Start in Seville if you arrive from Madrid on the high-speed train, about 2 hours 30 minutes, and want the trip to build toward the Alhambra. Start in Granada if your best Alhambra time slot falls early in your dates, or if you fly into Málaga, about 90 minutes from Granada by road. Neither city has nonstop flights from the United States, so the real decision is your entry point: Madrid by train, or Málaga, which has a seasonal United nonstop from Newark.
See how we route it: 7-Day Private Andalusia Tour: Seville, Córdoba and Granada. Or talk to a planner, who replies within one business day.
Why we usually start in Seville
Seville is the larger city and the gentler start. The old center is flat and walkable, and the Real Alcázar, the Cathedral and the Plaza de España fill two full days without a car. The AVE from Madrid Atocha arrives at Seville Santa Justa in about 2 hours 30 minutes, and Córdoba sits on the same line, about 45 minutes from Seville.
From Seville the route runs east through Córdoba to Granada, or south through Ronda and the white villages. The Alhambra comes last, so the Nasrid Palaces follow the Mudéjar halls of the Alcázar and the trip ends on its strongest day.
When Granada comes first
The Alhambra sets its own calendar. Tickets carry the visitor’s name, entry to the Nasrid Palaces runs on a fixed half-hour slot, and spring and fall dates sell out weeks ahead. When the best slot falls early in your dates, we reverse the route and start in Granada.
We also start in Granada for clients flying into Málaga. United flies nonstop from Newark to Málaga in season, and Granada lies about 90 minutes from Málaga airport by road. The trip then flows west to Seville, where the AVE carries you north to Madrid for the flight home.
The road between them
Seville and Granada lie about 250 kilometers apart, about 3 hours by road without stops. With a private driver the day breaks well at Antequera, where the Bronze Age dolmens hold UNESCO status, or with a detour north to Córdoba for the Mosque-Cathedral. A slower version adds a night in Ronda, above the gorge, and a morning in the white villages of the Sierra de Grazalema. Our note on Córdoba or Ronda between Granada and Seville compares the two routes, and our guide to driving from Madrid to Seville covers the road south.
How long in each city
Give Seville three nights, with one day for Córdoba, and Granada two nights, with the Alhambra on the full day. With seven days, add a night in Ronda. Clients who want more time in Granada add a third night for the Albaicín, the Sacromonte caves and an evening of flamenco in a cave venue.
Our Andalusia routes
Seville to Granada: the 7-day Andalusia tour. From Madrid into the south: the 7-day Madrid and Andalusia tour, which ends in Seville, and the 10-day romantic Spain tour, which ends in Granada. For the same question in other countries, read our notes on flying into Madrid or Barcelona and on flying into Lisbon or Porto. Every route runs privately and reverses on request.
Questions about Seville, Granada and the order of the trip
Are there nonstop flights from the United States to Seville or Granada?
No. United flies nonstop from Newark to Málaga in season, about 2 hours from Seville and 90 minutes from Granada by road. Most of our clients fly into Madrid and take the high-speed train south.
How far is Granada from Seville?
About 250 kilometers (155 miles), about 3 hours by road. With a private driver, the day breaks well at Antequera, Córdoba or Ronda.
How long is the train from Madrid to Seville?
About 2 hours 30 minutes on the fastest AVE trains from Madrid Atocha to Seville Santa Justa. Córdoba lies about 1 hour 45 minutes from Madrid on the same line.
How far ahead should we book the Alhambra?
As early as your dates allow, ideally when you confirm the trip. Tickets carry each visitor’s name, entry to the Nasrid Palaces runs on a fixed time slot, and spring and fall dates sell out weeks ahead. We book the tickets and a licensed guide as part of your plan.
How many days do we need for Seville and Granada?
Five nights cover both: three in Seville, with a day trip to Córdoba, and two in Granada. With seven days, add a night in Ronda between them.
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