We normally spend Christmas week in Colmar Alsace, but I'm doing a degree in French & Spanish and really want to explore more of Spain .

That's a great trip- one of my favourites. I love Malaga and if they like shopping and food it's a great place- less in the sense of 'sights' - just a lovely Spanish city. I think your itinerary is fine.

Fabulous thankyou !

We were in Cordoba for 4 days and that was fine, although we went hiking on one of those days. You just do everything slowly and so it’s nice and relaxing.

I am so envious, it is a wonderful trip to do.

I had 9 days and flew into Seville and out of Malaga. Is that an option for you? That gave time to see Seville (3 d) Cordoba (1d) Granada (2 d) and Malaga (3 d).

There is a killer hill up to the Alhambra so bear that in mind, so either walk or bus or taxi. There is a tourist road train (I know, I know) that is brilliant for seeing everything, hop on hop off, so I got to all the usual spots including the Alhambra without breaking a sweat lol!