Hi Everyone -

This message board is so helpful! I am going to Spain and Portugal for 12 days end of May/early June. The plan is to hang out in Lisbon for a few days, then drive to either Sevilla or Granada, ditch the car and go to Barcelona for the last few days. I found some really cheap flights from Sevilla to Barcelona, so now I am wondering if we should just skip Granada all together. Does any one have any ideas or advice for me?

Skip Granada? No way! If anything, skip Seville. I like Granada much more than Seville for many reasons... The climate, the culture, the sites, the outdoor activities. Seville is ok, but I'm my opinion, it is more a second-rate version of stuff you can see elsewhere. That will annoy some people for sure, but in my travels, it's been the truth. If scheduling causes you to miss Granada this time, you should at least visit it on your next trip to Spain.

I have to vote for Granada hands down. Although, I did live there for a semester so I may be a little biased. That said, I have visited both and would still choose Granada over Sevilla any day. Just my opinion

No way.Sevilla is the best. I lived there for 8 months. Granada is fun also. It is the basic idea. Small vs big. Sevilla has a population of 700,000.Granada about 300,000. Granada has that old world feel though.Sevilla is a little more touristy

I can't see how anyone can compare the two cities. It's like attempting to compare apples and oranges. Yes... there are cities in Andalucia but each have there own claims to fame. Sevilla is beautiful but certainly would not recommend driving anywhere within it. I must agree with the others. Granada is the way to go but I must admit I lived there. Overall, it depends on what you want in things to do. Both are worth a visit and to tell you the truth you should visit both. I'd be glad to further discuss. Feel free to email me.

Good Luck!
Debbie

AlGrace writes: I won't attempt to compare Granada with Sevilla - try to fit both in if you can.

If you rent a car in Portugal, drop it off in Portugal! If you rent a car in Spain, drop it off in Spain! Otherwise, dropoff charges will exceed everything you save on transportation for your entire trip. You can take a bus from Lisbon to Sevilla: it's a long ride (about 8-hours). Then, when you get ready, you can Bus or Train to Granada and maybe fly to Barcelona from there.

So, if you're going to skip something, skip the idea of dropping off a car in Spain that you rented in Portugal.

Both Sevilla and Granada are fantastic - in completely different ways - but both are a must see.

Is it possible to do Barca on a different trip? You didn't detial where you were flying out of - and I'm guessing it is either Portugal (as that seems to be your starting point) or Madrid. If you went to Barcelona at a different time, you would be able to experence both Sevilla and Granada.

FYI, the poster's comments about dropping off the car in the same country you rented in is right on!

Thanks for the car advice. I figured that one out yesterday too when i got a quote! Yikes! My flight is actually out of Barcelona. I think I will defintly go to Granada now and a quick day in Sevilla since it seems to be enroute.

Algrace, Please return to this thread after you have been in Spain and let us know your thoughts & reactions to both Sevilla & Granada - it would be interesting to read your reactions.
Have a wonderful time!!!

If you can stand one more opinion...I just visited Sevilla and Granada in March. I liked Sevilla more but I didn't feel like the two nights each were enough in either place. I thought the Cathedral and Alcazar of Sevilla were a much more relaxing tourist experience --not so many people and both were amazing to look at. The Alhambra is an intense crowd control situation that detracts from the amazing architecture. We drove into both cities and it was a nightmare both times, so stick with public transport. The old town of Sevilla is a fun place to wander by foot, I thought the Albicin of Granada was a little more gritty and because it was on a hill, more of a chore. But really both were great and need several days to enjoy.