twins77

Looking at getting some information on traveling to Spain the end of May 2019.
We are family of four, two adults and twin almost 21 year olds. We have about 14 days. Im not familiar with the trains in Spain and have not done a ton of research yet.
We want to see Madrid, Seville, Granada, and possibly end in Majorca if not around Malaga or somewhere near the water that is not overly crowded.
I welcome all tips and advice that anyone can share. We have traveled to Italy quite often and decided to try a different county this summer. Spain looks absolutely incredible. Thank you all.

PalenQ

Trains are now great between all those places save Majorca of course and that place would be as crowded as any beach area in Europe it would seem. Plenty places around Malaga including Malaga itself are great for beaching it - Malaga is also an historic old town with imposing fortress above it. Try to fly into Madrid and out of Malaga.

For all you want to know about Spanish trains check Renfe - Spanish railways official site where you can book your own discounted tickets if you book far enough out to get those limited in number tickets - www.seat61.com will tell you everything you need to know about doing that - for general info on Spanish trains also BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com. You can always get on trains by buying tickets at stations once there but those would be full price and could be much much more than going the discounted ticket route - but discounted tickets are train-specific and believe can't be changed nor refunded so be sure of your dates. For shorter journeys like Seville-Cordoba or Jerez, etc just buy tickets at station maybe day before train.

I'd do Madrid - train to Seville - train to Cordoba - could be a day trip from Seville and an awesome old cathedral that was once a Mosque and just neat old city.

train or bus Seville or Cordoba to Granada

train or bus to Malaga.

14 days ain't much

but say Madrid 3 nights
Seville 3 nights - including day trip to Cordoba
Granada 2 nights
Malaga 3 nights
fly home

You can do some neat day trips from Madrid - like Toledo which nearly everyone raves about - just an hour from Madrid by high-speed train or Segovia or Avila, etc.

Seville has some neat day trips too - like Jerez de la Frontera - the home of sherry and you can visit the sherry houses and also take in practice sessions of the Andalusian horses in the local equestrian ring for famous shows held here. Just about an hour by train from Seville.

kja

Andalusia is delightful! With 14 days, you can see a lot – but not necessarily everything you might want to see.

As a preliminary estimate, I’d recommend that you consider about 4 nights in Sevilla, 3 nights in Granada, 2 in Cordoba (which many people visit as a day trip from Sevilla), and a few nights in Malaga. I think Madrid itself easily merits 4 nights, with 2 nights in Toledo (which many people visit as a day trip), and more time if you visit Segovia or any where else near Madrid.

Because Madrid is easier to reach for international travelers than the cities of Andalusis, you might consider “shortchanging” it with the idea that you’ll be able to visit it on a future trip.

All of these places can be easily seen by trains or buses that are comfortable and convenient.

Hope that helps!

KarenWoo

How many NIGHTS do you have for this trip? Counting nights is the best way to plan a trip. And figure that typically 2 nights will give you one full day in a place, and maybe a half day or less on the day you arrive. We did a similar trip in September 2017. This was our itinerary (we had 15 nights). Madrid - 4 nights; Toledo - 1 night; Cordoba - 2 nights; Granada - 2 nights; Malaga - 2 nights; and Seville - 4 nights. This worked very well for us.

Because, as KJA states, Madrid is easier to reach for international travelers than the Andalucian cities , then you could shortchange Madrid on this trip. However, it also depends on what your interests are. Madrid has some outstanding art museums, the palace, Retiro Park, and great neighborhoods to walk around. We loved Cordoba, and IMO you will be shortchanging Cordoba if you only do a day trip there. The Mezquita is magnificent, but Cordoba has more to offer than just the Mezquita. It was one of our favorite cities on our trip. We also really enjoyed the coastal ambience of Malaga along with its historic and beautiful city center.

We traveled exclusively by trains and buses. We booked our train reservations on loco2.com, very easy to use. The high speed rail tracks to Granada are not finished yet, so you have 2 ways to get there: either take the train to Antequera and change to a bus there; or take the ALSA bus all the way. That's what we did. The bus is modern, clean, air conditioned, and very comfortable.

If possible, you should book an open-jaw or multi-city ticket. For example, fly into Madrid and fly out of Seville or Malaga to avoid wasting time backtracking.

Please keep in mind that it will be hot at the end of May in Andalucia. Malaga should be cooler. When we did our trip in September, it was in the 70's in Malaga, low 90's in Seville, and 80's everywhere else.

twk

I went to Madrid and Andalusia in October. If you click on my name, you can find my trip report, which might give you some ideas. We only stopped for lunch there, but Nerja seemed like a really neat place if you were looking to spend time on the beach.

twins77

Thank you so much for all the info. We have about 15 nights. I was looking at multi city in Madrid out of Malaga to yes deft. save time. I will make sure we add enough time in Cordoba. Any more info you can give would be wonderful. Malaga sounds beautiful. Thank you.

millie2112

I spent 4 nights is Seville with a day trip to Cordoba. that gave us enough time to look at wonderful Seville.. food was amazing.
We stayed in an apartment through Spain Select. It worked out brilliantly. loved the location and the apartment was clean and spacious.
From Seville we took a bus to Granada. Very easy to do. we booked on line. it took about 3 hours. the bus had aircon. it was not too bad.
I enjoyed Granada. We only spent 2 nights there, but if you have enough time i would do 3.
the Alhambra in granada was fantastic. remember to book your tickets in advance.
May will be a good time of the year. Not too hot.
Many people go and stay in Cordoba. I did a day trip and i could have missed it. maybe if i stayed for a couple of nights i might have enjoyed it more.

KarenWoo

I thought I would give you more info on Malaga. The old city center is beautiful; it's pedestrianized with marble walk ways. We visited the Cathedra. We took our time walking up through the ruins of the Alcazaba; there is lots of greenery, flowers, small patios and small fountains. Along the way to the top, there are beautiful views of the port and Mediterranean. We also walked to the top of the castle with more gorgeous views. Other sites: Picasso Museum; Ataranzas Market; promenade along the port. We had drinks overlooking the port while watching the sunset. It really wasn't beach weather when we were there, but we walked along the beach. I think Malaga is an under-rated city.

In addition to the Mezquita in Cordoba, we enjoyed the Alcazar gardens; the Roman Bridge with locals and their children strolling along the bridge on a Saturday night; and Palacio de Viana, with its many patios.

If you like, you can click on my name to read my trip report that includes Madrid, Granada, Seville, Cordoba, and Malaga. (and Toledo).