Recommend cities to explore between Madrid and Marbella, Spain

We have 2 nights we need to occupy between Madrid and Marbella - thus a night each in a city like Toledo, Cordoba, Granada, etc.  Also if you have recommendations of things to do (e.g. Alhambra).  

We're already set with exploring Madrid & Marbella (and Gibraltar) so we don't need recommendations for those cities.  We will also have a rental car, FYI.

TIA.


Toledo and Granada.

Spend a full day in each.  Don't try to see too much.  Sit in a cafe and people watch.  Walk around.

In Toledo, it is good to start outside the old town, like at the Mirador de Valle, to really see the old city walls and bridges.  Stop at the Met in NYC before you go to see the El Greco View of Toledo so you can compare the views.  See the El Greco Museum in Toledo, too.  See the Synagogues (now churches) and the Castillo de San Servando.  The cathedral is magnificent, the best on your itinerary. Eat Castillan food.

In Granada, plan to spend a great deal of time in and around the Alhambra and the Generalife.  Eat Andulasian food.  Sit in a cafe and watch the tourists.

Drive the back roads between Granada and Malaga and see the White Towns.

Remember, it is going to be warm, so don't overplan.  If you want something less urban, to the east of Granada is the Sierra Nevada National Park.



lanky said:
We have 2 nights we need to occupy between Madrid and Marbella - thus a night each in a city like Toledo, Cordoba, Granada, etc.  Also if you have recommendations of things to do (e.g. Alhambra).  
We're already set with exploring Madrid & Marbella (and Gibraltar) so we don't need recommendations for those cities.  We will also have a rental car, FYI.
TIA.

 Not sure of the geography but if it is in that area, Seville.


max_weisenfeld said:
Toledo and Granada.
Spend a full day in each.  Don't try to see too much.  Sit in a cafe and people watch.  Walk around.
In Toledo, it is good to start outside the old town, like at the Mirador de Valle, to really see the old city walls and bridges.  Stop at the Met in NYC before you go to see the El Greco View of Toledo so you can compare the views.  See the El Greco Museum in Toledo, too.  See the Synagogues (now churches) and the Castillo de San Servando.  The cathedral is magnificent, the best on your itinerary. Eat Castillan food.
In Granada, plan to spend a great deal of time in and around the Alhambra and the Generalife.  Eat Andulasian food.  Sit in a cafe and watch the tourists.
Drive the back roads between Granada and Malaga and see the White Towns.

Remember, it is going to be warm, so don't overplan.  If you want something less urban, to the east of Granada is the Sierra Nevada National Park.



+1 


If you are going to Toledo and the AlHambra, I recommend staying at the Paradors (historic hotels). The one in Toledo has amazing views and the one at the Al Hambra is a converted monastery right inside the fortress.  We took the guided tour, which was very good.


I highly recommend Segovia-but that is a little north of madrid. 


When my wife and I went to Spain, we stayed in Madrid and did Toledo as day trip via the train.  Definitely try the marzipan while in Toledo.  We went to Seville(the Alcazar, flamenco dancing, the giant cathedral ) via the high speed train and stayed in nice hotel, but after walking around there, I would try to stay in the old Jewish quarter or a Parador there.  From Seville we took the train to Granada to see the Alhambra (from there we took the overnight train to Barcelona) .  It looks like Seville is a bit out of the way to go to and to go to Granada as well.  FWIW, I like Seville more than Granada.  We exhausted ourselves the first week by moving around too much and in the end, stayed a week in Barcelona.


Regards,

RCH


We stayed at https://www.lascasasdelajuderiasevilla.com/en/. In Sevilla in the Jewish Quarter.  It was central to everything there, we walked to everything.  The hotel was very quaint and historic and there is an amazing Roman bath spa in the basement.


max_weisenfeld said:
Toledo and Granada.
Spend a full day in each.  Don't try to see too much.  Sit in a cafe and people watch.  Walk around.
In Toledo, it is good to start outside the old town, like at the Mirador de Valle, to really see the old city walls and bridges.  Stop at the Met in NYC before you go to see the El Greco View of Toledo so you can compare the views.  See the El Greco Museum in Toledo, too.  See the Synagogues (now churches) and the Castillo de San Servando.  The cathedral is magnificent, the best on your itinerary. Eat Castillan food.
In Granada, plan to spend a great deal of time in and around the Alhambra and the Generalife.  Eat Andulasian food.  Sit in a cafe and watch the tourists.
Drive the back roads between Granada and Malaga and see the White Towns.

Remember, it is going to be warm, so don't overplan.  If you want something less urban, to the east of Granada is the Sierra Nevada National Park.



 This was my instinct based on limited research - thanks for confirming!  We've been to Sevilla previously and it's great but no need to go back when there are other new places to explore...


I was gong to recommend Toledo and Granada, but I see Max beat me to it. 

Of all the European cities I've been to, Toledo might be my favorite. I can't quite put my finger on why, but I love it. It's one of only three places I've visited twice. Enjoy your trip.


Do not miss Granada! It was the highlight of our Spain trip, and we went all over.



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