Andalusia is Spain’s soulful south, where Roman roads, Islamic palaces, Jewish quarters, and Baroque belltowers layer into a living history. From Seville’s soaring Giralda to Granada’s lacework stone in the Alhambra, this region shaped flamenco, perfected tapas, and turned sunlight into art.

Over six days you’ll trace Moorish arches, wander orange-scented squares, and ride a quick high-speed train between two iconic cities: Seville and Granada. Expect skip-the-line access to headliners, viewpoint strolls through the Albaicín, and evenings of guitar, palmas, and cante.

Practical notes: book the Alhambra and Seville’s Royal Alcázar well in advance, especially for morning time slots. Summer afternoons can be hot—plan siestas or museum stops then. Tipping is modest (round up or 5–10% for table service), and tapas often arrive free with drinks in Granada.

Seville

Seville is the stage on which Andalusia dances—Moorish courtyards, Gothic naves, and azulejo-splashed plazas. The Guadalquivir cuts between the Old Town and Triana, birthplace of many flamenco legends and ceramic traditions.

• Don’t miss the Royal Alcázar, the world’s oldest royal palace still in use, and the Seville Cathedral with the Giralda tower—two UNESCO giants side by side.
• Stroll the Santa Cruz quarter’s jasmine lanes, watch golden hour at Plaza de España, and pop up to the Metropol Parasol (Las Setas) for sunset.
• Tapas culture thrives—order a “montadito de pringá” at Bodeguita Romero or slow-cooked ribs at Eslava, then sip sherry under casks at Casa Morales.

Where to stay (Seville): Browse apartments on VRBO Seville or vetted hotels on Hotels.com Seville. Aim for Santa Cruz, El Arenal, or Triana for easy walking.

Getting to Seville: Fly into SVQ or arrive by train. Compare Europe flights on Omio (flights); from outside Europe, check fares on Kiwi.com. Trains from Madrid (≈2h30) and Barcelona (≈5h30) are frequent—search on Omio (trains). Airport bus EA to the center takes ~35 minutes (~$5); taxis ~20–25 minutes (~$28–$35).

Day 1: Arrival in Seville and a Tapas Welcome

Morning: In transit. If you land early, start gently with specialty coffee at Parcería Café (Triana) or a classic hot chocolate with churros at Bar El Comercio (since 1904).

Afternoon: Check in and meander the Santa Cruz quarter—whitewashed alleys, bougainvillea, and tiny plazas like Plaza Doña Elvira. Step into Casa de Pilatos (Mudéjar-Renaissance mansion) if time allows.

Evening: Catch sunset from the Metropol Parasol walkway, then begin a tapas crawl: El Rinconcillo (since 1670; espinacas con garbanzos), Casa Morales (sherry casks; mojama and payoyo cheese), and Bodeguita Romero (their pringá montadito is a rite of passage). Nightcap along the river in Triana.

Day 2: Alcázar, Cathedral, Triana, and Flamenco

Morning: Dive into Seville’s headliners with a skip-the-line guided combo to the Royal Alcázar and the Cathedral with Giralda climb (≈3–4 hours). Book here: Alcazar and Cathedral of Seville Tour with Skip the Line Tickets.

Refuel at La Azotea (market-fresh tapas—think tuna tartare with avocado) or La Brunilda (reservations recommended; oxtail ravioli is beloved).

Afternoon: Cross the Isabel II bridge into Triana. Browse ceramics at Cerámica Santa Ana, then graze at Mercado de Triana—order salmorejo, fried boquerones, and olives at the counters. If heat spikes, siesta at your hotel.

Evening: Golden hour at Plaza de España and a stroll through Parque de María Luisa. For dinner, try Vinería San Telmo (Andalusian flavors with global accents—pork cheek, mango gazpacho) or ConTenedor (seasonal “slow food”; chalkboard menu). Cap the night with an intimate flamenco performance at Casa de la Guitarra or La Casa del Flamenco.

Day 3: Train to Granada, Albaicín Views, and Moorish Tea Houses

Morning: Depart Seville for Granada by Renfe (≈2h35, $28–$55). Compare times and prices on Omio (trains) or buses on Omio (buses) (≈3h, $20–$35). Taxis from Granada station to the center: ~10–15 minutes, ~$10–$15.

Afternoon: Check in, then wander the Albaicín—cobbled lanes, whitewashed carmens, and Arab-era street plans. Pause at Mirador de San Nicolás for that postcard Alhambra view with Sierra Nevada peaks backing it.

Evening: Sip mint tea along Calle Calderería Nueva (the “tetería” street). Dinner with a view at Carmen Aben Humeya or Mirador de Morayma (try remojón granadino—orange, cod, and olives). Night stroll down the Paseo de los Tristes.

Granada

Granada is the sigh of al-Andalus—the final Moorish kingdom in Spain, surrendered in 1492. The Alhambra crowns a wooded hill; below, the Albaicín and Sacromonte tumble toward the Darro River, where stone bridges and lantern light set the mood.

• The Alhambra is a city within a city: Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba fortress, and the Generalife gardens. Book early for coveted morning entries.
• Granada’s tapas are famously free with drinks—sample local jamón, berenjenas con miel (fried eggplant with molasses), and habas con jamón.
• By night, Sacromonte caves thrum with zambra flamenca, a raw, gypsy-rooted style that feels like time travel.

Where to stay (Granada): See apartments with views on VRBO Granada or hotels near the Cathedral/Albaicín on Hotels.com Granada.

Essential booking: For a seamless Alhambra visit with Nasrid Palaces and a guide, consider this small-group, skip-the-line tour: Alhambra & Generalife Skip the line Small Group including Nasrid Palaces.

If tickets are tight or you prefer a private experience, look at this option too: Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces: Skip-the-line Ticket and Local Guide.

Day 4: The Alhambra, Arab Baths, and a Tapas Crawl

Morning: Alhambra day. Aim for an early entry when light is soft and crowds thinner (3–4 hours). Book the guided small-group experience here: Alhambra & Generalife Skip the line Small Group including Nasrid Palaces.

Afternoon: Light lunch near Plaza Nueva—try El Mercader (short, seasonal menu; superb croquetas and local fish). Then restore at Hammam Al Ándalus (Arab baths; book ahead), alternating warm and cold pools and a eucalyptus steam.

Evening: Classic Granada tapas crawl: Bodegas Castañeda (embutidos, tortilla), Los Diamantes (fried shrimp and puntillitas), and Bar Poë (Malaysian curry or peri-peri chicken tapas). Dessert: Casa Isla for the city’s signature pionono.

Day 5: Cathedral Quarter, Sacromonte, and Zambra Flamenca

Morning: Specialty coffee at La Finca Coffee or Dulcimena, then visit the Cathedral and the Royal Chapel (tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella). Browse the silk-market echoes of the Alcaicería for hand-painted ceramics and leather.

Afternoon: Choose a nature fix or more barrio time. Option A: taxi to Monachil’s Los Cahorros trail (hanging bridges; 2–3 hours easy-moderate). Option B: deeper Albaicín wander to lesser-known viewpoints like San Cristóbal and San Miguel Alto. Late lunch at La Botillería (Iberian pork, local wines).

Evening: Head to Sacromonte for a cave flamenco show—zambra-style performances are intimate and percussive. Dine after the show at Ruta del Azafrán along the Darro (tagines, grilled lamb, and vegetarian couscous) with lit-up Alhambra views.

Day 6: Slow Granada Morning and Departure

Morning: Final stroll along the Carrera del Darro, then churros at Churrería Alhambra on Plaza Bib-Rambla. Pick up edible souvenirs: local olive oil, Trevélez ham, and pomegranate jam.

Afternoon: Depart. Granada’s airport (GRX) has flights to Madrid/Barcelona—search on Omio (flights). For trains or buses back to Seville (≈2h35 by train; ≈3h by bus) or to Málaga (≈1h45–2h30), compare options on Omio (trains) and Omio (buses). If you’re connecting intercontinentally, Málaga (AGP) often has the best wide-body options; from Granada, ALSA buses run frequently (from ~$12).

Practical Eating & Drinking Shortlist

• Seville coffee & breakfast: Parcería Café (specialty pours), La Cacharrería (brunchy toasts, cakes), Bar El Comercio (churros).
• Seville tapas & dinners: El Rinconcillo (old-school classics), Casa Morales (sherry and cold cuts), Bodeguita Romero (pringá), La Brunilda (creative plates), Vinería San Telmo (Andalusian-modern), ConTenedor (seasonal slow-cooking).
• Granada coffee & sweets: La Finca Coffee, Dulcimena, Casa Isla (piononos), Churrería Alhambra (churros).
• Granada tapas & dinners: Bodegas Castañeda (must-visit), Los Diamantes (fried fish), Bar Poë (global tapas), La Botillería (Iberian cuts), El Mercader (seasonal), Carmen Aben Humeya (views).

Getting Around & Booking Tips

• Advance tickets: Reserve the Alhambra (with Nasrid Palaces) and the Royal Alcázar weeks ahead—morning slots are cooler and less crowded.
• Local transport: Both cities are walkable. Taxis are reliable; ride-hailing is limited compared to bigger capitals.
• Seasonality: Spring and fall are ideal. In summer, plan interiors by afternoon and outdoor sights at morning/evening golden hours.

Optional Add-Ons: If you find an extra half-day, consider a quick bus to Córdoba from Seville for the Mezquita, or a winery visit in the Granada highlands. For beach time, tack on Málaga at the end.

Why this route works: It minimizes transit, focuses on Andalusia’s crown jewels, and builds from Seville’s grand plazas to Granada’s intimate hilltop vistas—ideal for a 6-day Spain itinerary.

Summary: In one week minus a day, you’ve unlocked Andalusia’s essentials—Seville’s Alcázar and Cathedral, Granada’s Alhambra and Albaicín, spirited flamenco, and unforgettable tapas. You’ll leave with sunlight in your photos, tilework in your dreams, and plans to return.