Granada
The historic town of Granada is less than two hours drive and has the wonderful Alhambra, a series of palaces and gardens built in the C 14th under the Nazari dynasty and one of the most brilliant jewels of universal architecture. This mighty compound of buildings – including the summer palace called Generalife, with its fountains and gardens - stands at the foot of Spain's highest mountain range, the Sierra Nevada, and overlooks the city below and the fertile plain of Granada.
The hill facing the Alhambra is the old Moorish casbah or "medina", called the Albaicin, a fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and whitewashed houses with secluded inner gardens, known as "cármenes". The Plaza de San Nicolas, at the highest point of the Albaicin, is famous for its magnificent view of the Moorish palace.
Allow a full day for your visit and you will not be disappointed. If possible, book your entrance to the Alhambra in advance as there can be long queues at peak times.
Allow 3 hours for the journey to Seville and you will be welcomed by a very pretty old town with cobbled streets and beautiful flower laden courtyards. In Seville, you will want to visit the old city, with the Cathedral and the Giralda tower at its heart. (You can climb the steps inside the tower for a magnificent view of the City). Very close by are the royal Mudéjar palace known as the Alcazar with marvelous gardens and the Santa Cruz quarter, with cramped streets, flowered balconies, richly decorated facades and hidden patios and gardens and the loveliest garden restaurants you could wish for. If you are lucky, you will find a bar with flamenco guitarists and impromptu dancing, though this may well start after midnight.