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!

We stayed in a lovely apartment with a rooftop pool in the middle of Seville as few years ago, think it was an airbnb but I will try and find the details

@Hoppinggreen I just meant because we aren't including Granada, but I've always wanted to go to Cadiz so I'm happy with this plan
OP what about some coast time along from Cadiz on Costa de la Luz?
Some lovely hotels I've looked at when researching the trip

If you are trying to avoid busy places so that your DC doesn't get overwhelmed I would be wary that Seville may be very busy - particularly at Easter.

I think it's a good idea to factor in a couple of days being more relaxed - although an unheated outdoor pool will be pretty chilly at that time of year.

I think that sounds great.

You don't have to try to see all of southern Spain in one trip so you could go another time for Granada, Malaga and the coast.

Exactly. We've been to various parts of Andalusia about 20-30 times and haven't even scratched the surface of things times see and do.

i recently did a similar trip. While personally I wasn’t wowed by the Alhambra I would certainly suggest you go because it is unique. Be careful to get onto the official website for tickets - at first I wound up on an expensive resale site. You will need photo ID to get in.

very fast and cheap to get around the area by train but do book.

my favourite place was cordoba. The mosque opens for an hour for free at the start of the day and is much less busy then.

Definitely don’t miss the Alhambra, the other alcazars don’t compare

Try to go to Ronda

Don’t bother with Malaga or Marbella

Thanks all, I'm so confused now! I got push back from DH regarding the number of different places. We like to self-cater as he's a keen cook and he pointed out that carting food around on the train is going to be annoying multiple times...So now I'm thinking maybe just 3 days in Seville, a day trip to Cordoba from Seville, then head to Malaga somewhere, hire car for 3 days and do day trips from there (e.g. to Caminito del Rey, Nerja caves, possibly Granada). But still don't know!

Tell your DH that the food scene in Spain is magic and very inexpensive. I would have no problem self catering on a fly and flop holiday, but on a trip like yours it is so limiting, as you have just hinted with your changing itinerary. Consider also the time taken to shop at the supermarkets and carting it home, and cooking it, then eating it and clearing up. That's a lot of precious time!

But hey, hasta la vista and whatever works for you!

Cordoba has lovely little streets but I wouldn't rush to return. Liked Rhonda. Loved Granada ,Seville(hot)and returned to both. Loved old town Malaga, a festival was on and flamenco was everywhere. We're going to Cadiz this nextvyearcandctaking ferry to Morroco. Lots of beautiful towns in Andalucia, Fuenterhidos, Aracena and many more. We had car first year but have bussed and trained it since.

Oh and WHY would you be carrying food for your meals multiple times on a train? Surely if you decide to pander to the chef then you buy it when you arrive at a destination!

I think I'd ditch the husband and do it your way. 😉

We stayed at Hotel Fernando III, Seville in September of this year, it has a great rooftop pool

Regarding the food, it's things like cooking oil , pasta and cereal - we won't want to have to keep buying it. Hotels seem more than we want to spend for a cramped room. Whereas on Airbnb we can get a nice apartment with chill out space and terrace for the evenings. Just think we won't want to have to eat out every night after a long day so go t seeing.

Granada is wonderful- don’t miss it. I have many a happy memory of the Alhambra. I’d rather do the Alhambra and cordoba over Seville.

I did all those places over 3 separate Easter holiday trips!

(1) Flew to Jerez and based Easter week at Conil de la frontera with day trips to Jerez, Seville, Cadiz, Gibraltar, Baleo Claudia Roman Ruins/Tarifa and witnessed the memorable Bull Run on Easter Sunday at Vejer de la frontera.
(2) Flew to Malaga and spent 4 nts in Antequera with day trips to Cordoba (the Mezquita was definitely my favourite), Ronda, the Caminito del Rey, followed by 3 nts in Granada.
(3) 3 night long weekend in Malaga because we only ever saw the airport on previous trips and wanted a warm city break. It's a superb place for a short break with museums,the beach, a castle and fantastic restaurants.

You should maybe break it down to 2 trips rather than try to cram the major highlights in 9 days.

I think your husband does have a point - I really liked Cordoba but we did it as a day trip out of Malaga. (Think its half way between Malaga and Seville so would work from either). You can get the train up to Granada from Malaga too (more relaxing than driving).

I do like Nerja, have been several times as a relaxing holiday, but I'm not sure that I would bother driving up from Malaga just to visit the caves.

If you are renting accommodation through AirB&B/vrbo/booking. It's quite likely that there will be basic supplies like cooking oil in the kitchen cupboard anyway.

I think that Sansou is right - there are so many lovely places to visit in that area, it needs more than one trip.

Granada is much more than the Alhambra. The city centre is bustling, the cathedral is worth a visit, and the Royal Palace (it might not be palaca) has the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella. I just wonder if you are trying to fit in too much for one trip, especially if one child is SEN. If you want a night in Mijas, can recommend Opuntia, a small boutique b n b in the town centre. Everything high quality. They have a free Flamenco show in the town square on Wednesdays.

Can you fit Ronda in? It’s fabulous.

Its the Royal Chapel, not palace. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Chapel_of_Granada

I think PP are right and that we need to do break it down into multiple trips. The question then is, which one first?! Which combination of places to visit are best for kids do you think? What would you prioritise?

And thank you all so much for your thoughts - it really is helpful. So hard to rely on Google for this stuff!

We've only been to Seville and Cadiz (following your thread to decide where next) but we loved Seville. Teens aged 16 and 14.
So much to see.
We had 2 full days sightseeing but could have filled three without slowing down.
I reckon you've got to include that.
Could you fly into Seville and out of Málaga or vice versa?
9 days is a decent amount of time.

Really glad to have come across this thread as I’m also considering a week in the region during May half term next year, but struggling to decide what to include! Will be me, DH and 12 year old DS. I’d like a bit of a mix of sightseeing plus some down time to relax/swim ideally. Can’t decide if it’s best to base ourselves in one place and do day trips from there or so stay in multiple locations.

Any other advice gracefully received!

I have done it this way - Conil is a stunning beach and we stayed at this resort hotal which is excellent value and has loads of facilities. This coast line is much more pristine and the area much more Spanish than Nerja which is tatty and Brits Abroad.

Whoops forgot the link

https://www.fuertehoteles.com/en/fuerte-conil-resort/