Today we are once again talking about two of the most beautiful cities in Andalusia: Seville e Granada, but we do it with a view to organizing a tour on the road that includes both of them. If Seville is elegant and refined, Granada is magical and fairytale… both to be visited calmly, both to be admired in every corner. If you have 6-7 days, I would suggest you spend 2 or 3 days in Seville, and (at least) 2 to Granada - one of which is dedicated almost exclusively to visiting the Alhambra - e 1 or 2 days for the shift between the two cities. Starting from Seville, in fact, you could reach Granada making a few stops to explore some charming towns along the way.
You can decide whether to do the proposed itineraries in a single day starting early from Seville and arriving in Granada in the evening, or if it is worth stopping in one of the intermediate locations recommended for the night, just as we like to do; in the second case, you will find indicated what we think is the best town for overnight stays.
Why visit Seville?
Seville it is a city of the air aristocratic full of monuments and attractions that cleverly mix style Mudejar with the Gothic, Renaissance and barocco. Ancient and modern come together just as the hectic everyday life is nourished by centenary traditions: flamenco, processions, tapas and ferias are essential elements of the soul of Seville.
Among the main attractions to see in Seville, it is useful once again to indicate the main ones:
- la Cathedral of Santa Maria, among the largest basilicas in the world with its majestic chapels, bell tower and domes on whose roofs it is possible to walk;
- la Giralda, bell tower of the cathedral of Seville which was originally a minaret;
- Real Alcazar, one of the oldest royal palaces in Spain with magnificent gardens and a surreal Thousand and One Nights atmosphere;
- Espa Squareña, large square built at the beginning of the twentieth century in which each element represents a symbol: the embrace of the colonies for the circular shape, the exposure to America, 58 niches with beautifully decorated benches of Mudejar ceramics as the number of the Spanish provinces;
- Maestranza Bullring, one of the most important bull arenas in Spain;
- tower of Gold, which can be observed during a walk along the Guadalquivir river;
- Triana neighborhood, Santa Cruz neighborhood and Macarena neighborhood, the most characteristic neighborhoods of Seville
- … and so on!
And of course, you shouldn't miss an evening dedicated to a flamenco show in Seville in a tablao, a place where, between tapas and tapas, you can be enchanted by live flamenco dancers and musicians.
Advice on where to sleep in Seville
Why visit Granada?
With his Arab soul, Granada is a pearl of Andalusia which, over the centuries, instead of losing its charm, it has grown stronger, attracting thousands of tourists from all over the world every year. If the Alhambra remains the unmissable attraction of the city, do not miss a walk through its most important neighborhoods.
Among the things to see in Granada we mention:
- The Alhambra complex, the first and most important place to visit in Granada with its magnificent palaces, summer palaces and gardens of the Generalife full of water features and the Alcazaba, the military fortress to protect the city;
- the Albayizín, the Arab neighborhood par excellence, from which you can enjoy a spectacular view of the fortified citadel and the Sierra Nevada. A walk through its uphill streets is a must;
- la Granada Cathedral, a surprising example of Gothic-Renaissance architecture whose Baroque façade can be admired from Plaza de las Pasiegas;
- la Royal chapel, a XNUMXth century mausoleum which houses the remains of Isabella and Ferdinando di Castilla;
- Sacromonte, another picturesque district of Granada that I absolutely recommend you to visit.
Advice on where to sleep in Granada
Distance between Seville and Granada
Seville and Granada away 214 kilometers accessible by car in about 2 hours and 20 minutes via the A-92. If you travel by public transport, please note that Seville and Granada are connected both come on Renfe trains that come on bus of the company Alsa.
- In train it will take approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes with a direct journey from Seville Santa Justa station to Granada station.
- In bus it takes about 3 hours, via a direct journey from the station in Plaza de Armas in Seville to the bus station in Granada. There is also a daily run, again by the Alsa company, departing from the Prado station in Seville which takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes to reach Granada.
Info on bus and train tickets Seville-Granada
Here are some possible ones itineraries by car with interesting towns to see along the way. We hypothesized the trip from Seville to Granada, but if you have different needs, the itinerary can be easily reformulated with departure from Granada and arrival in Seville. In the latter case, the best towns to stop for a night are Antequera or Priego de Cordoba, although not far from Granada.
Possible routes from Seville to Granada
Seville Granada without stopping
By car, it will take you about 2 hours and 20 minutes. The direct route is the A-92. This choice is practically obligatory for those with little time and he wants to dedicate it all - understandably - to the two cities.
Seville - Cordoba - Granada
If Seville and Granada are the flagships of Andalusia, Cordoba is not far behind. A possible itinerary is precisely the one that plans to visit the center of Andalusia, also making a stop in the wonderful Cordoba. In our itinerary and in this article we have given tips, ideas and advice for visiting these three pearls of southern Spain. But be careful, because Cordoba deserves at least one night and therefore to do this tour in our opinion you will need to have at least 7 days available. As you can read in the article I suggested, in addition to Cordoba, you can visit other towns full of charm such as Carmona, Almodovar del Rio, Priego de Cordoba and Montefrio.
Seville - Carmona - Écija - Priego de Cordoba - Granada
This itinerary extends for 279 kilometers passable in about 4 hours. If you decide to enjoy this part of Spain by exploring it at your leisure you might stay overnight in Priego de Cordoba. If, on the other hand, you prefer to do it in one day, calculate the distances and hours to devote to each town well because you may not have enough time to visit all three.
- The first stop on the tour includes a stop at Carmona, about 34 kilometers from Seville. Carmona is a small Moorish town perched on a hill half an hour from Seville. One of the oldest cities in Spain, it has a mighty Alcazar that can be visited, the Plaza del Mercado de Abastos with its peculiar rectangular shape, the Museo de la Ciudad inside the magnificent Palacio Marques de la Torres and numerous churches one more beautiful than the other.
- From Carmona continue towards Écija, about 54 kilometers away which can be traveled in more or less 35 - 40 minutes. The city of 11 bell towers it has a very special charm, difficult to find in other towns in the province. Its ancient palaces (in photo 1 see the Palace Guild of Silk), the splendid churches and the viewpoints scattered around the city make it a feast for the eyes. Try not to arrive for the hottest hours because this town is considered one of the hottest in Spain: they call it the "pan of Andalusia".
- From Écija you will reach Priego de Cordoba in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Priego de Cordoba is a fundamental stage along the route between Seville and Granada (or between Cordoba and Granada). Its strategic position has made it over the centuries a city coveted by the powers and its history is reflected in the buildings and monuments of the city. From baroque churches to the castle, passing through the famous Arab quarter from the small streets called Neighborhood of the Villa (see photo 2): in an itinerary like this Priego deserves to be the stop where to stay overnight, so that every corner of it can be truly appreciated. A pleasure for the eyes but also for the palate: here a extra virgin olive oil among the most famous in Spain, perfect souvenir to take home.
- The last part of the itinerary goes from Priego de Cordoba to Granada, which can be reached in about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
All accommodations available in Priego de Cordoba
Siviglia - Marchena - Osuna - Antequera - Archidona - Granada
This itinerary extends for 273 kilometers that can be covered in 3 hours and 42 minutes. Each intermediate stop has its own charm but, given the choice, I would spend a night in Antequera. An overnight stay will allow you to have time to visit them calmly without running from one place to another.
- From Seville to Marchena there are about 50 minutes of travel. Marchena is a town in the province of Seville that has been greatly revalued in recent years: Puerta Seville, the Arco de la Rosa and the wall testify to the importance of the Arab period, as does the ancient octagonal tower near Puerta Carmona. Also worth seeing are the churches of the city: the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista in Mudejar style (see photo) and the Iglesia de Santa Maria de la Mota.
- From Marchena continue for Osuna. You will reach it in about 30 minutes as there are only 35 kilometers between the two towns. Osuna it is steeped in history, surrounded by the Andalusian countryside. The remains of pre-Roman and Roman times are still clearly visible: just think of the Necropolis and Coto de las Canteras. Both located just outside the city center, the two sites testify to the strategic importance of the town over the centuries. There are those who compare Coto de las Canteras to the city of Petra! In the center, however, you should not miss Calle San Pedro, the Collegiate Church, the Monastery of la Encarnación and the Museo de Osuna. Finally, a curiosity for lovers of the series The Throne of Swords: since various scenes were shot here, the Osuna Museum houses stage costumes and the reproduction of one of the Strangers.
- Da Osuna a Antequera there are about 73 kilometers, so the journey takes about an hour by car. Antequera it has been over the centuries meeting point of civilizations and houses some of the oldest prehistoric remains in Europe. In the historic center do not miss the Alcazaba with the Homenaje Tower, the Puerta de Granada, the Real Colegiata de Santa Maria Mayor, the Iglesia de San Juan de Dios and de San Sebastián. A little more than 10 kilometers from the town instead you will have the opportunity to admire the Torcal de Antequera: paths among the rocks in an environment that recalls the lunar landscape. Also, i Dolmen di Antequera, three megalithic monuments dating back to the Neolithic and Bronze Age, also known by the name of Menga dolmen, Viera and Tolos di El Romeal. As you can see, Antequera has a lot to offer, which is why I would recommend you to enjoy the evening in the old town, sleep in one of the hotels in Antequera and in the morning visit the dolmens, the Torcal and the Rock of Lovers, rock formation that looks like the face of an Indian and which holds a romantic legend of love.
- The last intermediate stop before reaching Granada is the town of Archidona, about 20 minutes from Antequera and 1 hour from Granada. This little town charms tourists with his XNUMXth century castle and the remains of its defensive wall. From the hill he watches the tourists arrive and welcomes them in the octagonal square called Plaza Ochavada. To admire the churches and convents of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries of which the historic center is rich.
- Now the last stretch of road awaits you. It is about 80 kilometers, which the wonderful city of Granada will welcome you with its splendor.
