Andalusia from Seville in 3 Days
3 Days: Seville and Andalusia
Three days from Seville stacks Andalusia’s two easiest train trips, Cordoba and Cadiz, with the region’s real headline act, Granada’s Alhambra, on your last day. Only have a weekend? Drop back to the 2-day version . Ready for Ronda too? Jump to 4 days , or read the full Seville, Spain guide .
Book these before you go
- Alhambra Nasrid Palaces tickets : the moment your dates are fixed, this timed slot sells out weeks to months ahead in peak season
- A guided Granada day trip with Alhambra access if you’d rather not wrestle the official booking system yourself
- A hotel near Santa Justa station , you’re catching three early departures in three days
Day 1: Cordoba and the Mezquita
An early AVE covers the roughly 140km from Santa Justa in 40 to 45 minutes, fares from around €10 to €25 depending how far ahead you booked. Time your arrival for the free Monday-to-Saturday window at the Mezquita-Catedral , 8:30 to 9:30am, arrive by 8:15 to queue, no groups admitted in that slot. Standard entry outside that window runs about €15 adult, €12 reduced. Wander the old Jewish quarter and the Roman Bridge before an afternoon train back to Seville.
Day 2: Cadiz’s old town and seafront
A direct train covers the roughly 99km to Cadiz in 1h25 to 1h40, frequent departures, no advance booking needed. Spend the day in the old town’s narrow streets, walk the seafront promenade, and get beach time you won’t find back in Seville. A late lunch of fried fish is the local specialty here. Plenty of return trains run into the evening.
Day 3: Granada and the Alhambra
This is the long day, so start early. Direct trains cover the roughly 250km in 2h35 to 3 hours, fares in the €14 to €27 range, or figure about 3 hours by ALSA bus. Your Alhambra ticket, about €21, closer to €22.27 with the official booking fee, includes a mandatory timed Nasrid Palaces slot chosen at purchase, so plan your train around that time, not the other way around. Beyond the palaces, walk the Generalife gardens and the Albaicin quarter’s viewpoints before your return train, the last comfortable departure back to Seville is worth checking before you leave in the morning.
Is Granada doable as a day trip from Seville, or should you stay over?
It’s genuinely doable, but it’s a full day, not a relaxed one. Figure 5 to 6 hours of round-trip travel on top of the Alhambra visit itself, so you’re leaving before sunrise and getting back after dinner. If your Nasrid Palaces slot is early morning, the day works well, a late-afternoon slot leaves you rushing the return train.
Why does this itinerary put Granada last, not first?
Because the Alhambra ticket is the one booking that has to be locked in weeks to months ahead, while Cordoba and Cadiz can be same-week decisions. Doing the two flexible trips first means a delayed Alhambra confirmation, or a sold-out slot forcing a guided tour instead, doesn’t derail your whole three days.
| Day | Distance / train time | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seville to Cordoba, 140km / 40-45 min AVE | Mezquita free window, old Jewish quarter, Roman Bridge |
| 2 | Seville to Cadiz, 99km / 1h25-1h40 direct train | Old town, seafront promenade, beach time |
| 3 | Seville to Granada, 250km / 2h35-3h train | Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces, Generalife, Albaicin |
Check your Alhambra slot time against the day’s train schedule before you book anything else, that one appointment sets the shape of your entire third day.