From Seville to Granada: By Train, Bus or Car, with Stops Along the Way

Today we once again talk about two of the most beautiful cities in Andalusia: Seville and Granada, but we do so with the aim of organising an on the road tour that includes both of them. If Seville is elegant and refined, Granada is magical and fairytale-like… both are to be visited at leisure, both to be admired in every corner. If you have 6–7 days available, I would suggest spending 2 or 3 days in Seville, and (at least) 2 in Granada – one of which devoted almost exclusively to visiting the Alhambra – and 1 or 2 days for the journey between the two cities. Starting from Seville, in fact, you could reach Granada by making a few stops to explore some fascinating little towns along the way.

You can decide whether to do the suggested itineraries in a single day, setting off early from Seville and arriving in Granada in the evening, or whether it is worth stopping overnight in one of the recommended intermediate places, just as we like to do; in the latter case, you will find indicated the town we think is best for an overnight stay.

Why visit Seville?

Seville is a city with an aristocratic feel, rich in monuments and attractions that skilfully blend Mudéjar style with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. Old and modern come together just as the frenetic pace of everyday life is fed by centuries-old traditions: flamenco, processions, tapas and ferias are essential elements of Seville’s soul.

Among the best things to see in Seville, it is useful once again to point out the main ones:

• the Cathedral, among the largest basilicas in the world, with its majestic chapels, the bell tower and the domes whose roofs can be walked on;
• the Giralda, bell tower of Seville Cathedral which was originally a minaret;
• Royal Alcázar, one of Spain’s oldest royal palaces, with magnificent gardens and a surreal Arabian Nights atmosphere;
• Plaza de España, a large square built in the early 20th century in which every element represents a symbol: the embrace of the colonies in its circular shape, its orientation towards America, 58 alcoves with benches splendidly decorated with Mudéjar ceramics, corresponding to the number of Spanish provinces;
• Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza, one of the most important bullrings in Spain;
• Torre del Oro, which can be seen during a walk along the Guadalquivir river;
• Triana district, Santa Cruz district and Macarena district, the most characteristic neighbourhoods of Seville
• … and much more!

And of course, you mustn’t miss an evening dedicated to a flamenco show in Seville in a tablao, a venue where, between one tapa and the next, you can let yourself be enchanted by live flamenco dancers and musicians.

Tips on where to stay in Seville

Why visit Granada?

With its Arab soul, Granada is a jewel of Andalusia which, over the centuries, has not lost its charm but rather grown stronger, attracting thousands of tourists every year from all over the world. While the Alhambra remains the city’s unmissable attraction, a stroll through its most important districts is also not to be missed.

Among the things to see in Granada, we should mention:

• The Alhambra complex, the first and most important place to visit in Granada, with its magnificent palaces, the summer palaces and the gardens of the Generalife full of water features, and the Alcazaba, the military fortress protecting the city;
• the Albayzín, the quintessential Arab quarter, from which there is a spectacular view of the fortified citadel and the Sierra Nevada. A stroll through its steep little streets is a must;
• the Cathedral of Granada, a striking example of Gothic-Renaissance architecture whose Baroque-style façade can be admired from Plaza de las Pasiegas;
• la Royal Chapel, a 16th-century mausoleum that houses the remains of Isabella and Ferdinand of Castile;
• Sacromonte, another picturesque district of Granada that I absolutely recommend you visit.

Tips on where to stay in Granada

Distance between Seville and Granada

Seville and Granada are 133 moles apart, a drive of about 2 hours and 20 minutes via the A-92. If you are travelling by public transport, bear in mind that Seville and Granada are connected both by Renfe trains and by Alsa buses.

•  By train you will take around 3 hours and 25 minutes on a direct journey from Seville Santa Justa station to Granada station.
•  By bus, it takes around 3 hours, on a direct service from the station at Plaza de Armas in Seville to Granada bus station. There is also a daily service, again operated by Alsa, departing from Seville’s Prado station, which takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes to reach Granada.

Info on bus and train tickets Seville-Granada

Below you’ll find some possible road itineraries with interesting towns to see along the way. We have assumed the journey from Seville to Granada, but if you have different requirements the itinerary can easily be reworked to start in Granada and end in Seville. In this second case, the best towns to stop in for a night are Antequera or Priego de Cordoba, even though they are not very far from Granada.

From Seville to Granada: Road Trip Ideas

Seville to Granada non-stop

By car, it will take you around 2 hours and 20 minutes. The direct route is the A-92. This option is practically a must for those short on time and who want to devote all of it – understandably – to the two cities.

Seville – Cordoba – Granada

If Seville and Granada are the jewels in Andalusia’s crown, Cordoba is no less so. One possible itinerary is precisely one that involves visiting the heart of Andalusia, with a stop in the wonderful Cordoba too. In this itinerary and in this article we have offered suggestions, ideas and advice for visiting these three pearls of southern Spain. Be careful, though, because Cordoba deserves at least one night and so, in our opinion, to do this tour you will need at least 7 days available. As you can read in the article I suggested, in addition to Cordoba, you will be able to visit other charming towns such as Carmona, Almodovar del Rio, Priego de Cordoba and Montefrio.

Seville – Carmona – Écija – Priego de Cordoba – Granada

This route stretches for 173.4 miles, which can be covered in around 4 hours. If you decide to enjoy this part of Spain by exploring it at a leisurely pace, you could stay overnight in Priego de Cordoba. If, on the other hand, you prefer to do it in a day, make sure you calculate the distances and the time to devote to each town carefully, because you may not have enough time to visit all three.

• The first stage of the tour includes a stop in Carmona, about 21 miles from Seville. Carmona is a small Moorish town perched on a hill half an hour from Seville. One of the oldest towns in Spain, it has a mighty Alcázar that can be visited, the Plaza del Mercado de Abastos with its distinctive rectangular shape, the Museo de la Ciudad inside the magnificent Palacio Marques de la Torres and numerous churches, each more beautiful than the last.
• From Carmona, continue to Écija, around 33.6 miles away, which can be covered in roughly 35 – 40 minutes. The city of the 11 bell towers has a very special charm, hard to find in other towns in the province. Its ancient palaces (in photo 1 you can see the Palacio Gremio de la Seda), the splendid churches and the viewpoints scattered around the city make it a feast for the eyes. Try not to arrive during the hottest hours because this town is considered one of the hottest in Spain: it is indeed called the “frying pan of Andalusia“.
• From Écija you can reach Priego de Cordoba in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Priego de Cordoba is a key stop along the route between Seville and Granada (or between Cordoba and Granada). Its strategic position has made it, over the centuries, a town coveted by powers, and its history is reflected in the palaces and monuments of the city. From the Baroque churches to the castle, passing through the famous Arab quarter with its narrow streets called Barrio de la Villa (see photo 2): on an itinerary like this, Priego deserves to be the stop where you stay overnight, so that every corner can truly be appreciated. A pleasure for the eyes but also for the palate: here one of the most famous extra virgin olive oils in Spain is produced, a perfect souvenir to take home.
• The final stretch of the itinerary goes from Priego de Cordoba to Granada, which can be reached in about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

All available accommodation in Priego de Córdoba

Seville – Marchena – Osuna – Antequera – Archidona – Granada

This route extends for 169.6 miles, which can be covered in 3 hours and 42 minutes. Each intermediate stop has its own charm, but if I had to choose, I would spend a night in Antequera. An overnight stay will give you time to visit them at your leisure, without rushing from one place to another.

• From Seville to Marchena it is about a 50-minute journey. Marchena is a town in the province of Seville that has been greatly revalued in recent years: Puerta Sevilla, the Arco de la Rosa and the city walls bear witness to the importance of the Arab period, as does the ancient octagonal tower near Puerta Carmona. Also worth admiring are the town’s churches: the mudéjar-style Iglesia de San Juan Bautista (see photo) and the Iglesia de Santa Maria de la Mota.
• From Marchena, continue on to Osuna. You’ll get there in around 30 minutes, as the two towns are only 21.7 miles apart. Osuna is steeped in history, surrounded by the Andalusian countryside. Remains from pre-Roman and Roman times are still clearly visible: just think of the Necropolis and the Coto de las Canteras. Both located just outside the town centre, the two sites bear witness to the town’s strategic importance over the centuries. Some compare Coto de las Canteras to the city of Petra! In the centre, meanwhile, you must not miss Calle San Pedro, the Collegiate Church, the Monastery of the Encarnación and the Osuna Museum. Lastly, a little curiosity for fans of the series Game of Thrones: as several scenes were filmed here, the Osuna Museum houses costume pieces and a replica of one of the White Walkers.
• From Osuna to Antequera there are about 45.4 miles, so the journey takes roughly an hour by car. Antequera has, over the centuries, been a meeting point of civilisations and preserves some of the oldest prehistoric remains in Europe. In the historic centre, don’t miss the Alcazaba with the Torre dell’Homenaje, the Puerta de Granada, the Real Colegiata de Santa Maria Mayor, the Iglesia de San Juan de Dios and de San Sebastián. Just over 6.2 miles from the town, you’ll have the chance to admire the Torcal de Antequera: paths among the rocks in an environment that recalls a lunar landscape. In addition, the Dolmens of Antequera, three megalithic monuments dating back to the Neolithic and the Bronze Age, also known as the Menga, Viera and Tolos dolmens of El Romeal, are well worth a visit. As you can see, Antequera has a lot to offer, which is why I would suggest enjoying the evening in the historic centre, sleeping in one of the hotels in Antequera and, in the morning, visiting the dolmens, El Torcal and the Peña de los Enamorados, a rock formation that looks like an Indian face and which preserves a romantic love legend.
• The last stop before reaching Granada is the town of Archidona, about 20 minutes from Antequera and 1 hour from Granada. This small town enchants visitors with its 12th-century castle and the remains of its defensive wall. From the hilltop it watches tourists arrive and welcomes them in the octagonal square known as Plaza Ochavada. Also worth admiring are the churches and convents from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries of which the historic centre is rich.
• Now the final stretch of road awaits you. It is about 49.5 miles, after which the wonderful city of Granada will welcome you with all its splendour.

All accommodation available in Antequera