Andalusia: Seville-Cordoba-Malaga or is Granada a must too?

[AllGonePeteTong1]

Planning a trip at Easter for about 9 days. It will be me, DH and 2 DCs(12 and 10). Was thinking of flying into Seville, doing 3 days of sightseeing, then one or two in Cordoba, then 3 days in Malaga area for more of a relaxing chill-by-the pool type experience (hoping the weather will be warm enough!), with possible day trips to Nerja/Mijas/Marbella. Then flying from Malaga to home. Does this sound ok as an itinerary? Was hoping to do Granada for the Alhambra but just not sure if that would be a bit much and am a bit put off by tales of how busy it is (younger DC is SEN so gets overwhelmed easily). Any tips/experiences gratefully received!

Sounds lovely, I adore Seville and have been quite a few times.
Granada is nice too but I think the main reason a lot of people go is for the Alhambra but there is The Alcazar in Seville which is a bit of a smaller version anyway.
If you want a bit of Moorish palace action and would only go to Granada for the Alhambra then I suggest just doing The Alcazar.

Seville has Semana Santa celebrations in the week leading up Easter, which is fun to experience and definitely a bit different. There are a lot of people in the streets for that, so whilst we really enjoyed it, a child with SEN might find it too hectic. We were in Seville 18-21 April 2011, weather wise it was around 18/19 degrees, we have light jumpers on in most photos, though it was much warmer than that in Seville in April this year (is that global warming??). We went to Cordoba from Seville as a day trip. I have also been to Granada, which I loved, I went there for a long weekend with my Mum in 2005. I can understand that need for chill time with the kids, but I would squeeze in the Alhambra if remotely possible. Could you cut a day from Cordoba and do Granada as a day trip from Málaga? I don't remember it being heaving with people, but all these places have risen popularity with the rising reach of budget airlines.

The Alhambra limits the number of visitors so it's not surging with people. I've done the Alhambra and the Alcazar and agree, if you're not desperate to see the Alhambra, the Alcazar is a good second option. Again, you need tickets though.

I don’t think I’d make a special trip for the Alhambra especially if you’re also seeing the Alcazar (do!) and Cordoba

However - sorry to complicate things! - I would highly recommend a trip to Ronda and surrounding sights (white villages, Caminato del Rey). Spectacular scenery and very different from the city feel of your other stops. Lots of outdoor activities round there which your DC are a good age for if they are active types. Caminato needs booking ahead.

I doubt Malaga will be pool weather unless there is a heatwave (does happen but not reliably) so I’d probably pick Ronda over Malaga - but then I haven’t been to Malaga!

Malaga has the Alcazaba which is much smaller than the Alhambra but has the same kind of feel. There's lots of museums to visit in Malaga as well so it's not just a lazing by the pool option.

Thanks all. Yes, I've heard that there is a fair bit to do in Malaga, so won't be the end of the world if the weather isn't great. Just after something a bit less hectic e.g. visiting coastal towns. I love the look of Caminato del Rey though. That can be accessed on a day trip from Malaga right? Will we need a car do you think?

I've just come back from Malaga and Granada.

Granada and the Alhambra were a trip highlight for me and to disagree with PP, I don't think you can argue the Malaga Alcabaza is like the Alhambra, which is a magnificent UNESCO site.

I couldn't go to Andalusia without visiting the Alhambra, it's amazing. I've been there several times and would go again. I'd actually drop Malaga and do Granada, Cordoba and Seville.

Agree with pp, if you're remotely interested in architecture or generally having your mind blown by the human wonders of the world, there is no substitute for the Alhambra. The staggered entry, the size of it and the feel of it mean it's not chaotic or busy. There's mathematical logic to it, after all! I can't wait to take my daughter.

Granada is also lovely, Los Diamantés was great for calamari about ten years ago

My experience of Alhambra was several years ago , myself , dh , and and two dc aged around 10 / 14 but we all loved it and it was the highlight of the trip. We still talk about it now .

OK, bear in mind that I did this without kids SEN or not, so adjust accordingly 😊. It was one of the best multi stop trips I've been on (so far). OP I did it all by train, very inexpensive and booked ahead using the Renfe app.

Flew into Seville. 2 nights, that was plenty for me, it is a fabulous place. Highlights were the tapa streets at night time, the Cathedral (didn't go in, but it's fab from outside anyway), the Alcazar, walked down by the University, (fab) and on to Plaza Espana and then by the riverfront and over to Triana. Loved it all.

Then took train to Cordoba 2nights. Now that little city blew my mind. There was just something very atmospheric about it from the winding lanes of the Jewish Quarter down to the Mezquita which cannot be missed, the patio displays, crossing the famous bridge and much much more. Highly recommend.

Then train to Granada.2 nights OK the Alhambra was great, but honestly..... the view from the lookout spot opposite was even better. But if you go to Andalucia you must go to the Alhambra! It was busy but timed and it took hours to see it all. You have to reserve a time for the Nasrid Palace, but you can arrive at any time around that. Remember to bring ID, you will not be allowed in without it! I thought the Gypsy quarter, the Albaicin, the lookout points with gypsy guitar buskers etc. was brilliant. There's so much more, that's a flavour.

Then train to Malaga. 3 nights. Flopped out here, no more sightseeing thanks, but I found time for shopping on Calle Larios, and walked around the newly upgraded Port area, and had a meal in the amazing El Pimpi. The tapas scene is wild at night, lovely. You will find as much or as little as you want to do here. The beach is OK, not golden sand, but the train goes to Torremolinos/Fuengirola up the road where it's all happening Beach wise.

Super trip, and I hope you don't think I am taking over your thread. You can possibly see how much I loved the whole thing, and I hope you do too!

Thanks @Havalona that's really helpful! I hadn't thought of only doing two nights in Seville - had assumed we'd need longer, but perhaps that's the way to fit in Granada as well.

Sounds like the Alhambra really is worth it then.

Please keep your tips and experiences coming in, I'm reading them all avidly!

I did a similar trip earlier this year. Like @Havalona, Cordoba was the place that really blew my mind. It’s apparently the day trip capital of Spain, but trying to do it all in one day strikes me as a bit of a challenge.

Top tip - you can visit the mosque-cathedral in Cordoba for free each morning before the day trippers arrive. Because of its size, the mosque-cathedral never gets busy as such, but it is just a lot more atmospheric without 100s of selfie-takers.

Malaga has the Alcazaba, the Roman ruins, the harbour, the fish market, the Picasso museum and a ton of other stuff. I'd go there plus Seville.

While the Alcazar in Seville is lovely, it's not a replacement for the Alhambra.

But - you need to be fast booking tickets, they sell out very fast, especially during holidays.

While the Alcazar in Seville is lovely, it's not a replacement for the Alhambra.

Totally agree

I love Malga, we go a bit.

Often go at Easter and tends to be beach weather (mid 20s which I prefer as kids get grumpy if over 30)

Nerja and Estepona the nicest towns on the coast. Ronda well worth a visit if you're traveling that way.

We were in Seville mid February. It was glorious. Three nights stretched it though and I wish I had done a quick trip to Cordoba. I’m pretty sure though that the semana Santa célebrations were cancelled because of the atrocious weather. They were setting up when we were there and there was tangible excitement. It was unprecedented though.

I was going to suggest 2 nights in Seville to squeeze in Alhambra.
You need to book tickets in advance.
Will be a great trip.

We did Seville, Cordoba and Granada.

I preferred the Mezquita (Cordoba) and the Alcazar to the Alhambra but it's a matter of personal taste really.

Seville is just a magical, wonderful city though.

We have been to all the places mentoned above, including Nerja and Ronda, a few times.
For me personally, Malaga is the least interesting, absolutely loved Cordoba with its magical streets and Mezquita, Granada for Alhambra and Sevile is lovely too.
I would not include Nerja and Ronda this time, and maybe reduce time in Malaga.

We are doing a similar trip for honeymoon
Seville, Cordoba, Cadiz.
Now doubting if this is the best plan ....

Why?
Seville and Cadiz are fantastic, I only went to Cordoba once many years ago so can't remember much about it but I think I enjoyed it

This is all really helpful! The only real reason for Malaga coast was because the kids said they want at least one place we go to have a pool (their only request to be fair) and that's hard to achieve with airbnbs in the city. Maybe we'll have to stump up for a hotel with one.