andalusia road trip

The Perfect Andalucia Road Trip: Itinerary, Map & Tips

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South of Spain Road Trip Guide

Andalucia epitomizes southern Spain; vibrant, colorful, and passionate . This ultimate Andalucia road trip itinerary will take you to the major cities and best places to visit, bringing this gorgeous part of Spain alive.

Andalucia is Spain’s most southerly region, heavy with Moorish influence, which is evident in the wonderful food and architecture, beautiful and romantic cities, the passion of flamenco, and its iconic Pueblo Blancos   set amidst stunning landscapes that you won’t want to leave.

We have spent years visiting and traveling in Andalucia, and in this road trip planner, we share travel tips, the best route between towns and cities, things to do and see along the way, side trips, and hotel recommendations to help you plan your perfect road trip through Andalucia.

Is this your first time visiting Spain? Get all the information you need in our Spain Travel Guide , including what to pack, the best time of year to go, getting there, and practical tips to help you have the best trip!

Where is Andalucia?

Sometimes called Andalusia (the Anglicised name), Andalucia is the southernmost autonomous community in peninsular Spain. Arguably Spain’s most famous region, Andalucia stretches from the border with Portugal in the west to the border with Murcia in the east, and nearly 300km / 186 miles north into Spain’s mountainous interior.

Andalucia has coasts on both the wild Atlantic, and gentler Mediterranean Sea and enjoys five costas ; Costa del Sol; Costa de la Luz (Huelva and Cadiz); Costa Tropical, and Costa de Almería, and each has its own distinct character.

Getting to Andalucia

Whether you’re taking a road trip to Andalucia in a car, motorcycle, or campervan, self-driving is absolutely the best way to road trip southern Spain.

You can stop whenever you want, try new activities, visit places you see along the route, and have the freedom to change plans at the last minute.

Fly into   Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, the perfect place to start your roadtrip in southern Spain. With direct flights from America, Europe, and the UK, we recommend booking through  Skyscanner  for live deals and the best prices.

Are you planning to rent a car in Andalucia? As one of the largest car hire aggregator companies in the world, we recommend Rentalcars.com because they have massive purchasing power which enables them to secure the best car rental prices, which benefits you when you’re planning an Andalusian road trip.

For a real adventure, hire a motorhome or campervan in Spain. We recommend Motorhome Republic , an aggregate booking site who pull together all the best deals from a number of rental agencies, to offer you a wide choice of options alongside an excellent English speaking expert motorhome Concierge Team.

Andalucía Road Trip Map & Itinerary

• Get the Travel Guides
• Lonely Planet Andalucia
• Rough Guide to Andalucia
• DK Eyewitness Top 10 Andalucía and the Costa del Sol
• Andalusia Road Trip Itinerary

Malaga – Marbella – Ronda – Cadiz – Jerez de la Frontera – Seville – Carmona – Ecija – Antequera – Cordoba – Granada – Nerja – Malaga

• Distance: 1041km
• Duration: 10-14 days
• Drive Time: 14 hours

How to use this map – Use your fingers (or computer mouse) to zoom in and out. Click or touch the icons to get more info about a place, and click the arrow in the box top left to open the index. To add to your own Google Maps account, click the star next to the title of the map.

Make sure you have travel insurance you can trust when visiting Spain . We recommend True Traveller for their 5-star TrustPilot reviews, variety of cover options, best activities cover as standard, great prices, and excellent service.

Southern Spain Road Trip Itinerary

The first stop on this 10-14 day road trip is Malaga. Pick up your rental car or campervan at Malaga Airport and within an hour you’ll be at your hotel or on the road.

Malaga has lots to do  with a lively city centre busy with bars, restaurants, cafes, and people. Don’t be put off by the high-rise buildings and billboards, look beyond and you will find a charming and historic city famous for its warm welcome.

In regal Malaga’s old town, you’ll find La Alcazaba, an ancient fortress dating back to the 700s, as well as the cathedral and several pretty churches. Another must-see is the Mercado de Atarazana , one of the best fresh food markets in Andalucia. Make your way to El Bar de los Pueblos, opposite the market to the left as you face the main entrance, for fantastic and authentic tapas.

Malaga comes to life on the seafront and is a popular place for Malaguenos to go for a stroll after siesta time, which is a fiercely protected custom in the south of Spain. Come to the seafront after 5pm and you’ll find whole families out, enjoying the sunshine and stopping for a beer and tapa along the paseo , even during the Spanish winter .

If you’re feeling energetic after all the eating, then head into the lush hills of the Montes de Malaga to the 10th century Castillo de Gibralfaro , for a great view of the city, port, and coastline. From the Alcazaba, it’s a 30 minute uphill walk – if that’s a bit too energetic, the Malaga hop-on hop-off bus also visits the Castillo .

Malaga is also the perfect base for a day trip to the stunning Caminito del Rey, the once-hidden Gorge of Gaitanes, which is deep in the hinterland. It’s a 50km trip to El Chorro, where the route takes you along suspended walkways through an impossibly narrow gorge – expect fantastic views, fascinating rock formations, and lots of other people!

We highly recommend this Caminito del Rey guided tour from Malaga , where a bus will take you to the start of the hike, and you will learn the real story behind the construction of this great work of engineering from your guide.

If you don’t have much time, here is where you switch up the itinerary and take a Malaga to Seville road trip! From Seville head to Cordoba and then Granada, for a perfect Andalucia itinerary in 7 days.

Our Tip: For real Malaga, head to the Pedregalejo district where you will find freshly caught grilled seafood being served from chiringuitos  on the beach.

• Where to Stay in Malaga

Upmarket: Vincci Selección Posada del Patio – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Molina Lario – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Debambú Atarazanas – Booking.com | Agoda

Don’t forget your road trip essentials! Our free road trip checklists help you remember everything, including road trip snacks , podcasts , and road trip songs for the journey!

2. Marbella

In Marbella, spend a day soaking up the sun on one of the three immaculately kept beaches and enjoying the people-watching. The days of big celebrities here are long gone, but there is still a touch of glitz and glamour to enjoy.

Visit the charming old town and head for Plaza de los Naranjos at the center of the casco antiguo and enjoy a coffee whilst watching the world go by, or head to the artisan boutiques and upmarket shops which surround the pretty square.

Or, if you like things organized for you, enjoy this highly-rated guided walk of Marbella’s historic centre where you get to try traditional tapas, local wine, and olive oils as you go.

If you have a few extra days, add to your Costa del Sol road trip by staying on the coast road and enjoying the pretty towns and beaches, until you reach Estepona. From here you can head north and explore Andalucia off the beaten track, through the stunning Natural Park Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja, to reach Ronda.

Our Tip: For lunch, find  Taberna Casa Curro Marbella  for freshly homemade tapas and fruity Spanish wine.

• Where to Stay in Marbella

Upmarket: Nobu Hotel Marbella – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Amare Beach Hotel – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Ona Alanda Club Marbella – Booking.com | Agoda

Want to plan your own road tri p? Get our step-by-step road trip planning guide to help you organize the perfect trip or check out our favorite road trips in Europe for inspiration!

The drive from Marbella to Ronda is stunning, one of the best during this road trip in Andalucia. Situated between the natural parks of the Sierra de Grazalema and the Sierra de las Nieves, Ronda sits in a bowl surrounded by dramatic mountains.

As you head to Ronda, take a detour to the blue village of Júzcar , in the Valle del Genal. The village was a pueblo blanco until 2011 when it was asked to paint itself blue to promote The Smurfs movie!

Ronda is divided by the huge 120m deep river gorge of El Tajo, which is spanned by the stunning arched bridge of Puente Nuevo. The bridge is best seen from the beautiful  La Casa del Rey Moro , where you’ll find lush and fragrant gardens and a spectacular view. For a more exciting view, tackle the vertical walls of the Tajo del Ronda using the via Ferrata route with a guide !

Bull-fighting is a divisive sport but a passion of the Spanish people, and the Plaza de Toros bullring in Ronda is architecturally spectacular. It’s interesting to learn the history of the corrida, in the well-laid-out and informative museum.

Understanding the love and admiration Spaniards have for the matadors’ courage and showmanship is key to understanding their love of bullfighting. 

From Ronda, you are perfectly situated to take day trips to the iconic Pueblos Blancos or White Towns in the surrounding mountains, where you’ll find some of the best and most beautiful of the small villages. 

Just north of Ronda are two such white villages: Zahara de la Sierra and Setenil de las Bodegas. Both are worth visiting, and the latter is known for its whitewashed houses built into the surrounding cliffs and that famous image, the one with the huge rock covering half the narrow street and its houses.

Our Tip: For a spectacularly scenic drive from Ronda, set your sat nav for Zahara de la Sierra and then pick up the twisting CA-9104 road to the tiny village of Grazalema, which climbs to the Puerto de Las Palomas (Pass of the Pigeons), at 1180m it’s a spectacular drive and worth the fuel to get there!

From Grazalema, pick up the A-372 across the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park to Arcos de la Frontera, and from there the A-382 and E5 to Cadiz.

• Where to Stay in Ronda

Upmarket: Molino Del Santo – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Catalonia Ronda – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Hotel Sierra Hidalga – Booking.com | Agoda

Looking for the best SIM card deals in Europe for your trip? Check out our guide to the best data SIMs in Europe and get the best deal for your trip to Spain.

The famous faded splendor of the sea city of  Cadiz  is caused by the effect the sea air has on its architecture, leading to the facades of buildings crumbling and bleaching.

This imbues Cadiz with a sombreness that contradicts the true character of the city. In fact, Cadiz is known for its party vibe, especially during carnival, one of the naughtiest in Spain!

Almost completely surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Cadiz is a fabulous city for simply wandering and soaking up the ambiance. Narrow buildings with painted facades, twisting back streets, pretty flower-filled squares, and a few fabulous churches await you.

Take a guided tour of medieval Cadiz , and see all the city’s landmarks, including the Neoclassical and Baroque cathedral and its museum, the Roman theater in the area known as the Pópulo, and structures dating back as far as the Phoenician era.

End the day by watching a perfect sunset from Playa de la Caleta, situated right in the old town.  

Head out for food and you’ll find it’s all about fish!  Whether you fancy picking your fish and having it cooked for you at Mercado Central de Abastos, or you’re looking for a plate of fabulous  fresh tapas for dinner with a fino sherry  or locally caught seafood, you’ll find it in Cadiz. 

• Where to Stay in Cadiz

Upmarket: Hotel Monte Puertatierra – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Hotel Casa de las Cuatro Torres – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Casual con Duende – Booking.com | Agoda

Costa de la Luz Side Trip

If you have extra time, Cadiz is a wonderful halfway base for a few days. Explore more or take a day trip to the aptly named Costa de la Luz, which extends south to Tarifa, the most southern point of mainland Europe, and north to the port city of Huelva.

Off the beaten path to the south are beautiful beaches dotted with chiringuitos serving locally caught fish, pretty white villages like Vejer de la Frontera, quietly unassuming yet packed with history and architectural gems, and the fabulous Cape Trafalgar, the site of the 1805 naval Battle of Trafalgar, in which the British Royal Navy commanded by Admiral Horatio Nelson decisively defeated Napoleon’s combined Spanish and French fleet.

Head north for Christopher Columbus history in La Rábida, where you can see life-sized replicas of the ships he sailed across the Atlantic for the New World (and they are tiny ) and the Monasterio de Santa María de la Rábida, where the explorer stayed as he was preparing for the trip.

RELATED POST: Tarifa Guide: Best Things to Do + Top Visitor Tips

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5. jerez de la frontera.

Jerez de la Frontera has been the home of sherry since the 14th century. The particular local soil, climate, and grape variety combine to create this complex and often delicious fortified wine which can only be produced in the so-called ‘sherry triangle’, which holds the Denominacion de Origin of Jerez y Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

The nearby towns of Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María are the other points of the triangle, which is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the majestic Guadalquivir River, and the beautiful Cádiz Sierra mountains.

All sherry is made from three green grapes only: Palomino, Moscatel, and Pedro Ximenez. The wine is aged and blended using a system called solera y criadera , a process for aging liquids by fractional blending so that the finished product is a mixture of ages. There are some sherry bodegas with soleras dating back hundreds of years, so with every sip you’re drinking a little bit of history.

You cannot go to Jerez without  visiting a bodega and taking a tour with a tasting session   at the end to understand how this often misunderstood drink is created. Be prepared though – there are seven types of sherry ranging from the very dry Fino to the sticky sweet Pedro Ximenez, my favorite!

As well as sherry, Jerez is also famous for its flamenco tradition. Flamenco literally means ‘hell-raising’ and when you watch this steamy and seductive dance you’ll understand why!

Considered an art form in Spain, you’ll find flamenco clubs aplenty in the narrow streets of the Barrio de Santiago quarter, but it’s probably easier to book a live flamenco show in advance – instead of getting lost in the narrow twisting alleys looking for a bodega , you’ll have the best seats in town!

• Where to Stay in Jerez de la Frontera

Upmarket: Hotel Bodega Tio Pepe – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Villa Jerez – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Suites Alfonso X – Booking.com | Agoda

Are you looking for more Spanish road trips? Get the best itineraries to see northern Spain and the cities of Barcelona, Valencia & Madrid in our guide to the best road trips in Spain .

The Andalus capital of Seville is a gloriously beautiful city and is just as you expect it to be. Hot, passionate, loud, and colorful, this city is unashamedly flamboyant. And it just happens to be our favorite place in Spain.

In the old town, you’ll find three of Seville’s best attractions; Seville Cathedral in all its Gothic splendor, the imposing Giralda Tower, and the stunning Alcazar. It’s highly recommended to visit all three for a real taste of Seville’s fascinating history .  

The UNESCO Seville Cathedral or Santa Maria de la Sede , occupies the original site of the great Aljama mosque, built in the late 12th century. The only remaining parts are the Patio de Naranjas, the Puerta del Perdon, and the Giralda Belltower which was formerly the minaret.

The largest Gothic cathedral in the world, as well as the world’s third largest church, the spectacular Seville Cathedral, is home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus, who set sail for the New World from Huelva, a city and province of Andalucia that abuts Portugal.

Havana, Cuba, and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic all claim to hold the remains of Cristobal Colon, as he is known in Spain but recent DNA tests proved beyond doubt that this tomb is the final resting place of the great explorer, who died in poverty in Valladolid in 1506.

The Royal Alcazar of Seville is a stunning historic royal palace formerly the site of the Islamic-era citadel of the city, was first constructed in the 10th century and then developed into a larger palace complex by the Abbadid and Almohad dynasties. After the Castilian conquest of the city in 1248, the Alcazar was rebuilt and replaced by new richly decorated Mudéjar-style palaces built by Pedro I during the 1360s.

Just south of here in the Parque de María Luisa is the lively Plaza de España which was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929.

With half a mile of tiled fountains and pavilions lushly planted with palms, orange trees, Mediterranean pines, and stylized flower beds, Plaza de Espana is a great place to wander and people-watch, as you take a boat out on the small lake, catch some live flamenco and Spanish guitar, or admire the beautifully tiled alcoves, each representing a different province of Spain.

Right next to the old town, you’ll find the narrow alleys of the Barrio Santa Cruz, the heart of Seville’s lively tapas culture offering some of the best plates in Andalucia. 

Sevillanos eat their tapas standing at the bar with a small beer or sherry but why not take a seat and watch the world go by to make the most of the atmosphere on the streets? Go slowly though, you could easily spend a small fortune on plate after plate of delicious tapas!

In the busy shopping streets of the Centro quarter to the north, you’ll find the contemporary Metropol Parasol, a huge wooden structure that is reported to be the largest in the world. This gorgeous wooden structure is shaped like a fluid parasol and shades much of the square in which it stands.

At the top of the viewing platform, you can admire its form and design whilst enjoying fantastic rooftop views of the Seville city center.

For more travel tips and information check out this  one day in Seville itinerary or book an e-bike tour of Seville with a local guide , it’s a great way to see the city!

Our Tip: There are over 40,000 orange trees lining the streets of Seville, and the frangrance of azahar (orange blossom fills the air in spring. If you visit in winter you’ll see the fruit dropping to the pavements, free for people to pick up. But don’t try eating one, these are sour Seville oranges used to make bitter marmalade and they taste pretty disgusting!

• Where to Stay in Seville

Upmarket: Hotel Casa Del Poeta – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Hotel Rey Alfonso X – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Zenit Sevilla – Booking.com | Agoda

From Seville, head towards your next stop of Carmona, nestled in the hills and olive groves between Seville and Cordoba, and one of the oldest towns in Europe.

The main attraction is the Roman ruins a short drive west of Carmona. These ancient ruins comprise of a 1st century amphitheater and Roman burial ground, the Necropolis Romana. The Necropolis was discovered and excavated in the 19th century and holds several tombs and family mausoleums from the 1st Century BCE to 2 CE. There is also a small museum on site.

About 30 minutes after leaving Carmona, stop at the small town of Ecija. This was a Roman city that later became Visigoth and Moorish, before being reconquered by the Castilian king Ferdinand III in 1240, when it became Christian.

Ecija has plenty of monuments of interest such as the Palaces of Benameji, Peñaflor, Valdehermoso, Palma, and Santaella, seven convents dating from the 16th to 18th century, and six churches!

Rich in history and Moorish architecture, Cordoba is an intimate and atmospheric city, most famous for the ancient Mezquita (mosque-cathedral).

La Mezquita is a remarkable building, the result of a mosque built well over a thousand years ago and added to numerous times before being consecrated as a Catholic cathedral in 1248 by the conquistadors who freed Spain from the rule of the Moors in the same year.

The result is an eclectic mix of Moorish and Renaissance architecture that blends to create a cathedral unlike any other in the world and is the one place you must visit in Cordoba.

Take a  Mezquita guided tour with skip-the-line tickets  to fully appreciate the history of this incredible building, and if you can, book a slot to climb the bell tower at sunset, the views are really spectacular.

The gardens of the Alcazar provide contrast and relief from the, at times, overwhelming Mezquita. With sparkling water, tall palms, and cypress trees, this is a perfect spot to stop for an hour or so before taking a stroll across the beautiful Roman Bridge, thought to be built in the 1st or 2nd century, for a fabulous view of the old town. 

Meander through the Jewish quarter where you’ll find narrow lanes and pretty squares. Many of the whitewashed houses are covered in blooms from window boxes filled with colorful trailing geraniums in summer, providing the perfect images of this gorgeous city. 

Our Tip: Don’t go out for dinner until at least 9pm, or you’ll be eating in an empty restaurant with no ambiance at all! Make sure to try a Fitifiti after dinner. A mix of sweet dessert wine like sherry or local montilla mixed with white wine, this is a popular digestif in Cordoba.

• Where to Stay in Cordoba

Upmarket: Las Casas de la Juderia – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Balcón de Córdoba – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: La Boutique Puerta Osario – Booking.com | Agoda

Jaén Side Trip

Well off the beaten path and a 90 minute long drive from Cordoba, Jaén hosts a cultural heritage and diverse architectural legacy that reflects the coexistence over centuries of three major cultures: Christian, Jewish, and Moorish.

Jaén’s historic Jewish quarter is a tapestry of pretty squares, remarkable historical churches built on top of old mosques, palaces, and Arabian baths, scattered with bars and restaurants. The Cathedral is an architectural jewel of the Spanish Renaissance and the Castillo de Santa Catalina , which overlooks the city and can be seen from anywhere, is another architectural gem that offers extraordinary views of the city and the surrounding areas.

Jaén is perhaps best known as the world capital of olive oil. As the largest producer of this precious liquid gold, the city’s traditional cuisine is always prepared with extra virgin olive oil, and Jaén-style Mediterranean cuisine can be enjoyed in the restaurants, taverns, and tapas bars of the city.

10. Antequera

As you head to Granada, stop in Antequera, deep in the heart of Andalusia, home to over fifty monuments and archaeological sites of extraordinary importance.

The Antequera Dolmens have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of their fine quality and exceptional state of conservation. A fascinating example of megalithic construction, the Menga Dolmen is six thousand years old and is an enormous passage tomb formed by huge slabs of rock that lead to the burial chamber. The Viera Dolmens and El Romeral complete the prehistoric ensemble.

When you visit the Dolmens you can look northeast to the limestone crag of Peña de los Enamorados or Lover’s Rock that resembles a prone fave. Legend has it that two star-crossed lovers ran away together and were chased by Moorish soldiers to the top of the rock, where, rather than renounce their love or be captured, they chose to hurl themselves over the edge holding hands.

Our Tip: Time your visit for 21st June, the summer solstice, when the sun rises over the peak of the Lover’s Rock, and shines directly into the Menga dolmen.

• Where to Stay in Antequera

Upmarket: Convento la Magdalena Hotel, Torcal de Antequera Natural Park – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Parador de Antequera- Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Los Dólmenes – Booking.com | Agoda

11. Granada

In the spectacular Sierra Nevada mountains, Granada is all about the Alhambra Palace, and is one of Spain’s most romantic cities . This spectacular Moorish palace sits high on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside and is the jewel in Andalucia’s crown as well as being one of the most  beautiful places in Spain .

The Alhambra is simply breathtaking in its beauty, with typical Moorish symmetry and beautifully proportioned rooms full of intricate detail and tile work. The Nasrid Palaces of opulent Moorish-style courtyards, reception halls & royal quarters, and the shaded and leafy gardens with running water, secret paths, and beautiful planting to excite the senses, are both must-sees.

Book your Alhambra tickets and guided tour  well in advance (unless you’re  visiting Granada in winter  when everywhere will be a little quieter) as the Alhambra Palace is one of the most popular attractions in the whole of Spain.

Alternatively, get a Granada Card which allows you to book Alhambra tickets in advance and also covers public transport and other important monuments in the city.

One of the best things to do in Granada itself is to visit the medieval Albaicin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander the tangle of streets and alleys, enjoying the gift shops and boutiques.

Head for the Plaza de San Miguel Bajo, a charming tree-lined square before climbing uphill beyond the city walls to the church of San Cristobal for a fantastic view of the Alhambra. 

• Where to Stay in Granada

Upmarket: Hospes Palacio de los Patos – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Hotel Santa Isabel La Real- Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: BiBo Suites San Agustín – Booking.com | Agoda

If you’re making this a 14 day southern Spain itinerary, then you should have enough time to spend a few days at the beach at the end of your tour of Andalucia.

Make a detour from your Andalucia travel itinerary and take the gorgeous coastal route from Granada to Malaga along the Costa Tropical. Stop at Nerja and Torre del Mar for some of the best beaches in the region and a perfect end to your Andalucia holiday.

Spanish Road Trip Resources

Here are the websites and services we personally use and recommend for traveling in Spain.

• Search for affordable flights to Spain with Skyscanner
• Search for availability and book hotels and accommodation in Spain with Booking.com
• Find and book the best campsites in Spain with Eurocampings
• Book the cheapest and most reliable hire cars in Spain with Rentalcars.com
• Find and hire your perfect motorhome or campervan with Motorhome Republic
• Get highly rated, reliable, and trustworthy travel insurance with True Traveller
• Check if you need a visa and arrange your documents with Visagov

Andalucia Road Trip FAQs

How many days do you need for andalucia.

A 7 day itinerary for southern Spain will allow you to get a taste of a few of the historical cities and spend a few days at the beach.

For a real flavor of the landscape, history, and yes, food, you need to spend at least 10 days in Andalucia. With a few extra days, you can also see some of Andalucia’s hidden gems and secret spots that fewer people visit, giving you a true taste of authentic Andalucia.

What is the best month to visit Andalucia?

Andalucia is best visited outside of the summer months . In June, July, and August the temperatures are fierce and can be really uncomfortable – not the best time for a southern Spain itinerary!

Andalucia is one of the warmest places in mainland Europe in winter , although it won’t be quite warm enough for sea swimming. Evenings will be cooler and you’ll need to pack layers if you’re planning on visiting in winter. There may be snow in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are both fantastic times to road trip Andalucia. Roads will be quieter, accommodation and flights cheaper, and you’ll still get all the atmosphere and culture of Andalucia, but with fewer people!

Spring , from March onwards, is gorgeous with temperatures warming up and wildflowers appearing everywhere – the perfect time for a Spanish road trip !

If your plan is to hit the beach, May to July is the best time to visit, when you’ll avoid the summer heat and traffic, but still have beautiful warm weather.

Fall , from  September  through to  November  is also a perfect time for an Andalucia roadtrip in Europe’s best winter sun , with the warmth from summer lingering into autumn, but with quieter roads and cities.

Is driving in Andalucia easy?

Car travel in Spain is easy, with a good network of autovias (A) and autopistas (AP). The latter were toll roads until 2020 when many (but not all) became toll-free.

Car rental, fuel, and parking are some of the cheapest in Europe making Spain a really cost-effective place to take a road trip. 

Touring Spain by car in rural and mountainous areas can take longer than you think although the standard of non-motorway roads in rural areas is generally good. Allow time to get off the beaten track and experience the real Spain as you tour this fabulous country.

Whether you’re driving your own vehicle to Spain or you’re in a rental car, follow our driving in Spain tips;

• You must have at least three months remaining on your passport (issued in the past ten years) at your intended date of departure from Spain.
• You must have at least 3rd party insurance for your vehicle.
• Citizens of non-EU third countries may require an IDP, you can check here .
• You must carry two warning triangles for the front and rear. These warning triangles are now being phased out and from 1st July 2021, a new law requires that a V16 flashing emergency light is used, although both means of advising other traffic will be legal until the end of 2024.
• You must also carry a reflective jacket (for the driver and all passengers) a spare wheel and the tools to change a wheel or a tire repair kit.  
• If you wear glasses you must also carry a spare pair in the vehicle.
• UK cars will need headlight beam converters to be fitted (unless they adjust automatically).
• The use of winter tires in Spain is regional. Look out for traffic signs indicating that winter tires or snow chains are compulsory where you are.
• Anything with a screen (television, video, DVD, etc.) that could distract you when driving should be positioned where you can’t see it. This doesn’t apply to a sat nav but you must not touch or program your sat nav unless parked in a safe place.
• Using radar detection equipment is prohibited under Spanish law and new regulations from January 2021 mean that it will also be illegal to be in possession of such equipment .
• On roads with single carriageways, the speed limit established may not be exceeded by more than 20km/h when overtaking.

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Andalusia Road Trip: The Ultimate 2-Week Itinerary

Andalusia: one of the most heart-stoppingly beautiful regions in all of Spain . There’s nothing better than driving along the meandering mountain roads between hilltop castles and stopping at beautiful white villages for mouthwatering tapas along the way. The landscapes are iconic; sweeping olive groves cross the open valleys, dotted with orange trees that overlook white sandy beaches in the distance. From charming pueblos to historic cities, discover the best places with this ultimate 2-week Andalusia road trip!

Andalusia Road Trip Itinerary

Andalusia is one of the greatest places to road trip. The drives are beautiful, crossing a diverse range of landscapes—between canyons, under viaducts, and on coastal roads. Two weeks is the ideal amount of time to see all the charming white villages of Andalusia that sit among the hilltops, as well as the most famous cities and beaches in Spain.

Whether it’s action or relaxation, there’s something for every type of traveler on this 2-week road trip itinerary (best done by car for ultimate freedom). 

We recommend to rent a car in Spain through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here .

Day 1 – 2: Seville

On day 1 of your Andalusia road trip, begin in one of the most stunning cities in Spain: Seville. This city is famous for the Alcazar, an incredible Moorish palace with the most intricate details and beautiful gardens.

This is your first glimpse of the Moorish history in Spain, an Islamic reign that lasted hundreds of years from the 8th until the 15th century before the country was reconquered by the Christians. This part of history lives on in the architecture seen all around Spanish cities, particularly in the southern region of Andalusia. 

Here are all your hotel options in Seville.

You’ll also notice this architecture at Seville Cathedral, which still looks more like a mosque than a church. It’s also possible to climb the bell tower (minaret) for the most beautiful panoramic views over the city. 

Read: 14 Best Things to do in Seville

Aside from learning about the rich history of Seville, it’s a beautiful city to wander and explore. Everywhere you go, you’ll smell the strong scent of Sevillan oranges among the trees, hear the sound of flamenco dancing, and see the traditional Andalusian courtyards with their gorgeous tilework and fountains.  

Tip: Seville is well-connected to other major cities in Spain, like Barcelona or Madrid , so you can arrive in the city by train if traveling from an international airport.

Where to Stay in Seville

If you’re visiting in the summer, we recommend booking a hotel with a rooftop pool and aircon to escape the heat in the afternoons when temperatures can reach upwards of 40°C (104°F). The more modern hotels with these amenities are just outside of the center.

Hotels in Seville 😴

If a pool isn’t essential for you, look for a traditional boutique hotel in the historic center of Seville, which normally have the traditional inner courtyards and Moorish architectural details.

Day 3: Cordoba  

Wonderful Cordoba: the city of flowers! This city might be small, but it’s perfect as a stopover on your Andalusia road trip. One day is the ideal amount of time to wander the beautiful streets, admiring the many patios (courtyards) filled with vibrant-colored flowers and blue ceramic pots.

Here are all your hotel options in Cordoba.

If you’re visiting in May, watch the city come alive during the Festival de los Patios, a competition for the best florally-decorated courtyard in the city! In fact, this festival is so important that it’s been classified as an ‘intangible heritage’ by UNESCO .

Read: Best Things to do in Cordoba (The City of Flowers)

There are many beautiful buildings to see in Cordoba , but the most famous is the Mezquita (the cathedral of Cordoba). This is one of the most incredible cathedrals we’ve ever seen! What was once a mosque during Moorish times is now a cathedral.

However, barely any changes have been made, and it’s home to some of the most magnificent Islamic architecture you’ll find in Spain. The interior is fantastic, with perfect archways decorated in red and white candy-cane stripes. 

Where to Stay in Cordoba 

Cordoba is home to lots of beautiful boutique hotels, which can be found in the historic center. Make sure to book well in advance if you’re planning on traveling to the city during May, as the festival means that accommodation gets booked up fast and is far more expensive than usual.

Hotels in Cordoba 😴

Another good time to visit is April, when the patios will nearly be ready for the fiesta, but it won’t be as busy.

Day 4 + 5: Granada (Must-do on your Andalusia Road Trip)

Arrive on day 4 in Granada, the most magical city in Spain. Not many cities can boast this kind of scenery; the ancient city is surrounded by snow-topped mountains and has a beautiful river that trickles down into the town.

In the background, sitting on top of the cliffside, and shadowed by the mountains, is the majestic Alhambra Palace (one of the most famous sites in all of Spain).

Here are all your hotel options in Granada.

This colossal fortress complex was once the home of the ruler of the Nasrid dynasty (during the Moorish period in Spain ), and every detail is spectacular. You need a half-day alone just to walk among its opulent buildings and gardens filled with roses and orange trees. 

After your time sightseeing, get lost in the maze-like streets of the old town, paddle in the river off the hillside Albaicin neighborhood, or eat free tapas (in Granada, you get a free plate of tapas with every drink you purchase). 

Read: Ultimate Granada Travel Guide

Where to Stay in Granada

Stay in the historical center close to the cathedral to easily access the city’s shops, restaurants, and most ancient buildings.

Hotels in Granada 😴

Albaicin is also a lovely neighborhood to stay in, particularly as it has excellent views of the city below and across the river to Alhambra. 

Potential Day Trips from Granada: Iznajar + Montefrio

Iznajar and Montefrio are two of the most beautiful white villages in Andalusia and must-sees on your Andalusia road trip itinerary! Both lie close to Granada and can be visited as half-day trips. We recommend Iznajar as a top priority and Montefrio at sunset if you have time.

Iznajar has one of the most picturesque locations, sitting high up on a hilltop overlooking an open valley and lake below. It’s most famous for its beautiful streets and patios, which are decorated with hundreds of flowerpots and brightly colored geraniums.

This tiny village is mainly home to elderly local people, so the pace of life is slow (it’s the perfect place to wander for a few hours and soak up the atmosphere of Spanish life!). Best of all, Iznajar is just over 1-hour drive from Granada, so it is the ideal half-day trip from the city.

Click here to read all about the things to do in Iznajar .

Montefrio is a hilltop town home to the ruins of an ancient Moorish castle. The views from here are unparalleled, so much so that National Geographic voted Montefrio as one of the top 10 views in the world! Visit the fortress to reach the highest point of the village, followed by a walk to the National Geographic viewpoint, where you can see a direct view of Montefrio sprawled across the hillside. It’s truly one of the most beautiful villages in Spain and the perfect place to visit at sunset.

We stayed in this lovely hotel looking onto the castle .

Day 6 + 7: Frigiliana + Nerja

It’s time to head for the beach! This strip of coastline is named ‘Costa del Sol’, meaning sunshine coast, and it lives up to its name. This area has many beautiful resorts and villages, but Frigiliana and Nerja are some of the loveliest.

Nerja sits on a clifftop overlooking the sea, with fantastic views of the coves and coastline below. It’s the perfect place to stay for the night, with many lovely hotels, restaurants, and shops. 

Here are all your hotel options in Nerja.

From Nerja, you can drive to Frigiliana in under 15 minutes. This beautiful whitewashed mountain town is one of the most photogenic spots on your Andalusia 2-week road trip. Cobbled streets worm uphill, bordered by white houses with painted doorways and flower pots.

You could spend a few hours just getting lost in the streets, taking photos of each beautiful entranceway, and shopping in all the cute ceramic shops. We recommend booking dinner here one evening as many restaurants have terraces where you can sit and enjoy fantastic views of the valley below. 

Here are all your hotel options in Frigiliana.

Where to Stay

There are more accommodation options in Nerja, and you can easily access the beaches if you’d like to swim or sunbathe. If you want to stay in a villa, Frigiliana has many pool options, but you’ll need to book ahead as it’s very popular. 

Hotels in Nerja 😴

Hotels in Frigiliana 😴

Day 8 – 9: Malaga (Half-Way on Your Andalusia Road Trip)

Welcome to dynamic Malaga, a beachside city with a picture-perfect old town. You can find almost everything in Malaga , whether it’s castles, museums, galleries (Malaga was the birthplace of Picasso), or street art. It’s also home to some of the best restaurants and cafes in Andalusia! 

Here are all your hotel options in Malaga.

Exploring the sights of the old town is a must-do on your 2-week Andalusia road trip, for example, the Alcazaba and the Castillo de Gibralfaro, which are both historical monuments with beautiful views of the city. If you have time, we also recommend taking a half-day trip to the Caminito del Rey , one of Spain’s most thrilling hikes.

Read: Best Things To Do in Malaga

Where to Stay in Malaga

Stay in the old town to be near some of Malaga’s most historic and beautiful buildings.

Hotels in Malaga 😴

Alternatively, if you want more of a beach break, there are plenty of great hotels next to the sea, which are still within walking distance of the city center. 

Day 10 – 11: Ronda

Beautiful Ronda is a place famous throughout Spain for its iconic bridge that hangs over the canyon. The town itself almost looks as if it is balancing precariously on top of the gorge, providing some of the most incredible views out over the Andalusian landscapes.

There are several viewpoints to see the bridge (Puente Neuvo) at its finest: either from below, the lovely Jardines de Cuenca, or the Mirador de Aldehuela. Grab your camera and take some incredible photos from these locations. 

Here are all your hotel options in Ronda.

In the late afternoon/evening, take some time to explore the town of Ronda, whether it’s the main street with its boutique shops or the pretty churches and ancient Arab baths. Ronda is magical and will steal your heart! 

Read: 11 Best Things to do in Ronda, Spain

Where to Stay in Ronda

The main draw to Ronda is the incredible views from the top of the Tajo Gorge. For this reason, many hotels sit on top of the gorge looking out over the valley, so you’ll be spoilt for choice regarding accommodation. 

Hotels in Ronda 😴

Day 12: Setenil de las Bodegas

Setenil de las Bodegas is one of the most unusual white villages of Andalusia and is a fascinating stop on your Andalusia road trip. This pretty town has houses wedged between and under the gorge rock, looking as if they’re almost growing out of the stone itself.

Here are all your hotel options in Setenil.

It’s a popular visit for those who want to visit Calle Cuevas del Sol, a street filled with cave bars and restaurants—one of the most unique experiences on your Spain trip! 

Read: Setenil de las Bodegas (The Cave Village of Spain)

Tip: Combine Setenil with Olvera (another white village) for one of the most beautiful drives along meandering roads and through sweeping valleys of olive groves and fields of sunflowers. 

Where to Stay in Setenil

Setenil is small, but there are some great accommodation options, particularly the cave houses, which have been turned into apartments or hotels.

Hotels in Setenil 😴

Alternatively, stay in any of the white villages of Andalusia and visit Setenil de las Bodegas on a day trip.

Day 13: Villaluenga del Rosario or Zahara de la Sierra

Villaluenga del Rosario and Zahara de la Sierra are another 2 of the white villages of Andalusia . This is a group of 19 whitewashed pueblos (small towns) in the region that are known for their charm and beauty. 

Villaluenga del Rosario

Villaluenga del Rosario, meaning ‘town of the rosary,’ is unusual in that it hugs the side of the mountain and doesn’t have any hilltop viewpoints, unlike some of the other white villages in the area. However, it’s actually the highest, sitting at 900 meters above sea level! Many great hiking trails lead up into the mountains from here, and there are some beautiful, ancient sites within the town itself, from the old bull ring to the cemetery (one of the most picturesque we’ve ever seen).

Here are all your hotel options in Villaluenga del Rosario.

Zahara de la Sierra

If you have some time, drive to Zahara de la Sierra for some of the most spectacular views you’ll find on your Andalusia road trip itinerary. Discover one of the most important fortresses in the area that sits high up on the mountaintop, providing incredible views over the bright blue lake below. If you want, you can also take a boat trip across the lake to see the town from a different angle.

Here are all your hotel options in Zahara de la Sierra.

Stay in a rustic bed and breakfast or hotel in the countryside to enjoy the peace and tranquility of nature. There are also a few accommodation options within the towns themselves but book ahead to avoid disappointment. 

Hotels in Villaluenga del Rosario 😴

Hotels in Zahara de la Sierra 😴

Day 14 + 15: Cadiz

Cadiz has really different energy compared to many other places in Spain. Not only is it one of the oldest cities in all of Europe , but its southernmost nature makes it feel very raw, wild, and rugged.

The coastline has long sandy beaches, with plenty of wind for watersports, backed by the city’s ancient maze of streets and beautiful historic buildings. It’s also a port town, so you’ll see plenty of fishing boats bobbing on the water, giving it a village atmosphere even though it’s a reasonably sized city.

Here are all your hotel options in Cadiz.

As it’s so far away from many of the bigger cities in Spain, like Barcelona or Madrid , it still has a very traditional Spanish feel (most restaurants only serve the traditional tapas menu and drinks). Two days is a great amount of time to explore the old city, climb the cathedral tower (incredible views), enjoy the nearby beaches, and shop in the local food markets. 

Where to Stay in Cadiz

Stay in the historical center closest to the oldest sites in the city and enjoy the evening atmosphere when everyone congregates at the little bars among the narrow streets.

Hotels in Cadiz 😴

Day 16: Seville (End of your Andalusia Road Trip)

Day 16 is the final day of your Andalusia road trip itinerary, and what a trip it’s been! From charming white villages nestled among the hilltops to beautiful coastal towns and Moorish cities, you’ve seen some of the most beautiful places in Spain . Drive back to Seville (1 hour 20 minutes) to drop your hire car and head home. You might even have time to squeeze in one last Spanish meal before your train or flight!

Tip: Seville has an airport with flights leaving to major cities in Spain, as well as France and beyond. If you’re looking to travel further afield, take a train from Seville back to major cities like Barcelona , Madrid , or Malaga, where you’ll find international airports with more flights.

How to visit Andalusia in 2 weeks

Andalusia is a massive region in southern Spain, with countless beautiful villages, hikes, and cities to explore. You could easily spend a month or more slowly working your way around the region. However, 2 weeks is the ideal amount of time to see the majority of Andalusia’s highlights. This Andalusia road trip itinerary (2 weeks) is designed to be done by car, although it is possible to use public transport (with a bit more planning). 

Getting to Andalusia

There are a few airports in Andalusia. However, Malaga is the biggest, with flights arriving from all over Europe as well as internal flights from other bigger cities in Spain.

If you’re flying into Barcelona or Madrid, consider taking the train to Andalusia. There are many high-speed, direct options that will get you to Malaga, Granada , or Seville in a matter of hours.

Getting Around Andalusia on your 2-week Road Trip

The best way to experience Andalusia is by car. The region is vast and very remote, meaning you’ll have greater freedom to reach the small villages and rural nature if you can drive. 

It is possible to travel by bus in Andalusia, but not all the destinations on this itinerary have public transport connections. You might have to make changes or take taxis to reach the more remote parts of Andalusia.

Buses move between the major cities and towns in Andalusia and are usually very cheap and comfortable. Make sure to do your research in advance as to whether you need to pre-book or can pay by cash on arrival. 

Trains link major cities in Andalusia, as well as some towns. For example, Seville , Malaga, Granada , and Cordoba. However, you won’t be able to reach any of the white villages by train. 

Our Favorite Accommodation in Andalusia

There are many beautiful accommodation options in Andalusia, whether it’s a charming old town hotel tucked down a narrow street in Seville , a cave apartment in Setenil , or a bed and breakfast overlooking the Alhambra in Granada . Below are some of our favorites for a 2-week itinerary in Andalusia.

• Seville: Hotel Gravina 51 , Lukanda Hospec , Hotel Dona Maria , Oboe Sevilla Catedral
• Cordoba: H10 Palacio Cordoba , Hotel Boutique Suite Generis , La Ermita Suites , Hotel Boutique Patio del Posadero
• Granada: Casa de la Catedral , Casa Bombo , BiBo Real Chancilleria , Häxaris Casa Boutique
• Nerja: Apartamentos NUEVA 22 , Casa Eva
• Frigiliana: Bed and Breakfast Villa Corte Azul , Casa Calle Real 87
• Malaga: Be Mate Hotel , Vincci Larios Diez , iloftmalaga , ICON Malabar
• Ronda: Apartamentos Circulo De Artistas , Salvatierra Guest House , La Escondida , Romántica Lofts
• Setenil: Casa Cueva un Rincon , Apartamentos Cantareria Jazmin , Casa Rural El Tajo , Casa Cueva Las Calcetas
• Villaluenga del Rosario: Casa de los Cuadros , Conjunto Rural Casa Victoria
• Zahara de la Sierra: Cuesta la Ermita , Alojamiento Rural El Pinsapo
• Cadiz: Boutique Hotel Casa Cánovas , Candelaria10 , El Armador Casa Palacio , La Casa del Consul

How Much Do 2-Weeks in Andalusia Cost?

Andalusia is one of the cheapest regions in Spain. Eating out is very reasonable, and in some cities, tapas is even free! What’s more, book ahead, and you can find beautiful hotels for a fraction of the price you’d find in bigger cities like Madrid or Valencia .

Expenses for a 2-Week Andalusia Road Trip

A 2-week road trip in Andalusia will cost you anything between 2000-3000 USD. This includes accommodation for every night of your stay, food, entrance fees, the price of your rental car, and fuel. 

Costs of Traveling in Andalusia

Travel on a budget in Andalusia, from $180 − $380 USD weekly per person, mid-range $460 − $1590 USD, and high-end from $1590 − $2480 USD. However, costs depend on factors like accommodation, transportation, and activities. We did not include flights. Check flight prices here

• Hotels: $30 − $150 USD Check available hotels
• Hostels: $10 − $35 USD Check available hostels
• Transport: $5 − $10 USD Book public transport
• Car Rental: $50 − $150 USD Book a rental car
• Food: $5 − $15 USD
• Activities: $2 − $30 USD See tickets & tours
• Sim: $1 − $3 USD Get an eSIM or SIM here
• Travel Insurance: $2 − $6 USD Get Travel Insurance

Best Time to Visit Andalusia

The most popular time to visit Andalusia is during the summer when you can make the most of the beautiful beaches and warm Mediterranean Sea. However, be aware that the summer months are very busy and can be more expensive (particularly in August when the Spanish take their holidays). These are also the hottest months when temperatures in places like Cadiz and Seville can exceed 40°C (104°F). Because of this, it’s not the best time for city sightseeing. 

Instead, we recommend visiting in the shoulder seasons of late spring or early autumn. You’ll still get warm temperatures and beautiful sunny days, but it’ll be much more comfortable for sightseeing and road-tripping. Temperatures can be in the high 20s as late as the end of October! 

Travel Insurance for your Andalusia Road Trip

It’s always a good idea to purchase single-trip travel insurance, even if you’re only traveling for 2 weeks in Andalusia. This covers the potential for any accidents or loss, for example, theft of baggage, canceled flights, or a road accident.

We use Heymondo for all our trips, as they have very responsive customer service and a 24-hour online chat where you can speak with medical professionals.

Travel Insurance Don't forget a travel insurance for your Spain trip! Heymondo covers medical emergencies, theft, delays, cancellations, lost luggage, and more, with 24/7 worldwide assistance and medical chat. As a Salt in our Hair reader, we've got you 5% off! Check Heymondo here

Things to Know About Andalusia

There are a few things you can learn about Andalusia that will make your trip run a little more smoothly:

• Tap water is safe to drink in Andalusia. It is quite chlorinated, which can make it taste a little different from what you’re used to. However, drinking is safe, so bring your reusable water bottle and travel plastic-free ! 
• Siesta time. During the summer, all shops and restaurants close for siesta (typically somewhere between 4 PM – 8 PM). On Sundays, most conveniences are also shut.
• Public holidays. Spain is a country with some of the highest number of public holidays in the world! This means there is always a fiesta somewhere, so make sure to check ahead for shop, restaurant, and road closures.
• Hot summer temperatures . In August, temperatures can exceed 40°C (104°F). Make sure to plan your sightseeing in the early mornings or evenings to avoid being in the sun (the hottest time of day is usually around 4 PM). Make sure to wear a hat and sunscreen and drink plenty of water.
• Always carry cash , especially in small villages where sometimes card is not accepted.
• Bring extra layers if you’re traveling in the mountains, as it can get cooler in the evenings. 

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• Find Hotels via Booking.com
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• Find Flights to Andalusia via Skyscanner
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• Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
• Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go

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Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.

Hello, Do you feel like this would be a safe trip to do a solo female? (A solo female who does not speak Spanish at that.) Thanks!

Hi Meghan! Spain in general is a safe country to travel to, with low crime rates. As long as you’re aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas (pick pocketing does happen) traveling should be a breeze. Though we recommend learning some Spanish words, people in Andalusia are very welcoming and kind, and see a lot of other travelers. You can always download Spanish offline on Google Translate for those moments English (and hand gestures) don’t seem to work. Though we don’t think many of those moments will occur :) The region also has good public transport that’s easy to navigate, making getting around very straightforward, even if you’re not familiar with Spanish. Hope that helps a bit!

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The Ultimate Andalucia Road Trip (Detailed Southern Spain Itinerary!)

Winding streets through whitewashed villages, the clink of tinto verano glasses scraping against tapas plates, sweeping views across gorges, endless sour orange trees, and 700-year-old palaces: these are just a few of the incredible things that you’ll find on an Andalucia road trip.

As Spain’s southernmost region, there are a downright overwhelming number of places to visit in Andalucia, ranging from whitewashed hilltop towns (pueblos blancos) to Mediterranean beaches to snowcapped mountains, and everything in between!

Planning a southern Spain itinerary can be tricky, if for no other reason than that it’s hard to narrow down exactly where to go.

After two long trips spent falling in love with the south of Spain, we’ve put together this road trip itinerary for Andalucia in the hopes that you come away loving it as much as we do (and avoid some mistakes that we learned the hard way).

If you’re ready to soak up the magic of Andalucia, this southern Spain road trip itinerary is for you!

Table of Contents

How We Structured This Southern Spain Itinerary

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Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

With a region as large and diverse as Andalucia, narrowing down the best places to visit on a 10 day southern Spain road trip is quite the challenge!

We structured this Andalucia road trip as a loop beginning and ending in Seville, home to one of the largest airports in the region.

Since it’s a loop, you can easily reverse this itinerary if you wish, or start in a different city (such as Malaga).

We designed this southern Spain itinerary around visiting whitewashed villages, historic cities, and stunning landscapes.

It’s a fairly fast-paced itinerary in the sense that it packs a lot in and involves visiting many beautiful towns, but to drive this route straight through without traffic would actually take less than 10 hours.

You’ll drive a bit more than that, counting day trips and such, but the bottom line is that it’s a very doable distance in 10 days!

We don’t dedicate much time to the famous Costa del Sol on this travel guide, as this is more of an enjoy-all-the-attractions itinerary rather than a relax-on-the-beach itinerary, but we do include a bit of time to soak up views by the Mediterranean as well.

In addition to the detailed 10 day southern Spain itinerary we’ve outlined here, we’ve also made notes of more incredible places to visit in Andalucia that you can add or swap in, depending on your travel style.

This guide to road tripping Andalucia is quite long, so feel free to use the table of contents above this section to navigate to the most important parts for you if you wish!

For most people, of course, taking an Andalucia road trip will require renting a car

We recommend renting a small car through  Discover Cars , which will allow you to compare the prices and inclusions of multiple companies at the same time and choose the best car for you from there.

For the purposes of this southern Spain itinerary, we recommend picking up a car the morning you leave Seville.

There’s no reason to pick one up for your time in the city, as parking it will be a hassle and you won’t need it for exploring Seville.

Check rates and book your rental car today!

This southern Spain itinerary is specifically designed as a road trip, and we do strongly believe that driving is the best way to visit Andalucia!

From offbeat villages to charming hikes to out-of-the-way beaches, your trip to Andalucia will absolutely be enhanced by having your own set of wheels.

That being said, if you can’t or would rather not drive, you can still cover the vast majority of the sights included on this Andalucia road trip itinerary through a combination of public transportation and guided tours.

If you’re not planning to drive, we recommend basing yourself in larger cities like Seville, Granada, and Malaga, and taking day trips (independently, guided, or a combination of both) from there.

As much as we love Ronda, we wouldn’t recommend spending more than perhaps one night there without a car.

If you want to structure your itinerary for southern Spain without a car, we highly recommend using Omio to check exact ticket schedules and pricing for trains and buses in Andalucia!

Check schedules and shop train and bus tickets in Andalucia today!

Day 1: Arrive in Seville and start exploring.

Starting your southern Spain travels in Seville means diving right into the heart of Andalucian culture!

Depending on what time your plane lands, kick off your Andalucia vacation with a visit to the Seville Cathedral–once the biggest church in the world–and a climb up its bell tower.

The Giralda (bell tower) not only includes a beautiful view but is part of Andalucian history.

Before the Reconquista (when Christian powers overtook the Moorish kingdom that once ruled this area), this bell tower was the minaret of a mosque on the same site.

When the sun starts to set, head out for tapas and tinto verano (similar to sangria, but less elaborate and beloved by locals).

We don’t recommend picking up your rental car until day 3 of this itinerary–you won’t need it when exploring the heart of Seville.

Where to Stay in Seville, Spain

When deciding where to stay in Seville, location is key as ideally, you’ll want to stay within walking distance of Seville’s best attractions.

We had a fantastic experience at  Petit Palace Puerta de Triana  on our most recent trip to Seville.

The hotel  has a fantastic location (central but also quiet–a far from guaranteed combination in Spain), a delicious breakfast, and comfortable rooms.

Looking for something a bit different?

The incredibly popular Hotel Rey Alfonso X is an excellent choice, and their rooftop views are sublime!

If you’d like to stick to more of a budget, Hotel America Sevilla gets wonderful reviews and doesn’t sacrifice too much in terms of location.

Meanwhile, for the height of luxury, you can’t beat the absolutely stunning Hotel Alfonso XIII !

Check rates & book your stay in Seville today!

Day 2: Dive into Andalucian culture and history in Seville.

Today, it’s time to explore the rest of the major attractions in Seville!

Be sure to visit the famous Plaza de Espana, wander through the picturesque Barrio Santa Cruz (the former Jewish Quarter), and potentially see a Flamenco show .

Touring the gorgeous Alcazar is also a must: parts of this unique palace were built in the Moorish style, by Islamic craftsmen, for Christian rulers.

The result is a unique and beautiful combination of cultures that brings together several aspects of Andalucian history.

If you’re interested in experiencing more modern architecture in Seville, the famous Metropol Parasol is a fun spot with great views.

For foodies, we highly recommend taking a food tour in Seville on the first full day of your trip: not only is it incredibly fun, but it will help you know exactly what to order during the rest of your southern Spain itinerary!

And, if you’d like to explore the history of bullfighting in Spain, the Plaza de Toros is one of the most famous bullfighting rings in the world and can be toured (for obvious reasons, we do not recommend attending a fight).

Day 3: Explore Cordoba.

Today, pick up your rental car and hit the road to Cordoba!

Lying about 1 hour, 45 minutes northeast of Seville, Cordoba is famous for its incredible Mosque-Cathedral , which is exactly what it sounds like–a cathedral built literally inside a former Moorish mosque.

It’s one of the most unique houses of worship we’ve ever set foot in, and it alone would be worth visiting Cordoba for!

While Cordoba’s history dates back to the Romans (and you can stroll across the aptly named Roman Bridge while there), its Moorish period is responsible for much of the city’s stunning architecture and fame.

Cordoba peaked in the 10th century, when it was, for a brief moment, the biggest and one of the most powerful cities in the world.

In addition to the Mosque-Cathedral, be sure to explore Cordoba’s many flower-filled patios, check out the Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs, and visit the winding streets of the Jewish Quarter during your day in Cordoba.

Where to Stay in Cordoba, Spain

We loved our stay at Hesperia Cordoba !

Set just over the river from Cordoba’s historic center and a very short walk from the Roman Bridge, Hesperia Cordoba features spacious rooms, excellent customer service, and a rooftop with one of the best views in the city.

For those traveling Andalucia on a budget, Cordoba Carpe Diem is a great option in the heart of the city.

And, if you’re looking to stay in a hotel so luxurious that it’s practically a museum, the popular Hospes Palacio del Bailio is the clear winner (it even features actual Roman ruins!).

Check rates & book your stay in Cordoba!

Day 4: Make your way to Granada.

Winding roads, stunning hilltop towns, and olive trees as far as the eye can see: these are the views that you’ll enjoy when driving from Cordoba to Granada on your Andalucia road trip!

If you’d like to add an extra stop or two to your morning, the Medina Azahara (a UNESCO World Heritage recognized archaeological site) and the Castle of Almodovar del Rio (a magnificent castle dating to 760 that was a Game of Thrones filming location) are both excellent options.

Both places are a bit out of the way, but as the drive between Cordoba and Granada is only about 2.5 hours long, you’ll have plenty of time if you’d like to stop.

Once you get to Granada, settle in and start sightseeing!

Depending on what time you get in, we recommend exploring the picturesque Albayzin (Arab Quarter), climbing up to the Mirador San Nicholas (it’s worth every step!), and enjoying plenty of tapas.

If you have time, consider heading up to Sacromonte to visit the interesting cave museum and to attend an an intimate flamenco show –the neighborhood is famous for them!

Where to Stay in Granada, Spain

We rented an apartment from Mosaiko Homes in Granada, and could not have had a better experience: the owner was responsive, the apartment fantastic, and the location unbeatable!

Mosaiko Homes is located on a quiet street a short walk from many of Granada’s top sights, offering the combination of a convenient location and a lack of noise at night–two things that can be difficult to find together in Andalucia!

Another excellent option with near-perfect reviews is the incredibly unique Casa de Reyes (that decor!).

For a bit of luxury, the popular Shine Albayzin is not only housed in a 16th-century palace, it overlooks the Alhambra !

Generally speaking, lodging in Granada is much more affordable than in, say, Seville or the resort towns of the Costa del Sol.

If you’re going to splurge on a luxury property during your 10 day southern Spain itinerary, Granada is a fantastic place to do so!

Check rates & book your stay in Granada!

Day 5: Discover the Alhambra and other Granada gems.

On the fifth day of your road trip in Andalucia, it’s time to visit the region’s top attraction: the Alhambra!

While the Alhambra is most famous for its stunning Nasrid Palaces built by the Moors, there is an overwhelming amount of things to see at this iconic fortress.

From Generalife and its gardens (a summer retreat for the Nasrid dynasty) to the Alcazaba (the oldest portion of the fortress, which dates to the 1200s) and beyond, there are many sides to the Alhambra to visit.

General tickets to the Alhambra are competitive and often sell out far in advance (you can check available dates here ), but luckily, organized tours and skip-the-line tickets (which are only slightly more expensive than general tickets) are very easy to come by.

Deciding whether to take a tour of the Alhambra or simply use an audio guide is a personal choice, and both have pros and cons.

We took this popular tour , and while we got frustrated with how much it dragged in certain places, we loved having the context of a live guide–especially in the Nasrid Palaces.

We also loved not having to manage the tightly controlled timed entry system for the Nasrid Palaces ourselves.

Keep in mind that not all Alhambra tickets include entry to the Nasrid Palaces.

Make sure that your ticket does, though, because they are truly the star of the show!

You will likely be exhausted after visiting the Alhambra, which makes this afternoon the perfect time to visit one of Andalucia’s gorgeous hammams.

Hammam Al Andalus is well-known, gorgeous, and accessible to English speakers. We loved our time there!

Day 6: Take the scenic route to Malaga (or nearby).

Today, start your morning by enjoying any sightseeing you haven’t had a chance to enjoy in Granada, such as visiting the stunning Granada Cathedral and Royal Crypt.

Depending on what time you get started in the morning and how much time you want to spend on the beach, you can also consider heading 20 minutes outside of Granada to enjoy the popular hanging bridges at Los Cahorros Gorge in Monachil.

From there, it’s time to make your way to the Costa del Sol: no southern Spain itinerary would be complete without soaking up some sun!

We recommend heading toward Malaga via the A-44 to A-7 route–it’s slightly longer than going the A-92 route, but you can’t beat the views driving along the Mediterranean for half the drive!

Day 7: Soak up the sun on the Costa del Sol.

There is an endless number of options when it comes to deciding what town to stay in on the Costa del Sol!

Malaga, the biggest city in the region, is perfect for those who want to potentially take an afternoon road trip to a nearby beach but want to dedicate most of their time to culture.

The best things to do in Malaga include visiting the celebrated Picasso Museum, Alcazaba , Roman Theatre, Cathedral, and beyond, which make for a compelling, but not beachy, trip.

If you’re looking for idyllic beaches, Nerja is the place to go (that’s where the above photo was snapped!).

A beautiful resort town with a promenade?

Estepona might be right for you.

No matter where you end up staying, make sure that you spend at least part of the day admiring views of the Mediterranean with a gelato or glass of tinto verano (or both) in hand.

Since you’re visiting via a Costa del Sol road trip, you can also easily stay in one town and squeeze in a quick afternoon visit to another!

Day 8: Continue your Andalucia road trip and head to Ronda.

Last but certainly not least, say goodbye to the Costa del Sol and head north again to Ronda , one of our absolute favorite places in Spain.

Situated on a ridge, Ronda features sweeping views, a gorge, an 18th-century bridge that is earnestly referred to as the “New Bridge”, ties to the Lost Generation, and idyllic whitewashed streets–and that’s without even leaving the town center.

Much smaller than Seville or Granada, Ronda is nonetheless well worth savoring.

Once you arrive, start by exploring a few of the best things to do in Ronda, such as visiting the Cuenca Gardens, marveling at Puerto Nuevo (and Puerto Viejo and the Arab Bridge, while you’re at it), and visiting the historic Arab Baths (now a museum, though there is also a functioning hammam in Ronda!).

For sunset, there is absolutely no better place to be than admiring the views of Puerto Nuevo and the surrounding landscape from the Alameda del Tejo!

Where to Stay in Ronda, Spain

We can’t rave about our stay at Catalonia Reina Victoria in Ronda enough–it may just be one of our favorite hotels we’ve ever stayed in!

Unbeatable views over the countryside (we upgraded to a terrace room, which was absolutely worth it), excellent customer service, comfortable rooms, easy parking on site, and walking distance to all the best things to do in Ronda–it’s hard to beat that!

The popular Hotel Montelirio , with views of the Puerto Nuevo, is also a great option.

However, as Ronda is the last stop on your Andalucia road trip and finding parking in the city center is fairly simple, you may want to go the complete opposite route and stay in a country hotel just outside of town!

The beautiful and well-reviewed Hotel Cortijo Las Piletas is located a 15-minute drive from Ronda, offers a pool, gorgeous views, and a bit of peace and quiet to end your trip with.

Check rates & book your stay in Ronda today!

Day 9: Explore unique places to visit near Ronda.

In addition to being a fantastic town to visit in its own right, Ronda is also surrounded by excellent day trip options!

Our first choice would undoubtedly be a visit to Setenil de las Bodegas: if you only have time to visit one place outside of Ronda, make it here.

This historic town features many homes and businesses built directly into the surrounding gorge, and the result is one of the most unique towns we have ever laid eyes on!

Other fun places to visit include Juzcar (also known as Spain’s “Smurf Village”–it is painted entirely blue!), and the Cueva del Gato swimming hole.

If you want a unique perspective on Ronda’s famous Puerto Nuevo, you can also drive to the bottom of the ridge and view it from an entirely different angle (keep in mind that there are some tiny dirt roads involved here, but it is doable).

Looking to ditch the car entirely?

You can find plenty of horseback riding tours in the area!

Day 10: Head back to Seville and wrap up your 10 day southern Spain itinerary.

It’s time to wrap up your Andalucia road trip!

Today, make your way back to Seville to drop off your rental car and head home.

If you have time for a little extra sightseeing, consider spending the morning visiting any attractions you didn’t get a chance to see in Ronda or Seville.

Or, for an incredibly relaxing end to your 10 days in southern Spain, book yourself a visit to a hammam in either city!

A mere 10 days in Andalucia could never hope to cover every incredible destination that southern Spain has to offer!

If you’re lucky enough to have a longer timeframe to work with, here are a few more places to consider adding to your itinerary for southern Spain, from beach towns to mountainous parks.

Over 3,000 years old and almost entirely surrounded by water, Cadiz is visually stunning and historically fascinating.

It’s fairly small, given that it is physically constrained by its location, but packed with interesting sights, including over 100 watchtowers!

Technically speaking, your Andalucia road trip doesn’t have to only take place in Spain!

Head to Gibraltar to enjoy views from the famous Rock of Gibraltar, check out the resident wild monkeys, and enjoy the excuse to walk (literally) across the border of Spain to the UK.

Don’t forget to pack your passport!

Jerez de la Frontera

A great alternative to cities like Seville, Jerez de la Frontera offers many of the usual Andalucia highlights–Moorish castle, riding school, festivals–but is (slightly) more off the beaten path.

It’s also famous for its sherry production, making it a fun stop for spirit lovers!

Sierra Nevada National Park

Offering skiing in the winter, hiking in the summer, and gorgeous mountain views year-round, Sierra Nevada National Park makes an excellent addition to an itinerary for southern Spain for those looking for a place to relax in nature.

Located just east of Granada, Sierra Nevada National Park is easy to add to this itinerary–or, if you’re not much of a beach person, you can even swap the Costa del Sol for some time here!

Puerto Banus

Looking for luxurious yachts, high-end nightclubs, and–essentially–the Spanish version of St. Tropez or Monaco?

Head to Puerto Banus, just next door to Marbella, and you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for.

Start by checking out the Golden Mile!

Arcos de la Frontera

Surrounded by the Guadalete River on 3 sides and–like Ronda–situated on the edge of a ridge, Arcos de la Frontera is visually stunning and one of the best whitewashed towns (pueblos blancos) to visit in Andalucia.

Don’t miss the views from the Castillo de los Arcos while you’re there!

Located at the far southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, Tarifa is far enough out of the way that it doesn’t see quite as many visitors as the famous Costa del Sol (among those who aren’t kitesurfing enthusiasts, anyway)–but it’s absolutely worth a visit.

Featuring wide, sandy beaches famous for kitesurfing and a charming whitewashed town center, Tarifa is a laid-back delight.

It also lies a short ferry ride away from Morocco , and you can take a day trip to Tangiers as part of your time there!

El Caminito del Rey

With stunning gorge views and adrenaline-inducing heights, El Caminito del Rey is one of the most iconic hikes in Andalucia!

A decade ago, it was often touted as being the most dangerous hike in Spain–or even the world–but it has now been restored to be much more accessible.

… For those of us with a fear of heights, though, it can still pose a mental challenge!

Andalucia can be a year-round destination–if you can brave the summer heat, that is.

Southern Spain, particularly cities like Cordoba and Seville, are known for being some of the hottest places in Europe.

Summer temperatures can easily reach 98°F (36°C) in the inland cities, which is why during July and August, you’ll find the crowds down at the Costa del Sol, where the temperatures are milder and there’s the Mediterranean to cool off in.

Ideally, this itinerary for southern Spain is designed for the spring or fall, when temperatures are warm but reasonable, the sun is usually shining, and the flowers are in bloom everywhere you look.

If you’re willing to bundle up a bit, winter can also be a wonderful time to take this Andalucia road trip.

The prices and crowds will both be smaller, and if you’re so inclined, you can even go skiing in Sierra Nevada near Granada–the southernmost ski area in Europe!

Here are a few essentials you should definitely add to your packing list as you prepare for your road trip in Andalucia, Spain!

Travel Insurance  — We don’t ever suggest traveling without travel insurance–anything can happen, and a fast-paced road trip is definitely a case of better safe than sorry.

We use and recommend  Safety Wing  for trips to Spain.

Travel Adaptors for Spain — If you’re coming from outside of Europe, you’ll definitely need adaptors for your electronics.

Hands-Free Phone Mount  — This is especially important if you don’t have a reliable co-pilot: the last thing you want to do is be fumbling with the GPS on your phone during your road trip in Andalucia.

Pack a cell phone holder to attach to the car and you’ll be able to drive much more safely!

Additional Car Insurance  — Whether you purchase a policy that covers car rental (only some of theirs do, so double-check!), purchase a policy through the rental car company, or something else, be sure you have coverage: it’s worth the peace of mind.

Portable USB Charger  — Don’t stress about your phone dying while you’re spending long days driving from village to village: add a portable charger to your southern Spain packing list.

Swiss Army Knife  — Want to open wine bottles in your hotel room, slice cheese from the market, or cut up that fresh bread from the bakery?

You’ll be so glad you brought a Swiss Army Knife along on your Andalucia vacation!

Camera  — We absolutely adore our Sony a7R III , but whatever camera you’re comfortable with works.

Just make sure you have something with you to preserve your memories!

Reusable Water Bottle(s)  — Cut down on plastic waste, save money, and make sure you don’t have to stop for water constantly: a reusable water bottle has lots of benefits on a road trip. We personally love and use  these .

Hand Sanitizer  — We carry this everywhere, and have never been sorry to have it floating around in our day bag.

Take This Map With You! Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. To save this map to “Your Places” on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. You’ll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map.

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

6 thoughts on “The Ultimate Andalucia Road Trip (Detailed Southern Spain Itinerary!)”

beautiful, do you sell a map of this

We don’t sell a map or printable version of this itinerary (yet), but you can click on the button at the top right of the map embedded at the bottom of this article and download it to take with you!

This is exactly the trip we plan to take this fall. Thank you for this great guide! Are the places you reccommend to stay pet friendly? It appeared your were travelling with your dog and we are also travrling with ours. Gracias!

Yes, all of the places we mention staying at personally in Andalucia are pet-friendly and Ranger stayed with us at all of them!

I can’t speak to the alternative suggestions provided, as I don’t source pet-friendly hotels specifically for those (very few of our readers travel with their dogs).

Have a wonderful trip!

Hi Kate, It seems finally I have found the perfect road trip for southern Spain. I plan to go early December or maybe in Jan-Feb. I would like to add 3-4 days to the trip. Could you recommend how to do that? Regards, Amitabh

The sky is the limit!

Beyond the destinations I outlined in the “other destinations” section of the post, you could potentially consider adding on a few days in Morocco with a longer timeline.

You can also easily add more days to any of the destinations included in the itinerary. There’s lots of great hiking around Granada, for example, and of course there’s always the option of enjoying even more beach time along the Costa del Sol.

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The Ultimate Andalucia Road Trip (7 to 14 Day Itinerary Included!)

If you’re planning a visit, this Andalucia road trip itinerary is all you need.

There are many reasons why you should visit Andalucia, also known as Andalusia – its beautiful coasts, impressive buildings, rich culture, and delicious cuisine, among other reasons.

I’m going to tell you what cities you must visit, the unmissable things you need to do in each city, and restaurant and accommodation recommendations so you don’t need to worry about planning much.

On top of this, I’ll give you my local insight as an Andalusian who has been travelling around the region for years and tips to make the most of your trip.

Let’s dive into this 7 to 14 days in Andalucia adventure!

This post contains affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click through and purchase something, I receive a small commission on the price at no extra cost to you. This helps me keep the content up to date and make other improvements to the blog.

Table of Contents

7 day itinerary to Andalucia

If you only have 7 days to explore Andalucia, follow this itinerary:

• Day 1 – Malaga
• Day 2 – Nerja and Frigiliana
• Day 3 and 4 – Granada
• Day 5 and 6 – Sevilla
• Day 7 – Cadiz

10 day itinerary to Andalucia

• Day 1 and 2 – Malaga
• Day 3 – Nerja (optional: visit Frigiliana too)
• Day 4 and 5 – Granada
• Day 6 – Cordoba
• Day 7 and 8 – Sevilla
• Day 9 – Cadiz
• Day 10 – Tarifa

14 day itinerary to Andalucia

If you want to make your trip longer, then follow this Southern Spain itinerary:

• Day 3 – Nerja (optional: visit the nearby town of Frigiliana)
• Day 4 – Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas
• Day 5 and 6 – Granada
• Day 7 – Cordoba
• Day 8 and 9 – Sevilla
• Day 9 and 10 – Cadiz
• Day 11 – Conil de la Frontera
• Day 12 and 13 – Tarifa
• Day 14 – Estepona or Marbella

Detailed Andalucia road trip for 10 days

How many days do you recommend in Andalucia? Personally, I think 10 days is perfect for exploring a good part of Andalucia. However, more is always better because you’ll be able to explore destinations off the beaten path.

The following is a detailed 10 day itinerary which you can adapt to 7 days, or even 14 by adding the destinations I mentioned above.

Malaga (2 days)

Malaga is the perfect destination to start your road trip in Andalucia. Malaga airport (AGP) is one of the top 10 biggest airports in Spain, which means you’re very likely to find a flight to Malaga from your origin-destination.

Costa del Sol and Malaga are known for their beautiful sandy beaches , but the city also has many cultural activities – from visiting museums like Picasso Museum Malaga to learning about the Moorish influence in the city while exploring historical buildings like Alcazaba or Gibralfaro Castle.

There are incredible things to do in Malaga in one or two days , and here are my recommendations for what to do during those two days.

Day 1 in Malaga

Prepare yourself for a day packed with activities in the city centre of Malaga. First, enjoy traditional churros con chocolate at Casa Aranda, a cafe that locals like me and tourists approve of.

Then head to La Alcazaba , a Moorish fortress-palace that takes you back to the Muslim period in the city. Wander the beautiful patios filled with scented jasmines, walk on the walls for some breathtaking views of Malaga ’s port and city centre, and contemplate the detailed Nasrid architecture.

From La Alcazaba go to Castillo de Gibralfaro. This castle is situated at the top of the hill, so you have two options: walk or take the bus. I always choose to walk to the castle because you get to walk through beautiful gardens and stop by Gibralfaro’s viewpoint – the best viewpoint in the city.

After your visit to the castle, eat Malaga’s traditional food at El Pimpi , a restaurant bar that serves delicious dishes, and when you choose to sit on their terrace, you can get a lovely view of La Alcazaba. I recommend ordering pescaito frito (fried fish).

Spend the rest of your day visiting Malaga Cathedral or Picasso Museum Malaga , wandering Larios Street and watching the sunset at Muelle Uno, Malaga’s port.

Day 2 in Malaga

If you have a sweet tooth, have breakfast at La Bella Julieta. It’s one of the best places cafes in Malaga and they have a good selection of sandwiches as well as cakes and pastries.

You can do different activities depending on the time of the year you visit Malaga.

If you’re visiting Malaga in summer , spend the second day at one of the best beaches in Malaga. In case you don’t want to go too far, visit La Malagueta beach, which is located a few footsteps from the city centre.

Have tapas at Atarazanas market or a meal at Muelle Uno if you fancy international food.

If you’re visiting Malaga in winter , go to Los Montes de Málaga for a hiking adventure or visit Jardín Botánico La Concepción, a botanic garden that has a good range of plants from all over the world and panoramic views of the city.

When opting for Los Montes de Malaga, you can try Plato de Los Montes, a traditional dish that consists of marinated pork loin, chips, fried green peppers, an egg, chorizo, and morcilla (similar to black pudding).

Alternatively, you can relax at Hamman Malaga baths and get a massage.

Where to stay in Malaga

Room Mate Valeria is my top choice . This 4-star boutique hotel is centrally located just a few minutes walk from Calle Larios and the port.

It offers modern and comfortable rooms that have been decorated with elements that represent the nature and city of Malaga.

The hotel also has amazing communal areas, including an Andalusian-style rooftop bar that overlooks the city centre.

It’s the perfect accommodation for 2 days in Malaga.

🏨 Check out Room Mate Valeria availability and rates here

Nerja (1 day)

Less than an hour’s drive from Malaga, you’ll find the beautiful whitewashed town of Nerja .

Nerja is one of the most popular and best day trips from Malaga , and there is no doubt why – the beaches with crystal clear water, lively atmosphere and sights make this town unique.

Start your day in Nerja by visiting Nerja Caves, which attract many national and international tourists. The caves have outstanding stalactites and other natural elements you won’t find anywhere else in Spain.

Then head to the town centre to explore its lovely streets filled with local independent shops and bars that will lead you to the famous Balcón de Europa.

Balcón de Europa is my favourite viewpoint in Costa del Sol. The views you get from this viewpoint are magical, as you can see the contrast between the beach and mountain landscapes while enjoying the noise of the waves.

On both sides of the viewpoint, there are two small beaches: Playa el Salón and Playa Calahonda. These beaches are cosy and beautiful but can get very busy during summer.

If you want a more tranquil beach to spend the rest of your day in Nerja, I recommend visiting Playa de Maro, which is 10 minutes by car from Nerja.

Aren’t you a big fan of lying at the beach? After Balcón de Europa, go to the nearby town of Frigiliana . Although there aren’t many attractions in Frigiliana, it’s considered one of the prettiest towns in Southern Spain .

Where to stay in Nerja

Hotel Balcón de Europa is a great option if you want to stay central and enjoy a comfortable room with sea views and direct access to the beach.

🏨 Check out Hotel Balcón de Europa availability and rates here

Granada (2 days)

Granada is a must-see destination in Andalucia because of the Alhambra and other architectural buildings, tapas culture, and lively atmosphere.

You want to spend more than a day in Granada to discover all the incredible things that the city has to offer. Two days is the ideal time to see Granada’s main attractions.

Day 1 in Granada

Start your day by having breakfast at Café 4 Gatos, located in the beautiful quarter of Albacín. The cafe has a wide range of sandwiches, toast and special breakfasts that can be accompanied by freshly squeezed orange juice or coffee.

Not only does the cafe offer delicious breakfasts, but it also has outstanding views of La Alhambra.

After breakfast, head to Granada’s main attraction, La Alhambra , an impressive Moorish palace complex that is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

La Alhambra consists of three main parts, the Alcazaba, the palatial zone and the Medina. All these areas are surrounded by beautiful patios and gardens that you can explore at your own pace, so don’t rush your visit.

One of the most popular parts is the Court of the Lions (El Patio de Los Leones), a courtyard surrounded by outstanding marble columns and a central fountain with twelve white marble lions.

Regardless of the area you’re visiting, you’ll be surprised by the detailed and unique Nasrid architecture, sculptures, and arches.

Most visits last approximately 3 to 4 hours; however, you can spend less or more time depending on your interests. I’ve been a few times to the Alhambra and spent at least 3 hours each time.

No matter what time of the year you visit it, make sure to book your Alhambra tickets in advance .

After the Alhambra visit, have a tranquil meal and go to Carrera del Darro, the most beautiful cobblestone street in Granada , which also offers lovely views of the Alhambra.

To finish your day, you can’t miss visiting Mirador de San Nicolás. This magical viewpoint is the perfect place to watch the sunset and enjoy the lively atmosphere of Granada. You can see locals playing flamenco.

Day 2 in Granada

Get ready for another day packed with activities by having breakfast at Casa Ysla , which offers the best piononos, Granada’s traditional small cakes, delicious cakes and pastries. I absolutely loved having breakfast at this bakery/cake shop.

Go to The Cathedral of Granada to see the former Great Mosque of Granada. The interior of the cathedral is incredibly beautiful, and next to it is The Royal Chapel which is the burial place of the Catholic Kings.

Another place worth visiting is Corral del Carbón, which is only a 3-minute walk from the cathedral. It’s the most preserved Andalusian citadel in Spain.

After these visits, you can have some tapas at many of the bars you can find in the area or book a food tour with a local guide that will take you to the best places.

Spend the rest of the day at Hammam Al Ándalus Turkish baths, visiting Sacromonte (famous for its caves) or attending a flamenco show .

Where to stay in Granada

Hotel Casa 1800 is my top choice of accommodation in Granada . This 3-star boutique hotel is situated in the heart of Granada.

It has comfortable and modern rooms equipped with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a safe, among other amenities.

I loved my stay at Hotel Casa 1800! The staff was very attentive, the room was perfect, and I enjoyed the complimentary afternoon tea.

If you’re after a special stay, you need to book the Deluxe Room, which offers cosy terraces where you can enjoy breakfast with an incredible view of the Alhambra. I’d love to get that room next time I visit Granada.

In my opinion, it’s one of the best boutique hotels in Granada .

🏨 Check out Hotel Casa 1800 availability and rates here

Cordoba (1 day)

2 hours drive from Granada is the beautiful city of Cordoba. You’ll love the city if you’re passionate about art and history, as there are must-see attractions with exquisite architecture.

One day in Cordoba may not be enough to visit all the places in the city and its surroundings, but it’s perfect for exploring its main sights.

The most known building in Cordoba is La Mezquita, which is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The first thing to do in Cordoba is to visit La Mezquita . The earlier you go, the more chances you have to explore this beautiful architectural gem with fewer crowds, especially if you want to take photos. The full visit will take you around 2 and 2 hours and 30 minutes.

You can also add the Bell Tower to your itinerary, but just be aware that the entrance is every 30 minutes, and the fee is 2 euros.

Then wander around La Judería, the Jewish Quarter. Here you can visit Casa Andalusí, a house/museum that will transport you to Morocco. This is also the perfect place to window shop and buy a souvenir.

Go to Taberna Casa Pedro Ximénez for lunch, where you can taste traditional dishes in Cordoba like flamenquines, salmorejo or rabo de toro.

Finally, there is no visit to Cordoba without going to Palacio de Viana, a 15th-century palace also home to 12 beautiful patios. Wandering around the palace and patios is an experience – the scent of orange and jasmine and the beautiful mosaics and architecture. It’s one of my favourite places in Cordoba!

If you have spare time, walk across Puente Romano, and explore Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs or Patios San Basilio.

Where to stay in Cordoba

Hotel Soho Boutique Capuchinos & Spa is one of the best accommodation options. It’s only a 13-minute walk from La Mezquita and other Cordoba attractions, and the facilities and rooms are incredible.

The rooms have all the amenities you need – comfortable beds, a mini-fridge, air conditioning, TV, safe and Wi-Fi.

The hotel also includes a modern Spa, parking, a terrace bar and a café.

🏨 Check out Hotel Soho Boutique Capuchinos & Spa availability and rates here

Sevilla (2 days)

Sevilla, the capital of Andalusia, needs to be included in your Andalusia road trip. This charming city is packed with breathtaking architectural buildings and culture.

It’s the largest city in the county, so you must spend a minimum of two days in Sevilla to be able to explore the unmissable attractions.

Day 1 in Sevilla

Commence your day by having a delicious breakfast at Bar Alfalfa. Then, head to Seville Cathedral, the biggest Gothic cathedral in the world, which has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.

Explore all the unique parts of the cathedral, including the Giralda Tower and the Orange Tree courtyard. However, don’t go to the tower if you don’t like heights or suffer from claustrophobia. The path to go up is very narrow.

Another must-see attraction is Real Alcázar , where you can spend 2 hours exploring the impressive areas of this palace – including its spacious gardens. The Moorish architecture inside Alcazar is something to admire!

Have lunch at Bar Antojo , an incredible tapas restaurant not very far from the city centre. They serve delicious and generous tapas. Their patatas bravas is one of my favourite dishes!

Finally, go to Plaza de España in Parque de María Luisa (Maria Luisa Park). This is the most beautiful square in Southern Spain, with about 50,000 square metres in which you’ll find beautiful features like towers, bridges, a small canal, and impressive Andalusian tiles.

One of its unique things is the 48 small spots with benches, one for each province of Spain. Tourists love taking photos of themselves with friends and or family on the benches.

Other popular activities in the plaza are riding horses and renting a small boat to row in the canal.

Alternatively, you can also book a cruise through the Guadalquivir River . This is a fun way to discover Seville and see the city from a different perspective. Many of these cruises also welcome you with snacks and drinks. What else could you ask for? I loved going on a Guadalquivir River cruise with my friend.

Day 2 in Sevilla

Have a more relaxing second day in Sevilla. Start by having breakfast at La Mala Brunch, one of the best cafes in Seville , which has mouthwatering savoury and sweet dishes like pancakes and bagels.

Then head to Setas de Sevilla , which consists of an impressive sculptural wooden structure where you can visit an archaeological museum and walk through the rooftop to get incredible views of the capital.

For this attraction, you can choose either the morning or evening session, but you can really spend as much time there as you want.

Later, spend some time exploring the unique neighbourhood of Triana. This neighbourhood has plenty of things to see and do. You can visit Triana Ceramic Centre, see Capilla del Carmen, wander its streets and walk through Isabel II Bridge.

When visiting Triana, Calle Betis is a must. This street is surrounded by a good selection of restaurants and bars, as well as venues that host live flamenco music.

Another unmissable spot in this area is the colourful Mercado de Triana (Triana Market), where you can enjoy some tapas in the bars or experience the atmosphere of a Spanish market.

Where to stay in Sevilla

Hotel Las Casas de La Judería is one of the best accommodations in Seville because of its central location and beautiful building design.

The hotel offers 27 traditional-style Sevillian houses that are connected by passageways and patios. By staying at this hotel, you can also enjoy amazing facilities like a rooftop pool and a spa.

🏨 Check out Hotel Las Casa de la Judería availability and rates here

Cadiz (1 day)

Cadiz is a lively and beautiful city that must be on your itinerary. Cadiz is considered the oldest city in Europe because of numerous archaeological discoveries, and it’s one of the most vibrant coastal destinations in Andalucia.

Start your day by visiting the city’s most popular attraction, Catedral de Cádiz . This cathedral took over 100 years to build, and it’s unique because you can appreciate the mixture of architecture.

Not very far from the cathedral, you can also visit the Roman Theatre if you love archaeology.

After this, head to Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol, a church that can’t be missed during your day trip to Cadiz.

For lunch, there is no better place than Cadiz Central Market, which has a gastronomy section where you can taste Cadiz’s traditional dishes and products. You can’t leave the market without trying tortillitas de camarones (shrimp fritters).

Later, go to Torre Tavira and climb 173 steps to reach the highest point, where you can experience the Camera Obscura and enjoy one of the best panoramic views of Cadiz.

Spend the rest of the day wandering Cadiz city centre, walking along El Malecón and watching the sunset at the beach.

Where to stay in Cadiz

Are you looking for a central hotel in Cadiz? Hotel Spa Cádiz Plaza is an excellent choice. The hotel is close to the beach and main attractions.

It’s a boutique family hotel, so expect a welcoming and warm experience. They offer rooms for all types of stays – family, couples, and friends. No matter what room you choose, all rooms are equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a minibar, and other amenities.

🏨 Check out Hotel Spa Cadiz Plaza availability and rates here

Tarifa (1 day)

1 hour and 30 minutes from Cadiz, Tarifa is the perfect destination to finish your road trip. 

The city is popular among kitesurfers due to the perfect wind condition of the beaches. It’s considered one of the best places for kitesurfing in Europe!

However, it’s also a charming place where you can discover many prehistoric remains.

Start your day by visiting Baelo Claudia, an ancient Roman city that is worth visiting. You can learn more about the old city and see its incredible ruins, which are almost intact.

After this, get lost in the beautiful and narrow streets of Tarifa. Visit the San Mateo Eliza Church and have delicious tapas at Bar Ola Ola Tarifa. 

Walk the promenade to the Isla de las Palomas, an island opposite Tarifa, and finally, spend some time relaxing at the beach. 

Where to stay in Tarifa

The Riad Tarifa is a boutique hotel located in the heart of Tarifa. This hotel is unique because it was built in a 17th-century building.

By staying at The Riad, you’ll get the essence of the Moroccan riads. Its bedrooms are decorated with ancient elements and have everything you need for your short stay.

The hotel also has two courts to relax, a fountain and a rooftop with views of the city.

🏨 Check out The Riad Tarifa availability and rates here

Save this 10-day Andalucia itinerary for later!

When to visit Andalucia

You can visit Andalucia all year round because every season has something to offer.

Some destinations, such as Malaga, Cadiz and Almeria, are popular during the summer because of the beaches and warm temperatures. However, if you want to explore places, avoid the summer months (July to September), as temperatures are very high and make it challenging to sightsee.

The best times to visit Andalucia are late spring and early autumn, with fewer tourists and pleasant temperatures.

Winter months are cooler but relatively warm compared to other European destinations. If you want a different Christmas, you’ll want to visit Southern Spain.

During late November, December, and early January, you can enjoy the Christmas lights and attend the Three Kings parade on the 5 th of January, a unique experience for children and adults.

If you love winter outdoor activities, Sierra Nevada is the best place to go skiing. But you can also visit incredible national parks across Andalucia, like Doñana and Sierra de las Nieves.

Tips for driving in Spain

The best way to get around Spain is by car as it’s faster than public transport, it gives you more freedom, and you can access more places.

Road-tripping in Spain is an experience (seeing beautiful landscapes and exploring smaller towns, among other things!), but first, let’s cover the basics! Here are a few things you need to know about driving in Spain:

• Spanish people drive on the right side of the road like many European countries except the UK, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus.
• If you have a European or international driving license, you can drive in Spain without any problems. However, international driving licenses are only valid for a year; after that, you’ll have to get a Spanish one.
• Don’t forget to get driving insurance. It’s very important to be covered in case of a car accident or technical issue.
• If you’re bringing your car to Spain, you must ask for a temporary circulation permit at Customs. This permit is only valid for six months; after that, you need to register your car in Spain.
• If you’re renting a car in Spain, you must know that the minimum age is 21 , and many car rental companies want you to have a driving licence for 1 or 2 years. Also, if you’re under 25, expect higher rates.

In addition to all these tips, I would avoid going on a road trip in August, as this is the busiest month in Andalucia.

Locals often get their holidays in August, and tourists who look for the sun come to Spain in August. This means that roads are busier and finding a parking space is more difficult. Traffic is even worse in coastal towns!

What to pack for a Southern Spain road trip

Your packing list will be different according to the season you visit Andalucia.

If you plan to visit Andalucia in summer, you should pack very light clothes such as t-shirts, shorts, dresses, sandals and trainers for sightseeing or for going on a hiking trail. Temperatures in Andalucia can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius.

Are you visiting Andalucia in winter instead? You’ll need to pack light jumpers and a coat for destinations like Granada, Cordoba, and Seville, but you probably won’t need a coat in Malaga.

Generally, temperatures are low in the morning and evening but high in the afternoon. For example, it can be 18 degrees in the afternoon but 9 degrees Celsius in the evening.

For autumn and spring, pack light clothes and a jacket for the evenings or a rainy day.

It’s also important that you take high-quality sun cream with you regardless of the season. Andalucia enjoys plenty of beautiful sunny days, so you want to take care of your skin.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Andalucia

Where should i base myself in andalucia.

Málaga is a good base from which to start your road trip. Málaga has one of the largest airports in Spain, and it’s quite easy to travel to other Andalusian cities.

Malaga is connected to other cities by train and bus if you aren’t renting a car, and public transport is generally cheap.

Do I need a car in Andalucia?

You don’t need a car to travel around Andalucía, but renting one does make things easier. You aren’t restricted to specific times and have more freedom to travel to less accessible or remote locations.

What is the most visited place in Andalucia?

Sevilla is the most visited destination in Southern Spain, but Granada and Málaga are also at the top of the list.

If you’re looking for less touristy destinations in Andalucia, have a look at Andalusian cities like Almeria, Jaen and Huelva. They’re less popular, but you’ll be surprised how beautiful they are too!

Is Andalucia expensive?

Andalucía is very affordable compared to other regions and cities like Madrid and Barcelona. However, if you’re on a budget, you want to avoid eating or staying in touristy locations.

For example, staying in Marbella is much more expensive than staying in Torremolinos.

In addition to this, avoid travelling to Andalusia during the peak season (i.e. Easter and summer) and bank holidays to get better accommodation and flight deals. If you make a quick comparison, you’ll quickly realise the price difference!

Conclusion on going on an Andalusian road trip

Is going on an Andalusian road trip worth it? Absolutely! Andalucia is a very diverse region with plenty of things for all travellers to do. Whether you love visiting historic places, tasting the local food, or discovering unique natural spots, Andalucia is for you.

Do you have any questions? Drop them in the comments below!

Safe adventures!

Cristina xx

Save this Andalusia road trip on Pinterest for later

Things to do before going on a road trip to Andalucia

• Check out cheap flights to Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) with  Skyscanner here .
• Book the best accommodation for you with  Booking.com .
• Rent a car  to travel with ease around Southern Spain.
• Are you looking for other Andalucian cities to visit? Have a look at this travel guide about the most  beautiful cities and towns in Andalucia .
• Book travel insurance , this is a must for any trip!

Read other travel guides about Andalucia

• The Most Beautiful Towns and Cities in Southern Spain
• 17 Incredible Reasons To Visit Andalucia
• Andalucia in Winter: The Best Things to Do By a Local
• How to Spend One Day in Granada
• How to Spend One Day in Malaga
• The Perfect 2 Days in Seville Itinerary
• Malaga Vs Seville: Which City Is Best To Visit?

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Hola, I’m Cristina, the founder and writer of My Little World of Travelling. I was born and raised in Malaga (Costa del Sol), and I’m passionate about showing you my hometown and other beautiful Andalusian destinations. I help other travellers plan their trips to Spain by providing local advice and unique insights.

This looks absolutely magical! I loved Spain more than I thought I would – so a road trip would really get me out of the big cities for my next visit. Definitely saving!

I love this! Totally pinning to add on my bucket list of places to visit. It’s detailed and has all I would need to know once I start planning a visit. 🤗

Great itinerary! I’ve yet to visit Spain but would love to one day! Those beaches look beautiful and the architecture looks incredible. I’ll definitely have to refer back to this before planning a trip here! Xx Sara

I can’t wait to visit Andalucia after reading your post.

Loved this detailed guide – I’ve always steered away from Spain as the “lager and ships” beach resorts are just not me, but you’ve made Andalucia shoot right up my bucket list!

This all looks amazing, but especially Cordoba! I am now regretting only visiting Barca and Madrid on my last visit to Spain – I shall have to go back ASAP!

This looks like a magical part of Spain to visit. I can’t wait to get there one day! Thanks for the inspiration.

This Andalucia road trip looks dreamy!! Each one of your stops is so beautiful!

We haven’t been out of the country in so long and all of your Andalucia photos are giving major wanderlust! Thanks for sharing.

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The Perfect Andalucia Itinerary for 7, 10, or 14 Days

• Isabelle Hoyne
• February 15, 2024

** Disclosure: some of the links on this site are affiliate links and should you make a purchase through these, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!**

Pulling together the perfect southern Spain itinerary can be testing – I remember feeling overwhelmed when first sitting down to plan my trip to Andalucia – and you might be feeling this way too. This is a long one, but stick with me and by the end, you’ll know how to craft the perfect Andalucia itinerary!

I close my eyes and I am back there – flashes of orange blossoms, dusty, white towns that teeter on the precipice of yawning gorges, the solitary echo of footsteps on ochre-hued streets at siesta time. 

I taste the salty tang of Manchego cheese as it hits my tongue and squint my eyes in the bleached light of the midday sun, as I am once again immersed in the kaleidoscope of experiences that make up a road trip in Andalucia . 

Andalucia is famous for its shoreline – along its fringes are the beaches of the Costa del Sol, firm-favourite of many a package holiday fan. 

Its gateway is the port city of Malaga, but to step inside the interior of this region is to discover its beating, cultural heart and the very best of Southern Spain.

Our route first took us from the coast to the sweeping arches of the Puente Nuevo at Ronda, and on then to cosmopolitan Seville , capital city of Andalusia.

From here we journeyed our way further through southern Spain to gawp at La Mezquita in Cordoba before finishing at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, racking up our step count at Granada’s Alhambra .

Since initially writing this Andalucia itinerary guide, I’ve spent a number of months living in the marvellous metropolis that is Seville. I’ve fallen even further under Andalusia’s charms and hope to help you do the same through this comprehensive guide.

I understand that time constraints may be different for all readers of this post, and so below, I have outlined a variety of proposed itineraries depending on number of days you have available.

Further on in the post, I lay out my recommendations for each destination mentioned. Happy planning!

Essential links for booking your Andalucia trip

Search for and book flights via  Skyscanner Book your car rental via Rentalcars Make sure to book in advance: ☆ Make sure to book tickets to the Alhambra well in advance, that include entry to the Nasrid Palaces as visitor numbers are limited daily. To get the most from your visit, book a small group guided tour or alternatively, a private tour . ☆ The Seville Super Combi Pass offers a discounted bundle price for access to the Alcazar, Cathedral & Giralda Some memorable experiences in Andalucia ☆ Arabian Baths Experience at Granada’s Hammam Al Ándalus ☆ VIP early-access Alcazar of Seville tour (editor’s choice) ☆ Tastes, Tapas & Traditions of Seville Food Tour (great for foodies – I took this tour & loved it!) ☆ Small group catamaran trip in Marbella with dolphin watching ☆ Kayak and Snorkeling Tour in Acantilados de Cerro Gordo-Maro Natural Park Recommended hotels : Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria (Ronda hotel with spectacular views) // Soho Boutique Hotel (luxe for less, Seville) // Villa Oniria (boutique beauty I stayed in, Granada) // H10 Palacio Colomera (reasonably priced Cordoba luxury hotel with pool) Best Andalucia vacation rentals : take a look at these dreamy apartments

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Why history, culture and gastronomy lovers should visit andalucia, when should i go to andalucia, what is the best way to get around andalucia, how many days do i need in andalucia, andalucia itinerary 7 days, andalucia itinerary 10 days, andalucia itinerary 2 weeks, andalucia by train itinerary, ronda & the white villages, related reading for granada & andalucia, like this post pin for later.

Andalusia’s history is a long one.

For millennia these lands have attracted a diverse range of people. From early, pre-Christian metalworkers to the Phoenicians, the Romans to the Moors, Andalusia finally found itself in the hands of the Catholic monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, when it then became the nucleus of Spanish trade with the New World in the 16th century.

Responsible also for the Reconquista , they made it their business to either convert to Christianity or expel from Spain its Muslim and Jewish occupants.  

Each ruling dynasty left its mark on the region. Possibly the most unique and lasting legacy is that of the Moors – in fact, flamenco, one of Andalusia’s most distinct cultural outputs, finds its origins in Arabic roots.

Arabic influence on Andalusian architecture is also extremely distinct in this region, presenting a magical hybrid of Moorish and Spanish qualities (called ‘ Mudejar ’) that won’t be seen anywhere else in the world.

The perfect destination for those looking to immerse themselves in local culture, be wowed by architectural diversity and uniqueness and spend a good deal of time in tapas bars swilling local wine, an Andalucia road trip needs to make its way onto every traveller’s southern Spain itinerary .  

Planning your Andalucia road trip

Before embarking on our Andalusia road trip , it took a little bit of head scratching and quite a bit of research in order to answer all questions and decide on a route and itinerary for the trip. 

Where should I base myself in Andalucia and how much time did I need? Is it safe to self drive in Spain? Is it possible to get around Andalucia by train? You will likely have the same questions, so let me answer these for you below!

As with a lot of destinations, the shoulder months of April/May and September/October make for a great time to visit Andalucia, with average daily temperatures of anywhere between 20-30 degrees celsius (68-86 Fahrenheit).

I’ve visited Seville during May/June and temperatures sat at around 27/28 degrees celsius each day.

I would highly recommend that you avoid visiting at the peak of summer, particularly July and August, as the temperatures in places such as Seville can soar to a blistering 40 degrees celsius (104 fahrenheit) or more.

Bear in mind that the temperatures will vary from place to place – Seville, for example, will be milder than Ronda and Granada.

I spent a week in Andalucia across the New Year period and found it to be an excellent time to visit.

Conditions ranged from ‘short-sleeve weather’ in Seville, to ‘wear a coat weather’ in Granada, but there was sunshine everywhere we went and minimal rain (especially compared to home- Ireland! ) which makes Andalucia a very attractive winter sun destination in Europe.

I looked into buses, trains and hiring a car in Andalucia as a means of completing our southern Spain itinerary. We opted in the end to hire a car. My reasons for this:

Getting around Andalucia by train

Train routes in Andalucia are good, with fast AVE trains linking Malaga, Seville and Cordoba.

They don’t, however, work out very well when trying to incorporate Ronda and any of the White Villages into your itinerary and you have a little less flexibility if you want to venture off the beaten path outside of Andalucia’s larger urban centres.

Price wise too, when I looked at the cost of train tickets for two travellers and compared to hiring a car, there was little in the difference. Weighing it up, it was worth the flexibility of having a car at our disposal for our particular itinerary.

If it makes sense for your itinerary, though, train is still a solid option and you can check times and book tickets here .  

Getting around Andalucia by bus

Travelling around Andalucia by bus is also an option, but not one I opted for. Like the train, you’re tied to bus schedules and bus station drop off/pick up routes.

Personally, too, I just prefer to travel by car (or train), but if you would prefer to travel by bus then you can search for and book your tickets here.

Hiring a car for an Andalusia road trip

If you have decided that hiring a car is a good move for you too, then wonderful – let your Southern Spain road trip begin!

I suggest hiring something that’s not too much on the large side and that is comfortable enough for the longer stretches but small enough to navigate the often minimal spaces of narrow, cobbled city centre streets and car parks. 

I always use rentalcars.com when hiring a car abroad. I like them for the following reasons:

• You can compare all car rental companies in a given destination. They also have superior filtering options too, so you really can drill down to what you’re looking for – even to the deposit amount and payment type. 
• All the info you need for your relevant booking can subsequently be found in their convenient app – no print outs necessary.
• You can often amend/cancel your booking with no additional charges.

Driving in Andalucia during your itinerary for southern Spain- what you need to know

If you’ve ascertained that renting a car is the best way for you to get around Andalucia for your southern Spain itinerary, what else do you need to know?

Road conditions in Andalucia : the conditions of the roads in Andalucia are very good. Much of the road between main cities is motorway and when not, single lanes are wide and easy to navigate.

Driving distances and time : one thing I loved about our itinerary for Southern Spain was that there was never too much driving between locations.

As a rough guide, here is a summary of the time we spent transferring between cities (departing from and arriving to city centre locations in each):

• Malaga Airport to Ronda: 1 hr 15 mins
• Ronda to Seville: 1 hr 45 mins
• Seville to Cordoba: 1 hr 40 mins
• Cordoba to Granada: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Granada to Malaga Airport: 1 hr 25 mins

Provided that you leave at a sensible time and aim to arrive at your next stop in the same vein (i.e. not during the middle of rush hour traffic), the times provided by Google Maps between destinations are accurate and can be relied upon.

Parking is often not included in hotel rates, and is usually available at a nearby secure, underground car park.

Rather than source your own car parking (which might end up being far from your accommodation on the outskirts of town), I’d recommend taking the hit on this for peace of mind while driving a rental car in an unknown city.

It usually costs around €25-30 per day.

Is driving in Andalucia easy?

Driving in Andalucia really doesn’t pose too many problems. The roads we encountered were all high quality and we ran into no logistical issues when using Google Maps – once we followed the route provided we ended up where we needed to be.

Cities will be busy – Seville is a little tricky, as you first need to navigate larger intersections as you make your way towards the centre and then narrow streets once you go further in. Granada was much the same, although on a lesser scale.

We got caught out driving into the centre of Cordoba – there is a local access only zone that is controlled by electronic bollards so if your accommodation is in the old centre, arrange entry into the area in advance with your accommodation.

All in all though, a fairly straightforward driving experience as things go.

How long is a piece of string?! The charms of this region are plentiful and far reaching. To really cover a good chunk of the region of Andalucia as opposed to a city or two, then you need at least one week in Andalucia for it to be worth your while.

You want to allow for at least 2-3 days per stop (with a couple of exceptions requiring less time), so keep that in mind when crafting your Andalusia itinerary .

Personally, I spent a week in Andalucia and would have loved to extend my time there by another few days if I could.

I’ve included my 7 day Andalucia itinerary below, along with how I recommend organising your time should you have 10 days to spend in Andalucia. I’ve also included a 14 day Southern Spain itinerary as well.

• Ronda (2 nights)
• Seville (2 nights)
• Cordoba (1 night)
• Granada (2 nights)

A 7 day Andalucia itinerary allows you to get a real flavour of the region.

You will find yourself on the road at least every second day or so of the trip, but as I’ve mentioned above, journey times between destinations in Andalucia aren’t too long, so this won’t be too arduous. 

If you use the itinerary above in the given order (assuming most will be flying into/out of Malaga airport – so this is your starting point), you will be able to fit in many highlights of the region.

Each of the cities above are key points of interest in Andalusia and they are all also unique to each other, allowing you to uncover much of Andalucia in 7 days .

• Ronda & the White Villages (3 nights)
• Seville (3 nights)
• Malaga (1 night)

10 days in Andalucia will allow you to take some more time to explore the region a little more slowly. Rather than add in additional destinations, I’ve instead expanded on the 7 day itinerary to allow you a better immersion in those places I feel warrant more time. 

I’ve given an additional day in Ronda so you can explore the unique White Villages in the area.

Seville too gets an extra night – I’ve stayed in Seville for a week before and didn’t run out of things to do, so the 10 day Andalucia itinerary above allows a little more time to uncover the delights of my favourite Spanish city. 

Finally, I’ve ended this 10 day Andalucia itinerary in Malaga.

Instead of making your way straight to the airport, take a day to explore Malaga as a variation for this itinerary for southern Spain – perhaps visit an art gallery, admire the orange trees in Plaza de los Naranjos, or take a well earned dip in the Mediterranean Sea! 

• Granada (3 nights)
• Nerja (3 nights)

Your two week Andalucia itinerary builds on the 10 day route. Key changes include an additional night in Granada to allow for a day to visit the Sierra Nevada mountains (for skiing in winter or beautiful hikes in summer) and 3 nights in Nerja to slow down, grab a sun lounger and relax on the beach.

Yes, while having 14 days in Andalucia potentially means that you can cram in more destinations and stops, I know from experience that trying to cram in more does not usually result in a superior trip – the opposite.

In fact – so slow down, immerse yourself in each of your stops and don’t come back from your trip more exhausted than when you left for it! 

Trust me, Andalucia is a region that needs to be explored slowly, as much of this journey is about the experience in itself. 

While it wouldn’t be my recommended way to do it, as I prefer the flexibility of having a car, I understand that this might not be practical for everyone. It is definitely possible to undertake the above itineraries by train, with a little tweaking. 

Book your train tickets in advance here , especially if you are travelling during peak times.

You will be able to complete the loop of Malaga-Seville-Cordoba-Granada-Nerja-Malaga by train – the only thing you would miss out on would be overnighting in Ronda.

I really, really, would recommend visiting Ronda if you can (it’s very different to all of the cities), so there is a way to circumnavigate this conundrum by allocating your night in Ronda as an additional night in Seville and undertaking a guided day trip to Ronda and the White Villages from Seville.  

Building your Southern Spain itinerary – places to visit

So now that we’ve covered off where you should go, what is there to see in each of these places?

In this next section, I’m going to touch on some recommendations for each of the destinations that I mentioned on the 7, 10 and 14 day Andalucia itineraries above. 

I’m not going to provide you with one of those “on day 1, go to this place at 9am, followed by the next place at 11.15am” style itineraries – this is a holiday, not a military operation and Andalusia is a place that encourages you to relax!

I think it’s far more enjoyable to have a ‘menu’ of things to do in a place to have at your fingertips, depending on how you feel at the time. Decide on a couple of ‘must-sees’ in advance, book your tickets, and then fit the rest in around those booked activities. 

While known for being the birthplace of modern day bullfighting, Ronda is even more iconic due to its unique situation, perched atop what seems to be the almost bottomless El Tajo gorge, across which the giant arches of the Puente Nuevo stretch, joining the old Moorish town with the ‘new’ town. 

What to see & do in Ronda

Ronda is such a picturesque and inspiring location that merely walking around it was nearly enough to keep me going! However, below are some highlights and ideas of things to see and do in Ronda.

Get acquainted with Ronda

If you’d like to get your bearings and understand the history of the place, which is very interesting, then take a walking tour on your first day. For a history lesson that’s a little more quirky, drop into the Bandit Museum , Spain’s only museum that is dedicated to bandits and highwaymen. 

Visit the Municipal Museum that is housed in Ronda’s Mondragón Palace , with moorish courtyards, stunning gardens and awe-inspiring views.

Located in the old Arabic quarter of San Miguel, pop in to visit the Arabic Baths , which were built in the 13th century and are the best preserved in Spain.

Take in the views & the famous El Tajo Gorge

Examine the star of the show in Ronda, the Puente Nuevo from all angles and at different times of the day to really get a deep sense of appreciation for the feat of engineering that it is.

Hike down the gorge from the Plaza Maria Auxiliadora in town to view the Puente Nuevo from below – just don’t think about the fact that you have to walk back up it afterwards!

Make sure to take some air too at Ronda’s Alameda de Tajo , an elegant outdoor square that leads out towards sweeping views of the El Tajo gorge.

We went for an early morning run along here, and it definitely knocked the cobwebs off!

Get familiar with the surrounding countryside

Visit some more of the famous White Villages , or Pueblos Blancos. Suggestions include Zahara de la Sierra, Setenil de las Bodegas and Grazalema.

Alternatively, you foodies out there might enjoy this alternative White Villages experience – where you take to the countryside on e-bikes and sample wine and cheese as you go!

If you’re a bit of an adrenaline junkie, want to take in the beautiful scenery and don’t mind getting a bit dirty, then the dramatic surroundings of the El Tajo gorge are the perfect location to do a gorge buggy tour .

Ronda bull ring

While a controversial topic and not a sport that I personally support, Ronda is famous for its bullfighting, making the Plaza dos Toros (or bullring) one of its most popular attractions. 

Where to stay in Ronda

Hotel catalonia reina victoria.

Upon pulling back the curtains and throwing open the doors of our balcony, I knew that I had chosen the right spot to stay in Ronda!

Offering absolutely insane views from the balconies of its rooms, the Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria is a Victorian style hotel that has undergone modern refurbishment.

Complete with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a spa and those exceptional views to boot, you really can’t go wrong with this one. 

Catalonia Ronda

I agonised between this hotel and Catalonia Reina Victoria. The Catalonia Ronda is located right in the heart of town, just across from the bull ring (Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria is 500m walk from the centre).

Boasting a rooftop pool with views into the bull ring and on towards El Tajo gorge, this is one for those who want to be slap bang in the middle of the action and are looking for a hotel in Ronda town centre.

Ah, Sevilla. This delightful, stylish, historical city is hands down my favourite in Spain and needs to find itself on every Spain travel plan. Whether it’s cultural sights, architecture, cuisine or shopping (or a healthy dose of all four) that you seek, this city really has got it all.

I’ve written all about what to do in Seville in my Seville guide , but here’s a synopsis.

RELATED READING | The Best Airbnb Seville Spain [2024] – 22 Luxury Airbnb in Seville

What to see & do in Seville

EDITOR’S NOTE | TakeWalks , our small-group cultural tour company of choice, have recently launched a range of tours in Seville.

These include an excellent food tour that I’ve taken, and a Seville in a Day Tour with VIP Alcazar Access . I’d highly recommend that you check them out.

Alcázar of Seville

First things first, get yourself to my favourite landmark in Seville, the Alcázar of Seville . Still in use as the King of Spain’s Seville residence, this amazing palace boasts incredible Mudejar architecture and extensive gardens. It was also featured as Dorne in Game of Thrones.

It’s super popular and also sells out early in the day, so book your skip the line tickets here . Once you see the queue that forms as the day progresses, you’ll be happy you’ve bought yours in advance, trust me!

There’s also quite a lot to take in at the Alcazar, so if you’d love to know more about it and haven’t done your reading in advance, then consider taking this small group tour, which has received over 500 5 star reviews from past guests.

If you’re looking for something really special, then consider the TakeWalks VIP early-access tour .

Seville Cathedral & Giralda

Beside the Alcazar, you will find the incredible Seville Cathedral, (which is the 3rd largest church in the whole world !), along with its iconic Giralda, which towers beautifully above the rooftops of Seville.

Again, queues get crazy long, so book a skip the line ticket in advance. When you’re done exploring the cathedral, make sure to climb La Giralda , which is the cathedral’s bell tower, for beautiful views over the city.

TOP TIP | If you plan on visiting both Seville Cathedral and the Royal Alcazar, it can work out better for you to purchase a Seville Super Combi Pass . This includes skip-the-line entrance to both these attractions, plus a hop-on/hop-off bus around Seville.

You can also download audio guides for both the Cathedral and the Alcazar. Alternatively, you can book a guided tour that incorporates both the Alcazar and the Cathedral. With them located so closely together, it makes sense to visit them on the same day.

I’ve rounded up the best Seville Cathedral tours in this post – check it out!

Rooftop cocktails

All that touring is thirsty work! For those seeking a more glam viewpoint of Seville Cathedral and La Giralda, head to the rooftop bar of the EME Cathedral Hotel for cocktails. I’d highly recommend visiting at sunset.

Plaza de España & Maria Luisa Park

Another emblematic location in Seville is the expansive, fountain and tile filled Plaza de España . Try go early in the morning if you can to have more of the space to yourself, as it fills up quite quickly throughout the day.

Make sure to visit and take a stroll in the adjoining Maria Luisa Park during your time in Seville.

Explore the neighbourhoods

You could while away hours wandering the cobbled streets of Sevilla, but when you are in town, do make sure to wander through the Santa Cruz , the old Jewish quarter in the historic area around the Cathedral.

Cross the river, too, and explore some of the craft workshops of the Triana area.

Seville is the home of flamenco dancing, so it is a fitting location in which to attend a flamenco show.

This Flamenco show features 15 of Seville’s best flamenco dancers at Seville’s famous Tablao El Arenal, with a choice of three packages – show with drink, show with tapas, or show with dinner. Alternatively, you could consider TakeWalks Tapas Crawl & Flamenco experience .

Metropol Parasol

Finally, Seville is home to the very modern Metropol Parasol installation – evening time makes a great time to view this as the sun sets over Seville. If you visit early in the day, make sure to head underneath to the interior – where you’ll find an authentic food market in full swing.

Where to stay in Seville

Casa romana hotel boutique.

I had a hard time trying to find somewhere that was reasonably priced over the New Year period in Seville, that would also pass muster and my rather picky hotel standards.

Luckily, I happened upon this charming, 4 star boutique hotel after oodles of hours spent searching. 

Rooms are set around a delightful outdoor courtyard (like a Roman villa) that features a lovely, trickling water feature. There is also a rooftop terrace with a hot tub.

The street it is located on is quiet, and its position in the Old Town meant we were 15 minutes away from everything.

Hotel Alfonso XIII

If you want to splash out on a spectacular luxury hotel in Seville, then look no further than the emblematic Hotel Alfonso XIII.

Situated right beside Seville’s Royal Alcazar, the architecture and design of the hotel borrows heavily from its Mudejar-themed neighbour.

Comes with everything that you would expect a hotel of this ilk to offer.

Soho Boutique Villa

Those looking for something a little bit more affordable, but nonetheless luxe, will find that Soho Boutique Villa ticks all their boxes.

This stylish, 3 star boutique hotel features trendy rooms, an outdoor swimming pool and is located too in the old town area of Seville. 

Click here to discover a curated list of Seville holiday apartments

We arrived in Cordoba just as the sun was setting, casting a soft golden haze on the walls of the city as we made our approach from the river. Cordoba is special. For many years preceding the Reconquista, Jews, Muslims and Christains lived peacefully side-by-side. 

An important Roman city too, Cordoba is a melting pot of all these cultures. Famous also for its patios, this is a rather gorgeous and extremely atmospheric city that should not be left off any Andalucia travel itinerary.

What to see & do in Cordoba

Visit the Mosque-Cathedral

Cordoba’s Mosque-Cathedral, or ‘ La Mezquita ’ should be the first port of call when visiting Cordoba. This incredibly unique structure of a cathedral housed within a mosque is famous for its red and white arches.

If you’d like to learn more about the fascinating history of this astounding structure, this guided tour  is extremely well reviewed.

Discover the Jewish Quarter

One area of Cordoba that you need to get lost in is the Jewish quarter, or La Judería. It forms the Old Town of Cordoba and is where you will find most of the city’s main sites. 

A quick stop, but well worth popping into is the Cordoba Synagogue , which is the only existing synagogue in Andalucia. 

The Jewish Quarter is extremely interesting, so if you’d like to learn more, then it might be worth considering a combined Mosque-Cathedral and Jewish Quarter walking tour. This one is extremely well reviewed, and finishes with a tapa and a drink.

Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos

Another must-see in Cordoba is the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos . Having served as the residence of the Catholic kings, inside it features tranquil, Moorish patios and gardens. Climb the ramparts for views across Cordoba city.

You can book a skip the line ticket and guided tour here . You will also be able to see into the Royal Stables of Cordoba from the ramparts of the Alcazar. This is where the famous breed of Andalusian horses was created. You can visit the stables and also attend a show. 

Sample local dishes

Make sure to try Salmorejo , which is the local speciality of cold tomato soup made with bread, garlic, olive oil and vinegar and then topped with egg and ham. It might sound a little weird, but a friend of mine who lived in Cordoba encouraged me to try it and I can confirm that it is delicious!

Get acquainted with downtown Cordoba & its patios

Make sure to stop off and see some of Cordoba’s Patios! These colourful, flower-filled courtyards are dotted around the city.

Take a stroll through the Plaza de la Corredera . Nearby, you will also be able to observe, towering over the street, the columns of the Roman Temple of Cordoba .

Finally, cross the Guadalquivir River via the Roman Bridge for magnificent views back towards the old town of Seville. This bridge has been standing since before the birth of Christ!

Where to stay in Cordoba

Eurostars conquistador.

This 4 star hotel in Cordoba is where I stayed during my visit and it was absolutely perfect for one night.

Located on the opposite side of the street from the Mezquita, I could see the Mezquita’s beautiful Arabic arches illuminated at all times of the day right from my bed, which was really quite special.

At its centre is a beautiful courtyard, which was a lovely spot to grab a drink in.

Hospes Palacio del Bailio

If you are staying a little longer in Cordoba, or are looking for a luxury hotel in Cordoba, then I would opt for Hospes Palacio del Bailio.

This 5 star hotel with swimming pool is located in a 16th century former palace, with interiors that incorporate a stylish blend of both old and new. It is located in the old town and is only 1 km away from the Mezquita.

H10 Palacio Colomera

This snazzy Cordoba 4 star hotel features an outdoor plunge pool, perfect for those hotter days.

Located in the newer part of town close to the Roman Temple, it is still only 1km away from the Mezquita and the old historic area of Cordoba. 

Granada sits at the foot of the magnificent Sierra Nevada mountain range and is home to the Alhambra, Spain’s most popular tourist attraction.

As the former capital of Moorish Andalucia, Granada’s Alhambra really is something that needs to be seen to be believed and its presence alone in Granada justifies a visit to the city.

Related reading for Granada |

• How to Spend One Day in Granada
• 2 Days in Granada: Itinerary & Tips
• Visiting the Alhambra from Seville (as a day trip)
• How many days in Granada do you need?
• Visiting the Alhambra: Complete Guide

Where to stay in Granada

What to see & do in granada.

Visit the extraordinary Alhambra

This enormous, hill-top fortress is a complex of palaces, gardens and patios – the highlight for me being the Nasrid Palaces.

There is a daily limit on ticket sales, so where you can, I advise booking your tickets months (or at the very least, weeks) in advance if you plan on going at a popular time. Make sure that you book a ticket that includes the Nasrid Palaces , as these are the first to go.

The Alhambra complex is sprawling and its history comprehensive and interesting, so it is a spot where it’s well worth getting a guide.

This small group tour is extremely well reviewed, or if you’re like me and dawdle a lot to take photos and look at things in detail, perhaps opt for a ticket with audio guide instead, so you can move at your own pace.

TOP TIP | If you forget to book your Alhambra tickets, or book your trip a little closer to the date, then it’s highly likely that Alhambra tickets that include the Nasrid Palaces will be sold our.

Scour any tours that have availability for yours dates and know that if all else fails, you have one last ditch attempt.

Each night at midnight, the official Alhambra website re-releases those tickets that have been returned for the following day (or the same day, technically, if it’s after midnight).

Act really fast the second the clock strikes midnight and you may hopefully be able to secure tickets (I did once, but only by the skin of my teeth!).

Discover Granada’s churches

Visit Granada’s Cathedral and Royal Chapel . The final resting place of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, I underestimated how interesting I would find the Royal Chapel and it was my favourite attraction in Granada after the Alhambra.

If you want to learn more about this powerful couple and their place of rest, you can book a guided tour . If baroque is your thing, then get yourself to the Basilica of San Juan de Dios .

This incredible 18th century church is swathed in gold features and frescos, and is the most important baroque church in Spain. 

Make sure to spend some time exploring the Aladdin’s cave of shops and stalls in the Albaicín district, which is Granada’s former Arabic neighbourhood. Another worthwhile thing to do in Granada is to watch the sunset from one of the mirador.

The most popular one for this is the San Nicolas Mirador , which offers spectacular views of the Alhambra.

For a memorable experience that combines both, this 5* sunset walking tour takes you through both the Albaicín and Sacromonte districts to the San Nicolas Mirador, regaling interesting facts and stories about Granada along the way.

Go shopping

Granada has an absolutely wonderful range of high street fashion stores and make up shops, with multiple Zara stores –  it’s safe to say I squished in an adequate amount of retail therapy when I was there!

Head to Calle Reyes Católicos where you will find the majority of these. There are also two El Corte Inglés in Granada.

Immerse yourself in the tradition of flamenco in Granada

The area of Sacromonte is famous for its flamenco dancing, the venues for which are often set in caves. This show takes place in a cave-restaurant, in one of Granada’s most spectacular venues.

Eat some tapas

In Granada, you get a free glass of wine when you order tapas. If you are a foodie, then this small group food tour will introduce you to Granada’s traditional products and dishes (including tapas), along with some hidden treasures.     

Visit the baths | Pay a visit to Granada’s famous ancient Arab baths, “ El Bañuelo ”. Unfortunately, these are not in use today, but if you fancy trying to Arabic bath experience for yourself to relax after all that sightseeing, you can book a traditional hammam and massage here !

Get out into the Sierra Nevada mountains | Granada is located in the shadows of the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains.

Your stop in Granada would be the perfect opportunity to break up all of your city visits with some time spent in the clear mountain air. Depending on your interests, here are some ideas to get you started:

• 4WD Sierra Nevada Safari tour
• Sierra Nevada Small Group E-Bike Tour
• Sunset at 2,500m in Sierra Nevada

Villa Oniria

I loved our hotel in Granada! Situated in the city centre, Villa Oniria is an elegant 4 star hotel situated in a 19th century manor house.

Set around a beautiful Andalusian courtyard, it has a plush, yet relaxed atmosphere. The location is great for exploring all the main sights of Granada. There is also a fantastic restaurant located onsite.

Alhambra Palace

If you’re looking for a 5 star hotel in Granada, I would draw your attention to the Alhambra Palace.

It’s probably a toss up for me between here and the Hotel Palacio de Santa Paula (where the entry level rooms may be a tad more modern than those of the Alhambra Palace’s equivalent), but it’s the location outside the walls of the Alhambra and the expansive views of the city that clinch this for me – I’ll take a Junior Suite with city views, please. 

Should you find yourself with more than 10 days in Andalucia, I’d recommend adding some beach time to your southern Spain trip itinerary. This will allow you a few days to kick up your  feet and relax after all your sightseeing! 

I’d recommend considering the white cobbled streets of the former fishing village of Nerja, an area far quieter than the glitzy beach clubs that run from Marbella to Puerto Banus. Conveniently, it’s just a little over an hour’s drive from Granada too.

If the glitz, glamour and beach clubs of Marbella are more your thing however, there’s nothing wrong with that! I’ve written a roundup of the best holiday villas in Marbella, which you can read here .

What to see & do in Nerja

Get some R&R

Relaxation is the aim of the game here, so get your tanning on (safely!) on one of the beaches of Nerja . Some of Nerja’s most beautiful beaches include Playa Carabeillo, Playa El Chorrillo, Playa El Cañuelo and Playa de Alberquillas. 

Explore the local area

Take a day trip to nearby Frigiliana , which is 6km away. Think pristine white buildings, cobbled streets and cute alleyways. You can also visit Visit the Nerja Caves , which stretch for almost 5km underground and have been in existence for millions of years.

They are also home to the largest stalagmite in the world. Nearby too, is the Acueducto del Águila , or Eagle Aqueduct, a very eye catching, red and yellow coloured feat of engineering located just outside of Nerja. 

Hike some of the local area covering beaches, cliffs and Moorish towers before undertaking a spot of snorkelling. If you’re feeling particularly active, you can walk the Rio Chillar gorge – just prepare to get your feet wet!

Another good hike is Il Cielo – which translates to ‘heaven’ – for breathtaking views of the sea and the expanse of the surrounding countryside. 

Where to stay in Nerja

Hotel balcón de europa .

This beachfront hotel in Nerja is built into the Balcón de Europa rock face, and enjoys direct access to Caletilla Beach.

It features an outdoor swimming pool and a restaurant with stunning sea views. Opt for a room with sea views and a balcony to properly enjoy the seafront location.

Boutique holiday rental in Nerja

This nautical themed holiday rental in Nerja features a balcony with sea views, along with a pool and sun loungers.

The house is a mere 200m from the beach and it also takes less than 10 minutes on foot to reach the busy centre and its bars, restaurants and shops.

Known primarily as the gateway to the Costa del Sol when I was growing up, Marbella is in fact a city full of culture and has done a lot to shift this image in recent years.

Yes, there may still exist the dazzling lights of Malaga’s glitzy nightlife, but do remember that this too is the city that gave us Picasso.

Built atop Roman ruins and holding Moorish citadels within its embrace, this impressive city is also worth a stop on a southern Spain travel itinerary. 

What to see & do in Malaga

Stroll around the old town, and take in the Plaza de los Naranjos , a beautiful square in the old town centre that is bursting with orange trees. 

Visit the Alcazaba of Malaga . Built by the Moors in the 11th  to protect against Catholic attackers, its prime position provides magnificent views over the city and coastline. You can book a tour here . 

Visit the Roman Theatre . Having only been rediscovered in the 1950’s, the theatre is located right beside the Alcazaba and is free to visit.  This walking tour includes both the Roman Theatre and the Alcazaba.

Continue up the hill past the Alcazaba to Gibralfaro Castle . Built to protect the Alcazaba, this is where you will get the best views of Malaga and can even see as far as the Strait of Gibraltar on a clear day. 

All about the views here, climb the tower of the whopping Malaga Cathedral for 360 degree views of the city!

Take a trip to the Picasso Birthplace Museum , where – you guessed it – was the place that Pablo Picasso grew up! You can book your tickets in advance here . 

Art lovers should also visit the Museo Picasso Málaga , which explores the life and art of the famous painter and includes 200 of his works of art. You can purchase tickets here . 

You can also visit one of Europe’s biggest and best botanical gardens, La Concepción should this tickle your fancy. 

Enjoy a cocktail on the rooftop bar of the La Terraza de la Alcazaba for incredible views of the city, the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle. 

Finally, if you haven’t had enough of eating throughout your Andalusia trip (or want to end your trip with a night of feasting) then I thought that this Malaga evening wine & taps tour looked rather appealing!

Featuring the city’s gourmet highlights, from a classic shop to much loved bars, you’ll taste your way through some of Malaga’s classic foods, from Iberian ham to tapas and wine.

Where to stay in Malaga

Palacio solecio, a small luxury hotel of the world.

A gorgeous, luxury 4 star hotel in the centre of Malaga. The hotel occupies a restored 18th century mansion and is a minute’s walk from Museo Picasso Málaga. 

The building and the rooms of this hotel are truly exquisite, featuring an internal courtyard with marble arches and palms.

Hotel Gran Hotel Miramar GL 

This luxurious, 5 star hotel in Malaga is situated along the seafront, offering glorious views of the ocean from some of its rooms.

A listed building, these walls have hosted many high profile visitors over the years, including Elizabeth Taylor and Ernest Hemmingway. A truly chic affair, with glorious views onto the waterfront.

• Alhambra Day Trip | Day Trip to Alhambra from Seville: How to Pull off a Flawless Visit
• 2 days in Granada | Granada in 2 days: Ultimate Itinerary & Top Tips
• Alhambra travel guide | Visiting the Alhambra – Ultimate Guide + Insider Alhambra Tips
• One day in Granada | Best of Granada in One Day: Where to Go, Eat & Stay
• Where to stay in Granada | Where to Stay in Granada, Spain [2024] – Top Areas & Accommodation
• How long in Granada? | How Many Days in Granada Do You Really Need?
• Andalucia itinerary | The Perfect Andalucia Itinerary for 7, 10, or 14 Days

Related Topics

• Itineraries

Hi there! I'm Isabelle, aficionado of immersive travel experiences and unique, luxurious hotels. You'll most likely find me camera in hand, or nerding out on research in advance of my next trip. A major foodie, history and scenery lover, nothing makes me happier than soaking in the atmosphere and culture of the destination I'm visiting.

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Andalusia Road Trip: The Best 1-Week Southern Spain Itinerary

An Andalusia road trip (or Andalucia as it’s written in Spanish) is a must-have experience in Spain . I was ecstatic just planning it (well, trip planning always gets me excited), and this region was worth it and did not disappoint.

With such a rich Jewish, Christian, and Muslim history, incredibly beautiful places to see (including cities, villages, and nature), and an enticing atmosphere, it is one of the most interesting and captivating destinations I’ve visited.

Although 7 days in Andalucia are not enough to see everything this region has to offer, you can still experience some of its highlights.

To help you make the most of one of the best road trips in Europe , here is my full 7-day southern Spain road trip itinerary (that you need to steal right now!).

* This post may contain affiliate links from which I earn a commission (for more info, read my disclosure ). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

* I try to keep the information on this blog as updated as possible, but I still recommend consulting the latest prices, opening hours, and other details on the official website of each site, hotel, and tour, as well as checking the updated public transport routes and timetables.

Table of Contents

ANDALUSIA ROAD TRIP ITINERARY – SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS

Itinerary summary and map.

If you’re wondering how many days you need in Andalucia, know that I could have easily spent a month (or more) in this region.

10-14 days here will be great, but if you only have a week, here’s how you can make the most of it:

Day 1 : Granada (suggested hotel: Casa de Reyes or Smart Suites Albaicin in Granada).

Day 2: Granada (suggested hotel: Cordoba Carpe Diem or Apartamentos Casa del Aceite in Cordoba).

Day 3: Cordoba (suggested hotel: Adriano Boutique or Hotel Fernando III in Seville).

Day 4 : Seville (suggested hotel: Adriano Boutique or Hotel Fernando III in Seville).

Day 5: Seville (suggested hotel: Las Cortes de Cadiz or Casa Palacio Cádiz in Cadiz).

Day 6: Cadiz, Zahara de la Sierra (suggested hotel: Hotel Berlanga or Hotel Colon in Ronda).

Day 7: Ronda, Marbella (suggested hotel: Marbella Inn in Marbella).

Click here to see the MyMaps maps of this route.

Tip: After accessing the map, you can also open it on your Google Maps app. Simply open your app, tap the ‘saved’ icon at the bottom, scroll down and tap the ‘maps’ icon, and choose the MyMaps map you want to see (you can do the same on your computer).

If you want to extend or change this 7-day Andalucia road trip itinerary, you can add 1- 2 days in Malaga , visit many more white-washed villages ( pueblos blancos ), unwind at some beach towns, take a day trip to Gibraltar from Malaga or Seville, visit some national parks, and the list goes on.

Itinerary Highlights – Top Must-Visit Landmarks

You can dive right into this massive itinerary, but if you’re just looking for the highlights, here are a few must-visit attractions that you should book in advance :

Set against the Sierra Nevada mountains, this complex of Moorish palaces and gardens is Granada’s biggest landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I 100% recommend purchasing your ticket in advance as daily visits are limited, whether you want to reserve your spot and visit it on your own or book a guided tour .

Cordoba’s Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral)

This is one of Andalusia’s most recognizable medieval landmarks, thanks to its striped arches. Get your ticket here or book a guided tour.

Seville’s Cathedral, Giralda (Bell Tower), and Alcazar (Palace)

Want to visit the world’s largest Gothic cathedral and the oldest royal palace in Europe that is still in use? Don’t miss these 3 must-see UNESCO sites in southern Spain!

Book a combined guided tour of all three of them or purchase your Alcazar ticket and Cathedral & Giralda ticket to visit them on your own.

Southern Spain Itinerary – Days 1 and 2 – Granada

Granada is an incredible starting point for 1 week in Andalucia. I was inspired to visit it after reading the amazing novel – ‘The Return’ by Victoria Hislop.

The city’s most iconic attraction may be the Alhambra palace complex, but there are plenty of things to do in Granada .

You can feel the Moorish and Christian influence in every corner and aspect, which is exactly what makes Granada so fascinating.

Where to Stay in Granada

We stayed at Hotel Los Jeronimos which had a great location in Granada’s old town and a private parking lot 100 meters (0.06 miles) away.

However, the overall stay was just okay – nothing especially good or bad. So I suggest finding higher-rated accommodation such as:

Casa de Reyes : Offering uniquely decorated standard, superior, and deluxe double rooms, this hotel is centrally located near Granada’s Cathedral. Browse its latest prices here.

Smart Suites Albaicin : Located in the Moorish quarter of Albaicin, this aparthotel offers spacious, modern apartments for up to 7 people, as well as private parking and an open-air restaurant. Check out its latest prices here.

You can browse all the accommodation options in Granada here.

What to Do in Granada

If you want to explore Granada with a guide, take this free walking tour .

1. Alhambra

Let’s start with the obvious because this landmark is Granada’s crowning glory.

Depending on what time you’re getting to the city, I recommend dedicating the second day’s morning to visiting it. So what exactly is the Alhambra?

It’s a stunning complex of Moorish palaces and gardens from the 9th, 13th, and 14th centuries that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Its captivating history and intricate Arab architecture are what make it one of Spain’s most visited attractions.

On Your Visit, You Can Access Three Areas:

Alcazaba: A military fortress and one of Alhambra’s oldest buildings.

Nasrid Palaces: A complex of three palaces that was the residence of the kings of Granada.

Generalife: A palace and gardens that served as a recreational area.

The Types of Tickets You Can Purchase:

General (recommended): Gives you access to all 3 areas – purchase it here or book a guided tour .

Gardens, Generalife, and Alcazaba: Gives you access to all areas of the complex open to the public, except the Nasrid Palaces – purchase it here or book a guided tour .

A night visit : Browse all night tours here .

Alhambra Experiences : Combines a daytime visit to the Generalife and Alcazaba and a night visit to the Nasrid Palaces.

An Important Tip:

Since the number of visitors is limited to 6000 per day and you need to pick a specific timeslot if you’re not visiting with a guide, I recommend booking your tickets in advance online as soon as you can .

For a slightly less crowded visit, I also recommend booking a morning ticket or tour in the middle of the week.

How to Purchase Your Tickets – Option 1 – Book a Guided Tour:

The first option is to take a guided tour as I did (this is the full tour with the Nasrid Palaces).

It’s about 3 hours long which sounds like a lot, but the complex is so huge that I wish I had a bit more time to wander around freely.

That said, I did enjoy learning about this place from my amazing guide and I truly recommend visiting the Alhambra with a guide.

Read more reviews and purchase your Alhambra guided-tour tickets here.

How to Purchase Your Tickets – Option 2 – An Independent Visit:

If you want to tour the complex on your own , purchase your entry tickets in advance .

You can also buy them at the ticket office at the main entrance or the ticket machines in the city, but I highly recommend an online purchase.

Note that you need to pick a specific time slot for your ticket. That is the time when you need to access the Nasrid Palaces . You can access the other areas with no time limitations.

How to Purchase Your Tickets Option 3 – Granada City Card:

You can also purchase one of several types of Granada City Card. It already includes a visit to the Alhambra (without a guide) as well as other landmarks in the city, so it can be a big money saver.

When purchasing your city card, you’ll also have to pick a time slot to visit the Alhambra. Check what the Granada Card includes, and purchase it here.

2. San Jeronimo Monastery

This stunning Renaissance monastery was founded by the Spanish monarchs during the reconquest of Granada from the Moors.

Even though I don’t have any religious connection to churches and monasteries, I can’t ignore historical buildings with such unique architecture.

Address:  Rector López Argueta, 9.

Cost: 4 euros.

3. Granada’s Cathedral and Royal Chapel

Dating back to the 16th century, both the Granada Cathedral and Royal Chapel are must-see sights in the city.

The Royal Chapel is actually the burial place of the Catholic monarchs who asked to be buried there specifically. Apart from its historical importance, its Gothic-style architecture is also extremely beautiful.

Address:  Gran Via de Colon 5.

Cost: 5 euros including an audio guide.

Want to learn more about the Cathedral and Royal Chapel? Book this guided tour .

4. Carrera Del Daro and Paseo de Los Tristes

There’s nothing I love more than charming cobbled streets, so it’s clear why I was won over by Carrera del Daro, one of Granada’s oldest and most scenic streets.

It passes alongside the Daro River and some of Granada’s oldest bridges and buildings.

It’s also connected to Paseo de los Tristes, another picturesque street in the city that offers incredible views of the Alhambra.

For pure magic, I highly recommend walking alongside Paseo de los Tristes at night to witness the Alhambra when it’s illuminated.

5. Alcaiceria Bazaar

This is the place to experience some of Granada’s Arab history and do some shopping. It used to be a significantly bigger bazaar where people could buy things like spices and silk.

Nowadays, it’s mostly home to souvenir stalls selling items like clothing, ceramics, lamps, and other knickknacks.

Address:  Alcaiceria, 1.

6. Albayzin and Sacromonte

For me, a huge part of traveling to a city is exploring its different neighborhoods. And if you really want to experience Granada, you have to take some time to wander both Albayzin and Sacromonte.

While Albayzin is the old Arab Quarter where you’ll mostly find narrow streets and mosques, Sacromonte is known for its gypsy caves and diverse ethnic history.

Didn’t I tell you Granada was fascinating?

Want to explore these neighborhoods with a guide? Book this guided walking tour !

You can also book this flamenco show in Sacromonte’s caves .

7. Highly-Rated Tours in Granada

I love themed tours that uncover a different side of the city, and here are a few highly-rated tours you can take in Granada:

• FREE walking tour of Granada
• Granada’s Hammam Al Ándalus ticket

After 2 fantastic days in Granada, we were headed to our hotel in Cordoba .

Southern Spain Itinerary – Day 3 – Cordoba

I have to say that the must-visit Cordoba was one of my top favorite places on this Andalusia travel itinerary.

It’s another city with both Moorish and Christian history, but the highlight for me was exploring its Jewish history. Cordoba was home to a large, thriving Jewish community, and it was incredible to see its preserved heritage.

Where to Stay in Cordoba

My hotel is not available to book at the moment, so check out these highly-rated places instead:

Cordoba Carpe Diem : Offering a central location, private parking, and rooms for up to four people, this hotel gets a score of 9+ in every category, from cleanliness to value for money. Browse its latest prices here.

Apartamentos Casa del Aceite : Housed in an 18th-century building and centrally located in the old town, this hotel offers modern apartments for up to 4 people (some overlook a beautiful patio), nearby parking, and access to a shared roof terrace. See its latest prices here.

Alternatively, browse all the accommodation options in Cordoba here.

What to Do in Cordoba

Since we only had one day, we decided to pass on visiting three main sights – Alcazar of Cordoba , Viana Palace , and Medina Azahara – and focus more on Cordoba’s Jewish landmarks.

To explore this city with a guide, take a free walking tour .

1. Almodovar Gate

This is the only city gate (out of nine) from Moorish times that has survived.

It has gone through several changes and restorations over the years, and today it’s an access point to Cordoba’s gorgeous old Jewish Quarter.

2. Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba)

Showcasing spectacular Islamic architecture, the Mezquita is such a unique building to see.

The iconic red and white striped arches spread all over its interior are what make it such a memorable sight and a Spanish landmark you don’t want to miss.

It’s also impossible to overlook the mosque’s beautiful courtyard, Patio de los Naranjos.

Address:  Cardenal Herrero, 1.

Get your ticket in advance to reserve your spot or book a tour to visit the Mezquita with a guide !

3. Mercado Victoria

Although it isn’t big, this gourmet food market is a really nice spot to grab a bite in Cordoba. It includes about 20 different food stalls and more than 5 terraces.

Address:  Paseo de la Victoria, 3.

4. Jewish Quarter

Cordoba’s Jewish Quarter is charmingly irresistible – Andalucian white houses flavored with pops of color, cobble-stone streets, colorful flower pots, and an authentic atmosphere.

Take some time and just stroll around the quarter. While sightseeing is nice, the real magic happens when you lose yourself in a maze of beautiful streets and alleyways.

To explore the quarter with a guide, you can take a combined Jewish quarter and Mezquita tour .

5. Calleja de Las Flores

Calleja de las Flores or ‘Alley of the Flowers’ is a picturesque little street in the Jewish Quarter.

Flowers embellish the narrow alley that leads to a small patio, and the patio’s walls and balconies are also decorated with flowers, which makes the whole scenery extra colorful and lively.

Bonus tip: The small patio at the end of Calleja de las Flores is just a taste of what Cordoba’s patios can look like. In May, the festival ‘ Patios de Cordoba ‘ (which is still on my bucket list) takes place. During the festival, the city’s patios come to life, forming giant carpets of flowers and exploding colors all over the city center.

6. Cordoba Synagogue

The 14th-century Synagogue of Cordoba is one of the best-preserved synagogues in Spain and the only one in Cordoba that has survived complete destruction.

Sadly, during my visit to Cordoba, it was under restoration, so this one is still on my bucket list.

Fun fact: Oddly enough, some of the building’s decorations were influenced by the Mudéjar architectural style which is a cultural mix of Muslim and Christian architecture.

Address: Judios, 20.

Check out this combined tour of the Mezquita, Jewish Quarter, and Synagogue !

7. Casa de Sefarad

In reference to the Jewish diaspora, Sephardic Jews are a Jewish population that lived in the Iberian Peninsula, as opposed to Ashkenazi Jews that lived in eastern and central Europe (I’m half Sephardic and half Ashkenazi).

‘Casa de Sefarad’ is a great place to learn about Sephardic culture and history (yes, even if you’re Jewish like me).

It’s a beautifully designed museum and cultural center located in an old Jewish house in the heart of Cordoba’s Jewish Quarter.

At ‘Casa de Sefarad’ you can explore the different aspects of Sephardic heritage like domestic life, holidays, and music.

Address:  On the corner of Judios Street and Averroes Street.

8. Rub Maimonides Foot at Plaza de Tiberiades

If you visit ‘Casa de Sefarad,’ you’ll see an exhibition room dedicated to Maimonides.

Maimonides or Moses ben Maimon was a Cordoban philosopher, physician, and rabbi in the Middle Ages. He is also one of the most important and influential people in the history of Judaism.

Head over to Plaza de Tiberiades or Square of Tiberias, and you’ll find a bronze statue of his.

If you’re looking for unusual things to do in Cordoba, try this quirky tradition of rubbing his foot; a story says that if you rub Maimonides’ foot, some of his wisdom will rub off on you.

Address: Judios street next to Cordoba Synagogue.

9. Highly-Rated Tours in Cordoba

Here are a few other highly-rated tours you can take in Cordoba:

• Free tour of Cordoba
• Wine-tasting evening tour
• Flower courtyards tour

If you want to change this itinerary a bit, you can also spend 2 days in Cordoba .

We continued our journey and got to our hotel in Seville for 2 nights (you can spend one day in Seville , but I highly suggest dedicating at least two).

Southern Spain Itinerary – Days 4 and 5 – Seville

Have you ever fallen in love with a place even before visiting it? That’s what happened to me with Seville, one of the best cities in Andalucia.

Combining the traditional and the modern so well together, it’s a must-see city that you can also visit as a European weekend getaway.

Where to Stay in Seville

The hotel where we stayed is no longer working. Here are a few highly-rated options to consider instead:

Adriano Boutique : Housed in an 18th-century building, this boutique hotel offers beautiful double rooms, private parking, and a central location near Seville’s cathedral. Read reviews and browse the latest prices.

Hotel Fernando III : This modern 4-star hotel offers double and triple rooms as well as suite-style apartments for 4-6 people, private parking, a highly rated optional breakfast, a great location in Seville’s old town, and much more. Check the latest prices and availability here.

You can also browse other accommodation options in Seville here.

What to Do in Seville

There’s A LOT to see and experience in Seville, so unfortunately I had to skip out on visiting some landmarks.

These include the Roman ruins of Italica , the 15th-century Palacio de las Dueñas and Casa de Pilatos (two famous palaces in the city), and the Seville Museum of Fine Arts.

To explore this city with a guide, take one (or more) of these free walking tours of Seville .

1. Seville Cathedral and the Giralda

I was in awe when I first saw Seville’s 15th-century cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Its size and intricate architectural details are so incredibly impressive that you need a moment to take it all in.

You can also visit the Giralda, the cathedral’s bell tower, and enjoy the views over the city. Fun fact about the Giralda – when it was first built in the Middle Ages, it was the tallest tower in the world!

Address:  Avenida de la Constitución.

To skip the lines, get your ticket here or book a guided tour .

2. Real Alcázar de Sevilla

Can you believe that the Alcazar of Seville is the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe? I know I wouldn’t mind living in such a gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage Site (that was also a Game of Thrones filming location!).

The jaw-dropping Spanish landmark consists of buildings from different eras, so you can see a mix of Moorish, Gothic, and Mudejar styles. Along with the gardens, this complex is HUGE, so take enough time to explore it.

Pro tip: You can also book a combo guided tour to visit the Alcazar, Cathedral, and Giralda with a guide.

Address: Patio de Banderas.

Since the alcazar has become a major attraction, be sure to get your ticket in advance or  book a guided tour .

For more information, read this guide to visiting Seville’s Alcazar !

3. Barrio de Triana

Crossing the GuadalquivRiverver, you’ll get to the former gypsy neighborhood.

This neighborhood is not about sightseeing but more about a local vibe, beautiful streets, ceramic shops, tapas bars, and flamenco theatres. You can also take a free walking tour of Triana .

4. Plaza de España

I can promise you that this is one of the most stunning European city squares you’ll ever see in your life. The genius architect who designed it in 1928 mixed several architectural styles to create this mesmerizing complex.

It includes towers, bridges, a fountain, and even a canal (where you can rent a boat and row!). One of my favorite elements about it is the tiled walls that represent Spain’s 48 provinces.

Seriously, this square is so beautiful I almost cried.

5. Maria Luisa Park

Plaza de España is actually located in this park, and you should definitely explore more of it.

Apart from trees and flowers, it’s filled with ponds, fountains, decorated benches, and unique buildings, which means that it’s not just another public park.

6. Barrio Santa Cruz

I was excited to know that in the Middle Ages, this neighborhood was Seville’s Jewish quarter and home to a thriving Jewish community.

Currently, it’s a colorful maze of narrow streets and alleys you have to stroll through. It’s also where both the Cathedral and Alcazar are located, and it’s a great place to grab a bite.

To learn more about it, you can also explore it with a guide .

7. Cruise on the Guadalquivir River

While I don’t think this one is a must, taking a cruise on the river was a nice evening activity. There was something charming about seeing the city illuminated after the sun had set.

We bought the tickets at our hotel which gave us a small discount, but you can also book them in advance online .

8. Flamenco Show – El Palacio Andaluz

Flamenco (AKA one of the most beautiful traditional Spanish dances ) is one of my favorite things about Spanish culture.

The sound of Spanish guitar and rough singing voice, gorgeous outfits, and dance moves filled with emotions soften my heart every time. And since Flamenco was born in Andalucia, watching a live show in Seville is a must-have experience.

El Palacio Andaluz couldn’t have been a more incredible show, and I will forever remember it. You should know that the prices of flamenco shows in Andalucia usually start at 35-40 euros.

Also, notice that the basic ticket includes the show and a drink, and if you also want to have tapas or dinner, the prices are a lot higher.

We purchased the tickets at our hotel, but you can buy them in advance here or check out other flamenco shows in Seville .

Address:  María Auxiliadora, 18A.

9. Metropol Parasol

This multi-functional building is a unique architectural gem that you must visit in Seville. It’s also called ‘Las Setas’ (‘The Mushrooms’) because it looks like it consists of six giant wooden mushrooms.

Inside the building, you’ll find an archaeological museum and a market, but the highlight for me was getting up to the roof terrace and enjoying incredible views of the city.

Address: Plaza de la Encarnación.

Cost:  3 euros to get to the roof terrace.

10. Highly-Rated Tours in Seville

Here are a few other highly-rated tours you can take in Seville:

• Free tour of Seville
• Free tour of the neighborhood of Triana
• Free river b a nks tour
• Triana market tour with tastings
• Tapas crawl

We continued our journey towards our hotel in Cadiz .

Southern Spain Itinerary – Day 6 – Cadiz and Zahara de la Sierra

When I was planning my Andalucia trip itinerary, it came down to choosing between taking a day trip to Gibraltar or visiting Cadiz.

Honestly, I’m so happy I haven’t missed Cadiz . It is the oldest city in Europe and one of the most charming and full-of-life places I’ve ever visited.

Where to Stay in Cadiz

We stayed at Las Cortes de Cadiz . Although the parking lot near it was a bit challenging to find, I loved the hotel’s location, elegant decor, and staff. Check its latest prices and availability here .

Another highly-rated place to stay in Cadiz is the apartment hotel Casa Palacio Cádiz , but you can browse other accommodation options in Cadiz here.

Things to Do in Cadiz

To wander around Cadiz with a guide, take this free walking tour .

1. Go to the Beach

Unlike other coastal cities and towns in Andalucia, Cadiz sits on the Atlantic Ocean and not on the Mediterranean.

It offers a few beaches for you to enjoy, and the most popular ones are La Caleta and La Victoria. I was more interested in exploring the city itself, so I only took a walk along the coastline.

2. Wander the Streets of El Populo Quarter and Admire the Cathedral

It’s not just another labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys. It’s the oldest neighborhood in Europe!

Visit streets and squares like Plaza San Juan de Dios, Plaza de la Catedral, and Calle Meson, but be sure to take your time and explore the entire quarter.

In Plaza de la Catedral, you can also find Cadiz’s cathedral which took 116 years to build. To learn more about Cadiz, book this medieval tour or this free tour .

3. Mercado Central

Wherever I travel, I always love visiting local markets, so Cadiz’s Central Market had to be on my itinerary.

With a buzzing atmosphere and more than 150 stalls selling fresh produce, to me, it was one of the highlights of Cadiz.

Address:  Plaza de la Libertad.

4. Torre Tavira

For 360° views of Cadiz, head to Torre Tavira, a former watchtower and the highest point in the old city.

One of the biggest attractions it houses is the Camera Obscura which is an optical effect that allows you to see Cadiz and its development in the 21st century.

Currently, you need to reserve your spot in advance . You can also take a guided tour of the tower and the cathedral .

Address:  Marqués del Real Tesoro, 10.

5. Castillo de Santa Catalina

What would the oldest city in Europe be without an old fortress?

The star-shaped Castillo de Santa Catalina was built in the 17th century, and today it’s used for cultural events. It’s also free to visit except for when it hosts an event.

Continue your road trip and get to Zahara de la Sierra .

Zahara de la Sierra

No road trip in Andalucia would be complete without visiting some white-washed villages, one of the region’s most dominant symbols.

You can see some of them while you’re on the road, but you have to give a proper visit to at least one or two.

Zahara de la Sierra is a white-washed village with an extremely picturesque setting. Surrounded by a turquoise lake, it sits on top of a rocky hill where you can also see the remains of a Moorish castle.

Honestly, it doesn’t get more magical than that.

Although the village itself is not big, it has a few main sights like Plaza Mayor, the castle and its lookout tower, and a few churches.

We continued our journey towards our hotel in Ronda .

Looking for more European road trip routes? Check out:

• Best road trips in Spain
• A one-week northern Italy road trip
• Northwest Italy road trip itinerary
• Best Italian road trips
• Road trips from Milan
• The best road trip from Lisbon to Porto
• Northern Portugal road trip itinerary
• Best road trips in Portugal
• Must-have stops on a road trip through northern Spain

Southern Spain Itinerary – Day 7 – Ronda and Marbella

Where to stay in ronda.

We stayed at Hotel Berlanga , a humble and cozy hotel that made us feel at home and that I absolutely loved. It also has a nice restaurant and offers private parking (at a relatively reasonable price).

Browse prices and availability here or check out another highly rated hotel with private parking and a great location – Hotel Colon . Alternatively, browse other accommodations in Ronda.

Things to Do in Ronda

With picture-perfect and unique views, Ronda has won my heart. As in most Andalucian villages, towns, and cities, you can spend hours just wandering through its old town streets .

However, it’s home to a few sights that will make your jaw drop, so you have to include it on your Andalucia travel itinerary. Learn more about Ronda with this free tour.

1. Puerta de Almocabar

Dating back to the 13th century (to the Moorish era) and restructured in the 16th century, this medieval gate was one of the main defensive entrances to the walled city of Ronda, consisting of three gates joined by two semicircular towers.

2. Cuenca Gardens

Terraces of gardens with spectacular views of Ronda and El Tajo gorge? Yes, please! Cuenca is actually Ronda’s twin city, and the gardens are dedicated to it.

Address:  Escolleras, 1.

3. Puente Nuevo

This bridge was built in the 18th century to join the two parts of Ronda separated by the El Tajo gorge.

Crossing the bridge, the views of the gorge and the white houses sitting on the edge of the cliff will take your breath away.

If you feel like doing something a bit more active, you can also walk down into the El Tajo gorge itself.

We continued our journey and got to  Marbella for the last half-day of our Andalusia road trip.

Where to Stay in Marbella

We stayed at the modern Marbella Inn Hotel . It doesn’t have a private parking lot, but we didn’t struggle to find a place to park the car right next to it. It’s very well-located, clean, and comfortable.

Check the hotel’s latest prices and availability here or find another place to stay in Marbella.

Things to Do in Marbella

I added Marbella to my one-week Andalucia itinerary because I was looking for a relaxing way to spend our last half day.

This city is considered a luxurious summer holiday destination, but it has a lot more to it. Take a free walking tour to explore it with a guide.

1. Old Town

You’ve probably already figured out how much I love strolling through old towns, and Marbella’s old quarter was no exception.

With gorgeous squares like Plaza de los Naranjos and charming winding streets, it has to be the city’s most beautiful part.

If you want to explore the old town with a guide, book this tour (that also includes tapas and wine tastings) or take this free tour .

2. Puerto Banus

To experience some of Marbella’s glitz and glamour side, head to Puerto Banus, a luxurious marina near the city.

Apart from strolling next to all the impressive yachts, here you’ll also find boutique shops, restaurants, and bars.

I don’t think Puerto Banus is a must-visit, but it was a nice add-on to this trip. To get there, you’ll need to drive or take a taxi.

3. Paseo Maritimo

Walking alongside Marbella’s promenade as the sun sets is an excellent way to end your trip.

You don’t need much more than sandy beaches, palm trees, cafes, restaurants, and bars to have a relaxing afternoon and evening.

If you’re lucky, you might come across some open-air bars with live music.

If you have more than one week in southern Spain or you want to spend more time in Marbella, here are a few other things you can do .

After our last night in Marbella , we were headed to Malaga to catch our flight back home.

Andalucia Road Trip Itinerary – Tips and Notes

Changing this itinerary.

There’s a lot more to see in this region, so here are a few places I wish I could have included in my southern Spain travel itinerary .

If you’re looking to add some active activities, there are plenty of hikes in this area, including the famous Caminito del Rey .

Accommodations

I normally recommend finding accommodation in small villages when going on a road trip like this one. Usually, it’s cheaper and easier to park your car than at a big city hotel’s parking lot.

However, most of our Andalucia road trip itinerary included cities, so we had to stay in most of them and pay for parking.

Note that city hotel parking in southern Spain can cost up to 20 euros per day and can be small and tricky to access.

You can also try to find accommodations on the outskirts of these cities (where hotel parking might be cheaper) and use public transportation to get to the city centers.

Also, know that not every hotel has an elevator, so be sure to check that in advance.

When to Visit

This region is definitely one of the best fall destinations in Europe .

Our south of Spain road trip took place in September when the temperatures were a lot milder than in plain summer and it wasn’t too overcrowded with tourists.

For those reasons, spring would also be a good time to spend a week in Andalucia. With relatively warm temperatures even in winter, some people consider this region a great European winter destination .

How to Get to Andalucia

We landed in Malaga , picked up our car at the airport, and started our journey towards the first stop, Granada , right away.

We chose to book a flight to Malaga because it was faster and more economical than a flight to Granada.

In addition, it might be easier to find a non-stop flight to Malaga, depending on the city you are flying from.

Getting to both cities by train from Madrid is also possible and might be more convenient. You can compare flight and train rates in one place on Omio (former GoEuro).

Read more about Madrid:

• Where to stay in Madrid
• Famous landmarks in Madrid
• Fun facts about Madrid
• Madrid travel tips
• 2 days in Madrid
• 4 days in Madrid
• Free museums in Madrid
• Alternative things to do in Madrid
• Breakfast and brunch spots in Madrid
• Madrid packing list
• Walking tours in Madrid

Every great Andalusian road trip begins with a proper car. We found a good car rental deal on Europcar (I started by comparing prices on Rentalcars , and going for manual gear definitely helped save some more money).

Luckily, everything from picking up the car to returning it went smoothly.

Even if you’re not visiting during the high season (summer), be sure to make your reservation a few months in advance. Compare Europcar and other companies’ rates on Rentalcars.com to find the best deal .

In terms of driving, getting inside the city centers of the region’s cities is not the most convenient (as it is in other regions and countries), but other than that, it’s fairly easy to drive around Andalusia.

Important tip: City hotel parking lots are not very spacious, so I wouldn’t recommend renting a big car.

Other Tips and Notes

– This Andalusia itinerary includes 7 full days and 7 nights.

– Don’t pay for a hotel breakfast in advance. It can be pretty pricey and not worth it, so be sure to read reviews or check it out when you arrive at your hotel. Instead, you can get coffee, juice, and a croissant or a toast with tomato and olive oil (a Spanish classic) for 2-3 euros at a cafe. 

– Have spare change for toll roads and don’t forget to pack these road trip essentials .

– Here are the best road trip apps that will help you plan the perfect trip.

– For more things to know before planning your trip, check out my 55 Spain travel tips .

Did you like this itinerary for one week in Andalucia? Read more:

• Spain travel quotes
• Novels set in Spain
• Virtual tours of Spain
• Spain themed gifts
• Spain off the beaten path
• Long weekend breaks in Spain

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About Or Amir

Hey, I'm Or! I'm a passionate traveler with a severe coffee, chocolate, and pastry addiction (or any other carb for that matter). I'm always planning my next trip to Spain, Italy, or any other country in Europe, and my goal is to help you make the most of each destination.

2 thoughts on “Andalusia Road Trip: The Best 1-Week Southern Spain Itinerary”

Such a beautiful country! Thank you on a detailed impressive guide! Saved your post for the future 🙂

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I'm a passionate traveler obsessed with traveling in Europe and discovering hidden gems in each place I visit. For me, it's not about ticking destinations off the bucket list but experiencing each one of them to the fullest. Read more about me and my story.

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Perfect andalusia road trip: 10 day itinerary.

It’s my absolute favourite part of Spain, and there’s no doubt that the most southerly region of this country – Andalusia – is a favourite for many other travellers too.

But what’s the best way to take in the diversity and drama of this unique area I hear you cry!

Well the answer is via an Andalusia road trip of course… alternatively known as an Andalucian road trip if you want to spell it the Spanish way!

With a fascinating history that charts the rise of both Moorish and Catholic empires, along with some of the oldest and grandest heritage sites in Europe, one of the strongest cultural identities in Spain, great hiking trails and a whole load of tapas and flamenco thrown in for good measure, not to mention the beautiful beaches – there’s no question Andalusia packs a serious travel punch.

You could easily spend months exploring the region but, as few of us have this much time at our disposal, I’ve compiled this epic 10 day Andalusia road trip itinerary to help you see the best of it care of an easy day by day guide.

Its’ time to get exploring…

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• Top 19 Things to Do in Seville
• 7 Best Walks in Spain
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When to Road Trip Andalusia?

But before we launch into the day to day itinerary for your southern Spanish road trip, it’s worth taking a bit of time first to think about when to plan this adventure for.

And no question in my mind, that the best time to visit Andalusia is either during the spring months of April, May & June or in the autumn months of September and October.

During both these seasons, you’ll experience delightfully warm weather that will allow you to take full advantage of the region’s beauty at its best, without wilting in the summer heat, which regularly sees temperatures in excess of 40 degrees celsius.

Quite simply, sightseeing (or driving for that matter) when it’s this hot is just no fun, so sticking to the months either side of the peak summer is your best bet here.

These so-called “shoulder” months are also likely to be quieter, meaning thinner crowds and better prices, as long as you avoid peak times like Easter or school holidays, so do make sure you check when these dates fall and skip them!

How Long to Road Trip Andalusia For?

As I mentioned in the intro to this article, you could easily spend months exploring Andalusia and still not see it all, so when I talk about timeframes, I’m aware I need to be realistic and consider the amount of time most people have for their Andalusian road trip.

And for that reason, I’ve settled on 10 days, which you’ll soon discover in more detail care of the day by day itinerary I’ve outlined below.

If you’d rather not hire a car to see Andalusia, then this 10 day guided tour is the perfect alternative. It covers the exact same itinerary but removes the stress of having to drive in a foreign country, which sounds very appealing to me!

That said however, if you did have a bit more time, you could easily extend this itinerary to 14 days by adding on the destinations of Jerez and Cadiz – both historic cities in Andalusia that each deserve at least a day of your time.

And if you’re really keen on the beach and a bit of ritz, then Marbella is a good coastal addition too!

Otherwise, if you’re looking to go the other way and shorten your Andalusia road trip itinerary from 10 to 7 days, I recommend casting your eyes over the itinerary below to see which spots appeal to you the least – you can then shorten your stay in these spots by a night or 2 and clawback 3 days to give you a week’s itinerary instead!

Where to Begin Your Andalusia Road Trip?

And now it’s time to launch into this southern Spain itinerary and look first at the best place to begin (and likely end) your Andalusia road trip.

And in my opinion, the best place to do that is Malaga… for a number of reasons….

#1 First up, Malaga has some really excellent car hire places that offer some of the best deals going, which makes for a delightfully affordable road trip experience.

Thrifty Car Hire offer some good deals across Spain generally, but it’s Malaga-based Wiber Car Rental who always tend to offer the best prices in my opinion. A smaller, Spanish company, their online booking system is easy and their staff at the depots are always very friendly and speak great English.

#2 The second reason I recommend beginning your Andalusia road trip in Malaga is because this city is easy to get to.

Yes Malaga has both a bus and train station, with regular arrivals from around Andalusia and Spain.

From either the train or the bus station (they are pretty close to each other), it’s then just a quick and easy taxi ride to the city centre – Uber is the cheapest option and fares cost around 7€.

When it comes to booking train and bus journeys to Malaga, I highly recommend Trainline , as they make it easy, quick and simple to compare hundreds of rail and coach journeys to the city from across Spain and Europe.

Otherwise, if you’re arriving into Malaga from further afield, it’s great to know there’s also a good international airport just outside the city with regular flights from London, Madrid, Berlin, Paris, Rome and many other destinations.

As always, I suggest using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices as they include budget airlines in their searches too.

From the airport, it’s then easy to catch a bus or a train to the city centre of Malaga and your accommodation.

#3 And the third reason I recommend beginning your Andalusian road trip in Malaga is because you can’t beat starting and ending a holiday at the coast in my opinion, and this city is the perfect spot for that!

After all, to get the best deal on your hire car it’s likely you’ll need to take it back to the spot you hired it from, and what better place to end up sipping a Tinto Verano and watching the sunset, than over the Mediterranean?!

Day 1-3: Malaga

Stay: Hotel Palacete de Alamos

So now that we’ve ascertained Malaga is the best place to begin your Andalusian road trip, it makes sense to kick off this itinerary there.

An absolutely delightful city full of history, great museums, fab restaurants and a vibrant, authentic culture (who knew?!), Malaga’s main beach – La Malagueta – is an easy walk from the city centre and the perfect spot to spend your first afternoon / evening after you arrive in the city and check-in to your accommodation. Don’t miss sampling the freshly grilled sardines here or catching the sunset with a cerveza!

Your second (and first full day) in Malaga should then be given over to exploring the historic centre of this city, including its great museums (the Picasso Museum is my fav), the Cathedral, the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle.

For more info about the best attractions in this city (as well as the top places to eat and stay) check out these Malaga articles I wrote…

• Best 15 Things to Do in Malaga
• Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Malaga Alcazaba
• Top 10 Malaga Airbnbs

And then on your last day here, it’s time to get out and about for the first time and head beyond the city to explore some of the top day trips around Malaga.

For beach lovers, there’s plenty of good options to explore that are accessible by bus (if you haven’t picked up the rental car yet). Check out my top 7 picks here .

Otherwise, for the hikers among you, you can’t miss heading out to trek through the amazing and adrenaline-raising suspended walkway of Caminito Del Rey.

Given the nature of this adventurous hike, only limited numbers are allowed daily. You’ll therefore need to book your tickets weeks (or even months) in advance.

This top-rated tour includes entrance to the walk, as well an English-speaking guide, which comes highly recommended!

Day 4: Ronda

Stay: Catalonia Reina Victoria

And now we move onto day 4 of this Andalusian road trip and it’s time to really hit the road!

The first place to head for is the beautiful town of Ronda, which lies about 100km west of Malaga in a drive that will take you around an hour and a half to complete.

Driving is simple, mostly along the A-367 and A-357, but setting off early will get you to Ronda will plenty of time to explore the small historic centre of this charming cobbled town.

While the town is definitely worth some of your time, it’s really the views from Ronda’s famous bridge – el Puente Nuevo – that make this place stand out, and I highly recommend a hike through the lovely landscape here to take in the view of the bridge from loads of different angles… not just the top of it!

Learn more in this post I wrote about the best way to visit Ronda’s bridge and to take in the magnificent views!

After a good day sightseeing and, hopefully hiking, it’s time to chill out with some good tapas and enjoy the lowkey Ronda vibes, especially after all the day-trippers have left.

Day 5-6: Seville

Stay: Hotel Cetina Sevilla

From Ronda, it’s then time to press on further west to the capital of Andalusia – the elegant and regal city of Seville. Historic and grand, it’s fascinating how different to Malaga it feels!

Learn about the best way to get from Ronda to Seville in this article I wrote and once you arrive into the city, I recommend finding your top Seville Airbnb and dumping the bags first!

After all, Seville is one of Spain’s hottest cities and you do not want to be lugging your stuff around with you!

Once you’re all checked in and refreshed, it’s then time to hit up the Seville streets and get your sightsee game on!

With a day and a half left here, you’ve got enough time to do it all, but don’t miss the Triana district, the Setas de Sevilla or the city’s amazing Cathedral and Giralda Tower.

Learn more about all these places and the best way to get tickets in this post about my 19 fave things to do in Seville .

Day 7: Córdoba

Stay: La Casa del Aceite

Then, after a couple of days in Seville, it’s time to continue on your Andalusia road trip to another historic city, this time it’s Córdoba.

Originally a Roman settlement, Córdoba sits on the banks of the river Guadalquivir (the one that also runs through Seville) and is famous for its Mezquita-Cathedral, which is an amazing piece of Moorish architecture that’s now UNESCO-listed.

A former Mosque and now Cathedral it belies much of the history of the region and is a prominent historic attraction across Spain.

Stunningly beautiful, the minaret was converted to a bell tower when the structure became a Christian place of worship in the 13 th century.

I highly recommend taking a guided tour of the Mezquita-Cathedral, so that a) you can really learn about what you are seeing and b) because most guided tours include skip-the-line tickets , which is definitely what you need with only an afternoon here to enjoy it!

Once you’ve finished exploring this icon, you should then have a few hours left to wander the rest of this heritage destination before finding somewhere to stay for the night.

Check out these other top things to do in Cordoba for more ideas.

Day 8-10: Granada

Stay: Catalonia Granada

And finally we come to the last destination on this Andalusian road trip itinerary and that is the magnificent city of Granada.

Another historic gem, this traveller favourite lies to the southeast of Cordoba and should only take you a little over 2 hours to drive to from there.

When you arrive, check into your Granada Airbnb and spend the rest of the day exploring this gorgeous city including its Cathedral, tapas bars and great sunset lookout.

Get all my top recommendations in this post .

Then on day 2 in Granada, it’s time to tackle the magnificent gem that is the Alhambra – and what a way to round up your time in Andalusia!

Another UNESCO beauty and former palace of the Moorish rulers, you need to allow the best part of a whole day to explore this glorious site in all its splendour.

For more information about what times to visit the Alhambra, the best way to buy tickets and my other hot hacks, check out this article I wrote all about it, otherwise, the only key thing to know is that you just have to go and you have to take your camera!

Alhambra tickets should be bought in advance and should include the Nasrid Palaces.

• Get an entrance ticket here.
• Purchase an entrance ticket with an audio guide here .
• Or pick up an entrance ticket that includes a guided tour here.

And finally, on day 10 of your Andalusia road trip itinerary, you’ll need to head back to Malaga, but not before either a detour to enjoy the beaches and snorkelling opps in Nerja or to the beautiful hills and hiking possibilities of the Sierra Nevada.

Both are easily accessible from Granada and make for a great day trip before you head back to Malaga to return your rental car and finish your magical time in Southern Spain.

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5 Packing Essentials for Andalusian Road Trips

• UV sunglasses
• Good trail shoes for walking
• Natural 30 SPF sunscreen
• Good insect repellent
• Sony A6000 camera

Travel Insurance for Road Tripping in Spain

Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.

Travel Money for Andalusia

When it comes to paying for things in Andalusia, you want to ensure you’re not being charged overseas transaction fees or getting poor exchange rates when using your card abroad, which is why I always take my Wise Card away with me wherever I travel.

The easy way to spend abroad with real exchange rates, no markups, no sneaky transaction fees and a free Euros account, you can use your Wise card just like a debit card in Spain… and it links easily with Google and Apple pay – sold!

Get yours here .

Where to Travel After Andalusia?

If you still have time for more travelling after Andalusia (and lucky you if so!), then you may want to head Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia – all top destinations within Spain that can easily be reached via car or train.

Check out these articles for some great inspiration…

• Ultimate 3 Day Barcelona Itinerary
• Best 2 Day Madrid Itinerary
• 10 Spanish Cities You Can’t Miss

PIN IT TO PINTEREST!

So there you have it folks, my perfect Andalusian road trip itinerary and the best guide to exploring southern Spain.

Tell me, which is your fav destination on this list?

Or do you have other top Andalusian places to visit? I’d love to hear about them for my next trip!

Just drop them into the comments below if so…

Creator of Big World Small Pockets, Stephanie Parker is a travel addict! Originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands, Stephanie adventures the world collecting tips, advice and stories, to share with a smile

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14 Days in Andalusia: The Ultimate Andalusia Road Trip Itinerary

Planning to spend 14 days in Andalusia and looking for the best road trip itinerary to make the most of your time and discover the gems of the South of Spain? I am here to help and share the best travel tips for Andalusia.

Andalusia is a large region in the south of Spain . It is a very diverse area and offers visitors many different things. Starting from national parks and beaches and ending with museums and architectural gems. Here you will find famous Spanish cities like Seville and Granada together with charming towns like Ronda and Cadiz.

I have to say that this is my favorite area of Spain and here you will find the most beautiful places in Spain, so I am even more excited to share them with you! As you already know, you will find a road trip itinerary for 14 days in Andalusia, a lot of additional travel tips, hotel recommendations, the best restaurants and so much more. Keep on reading and I will help you plan the best road trip around Andalusia.

*Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I earn a small commission at  no extra cost  to you.

How to get to Andalusia?

In order to follow this Itinerary, you will have to land at Seville Airport also known as Sevilla-San Pablo Airport. It is the sixth biggest Airport in Spain and offers many international destinations, so it is a perfect way to start your road trip for 14 days in Andalusia.

Depending on the arrival time, I suggest you head straight from the airport to your first destination, which will be Cordova. Of course, if you arrive late at night, you can use the chance to spend a night in Seville, but we will keep it for the end of this trip.

Another optional arrival is Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport . You will have to split this itinerary and start from day 4, but you can still follow this plan and organize your trip from Malaga.

How to get around for 14 days in Andalusia?

In order to follow this Itinerary, you will need to rent a car . It is possible to visit Andalusia by train, but you will miss out on a lot of gems. So if you want to discover the soul of Andalusia in 14 days, a car rental is a must.

I always use Rentalcars which is an international online car booking service. They match you with the best prices and have a flexible cancellation policy – you can cancel or change most bookings for free up to 48 hours before the pick-up. I only had the best experience with them, so I can recommend this company, but there are endless opportunities online or at the airport arrivals.

Click here to find your car rental for Andalusia.

Overview of your 14 days in Andalusia

Day 1: From Seville to Cordova Day 2: from Cordova to Granada through Jaén Day 3: Granada Day 4: From Granada to Malaga through Nerja and Frigiliana Day 5: Malaga + best hikes & beaches Day 6: From Malaga to Marbella through Colomares Monument and Mijas Day 7: From Marbella to Ronda through Júzcar Day 8: Additional night in Ronda: visit Setenil de la Bodegas and Olvera Day 9: from Ronda to Cadiz through Arcos de la Frontera  Day 10: from Cadiz to Seville through Jerez Day 11-14: Seville

This is your itinerary for 14 days in Andalusia at a glance. I will share the best things to do, where to stay, and some restaurant recommendations together with cool experiences in Andalusia. Driving time and useful travel tips included! 

Remember, you can follow this Itinerary starting from Malaga or in reverse if it suits your needs. Or if you have only 10 days in Andalusia, you can still follow this Itinerary and cut it after the arrival to Seville in case you have already been there or want to keep it for your next travels.

Are you excited to discover Andalusia and plan an unforgettable road trip for 14 days in Andalusia? Because I am! Keep on reading!

Day 1: From Seville to Cordoba

Driving time: 1 hour and 25 minutes, 137 kilometers.

Your road trip of 14 days in Andalusia starts with landing in Seville. But from there I want you to head directly to Cordoba. Don’t worry, you will have time to visit Seville at the end of the road trip. I suggest you take A-4, stay on the motorway for 130 kilometers, and enjoy the views from your window.

Cordoba is one of the best towns in Andalusia and here you will find the perfect mix of Arab and Spanish art. Discover the best things to do in Cordoba and unlock the charm of this charming Spanish town. Remember, if you arrive in the afternoon at Corboda, you can just visit the Old Town and keep other activities for the day after.

Visiting old town

The old town of Cordoba is a real gem of Andalusia and you shouldn’t miss it during your trip. Get lost and discover some of the best places in Cordoba’s old town. Start with the Calleja de las Flores, a picturesque alley with pots full of flowers hanging on the walls, and end with Plaza de la Corredera, which is a square built on the model of the traditional Castilian Plaza Mayor. The Jewish district of Cordoba is a nice attraction filled with cute patios and history. Don’t forget to add Córdoba Synagogue to your itinerary as well.

Roman Bridge of Cordoba

This historical landmark of Andalusia was built back in the 1st century BC. Roman Bridge of Cordoba stands over the Guadalquivir river just in front of the famous Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba. The bridge takes you from the Old Town to The Calahorra tower and it is a perfect place for an evening stroll.

Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba

This mosque is another important symbol of Arab influence in Andalusia. It is one of the most beautiful places in Andalusia and you shouldn’t miss it during your time in Cordoba. It is open from 11 am until 7 pm and the entrance fee for an adult is 11 euros. Please remember to dress accordingly when visiting this mosque. Also, for 14.99 euros you buy a skip-the-line ticket in advance. Click here to buy yours.

Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs

Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs is another important tourist attraction in Cordoba. In the past, it served as a palace and a fortress. Nowadays, you can visit the castle and enjoy the spacious gardens with fountains, which was my favorite part of the visit. Keep in mind, that it is closed on Monday, so plan accordingly and book your ticket here . You will find the opening times there as well.

Other things to know before visiting Cordova

Where to eat in Cordova? If you like typical Spanish cuisine and want to try some local things, head to Taberna Casa Pedro Ximénez or Paseo Iberico. If you prefer fine dining, Noor Restaurant should be your number one choice.

Where to stay in Cordova for one night? Eurostars Azahar is a 4-star hotel with mid-range prices in the heart of Cordova close to the historical sights. Parking will cost you additional 13 euros. Click here to book it.

Want to know more about Cordova? Book the best-rated guided tour that covers the Jewish Quarter, Synagogue, Mosque, and Alcázar. Click here to see all the details.

Day 2: from Cordoba to Granada through Jaén

Driving time: from Corboda to Jaén 1 hour and 26 minutes, 120 kilometers, and from Jaén to Granda 50 minutes, 86 kilometers.

On your second day in Cordoba, you can finish up your Itinerary and visit the places that you missed on the first day. Once you are done, you will head to Jaén for a short stop and possible meal and then head to the next destination of your 14 days in Andalusia, which is Granada. I recommend you take roads A-4 and A-311 from Granada to Jaén, especially if you are visiting during the peak season.

Imagine stunning castles with unique fortresses surrounded by charming olive gardens. That is Jaén and that is the main reason why you should make a quick stop in this hidden gem of Andalusia. It is not needed to spend a night here, but I highly recommend arriving here around lunchtime.

The main attraction of Jaén is Jaén Cathedral. The entrance fee is 5 euros, but it is worth visiting. Around the central part, you will find many historical churches, Arab baths, and the Jewish Quarter. I suggest you visit Calle Duque for an amazing view of the Cathedral, on Google Maps you will find it as Mirador a la Catedral.

Where to eat in Jaén? Bomborombillos is one of the best restaurants in Jaén and it offers a wide variety of tapas for very affordable prices and some unique Spanish dishes as well. Don’t miss it!

Granada is a famous medieval city and that is your next destination after visiting Jaén. Considering its size, I recommend you spend 2 nights here, to visit the most beautiful places in Granada. Also, depending on your arrival, you can use your first evening to relax or enjoy a simple stroll around the city and keep all the activities for the day after.

More things to know before visiting Granada

Where to eat in Granada? If you are looking for some traditional places, I can recommend these 3 restaurants: La Taberna de Kafka, Bar Avila, and El Mercader. La Taberna de Kafka is a very affordable restaurant, but if you are looking for something fancy, don’t miss Faralá.

Where to stay in Granada for 2 days? If you are looking for a mid-range apartment with available parking in the city’s heart, I recommend Elvira Suites . But if you are looking for a splurge, you can’t go wrong with La Corrala del Realejo.

Day 3: Granada

On your day 3, you can finally rest from driving and discover Granada on your feet. You also won’t be changing hotels, so you can take it slow, enjoy your breakfast, and start your day exploring. Don’t forget to check the previous section for restaurant recommendations and make your reservation in advance. So what are the best things to do in Granda? 

Alhambra is another palace combined with a fortress and one of the most beautiful places that I have ever seen. It is the main attraction of Granada and it cannot be missed during your two weeks in Andalusia.

Keep in mind that the number of daily tickets is limited, so I highly suggest buying your ticket before, especially if you are visiting Andalusia during the peak season. To visit Nasrid Palaces, you will have to book a specific time slot and you will have to be there at your scheduled time. Click here to see the opening times.

A general adult ticket will cost you 14 euros and you can purchase your tickets here. I don’t advise using any third-party sellers unless you want to overpay. You will need to show your ID once you enter, so don’t forget to take it with you.

The entire visit will take you around 3 hours, so the best is to start at the opening time and plan your lunch after visiting Alhambra.

The old town of Granada

After lunch, you can enjoy a nice stroll around Granada’s old town, also known as Albaicin. Get lost in tiny medieval streets and visit its jewels. You cannot miss Granada Cathedral, Corral del Carbón, Palacio de la Madraza, Plaza Bib Rambla, Plaza Nueva, Real Chancillería. You should finish your visit with Alcaicería, a modern-day bazaar, and get some souvenirs there. It can be a bit of an overwhelming experience, but that is the charming side of every bazaar.

You can easily spend a couple of hours in the old town of Granada because you will constantly find new attractions, cute squares, and historical landmarks. If you are feeling tired, I suggest visiting Cathedral and bazaar as these are the best places to see in Granda Old Town. 

Fun experiences in Granada that you shouldn’t miss

In the afternoon, you will have some additional time, so here are some options for your Granada Itinerary. We all have different interests while traveling, so choose the most suitable experience for your own preference.

• Hammam Al Ándalus with Optional Massage: if you are looking for some relaxation during your trip, this is a perfect way to spend your afternoon in Granada. Click here to see all the details and book your experience.
• Walking Food Tour: if you are a foodie like me, you can’t miss this food tour. The best local products, knowledgeable guide, and fun way to discover the food scene in Granada. Click here to see all the details and book your experience.
• Sunset Walking Tour in Albaicín & Sacromonte: maybe you want to know more about Granada directly from the local guides? This should be your number one choice. This one is great for photography lovers as you will cover some of the best photo spots in Granada. Click here to see all the details and book your experience.

Day 4: From Granada to Malaga through Nerja and Frigiliana

Driving time : from Granada to Nerja 1 hour, 93 kilometers, from Nerja to Frigiliana 12 minutes, 7 kilometers and from Frigiliana to Malaga 45 minutes, 58 kilometers.

After a bit more relaxation in Granada, you will have to spend longer on the road. However, it is worth it as you are about to discover some of the best towns in Andalusia. You can easily start with Frigiliana and then head to Nerja or do it the other way around. Let’s see why these places are worth visiting and what day 4 out of 14 days in Andalusia has to offer.

RELATED : 130+ Best Spain Quotes and Spain Instagram Captions + Beautiful Sharable Photos

Nerja is a resort town and has one of the best beaches in Andalusia. Here you will find the Balcony of Europe that offers some amazing views over the sea, but your main focus is going to be beach time. Playa Burriana is the longest sand beach in Nerja and it is completely free unless you want to rent a bed with an umbrella. Prices are very affordable and start from 5 euros. Playa la Caletilla will be a better option for you if you are looking for something intimate.

Looking for something active instead? Head for a hike to Rio Chillar and discover the hidden gem of Andalusia. Keep in mind, that it is a long and challenging hike. Most of the hike is inside the river, so you will need to wear trainers. Make sure you bring water and some snacks as well. It takes 1 hour to reach the most beautiful part of the hike and 2 more hours to see the waterfall, then another 3 hours to go back. It is open any time of the day all year round and free of charge.

If you like small charming towns, Frigiliana will be one of the best attractions in Andalusia for you. It is a maze of cobblestone streets, color-coordinated white houses, and colorful plant pots all over the town. Wandering around the streets of Frigiliana is one of the best things to do in Andalusia. And you will be there snapping cute photos on every corner.

Some of the main attractions in Frigiliana include: El Torreón, Panorámica Frigiliana, Church Square. Centro Histórico de Frigiliana is where you should start your exploration. Also, you will find a lot of steep streets, so bring comfortable shoes with you.

I personally couldn’t find inspiring restaurants in Nerja, so I waited until Frigiliana to get some food and La Taberna del Sacristán didn’t disappoint. The food is delicious, the prices are affordable and they have a nice terrace with some amazing views.

Once you are done with Nerja and Frigiliana, it is time to head to Malaga where you will be staying for the next 2 days. Take it easy on the first day and enjoy some walks around Malaga, but keep exploring for the day after. We will cover the most beautiful places in Malaga and the best things to do, including more beach time or hiking options for activity lovers.

Other things to know before visiting Malaga

Where to eat in Malaga? Malaga is a paradise for every foodie because the options are endless. Darna Restaurant is one of my favorite restaurants; it offers fine dining and healthy local meals. If you are looking for the best tapas in Malaga, don’t miss Anyway WineBar. Other great restaurants with local cuisine include La Proa de Teatinos, La Alacena de Francis, and Meson Iberico. Luxalad Málaga Centro is the best choice if you are looking for healthy meals and affordable prices.

Where to stay in Malaga for 2 days? During my last trip, I stayed at ICON Malabar. It was a wonderful and very relaxing experience. For a 4-star hotel, the prices are very affordable but keep in mind that parking will cost you additional 17 euros per day. But I have to say that I have my eyes on Palacio Solecio, a Small Luxury Hotel of the World for my next trip.

Day 5: Malaga + best hikes & beaches

Just like in Granada, you will spend an additional day in Malaga and discover what are the most beautiful places in Malaga. I will include one of the best hikes in Spain located near Malaga, some more beaches for those who enjoy swimming, and more authentic experiences in Andalusia to make your experience unforgettable. Most of these things are optional, so it is up to you to decide what excites you the most.

What to see in Malaga?

One of the main attractions of Malaga is Gibralfaro Castle. Unfortunately, you won’t find much inside this ancient castle, but the views from the top are epic. You can visit it together with The Alcazaba of Malaga – another place you should see in Malaga. The combined ticket is 5.50 euros and it should keep you busy for a couple of hours. It opens at 9 am, so I just you head there for the opening time.

Malaga Roman theater is an important historical attraction just around the corner from previous places to see in Malaga. And it is free of charge, so don’t miss it. The Cathedral of Málaga is another place that attracts tourists. I also recommend you visit Atarazanas Market and La Concepción Historical Botanical Gardens.

Best hiking near Malaga – El Caminito del Rey

One hour drive away from Malaga, you will find one of the most beautiful hikes in Andalusia. El Caminito del Rey is almost 8 kilometers long and it takes around 4 hours to go from the beginning until the end.

It used to be a very dangerous hike, but nowadays, it has been rebuilt, so it is a relatively easy hike, but not suitable for someone who is scared of heights. You will need to bring your own water and some light snacks. And bring

The path starts at the Guadalhorce dam and ends at El Chorro. From El Chorro you will find a shuttle bus that takes you back to Guadalhorce dam, so you can reach your car unless you want to walk the same path once again. It is open from 9 am and the entrance fee is 10 euros.

You can also book a guided tour at El Caminito del Rey. It is perfect for you if you want to learn about the history behind this place and want to avoid any organization side of the hike. The entrance ticket is included together with a shuttle bus, parking, and one bottle of water. You can book your tour here.

Best beaches in Malaga

The most popular beach in Malaga is Playa De La Malagueta. It is easy to reach, wide and alive. Comes with a crowd as well. I personally prefer Playa Peñón Del Cuervo. It is still crowded, but not filled with tourists, so mostly busy during the weekend. It is also a very pretty beach with a unique rock in the middle, but you will have to take the car to reach it. The good news is that the parking is free.

Want to spend some time on the boat? Explore the coastline on your own boat for a couple of hours and become the captain of the day. Click here to see all the details.

Day 6: From Malaga to Marbella through Colomares Monument and Mijas

Driving time: from Malaga to Colomares Monument 40 minutes, 30 kilometers, from Colomares Monument to Mijas 15 minutes, 88 kilometers, and from Mijas to Marbella 30 minutes, 35 kilometers.

Get ready for another exciting day on the road and discover the best of Andalusia. Make sure you get proper rest the day before, so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest. What is on the menu for today? Let’s take a look!

Colomares Monument 

Colomares Monument is a stunning castle a hidden gem of Andalusia. It was one of the places that I wanted to visit the most, so I don’t understand how so many people still miss it. It was dedicated to the life and adventures of Christopher Columbus and it is a true architectural treasure.

It is closed on Mondays and opens at 10 am, so I suggest you leave Malaga around 9.30 am. There is no need to rush because it doesn’t get as crowded as many other tourist attractions in Andalusia. But don’t forget that it is closed on Mondays.

The adult ticket is only 3 euros. I have never been to such a beautiful castle for such an affordable price. This should make you understand how hidden it is. Audio guide included.

Mijas Pueblo

Mijas is another cute village in Andalusia filled with white houses. Yet it is different from Frigiliana, so you cannot exclude it from your road trip itinerary for Andalusia. Wondering what to see in Mijas Pueblo? 

You don’t want to miss Plaza Virgen de la Peña, Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña and Pl. de la Constitución. But other than that, enjoy your walk between tiny white houses, look for some cute souvenir shops and enjoy the views this town offers. And don’t forget to snap some cool photos on your way, because every corner of Mijas is very picturesque!

Where to eat in Mijas Pueblo? If you are visiting Mijas around lunchtime, you will find many inviting restaurants, so use this chance to try some more authentic Spanish food. We choose Koco Bistro and it lived up to our expectations.

Marbella is great for 2 things – beach and old town. The old town was my personal highlight and I suggest you head for a walk and get lost. It is filled with typical Spanish houses, flowers, plants, and cute cafes, and I am sure that you will leave charmed by it. So depending on your arrival, you can enjoy yourself at the hotel or head to discover the old town of Marbella. You can add Marbella Urban Wall, Plaza de los Naranjos and Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación to your Marbella itinerary.

Other things to know before visiting Marbella

Where to eat in Marbella? We enjoyed one of the best tapas at Mia Cafe. This place is in the old town and is perfect for a quick bite. Especially if you are looking for a cute cafe with a nice atmosphere and authentic food.

Where to stay in Marbella? If you are looking for an affordable yet luxurious hotel in Marbella, Molo Luxury Suites Puerto Banus is the right choice for you. Keep in mind, that it is not in the center of Marbella, so you will have to take the car to visit the old town, however, parking is for free and the views are spectacular. And you have an access to the outdoor pool in case you want to take a break from the beaches. Looking for something mid-range in the old town of Marbella? Precioso apt en casco antiguo de Marbella is a great option as well.

Day 7: From Marbella to Ronda through Júzcar

Driving time: from Marbella to Júzcar 1 hour, 55 kilometers, and from Júzcar to Ronda 35 minutes, 24 kilometers.

If you still didn’t get enough beach time, you can use your morning for a quick swim or a tanning session. And then get ready to hit the road to discover one of the most epic places in Andalusia – Ronda. On your way, you can discover another cute town of Andalusia to take a break or have a quick bite.

Júzcar is also known as a Smurf town. Unlike other famous towns in Andalusia, this one is filled with blue houses and that is where the name comes from. Surprisingly, it is another hidden gem of Andalusia, so that is an additional reason to visit Júzcar.

Back in 2011, every single building here was painted blue: houses, the Church, the cemetery, and the Town Hall, to embrace the premiere of the world-renowned film The Smurfs 3D. Once the filming passed, the locals decided to embrace it and keep the houses blue. This decision brought some additional income to local inhabitants and more visitors to the town.

And if you want to have lunch in one of the blue houses, head to Bar Torricheli. It is a very simple place with simple food, but great for a quick lunch and some healthy meals.

You can’t visit Andalusia and skip Ronda. Ronda is a must in every road trip itinerary for Andalusia, so this is going to be your next destination and base for 2 days.

Puente Nuevo de Ronda is the main attraction in Ronda and you will have to find some best viewpoints to capture the beauty of it. You will need to put Mirador Puente Nuevo de Ronda as your destination on Google Maps and head to Plaza de Maria Auxiliadora and from there you will see a path that takes you down. It is an easy path, but you will have to be careful. I did it with sandals, but some comfortable shoes would make my life much easier.

You should visit Ronda Town Hall, Plaza del Socorro, Puerta de Almocabar, and Bullring of the Royal Cavalry of Ronda. But you should be able to see it all in one afternoon. I suggest you keep the viewpoint for the sunset and visit other attractions before that.

Other things to know before visiting Ronda

Where to eat in Ronda? Tropicana is one of the best restaurants in Ronda together with Puerta Grande. Puerta Grande has a simple setting and authentic recipes, while Tropicana offers a modern setting and some great vegan options. Prices are very similar in both of these places.

Where to stay in Ronda for 2 days? Catalonia Ronda is hands down the best hotel in Ronda. Especially if you are looking for epic views and swimming pool access. Hotel Don Miguel is a great option for budget travelers. Both of these hotels offer parking for additional 15 euros per day.

Day 8: Additional night in Ronda: visit Setenil de la Bodegas and Olvera

Driving time: from Ronda to Setenil de la Bodegas 25 minutes, 17 kilometers, from Setenil de la Bodegas to Olvera 23 minutes, 15 kilometers, from Olvera back to Ronda 45 minutes, 52 kilometers.

On the 8th day of your Andalusia road trip, you will keep Ronda as your base but drive around to discover other important attractions around. If you are passionate about history, add Ruins of Acinipo to your itinerary. Or implement hiking at Sierra de Grazalema in case you haven’t yet gotten enough. 

Setenil de la Bodegas

Setenil de la Bodegas is a charming Spanish town built inside the cliff. The houses and some streets are covered with cliffs, making it one of the most unique places in Europe.

You should discover these rock-covered streets, find some of the best views, visit some of the churches on your way and enjoy some more tapas. In one hour, you can visit the town, but you will need to plan some additional time for eating depending on your arrival time.

Bonus tip: make a quick stop at the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios before arriving in Olvera.

One of the best things about Olvera is the views that you get to see on your arrival. It is often overlooked by tourists since they rather visit Ronda or Setenil de la Bodegas, so this is your chance to discover another hidden gem of Andalusia.

The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnacion stands on the top of the town and pops out perfectly over the white town. Climb all the way up to this church and walk Calle Calzada to find some of the best photo spots in Olvera. The castle of Olvera offers even better views over the city and the entrance fee is 2 euros.

There are a lot of affordable restaurants in Olvera. I can recommend Bodeguita Mi Pueblo, but I saw some other great options in Olvera as well. Once you are done with Olvera, head back to Ronda, enjoy a relaxing evening by the pool, or soak in more of those views over the bridge.

Day 9: from Ronda to Cadiz through Arcos de la Frontera 

Driving time: from Ronda to Arcos de la Frontera 1 hour 10 minutes, 86 kilometers, and from Arcos de la Frontera to Cadiz 40 minutes, 65 kilometers.

Your next destination is Cadiz, however, the road from Ronda to Cadiz is long and not very exciting. For this reason, I suggest you make a break in the middle and stop at the Arcos de la Frontera. This is optional, but I think this little town deserves a visit, and let’s find out why.

Arcos de la Frontera

Arcos de la Frontera is built on top of the cliff and together with a river creates a wonderful landscape. One of the coolest places in Arcos de la Frontera is Basilica de Santa María de la Asunción together with Mirador de Abades and Palacio del Mayorazgo.

Mirador Plaza del Cabildo is my personal highlight as from this side you can see the massive cliff and take some great photos. After some research, I decided to have lunch at the Restaurante Aljibe and it didn’t disappoint. In fact, it is hands down one of the best restaurants in Andalusia.

Cádiz is an ancient port city rich in remarkable sights and surrounded by picturesque towns, wild landscapes, and wonderful beaches. I personally fell in love with Cadiz and it was one of my personal highlights of the entire trip.

Looking for the best things to do in Cadiz? Click here to read my ultimate Cadiz travel guide. This article covers food recommendations and the best hotels in Cadiz for every budget together with other practical tips.

Day 10: from Cadiz to Seville through Jerez

Driving time: from Cadiz to Jerez 28 minutes, 35 kilometers, and from Jerez to Seville 1 hour, 92 kilometers.

Considering that you spent the entire afternoon in Cadiz, make sure you check off the last things from your Cadiz bucket list and head to Jerez. It is going to be a quick stop before heading back to Seville.

Jerez is the most popular day trip from Cadiz and soon you will understand why. The cathedral is the main Christian symbol of the city and it’s a real baroque-neoclassic gem that you can’t miss. The old town of Jerez is surrounded by walls and has many relevant religious and civil buildings like Centro Andaluz De Flamenco Junta De Andalucía. This is the perfect spot to get in touch with the art of Flamenco and the famous wine Sherry.

Seville is the capital and largest city of Andalusia and it is the fourth largest city in Spain. Seville is famous for the Flamenco, the beautiful Plaza de Espana, the third biggest cathedral in the world, and the Arab influence in buildings like Alcazar.

This is going to be your base for the next 3 days, so make sure you check this 3-day itinerary for Seville that covers everything including main attractions, hidden gems, travel tips, hotels, and restaurants.

Day 11-14: Seville

Once again, the Seville guide will help you plan your time in the capital of Andalusia, but keep in mind that this is optional. If you have only 10 days in Andalusia, you can keep Seville for another trip. Also, I recommend you return your car rental because you won’t need the car to discover Seville, so you will just end up paying an additional fee for parking and the car rental itself.

After 2 weeks in Andalusia, we can agree that you have seen it all covered all the best things to do in Andalusia. I can guarantee that you will end up loving this area of Spain and create some amazing memories.

Is Andalusia safe?

Andalusia is very safe, so this shouldn’t be your concern during this road trip. You will have to be more careful in big cities like Seville, Marbella, and Malaga, but nothing extreme. Small towns of Andalusia are extremely safe and local hospitality is amazing. Probably another thing that will make your trip unforgettable.

What to pack for 14 days in Andalusia?

I want to say that Andalusia is a perfect reason to dress up and bring some cute dresses. If you are visiting in summer, keep in mind that it is very hot, so I suggest light material flowy dresses. You can also go crazy with prints and blend in with the local architecture.

Together with dresses, you will need some comfortable shoes, shorts, and swimsuits. A summer hat is another must! If you have limited luggage, you can buy cute hats in every town of Andalusia… find something that goes with your dresses.

Bring a rain jacket if you are visiting during the shoulder season. Or extra layers for winter.

What is the travel budget for 2 weeks in Andalusia?

• Accommodation: from 50 to 200 euros depending on the season and level of comfort for 2 people. More for luxury hotels and unique accommodations.
• Food: between affordable tapas and fancy restaurants, you should consider 40 euros per meal for 2 people. With drinks included.
• Car rental: from 100-200 euros for 11 days. Additional costs for 3 days in Seville.
• Parking: 15 euros per day.
• Museums: around 10 euros per day considering that there are a lot of free things to do in Andalusia.
• Experiences: around 50 euros per person.

When it comes to driving, remember that Toll highways are identified with the letter AP followed by one or two digits that represent the number of the road. They usually require payment, which may vary from €5 to €15. Most motorways also have an electronic system of payment. The main toll highways in Andalucia are the AP-7, the AP-46, and the AP-4. Check more driving tips here.

Resources for 14 days in Andalusia

Best car rental in Andalusia: book here Driving tips: read here

• Suggested mid-range hotel in Cordoba: book here
• Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba skip-the-line ticket: buy here
• Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs ticket and opening times: buy here
• Jewish Quarter, Synagogue, Mosque, and Alcázar Tour: book here
• Suggested mid-range hotel in Granada: book here
• Suggested luxury hotel in Granada: book here
• Alhambra opening times: check here
• Alhambra tickets: buy here
• Hammam Al Ándalus with Optional Massage: book here
• Walking Food Tour: book here
• Sunset Walking Tour in Albaicín & Sacromonte: book here
• Suggested mid-range hotel in Malaga: book here 
• Suggested luxury hotel in Malaga: book here
• El Chorro: Caminito del Rey Guided Tour with Shuttle Bus: book here
• Captain Your Own Boat without a License: book here
• Suggested luxury hotel in Marbella: book here
• Suggested mid-range hotel in Marbella: book here
• Suggested luxury hotel in Ronda: book here
• Suggested affordable hotel in Ronda: book here

Related articles

• What to see in Cadiz? Amazing Places and best things to do in Cadiz
• 3 days in Seville: the best Seville itinerary and best things to do

In conclusion…

This is the end of the ultimate Andalusia road trip itinerary for 2 weeks in Spain. I can guarantee that this flexible itinerary will help you plan an unforgettable trip and you will discover the best of Andalusia during 14 days in Spain. Now it is time to make some last bookings and get ready to hit the road.

If you are looking for more articles about Andalusia, click here .

I would love to hear your thoughts, so if you have any feedback or additional tips, leave a comment below. Also, check out my Instagram for regular travel videos and travel inspiration. Or explore other destinations on this travel blog.

Pin it for later and make sure you save the best road trip itinerary for 14 days in Andalusia!

10 Comments

What an awesome guide to visiting Andalusia! Frigiliana is a town we want to see! I’m saving this article for our trip someday. Thanks for sharing so many recommendations! I enjoy your website 🙂

Wow this is so impressive – I lived in Andalusia and I definitely didn’t get photos as beautiful as yours!!

Every part of this guide looks incredible. From the architecture to the beautiful landscapes it seems like all 14 days would be a fantastic experience. I love the idea of doing food tours to see more of the city. The museums would be fun to visit too. Thanks so much for sharing this experience. I would love to travel it one day.

Wow, wow, wow, Lasma! This truly looks like a perfect itinerary. My husband and I have been wanting to go back to Spain to explore the Andalusia area. We have only been to Seville from amongst the towns in that region. Cordoba and Granada both look amazing. I love that Roman bridge! The hike near Malaga looks fun too. Definitely pinned for when we schedule the trip. Thanks.

You’ve covered so many gorgeous locations in this post! I think my favorite shots are the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba and the Colomares Monument. Thanks for the well-researched information!

This is an excellent guide, the pictures are beautiful! I would love to spend some time here

This is the perfect guide! I loved the recommended towns of Cordoba, Granada, Malaga, Marbella, and Ronda. They are all so pretty so I would want to see them all. 2 weeks sounds like the perfect amount of time to explore. Saving for later!

We have loved every visit we made to the Andalusia region in Spain. A 14 day trip around gave you some of the great spots to visit. We finally made it to Cadiz this year and we so glad. Definitely an unforgettable set of destinations.

As always, the pictures are amazing. I love all of the arches in the mosque and I’m pretty sure my husband and I would enjoy the hike in El Caminito del Rey.

This is a real bible to spend 14 days in Andalusia! Fantastic article where everything is covered! I really hope I can go back to this fantastic region and discover more!

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Andalucia road trip - Ultimate 11 day itinerary

There are a lot of great regions and cities to visit around Spain, but there is one that stands out as the perfect destination for the ultimate road trip - Andalucia. The weather, the food and the richness of culture make this Andalucian trip one of our all-time favourites at any time of year , so buckle up and read on to find out exactly where to go, what to do and some insider tips.

This 11 day Andalucia road trip starts in Malaga and covers all of the region's top destinations including Seville, Cordoba and Granada.

Want to see more of Spain? Here's a 2-week Spain road trip down Spain's Mediterranean Coast .

Day 1: Malaga to Mijas - fly into Malaga & visit Mijas

Start your road trip in malaga.

You could really start and end your Andalucia road trip in any of the stops along the way, given the circular nature of our 11-day trip.

Malaga is probably the best choice as it's the easiest destination to fly to (less than three hours from London, with tickets usually reasonably priced) and it allows you a relaxed start and finish on the seaside.

Moreover, you have the benefit of a very short first drive to Mijas, so if you arrive later on in the day, Malaga makes for an ideal start.

Visit the "white village" of Mijas

Mijas is an old traditional Spanish town and is part of the "White villages" dotted around Andalucia. The name implies exactly what it says on the tin: all the houses in town are white and conform to very strict exterior design restrictions.

There are several great places to stay in and around Mijas including some above and below the village.

Our personal favourite is the secluded Guesthouse Montes de Almachada, a five-minute drive downhill.

Mijas Pueblo is a breath of fresh air in a part of the Costa del Sol where large seaside resorts attract the masses. Tucked away in the hills overlooking the coast all the way to Gibraltar, this town is much more popular with local communities than the more touristy resorts of Fuengirola and Torremolinos on the seafront.

There are plenty of different restaurants in Mijas to choose depending on what you're craving.

We would highly recommend El Mirlo Blanco on Calle Cuesta de la Villa: fantastic food cooked and served by local grannies.

Be sure to book ahead of your visit to avoid disappointment!

Have a stroll up and down the narrow streets of Mijas before or after dinner and treat yourself to an aperitif or a digestif at one of the many bars around town; Mijas' best attraction is undoubtedly its relaxed evening atmosphere and positively delicious food.

Day 2: Mijas to Vejer de la Frontera - scenic coastal drive & an evening in Vejer de la Frontera

Morning drive along the costa del sol.

Once you've clambered out of bed and into your car, you have a beautiful coast-side drive to Vejer de la Frontera to look forward to after breakfast.

There are two motorways running along the coast: a free road running closer to the sea, and a toll road slightly higher up in the hills. While the toll road will be slightly quicker, you also get to see a lot less along the way and the free motorway is pretty good.

We would advise you to keep your cash in the pocket so you can spend it on a cerveza (beer) later on!

Once you've passed La Linea and the Gibraltar rock to your left, you will have two choices on your way up to Vejer.

Both have merits, with the E-5 through Algeciras winding along the coast and the A–381 going up into the Parque Natural Los Alcornocales.

The coast-bound road will take you through a lot of windmills and you will get to see the African coast from near Tarifa. The road even allows for "Mirador" stops to let you get out of the car and enjoy the view.

Our preferred route, however, is through the national park. The A-381 is a great fast road and once you come off onto the CA-212, you get to see a number of unspoilt Andalucian villages surrounded by fantastic scenery.

Spend the evening in Vejer de la Frontera

Vejer de la Frontera sits atop a steep hill, with two winding roads making their way to the white washed houses lining its narrow alleyways. This is a sleepy town with incredible views of the surrounding hills and fields.

Spend the afternoon browsing the various family shops in the central streets before heading to dinner at one of a number of great restaurants.

Day 3: Vejer de la Frontera to Cadiz to Jerez - drive to Cadiz & explore the city before driving on to Jerez

Driving through andalucia's western province to cadiz.

The drive from Vejer to Cadiz is quite short and takes you along the flat plains of the Cadiz province before making its way through the industrial suburbs of what was once Europe's largest and richest port.

Once you've made it through to the narrow strip of land leading to Cadiz's centre, the scenery quickly changes from shipping yards and distribution warehouses to the yellow stone of a beautiful historic town.

Make your way all the way to the tip of the peninsula and park up at the underground car park just outside the Cathedral.

This fantastic city is somewhat off the beaten track for the tourist masses who prefer to herd along the Costa del Sol with occasional outings to Seville and Cordoba.

This, of course, is fantastic news for the intrepid traveller. The centre is surprisingly quiet, so spend a couple of hours walking around and having lunch.

We recommend visiting the cathedral itself and, knees permitting, climbing up to the top of the Poniente tower for some great views of Cadiz and the surrounding areas.

Once you've made your way back down, be sure to head out to the beach and take a stroll along a man-made path waving through the sea towards an island fortress.

Unfortunately the fortress itself is not open to visitors, but the crashing waves and fresh sea breeze offer a great respite from Andalucia's intense heat.

After lunch, it's time to head back out to the concrete jungle on the outskirts of the city before driving through open countryside en route to Jerez. This is a fairly short drive so don't rush your visit to Cadiz, but do be aware of rush hour traffic hitting the streets after 5pm.

Jerez is a fairly typical city for the region. Though it's not as grand or prominent as some of its better known neighbours, it is another great place to avoid the crowds and sample Jerez's unique delights.

Where to stay in Jerez

The elegant Hotel Jerez & Spa , which is conveniently located right near the Real Escuela, has everything you could possibly want from a relaxing resort, from a lovely and delicious breakfast every morning to the luxurious spa.

You'll feel like you've landed in paradise as you kick back by the outdoor pool with a cocktail in hand. After taste-testing all that sherry, it's the perfect place to unwind and lay your head to rest.

Day 4: Jerez - tour the Real Escuela & learn about sherry at Sandeman bodegas

Spend a day in jerez: the home of sherry.

Jerez is world-famous for two things: horses and sherry.

So, the two things you need to check out while in Jerez are... that's right... horses and sherry! In that order.

The Real Escuela is the largest and most prominent establishment in rearing and training local horses in Andalucian dressage.

To get a tour including watching horses being trained, rock up to the Escuela for 10am. It'll take several hours and if you can come on a Tuesday or a Thursday, you will get to see a Horse Dancing show at noon as part of your visit.

There are occasional Saturday shows through the year, but these tend to get very busy with locals, so midweek options are the ones to go for.

After you've seen enough prancing Andalucian steeds, it is time to try some local sherry.

There are several places to go – Sandeman bodegas is right next door to the Escuela, Tio Pepe is more centrally located, and there are several others spots dotted around town and in the surrounding countryside.

Sandeman has tours in English starting between 2pm and 2:30pm through the year. With most of the smaller bodegas, you should check availability in advance.

Sherry is named after the city of Jerez, where it has been made for thousands of years, there is no place in the world where you can taste so many different vibrant varieties of the Palomino grape drink.

Day 5: Jerez to Seville - explore historic Jerez & drive to Seville

Visit the historic sights of jerez.

Just before you set off on the short drive north to Seville, you can take the opportunity to take a stroll through the centre of Jerez and visit a couple of its historic sights. Two visit–worthy locations are the Jerez cathedral and the local Alcazar.

The Cathedral is similar in style to others in the region but following a recent reconstruction is less opulent than some of its better known neighbours.

For a small fee at the door, you can walk around and soak in the serenity of multiple chapels around the perimeter. With several large churches dotted around town, be sure to go to the right place!

The Alcazar is only a brief walk away and is a typical Andalucian residence of the local ruler.

Built in a mix of Catholic Spanish and Muslim Moorish traditions, the Alcazar includes a large garden complete with ancient baths, several outbuildings and a main house albeit most of this building is not open to the public.

The grounds are surrounded by a tall wall with a number of towers which offer a great view over the city centre.

Drive up to Seville for the night

If an 11 day Andalucia road trip is just not long enough, this is the perfect opportunity to fork out and add in some parts of our Portugal road trip itinerary . Your route will still go right past Seville with the border only about 90 minutes from there.

The road to Seville is fairly short and you should be in the heart of the city within an hour.

We recommend staying somewhere in the southern part of the centre as most of the sights, bars and restaurants are all within short walking distance of the Cathedral.

There are a couple of other busy areas in Seville further north, but given you are only in town for two nights, pick your spot wisely.

One thing Seville is particularly good at is food; there is a good selection along the Calle Mateos Gago and along the streets north of the Cathedral with a range of local cured meats and other dishes on the menu.

Day 6: Seville - visit Seville Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See & Plaza de España

Explore the streets of seville.

Seville is a great city for long walks and there is plenty to see just by roaming the streets, sipping orange juice in a small café and people watching.

There are several sights in the centre of the town which are worth paying a visit to on your travels.

Visit the famous Seville Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See

Paying a visit to the world's largest cathedral is an absolute must.

This is truly one of the greatest examples of Spanish architecture over the centuries. As is common for the region, the building was originally converted from the Almohad Mosque - a process that took some 200 years to finish in the 16th century.

Several reconstructions followed riots and an earthquake with large parts of the cathedral completely restored early in the 20th century.

A 105m-tall tower called the Giralda offers stunning views of the city and you don't have to ascend a single stair to get to the top! This converted minaret was designed so that the climb all the way to the bells at the top could be done on horseback via a sloping walkway.

Seville Cathedral is also the spot where explorer Christopher Columbus - or Cristobal Colon, as he's known in Spanish - is buried in an ornate tomb.

For lunch we would recommend exploring the streets immediately around the Cathedral.

There are several restaurants with tables offering views of the square which serve some local specialities including delicious seafood with black ink pasta.

Walk to the Plaza de España

This large square is a little out of the way, situated in a park to the south of the Cathedral, on the other side of the University of Seville. But once you see the beautiful plaza and surrounding moat, you'll know it was worth the walk.

The semicircular construction in the middle of the Parque de María Luisa was built in time for the 1929 World Fair and was designed to symbolise the importance of Spain's regions.

Each province has a small mosaic depicting the local customs and culture with the centre of the square boasting recently renovated fountains.

The main building is not accessible to the public, but you may walk up the grand staircase to take a look from above and take a few snaps.

The rest of the day can be devoted to strolling north past the shopping areas and towards the river.

On your way up, feel free to stop off at the Seville Alcazar fairly close to the Plaza. As you make your way up, you will notice the grand architecture of Seville which is quite distinct from many other Andalucian towns.

Across the river to the north of the centre there is a Theme Park and several quirky neighbourhoods, and there are few better ways to spend your time in Seville than roaming the streets and seeing the different parts effortlessly blend into each other.

Day 7: Seville to Cordoba - drive to Cordoba & explore the Jewish Quarter

Drive from seville to cordoba.

The roads of northern Andalucia are fantastic and very well looked after. They also tend to be very empty - particularly so in the height of the summer - so the drive up to Cordoba should take no time at all.

Hopefully you car's air conditioning works well as Cordoba is the hottest place in Europe!

There are several car parking facilities along the Guadalquivir river but we would encourage you to check whether your hotel has an arrangement with one of these as you can get better rates.

Navigating the narrow streets in the city without a map can be tricky, so arm yourself with a map of the town and go for a stroll.

We would recommend walking along the river and onto the ancient Roman bridge to take in the beautiful views.

Interestingly, Cordoba is a relatively compact town (you can see the boundary and countryside from the very centre) but it certainly has a lot to offer.

One of Europe's oldest and highly regarded academic institutions, Cordoba has been the focal point of Moorish and Catholic culture and studies for centuries.

Stroll through the Juderia (the Jewish Quarter)

The Juderia just off the main square and near the Mezquita is a sprawl of narrow streets with cafés, restaurants and various museums lying along Cordoba's western fortified wall. Here you will find plenty of traditional restaurants well worth a visit for lunch or dinner as well as several quirky museums.

There is a small synagogue built in the Moorish Mudéjar style in the 14th century and a small museum of a typical local house called the Casa Andalusi with a couple of turtles running (much faster than you would think!) around the grounds.

Day 8: Cordoba - the Mezquita Cathedral, the Alcazar, & traditional Spanish food

Visit the mezquita cathedral.

The Mezquita is one of the best-known religious buildings in the world. Its unique mix of traditional Islamic and Catholic styles is owed to a continuous struggle of the two competing religions to adapt the building and tailor it to their own needs and wants.

As the Mosque and Cathedral changed hands, large parts of the original structure were retained and typically expanded to make it more grand and impressive than before.

Rows upon rows of columned space were added over the centuries, while the Mezquita served as the region's main mosque.

At the final takeover of Cordoba by the Spanish, the Mosque was finally converted into a Cathedral and the central part was redesigned into an altar and choir area, but much of the original structure remained, making this structure very unique.

There are different ticket options including the night tour, but visiting during the day is our preferred choice.

The more expensive night visit provides a video about the Mezquita's history, but your visit is constrained by having to walk around in a large group and listen to the tour guide.

In the daylight, you can explore at your own pace, look at different parts you are interested in and take a moment to reflect without being rushed.

The Alcazar and evening in Cordoba

The Alcazar is just a short stroll away from the Mezquita, with the main entrance just behind a small orange grove.

This Alcazar is particularly large and opulent, with an incredible garden and fountains.

This Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos was the medieval centre of Cordoba and the place Spanish Kings called their home in the province. The grand compound was used as a prison from 1821 until the 1950s, when it was returned to its former glory and reopened to the public.

Have a traditional Spanish dinner

Dinner options in Cordoba are varied and there are some absolutely fantastic restaurants to choose from.

Our personal favourite is the Regadera which we visit every time we find ourselves in Cordoba. The food here is out of this world; try it with a local red wine with a hint of fizz.

Day 9: Cordoba to Granada - drive to Granada & explore by going shopping and having lunch

Drive from cordoba to granada.

9 days into your trip, there is no need to rush; this day's aim is to relax and get across to Granada.

There are several routes you can take on your way down from Cordoba. The fastest route will take you along motorways to Antequera and then along the A-92 to Granada.

Throw in another 20 minutes and you can take the road less travelled along the N-432. Snaking along the hills of the Andalucian plateau, this will certainly offer a much more entertaining drive through small settlements along the way and provide for great views.

Be sure to fuel up before you get going as petrol stations are at a premium on smaller roads.

Arrive in Granada and do some shopping

Granada is yet another striking Andalucian city.

Built in a much more continental style than Cordoba, its narrow one-way central streets can be hard to navigate.

Plan on what you want to do with your car in advance (check whether your hotel provides parking) as space in the city is at a premium; prepare for daily rates to be expensive!

Once you've settled into your hotel, take a stroll along the Calle Reyes Catolicos and the adjoining streets for a bit of shopping.

Lunch can be had at one of the cafés in the Plaza de Bib-Rambla or in the small square behind the Cathedral just off the Calle Pie de la Torre - here crispy pancakes with prawns are delicious!

Take your time to explore the lower parts of Granada as you will have plenty of time in the next two days to make your way further up the river - there are several interesting churches and great tapas on offer.

Day 10 - Granada - visit the Alhambra & explore the Albayzin neighbourhood

Visit the incredible alhambra.

The Alhambra is perhaps Spain's best known attraction and sits perched atop a hill overlooking the rest of the city.

Make sure that you book your tickets well in advance as this will save you a lot of time and stress. There are daily limits on the number of visitors and huge queues early in the morning to try and get in.

Travel tip: Get yours online and collect them at one of the machines by the entrance.

There are buses running to the entrance and other ways of getting up to the top, but the best route is up the Cuesta de Goméres through a park.

Treat yourself to a huge ice cream just off the main square at the bottom; a relaxed stroll to the top should take about 20 minutes.

There are several parts of the Alhambra to visit; the extensive gardens towards the back and near the entrance, several buildings in the middle section, the Nasrid Palaces and the towering Alcazaba at the front of the fortress.

The Nasrid Palaces are the only part of the Alhambra where you have a dedicated time slot for your visit assigned on the ticket – be sure to join the queue 25 minutes before this slot.

The Nasrid Palaces are a beautiful set of rooms, fountains and gardens where the visiting royalty would stay during their visit to Malaga. Ornate windows and doorways and preserved beautiful mosaic tiles attract visitors from all over the world.

Make sure you climb the Alcazaba's towers and you will be rewarded with fantastic views of the entire city of Granada and the surrounding countryside. You only get one opportunity to enter the front section so make it count!

Discover the Albayzin neighbourhood

Once you have taken in all the sights and delights of the Alhambra and made your way down to the bottom, make your way along the Carrera del Darro.

This is a small road running along the river Darro off the Plaza Nueva. Stray cats have made the river banks their homes and appear to be the second most popular tourist attraction in the city.

Take any of the streets leading uphill and make your way into the Albayzin.

Here you will find narrow streets with low white-washed houses and a unique atmosphere. There are plenty of shops selling goods and clothes you would sooner expect to see in northern Africa, but this is no tourist trap - you will find plenty of locals roaming around the shops.

Spend the rest of the afternoon resting your feet in your hotel room before heading out to any of Granada's myriad of fantastic restaurants.

A good day's walk needs to be rewarded with some local dishes. Strong Arabic influences mean that stews are the order of the day, with cold meat platters to start and various battered seafood options as an alternative. Yum!

Day 11: Granada to Nerja to Malaga - drive to Malaga to end your trip, stopping for an ice cream in Nerja

Have breakfast in granada then continue your andalucia road trip.

There are few things as good at breakfast as fresh blood orange juice. With numerous varieties growing on trees right outside your hotel, it is a sin not to try some first thing in the morning.

Pack your bags into the car and leave it until after lunch, then spend the rest of the morning in Granada before heading off back to the Costa.

Head towards the Granada Cathedral in the old town.

When Granada was recaptured from the Moors in 1492, the Spanish destroyed a large mosque in the middle of the city and set about building a colossal cathedral to reintegrate the city with Catholicism.

This made the cathedral particularly opulent, and the abundance of marble and gold inside makes it an absolute must on your itinerary.

The streets immediately surrounding the cathedral have plenty to look at, from unusual shops and restaurants to large stalls selling spices from every corner of the world.

The Capilla Real is a church neighbouring the Cathedral that was built before the main cathedral's construction was started. A much more sombre building, it houses several marble tombs of 15th/16th century Spanish Kings.

Drive from Granada to Malaga via Nerja

Once again you have a choice of two ways to get down to Malaga.

One takes you along a motorway to Antequera and then down through a tree–lined valley to the Costa's largest city.

A different route will head straight to the sea along the A–44 ending up at Motril. From there, you can take the N–340 along the Costa all the way to Malaga.

There is a toll option running further uphill, but this misses out on all the sights and towns along the way.

Nerja is worth a quick stop for an ice cream break and a stroll along the Balcon de Europa pier if you fancy a break.

Down in Malaga your trip reaches its end.

If you're not heading straight off on your drive home or for the airport, we recommend stopping in the city centre for a few drinks overlooking the sea.

If you haven't had enough of sight seeing, the Cathedral is worth popping into right in the heart of Malaga's old town and there is a very good Picasso Museum celebrating the city the painter chose to be his home.

Malaga has been much more strongly influenced by development and tourism, which makes the city look very different to the others you will have visited on your trip around Andalucia.

Large streets, a much more European feel and plenty of open space will seem at odds with the Arabic influences of cities further north, but will provide for a refreshing breeze at the end of an action-packed visit to Spain's southern province.

If you've got time, have a walk up Mount Gibralfaro (it's not too strenuous and takes about 25 mins) and admire the panoramic views from the top.

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A road trip through Andalucía: the prettiest places to visit in Southern Spain

By Kim & Nash Finley

We’re travelling back in time on this road trip through Andalucía in southern Spain . It's a region known for its flamenco, fascinating history and food scene, where you can stay in a glass house in the desert, wander the cobblestone streets of ancient Granada, breathe in fresh ocean air along the coast and get lost in the snoozy city of Seville .

The Gorafe Desert

Begin in the Gorafe Desert. Here, among the nothingness of the dramatic landscape, sits La Casa del Desierto or the House of the Desert. Set on a bluff overlooking the valley, without a neighbour for miles, it is a place of sheer serenity.

Wake up to the blue-to-pink gradient of sunrise. La Casa del Desierto makes for a beautiful stay in the desert, with the clean crisp lines of the house juxtaposed against the rugged landscape beyond.

Sunset shouldn’t be missed – and nor should the darkness of night. The Gorafe Desert holds a Starlight Certification because of the absence of light pollution, making it an ideal place for stargazing .

Welcome to Granada, an area of natural beauty flecked with historic attractions. Settle into a 300-year-old royal chamber at Hotel Casa 1800 – be sure to book a room with views of the Alhambra from the private balcony.

The peace and quiet of Casa 1800, set in the back alleys of Granada , is unparalleled. After breakfast in the tranquil courtyard, walk through the cobblestone streets of Albaicín, the spectacular old district in the shadow of the Alhambra.

No visit to Granada is complete without touring the Alhambra, a Moorish palace set against the craggy peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Climb to the top of this UNESCO World Heritage Site – and for the most uninterrupted views of the historic quarter head to the Alcazaba section.

The Alhambra has a long and interesting history: the palace’s existing buildings date back to the 13th century, although it is thought that there was a citadel here long before that. Take a tour of the restored buildings and meticulously landscaped grounds – but tickets sell out fast, so make sure to book ahead.

The Alhambra is not only beautiful up close but also when seen from afar. For the best views of the Red Castle, make your way to Mirador San Nicolás. Come at sunset and grab a bite at El Huerto de Juan Ranas.

CNT Editors

Anita Bhagwandas

Olivia Morelli

Lily Bonesso

Casares del Sol

From Granada, head along the coast to this small beach town near glossy Marbella. Finca Cortesin is an outstanding, Moroccan-influenced retreat with vast pools and intricate, Andalucían design. Wake up early to catch the pastel hues of the sunrise glimmering on the ocean.

There are four pools, a sauna and spa, plus a private beach club and several brilliant restaurants at this spoiling hangout.

Finca Cortesin puts a twist on traditional Andalucían architecture. Each and every corner is different, including this Moroccan-inspired lounge.

The pretty small town of Casares is a set among the rocks. Take the back roads on your way to Cádiz and make a pit stop at Restaurante Sarmiento for tapas and spectacular views.

On a small peninsula in the south-west, Cádiz is the perfect place to break up the drive to Seville. Park up for the afternoon and climb to the top of the Cathedral for sprawling views of this coastal city.

After exploring the Cádiz Cathedral, step out onto the bustling plaza and grab tapas at any of the outdoor restaurants.

For a cocktail, pop into Bongó, a smart restaurant set right on the cathedral plaza.

Who hasn't dreamed of living in an 18th-century palace for a few days? With soaring ceilings and king-size beds, converted Hotel Palacio de Villapanés is still fit for royalty. During afternoon siestas, the sun peeks through the tall windows and the wind rustles against the soft white curtains.

Roam the narrow alleys and side streets of Seville. Sometimes having no plan is the best plan.

The Hospital de la Caridad was founded in 1674. It’s not only an active hospital but a place of worship, with a chapel that can be visited during the day. Inside are works by some of the top artists of the baroque era. The façade (pictured) was designed by Leonardo de Figueroa, who was the architect of many of Seville's baroque churches.

The Plaza de España is one of the prettiest and most extravagant squares in the city. Horse-drawn carriages trot by and boats glide under Venetian-style bridges into the sunset.

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10 Days in Andalucia: The Ultimate Andalucia Road Trip Itinerary [2024]

By: Author Milijana

Posted on Published: March 18, 2021  - Last updated: March 25, 2024

Categories SPAIN , ROAD TRIPS , TRAVEL ITINERARIES

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Read how to take a perfect Andalucia road trip for 10 days in Andalucia in southern Spain. Find out where to go in Andalucia, what to see in Andalucia in 10 days & how to go around Andalucia in 10 days.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. PLEASE READ MY  DISCLAIMER  FOR MORE INFO. 

If you are looking for a well-balanced and not fast-packed southern Spain itinerary you have found the right post. While I have spent a month traveling south of Spain, many people have only several days of their vacation to spend on a trip. That’s why I have tailored a perfect itinerary for southern Spain for first-time visitors covering the highlights of southern Spain and at the same time giving much time to leisurely enjoy the best of Andalusia. In this post, you’ll find the perfect Andalucia road trip itinerary regar dl ess of if you are planning to rent a car or use public transport. The best way to explore the south of Spain is by renting a car as it gives you the freedom to see the countryside at leisure without depending on trains and buses, although the public transport system in Spain is great if you would prefer not to drive. You can do this Southern Spain trip in 7 days, but I recommend 10 days in Andalucia. Otherwise, you will be spending more time traveling (moving from one place to another) and less enjoying your Southern Spain trip. I recommend renting a car at Malaga airport (Malaga airport is the busiest airport in southern Spain!) for an Andalucia road trip and simply following the next Andalucia road trip itinerary.

Andalucia itinerary 10 days

Things to do in Malaga

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• One day in Jerez itinerary

The best things do to in Arcos de la Frontera

Where to stay in arcos de la frontera, where to stay in ubrique (optionally), things to do in ronda, ronda itinerary, where to stay in ronda, day 10: malaga , andalucia road trip route, map of the southern spain itinerary, best time to visit southern spain , andalucia road trip itinerary: how to spend the perfect 10 days in andalucia on a fabulous andalucia road trip.

Southern Spain Itinerary 10 days ( Andalucia road trip itinerary ):

This 10 days Andalucia road trip is a round trip that starts and finishes in Malaga. This southern Spain itinerary covers 3 ultimate southern Spain destinations ( Seville , Granada, Cordoba ) , Jerez de la Frontera (the heart of Andalusia),  exquisite and genuine Andalusian ‘ pueblos blancos ‘ (Iznajar, Arcos de la Frontera, Ubrique), stunning seaside town of Cadiz, spectacular Ronda and Malaga (the capital of Costa del Sol). In this Andalusia road trip itinerary, you will get detailed itineraries for each place in Andalusia you visit. This Andalusia road trip covers some hidden gems in Andalusia like Iznajar and Ubrique (gorgeous and nontouristy places in Andalusia ). I’d suggest taking this Andalusia road trip in May because some of the most amazing events happen in May in Andalusia (like Feria de Abril de Sevilla , Feria del Caballo in Jerez de la Frontera , Fiesta de Los Patios in Cordoba ). But, let’s start with the southern Spain itinerary!

Andalucia road trip itinerary:

Day 1: MALAGA

Sunny Malaga is the capital of Costa del Sol. It has the biggest airport in southern Spain. Malaga Airport is the 4th busiest airport in Spain (following only Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airpor t, Barcelona El Prat Airport , and Palma de Mallorca Airport by traffic). Thus, logistics-wise, the best is to start and finish a southern Spain trip in Malaga. In other words, most likely you will find the most affordable plane tickets to Malaga.

Start your visit to Malaga by having a cup of coffee and a glass of fresh juice at Mercado Central de Atarazans before the official start of sightseeing Malaga.  Vibrant Mercado Central de Atarazans is one of the top places to see in Malaga. It is a fabulous food market filled with great produce, small restaurants, and cafes. Another popular place in Malaga for sipping morning coffee is Café Central Málaga . After a cup of morning joe head up to Castillo Gibralfaro , the famous Malaga hilltop castle, for the spectacular views of Malaga. After admiring the views of Malaga from the hill, go down the hill to Alcazaba (a fantastic medieval Moorish palace with amazing sea views). After visiting Alcazaba, head to Malaga Cathedral (called, also One-Arm Lady ) and Picasso Museum Malaga . To remind you, Malaga is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, one of the all-time most famous painters . So, please take the time to visit the amazing Picasso Museum.

When you finish visiting the Picasso Museum , it will be already lunchtime. I recommend having lunch at the iconic El Pimpi tapas bar . After lunch, enjoy your Spanish siesta time. In the late afternoon have some beach time on sandy Malagueta beach . After all, you are on the famous Costa del Sol in Spain and Malaga is the capital of Costa del Sol. Locals especially love Malagueta Beach. It’s the nearest beach to Malaga downtown and one of the best beaches in Malaga . The area is one of the best areas to stay in Malaga for beach lovers. (Read my complete guide to Where to Stay in Malaga ). Reserve your hot Malaga evening for refreshing cocktails, sangria, and delicious local tapas.

If you wonder what to eat in Spain and you want to eat authentic famous Spanish food on your trip, read about The Most Popular Spanish Food Everyone Needs to Try

Here is a summary of the recommended MALAGA ITINERARY:

• Morning : coffee at Mercado Central de Ataranzas , visit Castillo Gibralfaro and Alcazaba, Malaga Cathedral, and Picasso Museum
• Lunch : El Pimpi & afternoon siesta
• Late afternoon: Malaga beach
• Evening: cocktails and tapas bars (check out Mañana Cocktail Bar Malaga ) or take an Evening Wine and Tapas Tour in Malaga

LUXURY: Vincci Selección Posada del Patio BUDGET: The Lights Hostel MID-RANGE: Soho Boutique Museo

Plan your Andalucia road trip – Day 1: Malaga Fly to Malaga and check out rental cars at Malaga Airport Book your stay in Malaga The Lights Hostel (budget) Soho Boutique Museo (mid-range) Vincci Selección Posada del Patio (luxury) Check out the best-selling tickets and tours in Malaga: Malaga: Sunset Sailing Catamaran Trip with Glass of Cava (the most popular tour in Malaga) Málaga: Flamenco Show at Tablao Alegría (the most popular entry-ticket) From Málaga: Caminito del Rey Guided Tour with Bus (the most popular day trip from Malaga)

Day 2: GRANADA

In the early morning on the second day, head to Granada. The distance between Malaga and Granada is only about 30 km (19 mi).

• From Malaga to Granada by car:   an hour and 45 min drive.
• From Malaga to Granada by bus: There are about 8 daily buses from Malaga to Granada. A one-way Malaga to Granada bus ticket is about 12 €.
• From Malaga to Granada by train : If you want to travel more comfortably from Malaga to Granada, consider taking a train from Malaga to Granada. But in that case, the train route goes from Malaga to Antequera (about 30 30-minute train ride), and from Antequera to Granada (an hour-and-a-half train ride). A train ride from Malaga to Granada is from 20 € and up.

• visit A lhambra Palace ( the most visited site in Spain), 
• stroll Carrera del Darro (the most beautiful street in Granada),
• wander Albaicín quarter (a UNESCO site),
• tour Sacromonte (Granada’s gypsy quarter),
• visit Granada’s Arabic Baths ( Granada’s Banuelos is the oldest surviving Arabic baths in Spain),
• check out Granada Cathedral (built in the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles; still not finished)
• Early in the morning: Alhambra (book your ticket in advance! and go as early as possible), visit Granada Cathedral (built-in Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque style)
• Afternoon: have tapas lunch at Bar Los Diamantes (Granada’s most famous tapas bar for fried fish) at Plaza Nuevosiesta and visit authentic Arabic Baths (Granada’s Banuelos is the oldest surviving Arabic baths in Spain). Or, opt for an afternoon spa time in Hammam Al Andalus (in the center of Granada near Plaza Nueva)
• Late afternoon: stroll Carrera del Darro (the most beautiful street in Granada) which starts from Plaza Nuevo and goes to the famous Albaicin quarter and head to Albaicin for the sunset.
• Evening: go to Sacromonte (Granada’s gypsy quarter) for a flamenco show and dinner

Related read: 15 Essential Tips and Tricks on How to Visit Alhambra Palace Tip: For roaming Alhambra palace, cobbled stone streets of Granada, and hilly Albaicin, you will need comfortable walking shoes. If traveling in summer, check out my list of top comfort women’s sandals for walking .

LUXURY: Palacio Cabrera – Lillo , or Luxury Alhambra Penthouse Collection MID-RANGE: Palacio Cabrera – Lillo BUDGET: Lemon Rock Hostel

Plan your Andalucia road trip itinerary Day 2 Granada Book your stay in Granada Lemon Rock Hostel (budget) Palacio Cabrera – Lillo (mid-range) Palacio Cabrera – Lillo , or Luxury Alhambra Penthouse Collection (luxury) Check out the best-selling tickets and tours in Granada: Granada: Alhambra & Nasrid Palaces Fast-Track Ticket (the most popular entry ticket) Granada: Flamenco Show in La Alboreá (a popular entry ticket) Granada: Hammam Al Ándalus with Optional Massage (a popular ticket)

Day 3: IZNAJAR AND CORDOBA

On the third day, head from Granada to Cordoba and make a stop in Iznajar.

Iznajar is one of the most beautiful white villages in southern Spain with an outstanding hilltop setting overlooking Iznajar Lake. If you want to see an authentic Andalusian village, this is a place in Andalusia to visit.

The distance between Granada and Iznajar is about 90 km.

• From Granada to Iznajar by car: an hour and 10 min
• From Granada to Iznajar by bus: an hour and 30 min from Estación de Autobuses de Granada. A one-way Granada to Iznajar bus ticket goes from 8 € and up.

The next stop on this south of Spain itinerary is Cordoba.

After visiting Iznajar head to Cordoba. The distance from Iznajar to Cordoba is about 130 km.

• From Iznajar to Cordoba by car: an hour-and-a-half drive
• From Iznajar to Cordoba by bus : 2 hours and a half drive. A one-way Iznajar to Cordoba ticket is about 12 €.

Cordoba was once the capital of Muslim Spain and a major center of medieval Europe. A mix of the beautiful setting on the river Guadalquivir and some extraordinary historic treasures gives a special romantic vibe to Cordoba. La Mezquita (the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba) is one of the most fascinating architectural masterpieces.

• tour Mosque of Cordoba (the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba),
• visit Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs (the Royal Palace of Catholic Monarchs),
• get around Juderia de Cordoba (the Jewish Quarter),
• head to Puente Romano (the Roman Bridge),
• enjoy Moorish tea rooms (teterías) in Cordoba,
• admire Los Patios de Cordoba (the beautiful old-time vibe patios full of flowers).

When you reach Cordoba, most likely noon will be already.

Check-in at your stay and head to the picturesque Old Jewish Quarter ( el Barrio de la Juderia de Cordob a) for lunch and stroll around world-famous Corodobese patios and afterward visit Alcazar Palace of Cordoba (one of the main residential palaces of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon).

• Lunchtime: Juderia de Cordoba (Jewish Quarter), Alcazar of the Christian Monarch (the royal palace of Cordoba)
• Afternoon: tea time in a Moorish tea room Salon de Te in Barrio Judería (in the Jewish Quarter)
• Evening: leisure stroll around romantic Cordoba – walk the Roman Bridge and have dinner
• Next day in the morning: visit La Mezquita in Cordoba (it opens at 8.30 am) before you head to Seville

BUDGET: Mayflowers Hostel MID-RANGE: Hacienda Posada de Vallina LUXURY: Las Casas de la Judería de Córdoba

Plan your Andalucia road trip itinerary Day 3: Iznajar & Cordoba Book your stay in Cordoba Mayflowers Hostel (budget) Hacienda Posada de Vallina (mid-range) Las Casas de la Judería de Córdoba (luxury) Check out the best-selling tickets and tours in Cordoba: Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral: Skip-the-Line Guided Tour (the most popular tour) Cordoba Mosque, Synagogue & Jewish Quarter Tour with Tickets (a best-selling tour) Córdoba: Guided Tour of the Patios (a popular tour)

Day 4-5: SEVILLE

Seville is the next stop on this South Spain itinerary.

The distance from Cordoba to Seville is about 145 km.

• From Cordoba to Seville by car: an hour and 50 min drive.
• From Cordoba to Seville by bus: 2 hours and 15 min ride. A one-way Corodab to Seville bus ticket costs about 12 €.
• From Cordoba to Seville by train: It is a 45-minute train ride. There are about 25 trains a day from Cordoba to Seville. A one-way Cordoba to Seville train ticket goes from 7.50 € to 30 €.

1st day in Seville:

• Late morning:   Seville Cathedral (with the tomb of Christopher Columbus and climb to La Giralda tower), El Divino Salvador church, Casa de Pilatos (a palace in Renaissance and Mud è jar style with a collection of azulejos and Goya paintings)
• Lunchtime:  recommended places to eat in Seville: Cocome (healthy, vegetarian), Al Wadi (Moroccan, vegetarian), Az-Zait (Mediterranean, European, Spanish)
• Afternoon : Parque de María Luisa , Plaza de Espana (Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars: Attack of the Clones were filmed there), Museo de Bellas Artes (with a collection of religious art)
• Evening: tapas dinner at Santa Cruz quarter and a flamenco show at the Museo del Baile

2nd day in Seville:

• Morning: Real Alcazar Palace with gardens (Alcazar Gardens are the Water Gardens of Dorne in Game of Thrones), Hospital Los Venerables (a 17th-century baroque building with the Diego Velázquez Center)
• Afternoon : walk the Guadalquivir riverfront and climb the historic Toro del Oro tower, visit Real Maestranza Bullring , and go to the Metropol Parasol for sunset panoramic views of Seville (3€ ticket)
• Evening: head to Triana quarter for a leisure walk and have a tapas dinner

BUDGET: For You Hostel Sevilla MID-RANGE: Welldone Metropol LUXURY: Hotel Ateneo Sevilla , or Hotel Casa Del Poeta

Plan your Andalucia road trip Day 4-5: Seville Book your stay in Seville For You Hostel Sevilla (budget) Welldone Metropol (mid-range) Hotel Ateneo Sevilla , or Hotel Casa Del Poeta (luxury) Check out the best-selling tickets and tours in Seville: Seville Cathedral and Giralda: Skip-the-Line Ticket (the best-selling entry ticket) Seville: Alcazar & Cathedral Guided Tour with Giralda Entry (the best-selling tour) Seville: Casa de la Memoria Flamenco Show (a popular ticket)

Day 6-7: CADIZ

After Seville, Cadiz is coming next in your Andalusia itinerary.

The distance from Seville to Cadiz is about 120 km .

• From Seville to Cadiz by car:   an hour and 40 min
• From Seville to Cadiz by bus: about a 3-hour bus ride. A one-way Seville to Cadiz bust ticket costs about 14 €
• From Seville to Cadiz by train : an hour and 40 min. A one-way Seville to Cadiz train ticket goes from 10 € and up

Cadiz is my favorite place in Andalucia.

Why? Because of the people. Simple as that.

You will meet the friendliest people of southern Spain in Cadiz.

The more I travel, the more places with welcoming and open-hearted people capture my heart. Architectural masterpieces and fascinating nature are always on my itinerary. But what keeps me longer in one place are good-hearted people.

And Cadiz is one of the places like that. In Cadiz, you will meet cheerful and easygoing people, smiling, chatting loudly, laughing spontaneously, and always ready to help a stranger in need. ‘Joie de vivre’ of Cadiz is unparalleled!

But don’t get me wrong, Cadiz is not only about friendly people. Cadiz is also about great beaches and exceptional seafood.

Related read: Best Seafood in Spain 

If you travel to Andalucia during the snail season, try caracoles tapas in Cadiz.

Most likely you will be surprised by how tasty they can be. I was! You can read more about it here Eating Snails in Spain .

Because of the friendly people, great food , and excellent beaches, I would suggest planning to stay at least 2 days in Cadiz.

• head to the Castle of San Sebastián ,
• see Santa Catalina Castle ,
• visit Cádiz Cathedral,
• go to Mercado Centra l,
• wander B arrio del Pópulo , the oldest quarter in Cadiz stretching from the Town Hall to the Cathedral,
• climb up Torre Tavira , an observation tower with great views of Cadiz,
• enjoy first-class seafood restaurants in Cadiz ,
• relax on the Blue Flag beaches of Cadiz like Playa La Caleta, Playa De La Cortadura, Playa de la Victoria, Playa de Santa María del Mar
• Morning: visit Cadiz Cathedral , Castle of San Sebastián , Santa Catalina Castle
• Afternoon: walk Cadiz waterfront promenade, head for sunset to Torre Tavira
• Evening: Go to La Vina quarter and have dinner at Casa Manteca (my favorite taberna in all of southern Spain for a great atmosphere and excellent food!)
• Morning: Head to Mercado Central to enjoy your Spanish breakfast and hang out with local people
• Rest of the day: Beach time and seafood time. Swim, sunbathe, and eat. You are on vacation in Spain!

BUDGET: Summer Cádiz MID-RANGE: La Posada del Mercado LUXURY: El Armador Casa Palacio , or Parador de Cádiz

Plan your Andalucia road trip itinerary: Day 6-7: Cadiz Book your stay in Cadiz Summer Cádiz (budget) La Posada del Mercado (mid-range) El Armador Casa Palacio , or Parador de Cádiz (luxury) Check out the best-selling tickets and tours in Cadiz: Cadiz: Medieval Tour (a popular tour) Cadiz: Guided City Tour

Day 8: JEREZ, ARCOS DE LA FRONTERA & UBRIQUE

After some seaside time, you are heading to the inland south of Spain. Typical Andalusian white villages are next on your Andalucia itinerary.

The distance from Cadiz to Jerez is about 37 km.

• From Cadiz to Jerez by car: about 35 min drive
• From Cadiz to Jerez by bus : from an hour up to a two-hour bus drive A one-way Cadiz to Jerez bus ticket goes from about 1,5 €.
• From Cadiz to Jerez by train: about 35 min train ride. A one-way Cadiz to Jerez train ticket goes from 7 €.

On the 8th day early in the morning, you are heading to the heart of Andalusia: Jerez, Arcos de la Frontera, and optionally Ubrique. Andalusia is about sherry, horses, and flamenco. And Jerez is the true home of sherry wine, Andalusian horses, and flamenco. Andalusian horses are one of the most famous equestrian breeds in the world.

• watch equestrian ballet at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art ,
• taste authentic sherry in Jerez (from light and dry sherries such as Manzanilla and Fino to as darker and sweeter sherry such as Oloroso),
• sample wines and popular local tapas in traditional ‘ tabancos ‘, 
• tour the cellars of González Byass or bodega Tío Pepe for authentic sherry tastings,
• visit the Yeguada de la Cartuja stud farm near Jerez

One day in Jerez itiner ary

• Morning: Take a  2.5-hour tour of sampling wines and popular local tapas in traditional ‘ tabancos ‘
• Afternoon : watch 90 min equestrian ballet of Andalusian horses

If you’re traveling to Andalucia in May, then the Feria del Caballo (the Horse Fair) is a must-see! There you will get a feeling of stepping back in time and you will see Andalusia at its best: Andalusian women wearing traditional flameco dresses – colorful ‘ rajes gitanas’ or ‘gypsy dresses’, flamenco singing and dancing in noisy public ‘ casetas’ , Andalusian horses parade …

The distance from Jerez to Arcos de la Frontera is 35 km.

• From Jerez to Arcos de la Frontera by car: a 30 min drive.
• From Jerez to Arcos de la Frontera by bus: about 35 min ride. One bus per hour a day. A one-way bus ticket goes from about 4 €.
• From Jerez to Arcos de la Frontera by train : No train line.
• stroll the narrow picturesque streets of this breathtaking Andalusia white town,
• head to the viewpoint of Mirador of the New Rock for striking views,
• visit Casa del Conde del Aguila built in the late Gotic and Mudejar style.

BUDGET: CASA MONTAÑA MID-RANGE: La Casa Grande

However, if you travel by car, I suggest visiting Ubrique also. There’s no direct bus line from Arcos de la Frontera to Ubrique. Ubrique is a typical whitewashed Andalusian town situated between two nature parks. If you are a nature lover, the Ubrique area is a place to see in southern Spain. If you are traveling by car you can enjoy scenic views on your way from Arcos de la Frontera to Ubrique.

Distance from Jerez to Arcos de la Frontera to Ubrique is about 43 km

• From Jerez to Arcos de la Frontera to Ubrique by car: about 45 min drive.

MID-RANGE: Hotel Sierra de Ubrique

• If you are traveling by bus go straight from Arcos de la Frontera to Ronda and make late check-in in Ronda.

Plan your Andalucia road trip Day 8: Jerez de la Frontera, Arcos de la Frontera, and Ubrique Book your stay in Arcos de la Frontera CASA MONTAÑA (budget) La Casa Grande (mid-range) Or, book your stay in Ubrique Hotel Sierra de Ubrique (mid-range) Check out the best-selling tickets and tours in Jerez de la Frontera: Jerez de la Frontera: How the Andalusian Horses Dance (the best-selling tour)

Day 9: RONDA

The distance from Arcos de la Frontera to Ronda is about 90 km.

• From Arcos de la Frontera to Ronda by car : an hour and 10 min drive.
• From Arcos de la Frontera to Ronda by bus : a 2-hour bus ride. A one-way ticket is about 10 €. 2 buses a day run on the route.
• visit Puente Nuevo bridge ,
• head to the terraces of Jardines De Cuenca ,
• see Plaza Del Toros , the famous bullring in Ronda,
• go to Banos Arabes

The next stop on your Andalucia trip itinerary is Ronda, one of the most spectacular towns in Southern Spain. Ronda might be a small town by size, but the atmosphere is world-class. If you like small towns with a spectacular countryside setting, most likely you will fall in love with Ronda. Ernest Hemingway and Orson Wells did. Even more, cremated remains of Orson Welles and his beloved Paola Mori have dispersed down a well on a small country estate on the outskirts of Ronda. “ There is one town that would be better than Aranjuez to see your first bullfight in if you are only going to see one and that is Ronda. That is where you should go if you ever go to Spain on a honeymoon or if you ever bolt with anyone. The entire town and as far as you can see in any direction is romantic background ..” – Ernest Hemingway noted about Ronda.

• Morning: go for breathtaking views of Puente Nuevo Bridge , head to La Casa del Rey Moro to visit the bottom of El Tajo gorge, walk another two bridges in Ronda – Puente Viejo and Puente Arabe , visit the Mondragón Palace (a Moorish, Renaissance, and Gothic style palace),
• Lunchtime: Restaurante Bardal (a Michelin-star restaurant)
• Afternoon: visit Ronda’s Bullring , stroll the Alameda del Tajo Park j ust behind the bullring, visit La Casa Del Rey Moro (the House of the Moorish King), go to the Mirador de Ronda (the viewpoint of Ronda) for sunset
• Evening: tour some of the bodegas in the countryside around Ronda

MID-RANGE: Hotel Colón LUXURY: Hotel Boutique Molino del Arco

Plan your Andalusia road trip Day 9: Ronda Book your stay in Ronda Hotel Colón (mid-range) Hotel Boutique Molino del Arco (luxury) Check out the best-selling tours in Ronda: Ronda: Sightseeing Walking Tour (the most popular tour) Ronda: Organic Olive Oil Tour and Tasting (a popular tour)

Depending on your flight time, you can go directly to Malaga Airport, stay on the last day in Malaga, or even take a day trip from Malaga to Gibraltar . (Read more here: Best things to do in Malaga, Spain ) The distance from Ronda to Malaga is about 103 km.

• From Ronda to Malaga by car: an hour and 30 min drive.
• From Ronda to Malaga by bus: 3-hour bus ride. A one-way ticket is about 15 €.
• From Ronda to Malaga by train: from an hour and a half to a 2-hour ride. A one-way ticket is about 15 €.

Plan your Andalusia road trip Day 10: Malaga Book your stay in Malaga The Lights Hostel (budget) Soho Boutique Museo (mid-range) Vincci Selección Posada del Patio (luxury) Check out the best-selling tickets and tours in Malaga: Malaga: Sunset Sailing Catamaran Trip with Glass of Cava (the most popular tour in Malaga) Málaga: Flamenco Show at Tablao Alegría (the most popular entry-ticket) From Málaga: Caminito del Rey Guided Tour with Bus (the most popular day trip from Malaga) Join a tour to Gibratar From Malaga and Costa del Sol: Gibraltar Tour

Andalucia road trip by car : stops + driving distances + driving times

Andalucia road trip: south of Spain map

The best time to visit Andalucia is spring and autumn. In the summer months (June, July, August) temperatures in Andalucia go above 40ºC with hardly bearable heat. Pleasant temperatures to travel southern Spain are from February to May. May is a great month to go to Andalucia as some great festivals happen then. And Holy Week in Andalucia is another level.

The best months to take the Andalucia road trip are the spring months (March, April, May) and autumn months (September, October, and November).

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Wednesday 10th of March 2021

I really suggest spending more time in Cadiz province. It deserves for sure. I love the Sierra of Grazalema and its pueblos blancos. Nature is stunning all year round, and people are lovable. In particular I enjoy Arcos de la Frontera. In this small white village, everybody should spend at least one night. It's lovely and it's a real "pueblo blanco gaditano". When we will be able to travel again it's a lovely place to recover from all this bad period.

Tuesday 23rd of July 2019

Wow great Itinerary shared by i have been spain two times but after read your post i am thinking i have left many things to do & enjoy surely i will add it in my next journey thanks for sharing this lovely images & places with your lovely pics thanks

Shreya Saha

Friday 19th of July 2019

The places you have listed about Southern Spain are really beautiful. I am so intrigued by the Alcazar of Seville, Alhambra of Granada, and those beautiful white villages of Cadiz and Arcos de la Frontera. I would love to spend a week here.

Thursday 18th of July 2019

I am such a quality over quantity person, so always appreciate a great itinerary that focuses on a small area over a decent length of time. I love how unique each of these stops are, and there is something about Cadiz and Ronda that call to me. Really hope to get to these places in person!

Michael Hodgson

LOVE your photos. The seafood paella ... lord have mercy, I am drooling on my computer keyboard. Sadly, I have not yet been to Spain. Therese has, but many years ago. We will be passing through this region quickly on our way to Morocco. Clearly we need to plan a visit to the region, and seeing that bridge (Ronda was it?) will be a must. Spectacular.

World Wanderista

Magic happens when the adventure begins

Antequera , Cordoba , Europe , Granada , Malaga , Ronda , Sevilla , Spain , Travel Guide · March 23, 2021

Andalusia Road Trip Itinerary: the most beautiful places in Southern Spain

Who hasn’t been dreaming of a road trip in Andalusia? This fantastic Spanish region is known for its Moorish architecture with colorful mosaics, delicious tapas, “pueblos blancos”, magnificent mountain ranges and flamenco. You can explore the most beautiful places in Southern Spain! Ready to start planning?

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you).

Where is Andalusia and how to get there?

Andalusia is the most southern region of Spain. It has 3 international airports; Sevilla, Málaga and Córdoba. I chose to depart from Málaga, but you can start this road trip also from the other locations. Just take into account your travel time then, so you still have enough time to explore these places.

Andalusia Road Trip Itinerary

Duration of the trip:  14 days / 13 nights Hours of driving:  9 hours 37 minutes Kilometers:  742.5 km Start:  Málaga airport End:  Málaga airport

ANDALUSIA ROAD TRIP ITINERARY

• Málaga – 2 nights
• Granada – 3 nights
• Córdoba – 3 nights
• Sevilla – 4 nights
• Málaga – 1 night

Road Trip Day 1 – Arrival at Málaga

Hotel : In Málaga I stayed at the Sallés Málaga Hotel .

Málaga is the first stop of this Andalusia road trip. Depending on the time of arrival you can already start exploring the city. Málaga is the sixth largest city of Spain, but its historic city center is not that big. You can do everything by foot easily.

In case you need lunch make sure to try the tapas at El Piyayo ( C/ Granada 36 ). For dinner on your first night I recommend eating at Plaza del Obispo. This is a cozy square next to Málaga’s amazing cathedral. I ate at La Taberna del Obispo. Just make sure if you order tapas, that it is clear you would like to receive all tapas at once.

Road Trip Day 2 – Exploring Málaga

Málaga does not have countless sights to see, it is more a city you have to experience at a slow pace. I recommend visiting the Alcazaba and the Castillo de Gibralfaro in the morning. The Alcazaba is Spain’s best preserved fortress. It is built in Moorish style and overlooks the sea. Also its lush fountain decorated gardens are worth visiting. If you are not tired yet you can climb further to the Castillo de Gibralfaro . The castle ruins itself are not very spectacular, but the view up there is amazing. For lunch you could go to El Patio ( C/Granada 39 ).

Places you could explore in Málaga in the afternoon:

• Plaza del Obispo , a very photogenic and cosy square. Here you’ll find the cathedral ( Iglesia del Sagrario ) and the Palacio Episcopal in baroque style, which are both gorgeous.
• If you are looking for some shade you can walk down the Paseo del Parque to the Plaza de Toros, underneath the palm trees while the monk parakeets are flying above your head. On your way you’ll pass the impressive city hall, built in neo baroque style and the Jardines Puerta Oscura .
• Art lovers will enjoy their time at the Picasso Museum .
• If you would like to shop you will find everything at shopping street Marques de Larios and its surrounding streets (take into account shops are closed during siesta time)

A place I definitely recommend to have dinner (but make sure to reserve) is El Pimpi ( Calle Granada, 62 ). It is located on a very vibrant square and I absolutely loved their avocado shrimp salad!

Road Trip Day 3 – Hiking at Torcal de Antequera, visiting a Pueblo Blanco & arrival at Granada

Torcal de antequera (1 hour – 48 km).

After breakfast it is time for the next stop of this Andalusia road trip to drive some winding roads to the spectacular mountain range called Sierra del Torcal. Here you will find the nature reserve Torcal de Antequera , which is known for its grey remarkable karst formations. You can hike here with a choice of three routes. There is a simple green track of 1.5 km, a medium yellow track of 3 km and a more difficult orange track of 7.2 km. I did the yellow one, which took me 3 hours because I stopped a lot to take photos and I also had a snack break.

Hiking between the grey rock formations made me feel as if I was on a different planet. The landscape and views here are simply stunning and out of this world! This is definitely one of the most beautiful places in Southern Spain.

Also check : Hike at Torcal de Antequera

Antequera (25 min – 15.5 km)

After hiking you can drive to the foot of the mountain range to the biggest pueblo blanco (white town) of Spain; Antequera . It is one of Andalusia’s most historic towns, but still quite unknown. It is a charming town with the typical Andalusian white houses with red tile roofs and cute narrow cobblestone streets. I parked the car on top of the hill near the Alcazaba to have lunch at the Plaza de los Escribanos . This is a very calm square next to the Santa Maria church and you will find some incredible views of the town here.

Antequera is not that big. I just spent the afternoon wandering around since a lot was closed (I was there on a Sunday and the town looked dead) and I just like to explore the little streets. But there are some nice things to see and do:

• Alcazaba : a Moorish fortress with fantastic views (closes at 3pm)
• Termas Romanas : if you like to visit ruins of Roman thermae
• Arco de los Gigantes : an arch in late-Renaissance architectural style built in 1585
• Dolmen de Menga : Megalithic tomb & burial site (9am–6pm, Monday afternoon and Sunday closed)
• Plaza de Castilla with the bull ring
• Plaza San Sebastián with the San Sebastián church, a cute fountain

Also check : Day trip from Malaga: small town charm in Antequera

After you are done exploring Antequera it is time to drive to the next stop; Granada (1 hour 16 min – 103km).

Road Trip Day 4 – Granada

Book your hotel in Granada here .

Granada is mostly famous for its hilltop Moorish palace, which is one of the most beautiful places in Southern Spain; the Alhambra. But first it is time to explore the city. Because Granada has a lot more to offer! Granada consists of several beautiful quarters containing beautiful architecture, exquisite tapas bars and restaurants, thermal baths, dreamy parks and cozy narrow streets. This Andalusia road trip gives you two days and a half time to explore the city and a half day at the Alhambra. But you can always add more days to your liking!

Albaycin is the Moorish neighborhood situated between the hills of the Alhambra, San Cristóbal, Sacromonte and Elvira. Walking through this neighborhood will make you feel as if you apparated to a different time and place. The highlights of this area are:

• El Bañuelo : Tucked away behind a small door you’ll discover a well-preserved Moorish bathhouse that was constructed in the 11th-12th century. Which means these are one of the oldest Arab baths in Spain. Thanks to the starshaped skylights the sunlight beams from the ceiling into the arched rooms. Carrera del Darro 31
• Carrera del Darro : a walk through this street next to the Darro river is fun and made me feel as if I stepped into a time machine straight to the Middle Ages.
• Mirador de San Nicolás : Climb up the hill facing the Alhambra to the Mirador San Nicolás to have a nice view on the Alhambra. On your way up you should walk through the Calle Calderia Nueva, where you’ll find a lot of cute Arab influenced shops. I loved this little street!
• Mirador de San Cristóbal : another beautiful view
• Palacio de Dar al-Horra : a Nasrid palace built in the 15th century.
• Paseo de los Tristes : a beautiful square next to the Darro river with a romantic fountain. From here you will get a magnificent view of the Alhambra
• Jardines del Triunfo : small lovely park with illuminated fountains at night

Road Trip Day 5 – Granada

The most interesting part of this quarter are the cathedral’s surroundings.

• Madrasah of Granada : the first university of Granada founded in 1349 by the Nasrid monarch Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada.
• Calle Alcaicería : a vibrant colorful market street which is situated on the site of the former bazaar.
• Catedral de Granada : this gorgeous cathedral looks astonishingly beautiful, both inside and outside
• Bib-Rambla Square : one of Granada’s most attractive squares, decorated with 19th-century townhouses, lime trees, kiosks and cafes.

In the Sacromonte area you’ll find the Roma/Gitano/Gypsy cave community living in the whitewashed  caves  along a hilltop ridge. It is like an open-air folk museum and worth visiting. It offers stunning views over the city and it looks totally different from the rest of Granada.

Road Trip Day 6 – The Alhambra

Finally it is time to visit one of the highlights of this Andalusia road trip; the magnificent Alhambra! You can reach the palace by taking the mini bus C3 at the Plaza Isabel La Catolica. It takes about 5-10 minutes before arriving the top of the hill. Make sure to arrive early. You still need to stand in line at the entrance to change your e-ticket into a real ticket, stand in line again to enter and then you have to walk another 10 minutes to reach the Nasrid Palaces. There you have to stand in line again (15 minutes before the entry time on your ticket).

A visit at the Alhambra takes at least 3 hours. The Nasrid Palaces are the most memorable and one of the most beautiful places in Southern Spain, but the gardens of Generalife are also very pretty. My favorite place was definitely the Court of the Lions!

After visiting the Alhambra make sure to not forget to take a look at the Carmen de los Martires view point.

This is the old Jewish quarter southwest from the Alhambra. It is an eclectic and multicultural district with a long, rich history.

• Campo del Principe : a beautiful square which is the heart of Realejo and known for its tapas
• Plaza de San Cecilio : square with the San Cecilio church
• Palace of La Casa de los Tiros : in the 16th century this was an ancient fortress which was part of a city wall that surrounded the potters’ quarter.
• Santo Domingo church : known as one of the most interesting churches in Granada, founded in the 16th Century by the Catholic Monarchs

Also check: Visit the Alhambra, jewel of Granada

Road Trip Days 6-7-8 – Cordoba

After a 200 km (2h 15min) drive you will arrive in Cordoba. Cordoba is known as the city where East meets West and is one of the most diverse cities I’ve ever visited. The typical Spanish white alleys, decorated with colorful flower pots, are surrounded by exquisite gems of Islamic architecture. This is the place where Muslims, Christians and Jews once lived peacefully side by side. I recommend staying 3 nights. Make sure to check opening hours in advance of the attractions so you can plan your day accordingly.

• the Mezquita : Originally it was a Catholic church, but the Moorish kings turned it into a giant mosque starting in 784. It stayed a mosque until the Reconquista in 1236. Then the mosque was converted into a Catholic church by building a Renaissance cathedral nave in the middle of the enormous structure. It is the perfect mix of Roman, Gothic and Islamic architecture and it is definitely one of the most beautiful places in Southern Spain!
• 20 magnificent doors of the Mezquita : take a walk around the Mezquita to admire the doors
• Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos : a palace with beautiful gardens
• Palacio de los Marqueses de Viana : 14th century palace with stunning courtyards
• Casa Andalusi : 12th century house completely decorated in medieval Andalusian and Moorish style
• Calleja de las Flores : a beautiful typical Spanish white alley decorated with flower pots
• Puente Romano : now known as the Long Bridge from Volantis from Game of Thrones. It was built by the Romans, but only 2 arches are still the original ones.
• Calle Cairuán : walk along the ancient city walls
• Puerta de Almodovar : old city gate
• Jardic Botanico : beautiful park/garden with a greenhouse and arboretum
• Iglesia de San Lorenzo : a 13th-century church, converted from a mosque, considered to be one of the finest examples of medieval architecture in Córdoba.
• Iglesia de San Miguel : This church belongs to the group of 14 parish churches built after the Reconquest of Córdoba. These churches are called  Fernandinas,  and many were renovations of old mosques. Most of the Fernandinas were built with repurposed materials, which explains why they have Roman and Moorish columns.
• Medina Azahara : about 8 km from the city you’ll find these amazing ruins of the vast, fortified Andalus palace-city built by Abd-ar-Rahman III (912–961). (9 am – 3pm, Monday closed)
• Places I enjoyed eating: El Abanico  (Calle Velazquez Bosco, 7) & Horno San Luis  (Calle Cardenal Gonzalez, 73)

Also check:

• One day in Cordoba
• Casa Andalusi in Cordoba, a true hidden gem

Book your hotel in Cordoba here .

Road Trip Day 9 – From Cordoba to Sevilla via Almodovar del Rio

About 23 km from Cordoba lies the town called Almodovar del Rio . I haven’t been there yet myself, but I have seen its Moorish castle on top of the hill while passing by train. Ever since I have always wanted to go there. It is a typical Spanish town with narrow alleys and white houses situated around the castle. You can visit the town and its castle on your way to Sevilla (if the castle fascinates you as much as I).

From Almodovar del Rio it is another 142 km (1h 50min) to Sevilla. Sevilla is definitely one of my favorite cities in the world! The Mudejar architecture with the colorful tiles and magnificent arches and carvings make this town irresistible. Once you arrive I suggest to simply go for a walk through the city and have some great tapas. Or relax at the pool if your hotel has one.

In Sevilla I stayed at Hotel Las Casas de la Juderia & Hotel Fernando III

Road Trip Days 10 – 11 – 12 – Sevilla

Time to fully explore my favorite city of this Andalusia road trip! There are so many palaces to discover, tapas to eat and squares to enjoy,… So here are all the places you should definitely visit!

• Plaza de España : one of the most beautiful squares in the entire world thanks to its gorgeous architecture, tiles, bridges and fountains. You will need at least 1,5 h to explore this fantastic place.
• Parque de Maria Luisa : a dreamy park and perfect to visit when in need of shadow and some peace and quiet
• Real Alcazar : breathtakingly beautiful palace in Mudejar style with an awe-inspiring garden, also used in Game of Thrones as the Water Gardens of Dorne.
• Palacio de las Dueñas : you can visit this palace’s garden, stables and the ground floor with its most impressive feature: the patio.
• Casa de Pilatos : another beautiful palace in Mudejar style with “Sevilla’s first and most magnificent staircase” and a gorgeous Italian inspired garden
• Casa de los Pinelo : built in the first third of the 16th century. Today it houses the Reales Academias Sevillanas de Buenas Artes, Letras y Medicina. It has two storeys crowned by a mirador with a gothic ledge in perforated stone. 
• Palacio de los Marqueses de la Algaba : this palace houses Mudéjar art & hosts cultural events in the courtyard
• La catedral and the Giralda : the largest gothic cathedral and the third-largest church in the world. You can also climb its bell tower called the Giralda, It was first built as the minaret for the Great Mosque of Seville in al-Andalus.
• Torre del Oro : this used to be a military watchtower constructed by the Muslims
• Flamenco : Sevilla is said to be the birth place of the Flamenco, so you can’t afford to miss out on a Flamenco performance! You can watch expensive Flamenco shows at la Casa del Flamenco but you’ll soon discover you can enjoy Flamenco in little bars and in the street as well for free!
• Enjoy a carriage ride at night
• Places to eat I loved: La Azotea Santa Cruz Sevilla ( Mateos Gago 8 ), Bar La Moderna ( Mateos Gago 7)

Also check these guides:

• Photos of the Real Alcazar that will make you want to go
• Best things to do in Sevilla
• Casa de Pilatos: a tour of the most magnificent house in Sevilla
• Discover Mudejar architecture at the Real Alcazar

Road Trip Day 13 – from Sevilla to Málaga via Ronda

Before arriving in Málaga, you will visit one of the most beautiful places in Southern Spain; the impressive picturesque town called Ronda. The town is about 130 km (1h 40min) from Sevilla, located next to the El Tajo gorge, which splits Ronda in 2 parts. These are the highlights of Ronda:

• Puerta de Almocábar : fortified Moorish entrance gate to the old town
• Iglesia de Santa María La Mayor : church with mix of gothic, renaissance and baroque styles
• Iglesia del Espíritu Santo : the first church to be built after Ronda was retaken by the christians
• Alameda del Tajo Park with impressive views
• Palacio de Mondragón : palace and garden complex with Moorish origins, dating back to 1314
• Puente Nuevo : high bridge crossing the Rio Grande offering amazing views. This bridge connects the old and the new town.
• La Casa del Rey Moro : Storied palace featuring a water mine & hanging gardens. It was never the house of a Moorish king though since it was built in the 18th century.
• Charming streets in the old town: Calle Tenorio, Calle Manuel Montero
• Viewpoint at the Plaza Maria Auxiliadoria
• Mirador Casa Bosco
• Mirador La Hoya del Tajo
• Plaza Duquesa de Parcent : a beautiful square
• Puerta de Carlos V : A 16th-century gateway at the northern end of the old town
• Puente Arabe : another small bridge connecting the old and the new town
• Puente Viejo : oldest and smallest of three bridges
• Arab baths : a beautiful piece of Moorish heritage

Also check: Spend a day in Ronda, the cliffside city of Andalusia

From Ronda is takes a 1h 30 min drive back to Málaga, where you can spend one more night before taking the plane back home.

Pin this Andalusia Road Trip for later!

I hope you enjoyed this “Andalusia Road Trip Itinerary: the most beautiful places in Southern Spain” article! Don’t hesitate to leave your comments down below!  If you want to help me a little please share this post on Facebook, Twitter or any kind of social media and book your next trip with my discount link. A small thing for you to do that can make a big difference for me! Massive thanks! If you like the pictures in this article, I suggest to follow  my Instagram account  where you can find a lot more.

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July 25, 2021 at 11:00 PM

Hi! Wonderful blog! How did you rent the car? Was it expensive? Is it difficult to drive there? Thanks! 😊

July 27, 2021 at 1:55 PM

Hi, to get prices from rental car companies, I suggest you just do a Google search and see what fits your budget and wishes the most. I do not remember the price and it changes constantly anyway. I did not think it was difficult to drive there.

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Two Week Road Trip through Andalusia: Our Travel Itinerary

Oh Andalusia! You sure know how to exceed expectations! White villages against barren landscapes, vibrant cities and wonderful sunsets by the sea, tapas and tinto de verano. The perfect holiday vibes ! 

Are you looking for the perfect travel itinerary for your road trip through Andalusia? In this blog article, we share our journey with all the destinations in between and all the best highlights in Andalusia.

We have also packed some useful tips for planning your road trip, as well as a map with the main destinations on our travel route so that you can best prepare for your trip in Andalusia.

1. Our Andalusian Travel Route: The Most Beautiful Destinations in Two Weeks

2. more travel tips for your road trip through andalusia, 3. map: overview of our andalusia travel itinerary.

Our road trip journey through Andalusia starts in Málaga. The reason we started here is because it has the most frequented airport in Andalusia, so it’s very likely that your trip will also start here. If not – no worries. Our road trip route though Andalusia actually forms a loop, so you can essentially start at any of the stops.

Málaga is a port city. In terms of tourism, it has long been overshadowed by other travel destinations in Andalusia, but nowadays Málaga is very popular. We particularly liked the mix of the sea and the historic Old Town . Wander down the winding streets in the heart of Málaga with the impressive cathedral and then take a stroll along the harbour. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?

You can find all the tips in our detailed blog article: Málaga Our hotel tip for Málaga: Suites Teatro Recommended stay: 2-3 nights

The second stop on our itinerary is Ronda, a town upon the mountainous landscape . It takes about 1.5 hours from Málaga. Ronda is incredibly spectacular: The Old Town of Ronda is perched on a steep sloping rock plateau. In the photo you can already see the most famous sight of Ronda, the Puente Nuevo . It spans the El Tajo gorge, which is about 100 meters deep.

Ronda is quite easy to explore, a few hours would be enough to see the main highlights. Nevertheless, we would recommend you to stay one night here and start the next day early in the morning. That way, you will have enough time to visit the famous White Villages of Andalusia along the way.

You can find all the tips in our blog article: Ronda Our hotel tip for Ronda : Catalonia Ronda Recommended stay: 1 night

The White Villages of Andalusia (Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos)

Shortly after Ronda begins the Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos , the Route of the White Villages. It winds through the spectacular, mountainous backcountry of the Cádiz province and encompasses a total of 19 villages as part of the Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos. Since the route goes towards Cádiz (the next destination on our journey), these White Villages make for the perfect stop along the way.

The White Villages of Andalusia are like little gems, shining from afar against the barren landscapes. Many of the villages are incredibly spectacular. When you wander the historic town centre, it always feels as if time has stopped. Our personal favourites were the villages of Olvera and Zahara de la Sierra.

Recommended stay: Visit as a day trip from Ronda to Málaga, or alternatively stay for 1 night Blog article with travel tips: The Route of the White Villages in Andalusia

The next stop on our Andalusia itinerary takes us back to the sea, in the coastal city of Cádiz . The Old Town of Cádiz is particularly well located: situated on a headland and almost completely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean.

One might think that Andalusian cities would be rather similar, but this is not the case. The Old Town of Cádiz has an exceptionally unique and authentic flair . The grid structured Old Town with the tall houses loom over many corners and gives really great insights into the Andalusian way of life.

But don’t worry, there are plenty of spacious areas and of course beaches. In Cádiz, you can enjoy a wonderful relaxing sunset on the beach – the best holiday feeling!

Our blog article with travel tips: Cádiz Our hotel tip for Cádiz: Candelaria 10 Recommended stay: 2 nights

No road trip through Andalusia would be complete without a stopover in the capital of Seville. Many people say that Seville is the most beautiful city in Spain – and we would not disagree with that. This university city is buzzing with energy and good vibes. From Cádiz you can reach Seville in less than 1.5 hours.

There are endless places to explore in Seville, but the gigantic Cathedral of Seville is one you cannot miss – it is simply marvellous. Behind hidden walls you will also find some magnificent, centuries-old city palaces in Seville – with their beautiful, green courtyards, they are also a major highlight in Seville.

Our blog article with all travel tips: Seville Our hotel tip for Seville: Palacio Marmoles Recommended stay: 3-4 nights

Our route takes us from Seville on a good 1.5 hour drive to Córdoba. There is one building in particular that is highly worth a mention: the monumental Mezquita . It is a mosque-cathedral , a Christian cathedral built in the middle of a mosque. Sounds crazy? It is! Definitely a personal highlight in Andalusia.

We were also pleasantly surprised by the charming Old Town of Córdoba. With its whitewashed houses and narrow streets, we think it is one of the most beautiful in all of Andalusia. Córdoba is relatively quick and easy to explore, but is still worth a stopover on your trip through Andalusia!

Our blog article with travel tips: Córdoba Our hotel tip for Córdoba: Patio del Posadero Recommended stay: 2 nights

The last stop on our Andalusia road trip takes us to the beautiful Granada. You should plan a good 2 hours for this section of the journey. In Granada, you will find perhaps, the most significant sight in all of Andalusia – The Alhambra.

Rarely are we as astounded by a building as we were by the Alhambra – there is simply no comparison. The Alhambra aside, we really like Granada overall. The Old Town is super pretty and there are also beautiful viewpoints from which you can enjoy a great view of the Alhambra.

Our hotel tip for Granada: Boutique Hotel Luna Granada Centro Recommended stay: 2-3 nights

Optional: Sierra Nevada National Park

If you have more time, we have a little insider tip for you: in the Sierra Nevada National Park (south of the Alpujarras), lies a mountain region with small white villages. From Granada, it only takes about an hour to get here. With regards to tourism, the villages of the Alpujarras are far less known and less visited than ​​the Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos. 

The Sierra Nevada National Park is also home to the highest mountain of the Spanish mainland – the Mulhacén. So if you want to go hiking, you’ve come to the right place. But even if you just want to enjoy the spectacular landscape and the flair of the pretty mountain villages, we can highly recommend this region.

Recommended stay: 2-3 nights

Our Trusted Go-To Rental Car Provider

For years, Sunny Cars has been our trusted go-to rental car provider, and our trip to Andalusia was no exception. Sunny Cars acts as an intermediary platform that compares all the prices from across multiple companies, and presents to you the best deals. You can book your rental car from Sunny Cars website and then collect your car in Spain from a local car rental company. (For us it was Europcar, but this will vary across the board.)

Why go with Sunny Cars? Because they have an amazing comprehensive insurance policy that covers almost every scenario you can think of. In the event of damage, Sunny Cars will also reimburse you the excess, regardless of who was at fault. The Spaniards have a rather “loose and carefree” driving style, so  scratches on the car can happen quite quickly. The fact that you don’t have to pay for any damage is a huge relief.

You can search for great rental car deals here: Sunny Cars

What Kind of Rental Car Should I Hire?

The streets of Andalusia are in very good condition, which is why you can book any type of car you like – it’s more a question of your personal taste. A small car has the advantage that you can get through the many narrow streets and underground garages in the city with much more ease. However, we would still avoid driving into most of the historic town centres anyway – no matter how small the car is.

We chose a medium sized car ourselves and were very happy with our choice. There are two main reasons why we went for a medium sized car: more space (especially for luggage in the trunk) and better safety. In our opinion, going larger than a medium car doesn’t really make sense.

How much does a rental car cost in Spain?

It is quite cheap to rent a car in Spain. We only paid 24 Euros per day for our rental car. A small car would have been significantly cheaper. However, we also rented during a low season (November). In the high season, prices go up a little, but not dramatically.

Tip: also include parking in your holiday budget , it’s almost impossible to find parking on the streets in most city centres. Therefore, you will often have to resort to expensive underground parking buildings. In some cities, you often pay 15 Euros a day for parking or even more. It’s really easy to overlook this expense and underestimate the cost of parking in Andalusia.

What is the best time of year to visit Andalusia?

Not recommended: high season.

Why? Because it can get unbearably hot in Andalusia during the summer, so we would personally avoid the months of July and August. The temperature in Córdoba can often reach 40 degrees Celsius during midsummer. Sightseeing in these temperatures is not super fun.

In addition, Andalusia becomes a lot more popular as a travel destination. Therefore, certain parts start to get very touristy and the beaches are of course more crowded than usual .

Another slight disadvantage is that the prices for accommodation rise with the demand during the summer months. Conclusion: Of course it is possible to travel around Andalusia in July or August, but we would only recommend it if that’s your only available option. .

Best Time to Visit: Low Season

The best time to travel to Andalusia is clearly in the low season, although there are of course huge variations too. For example, with regards to weather: early September can still be incredibly hot and crowded, while November can sometimes be much cooler and a little rainy.

If you are flexible, then we would recommend that you plan your Andalusia trip for October . During this month, the temperatures are still very warm and you can swim in the ocean without any problems.

We ourselves visited Andalusia at the end of November . Unfortunately, we were a bit unlucky and got caught in a rainy period. On nice days, however, it was still almost 20 degrees and sunshine.

Travel Expenses: How Much Do Things Cost in Andalusia?

Andalusia is surprisingly not a very cheap travel destination. We would say the price level is somewhat lower than in Austria or Germany , with certain things (such as fruit & vegetables) much cheaper in Andalusia, while most other expenses are quite similar to that from home.

However, the entrance fee for various sights is worth the money when traveling through Andalusia. Almost every cathedral will charge for admission (and it’s not uncommon to pay 10 Euros to enter). Many other significant sights, such as palaces or castles, also demand very high entrance fees.

Examples: How much does this cost in Andalusia? 

• Entrance to Seville Cathedral: 10 Euros
• Entrance to the Alhambra: 14 Euros
• Beautiful Hotel in Seville with a Double room (in low season): approx. 100 Euros per night (but can also be cheaper)
• Parking in Málaga for 24 hours (close to the centre): 22 Euros
• Dinner for two at a higher-end tapas bar in Seville (including drinks): 30 Euros
• Cortado (similar to an espresso macchiato): 1.20 to 1.50 Euros
• Breakfast for two at a café: 15 Euros

To help you get a better perspective of the entire travel route, we have pinned all our destinations on this map. The distances between the individual stops are rather manageable – you usually don’t have to spend more than 2 hours in the car.

Disclaimer: Affiliate Links

This blog article contains our personal recommendations in the form of affiliate links. If you book or buy something through these links, we receive a small commission from the company. However, this does not change the prices for you at all. We really appreciate it – thank you so much! 

Have you ever done a road trip through Andalusia? What did your itinerary look like? Feel free to leave us a comment or a question. We look forward to reading all your extra tips and experiences!

You might also be interested in this

Córdoba Travel Guide: Our top Tips & Things to do

Seville Travel Guide: Best Things to do and see

Best of Cádiz: Top Things to do and see

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Our Andalucia Road Trip: Pueblos Blancos, Hiking & Secluded Beaches

• March 14, 2020 October 12, 2020

The most passionate part of the southern paradise called Spain hides many secret gems. The best way to discover the most beautiful corners of Andalusia is by car! Follow the itinerary of the little Andalucia road trip we took in February 2020 and prepare for your crazy flamenco adventure!  

There’s never a shortage of ideas for any Andalusian road trip! If you are still surfing the waters of the crazy internet in search of some tips for your upcoming ‘Anda hols’ (a.k.a Andalusian Holidays) get inspired by a little 4-day road trip made by me & my family which happened in February 2020 .

I’ll reveal the biggest secrets of where me, my bro and his wife hung out in Southern Spain. Check out the places we visited, what car we rented, where we stayed, where we parked and the things we planned to see but didn’t have time to make them happen. (These might be useful for those who have more time to travel around Andalusia than we did).

(I may also mention that we travelled through Andalusia just before the big Costa Del Sol Corona outbreak . Although we all seem to be pretty healthy two weeks from the point when the trip started, I’ll give you an update soon…It is a 2 weeks after this statement and I’m still healthy!).

A secluded beach between Punta Paloma and Bolonia. February weather in Andalusia can start feeling like hot spring!

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

List of Contents:

• 1, When to Go 
• 2, Where to Stay
• 3, Itinerary
• 4, More Inspiration
• 5, Renting car in Andalusia
• 6, Parking 

What’s the Best Time for an ‘Andalucia Road Trip’?

One of the reasons why Andalusia is so popular is definitely the year-round sun of this region. Well okay, you got me here! No, the sun doesn’t shine for every one of those 365 days a year here. There are the hot, humid and sunny months (May – October) and those ‘still warm but humid and you never know when it’ll rain’ days (October – May) . But, you can be lucky enough to get a great sunny holiday in Andalusia also after bikini season has ended in October.

Just as I got lucky during my mum’s visit in December when we were sweating in our winter jackets in Malaga, we got lucky with my brother and his wife’s visit (let’s just call them ‘my dears’ from now on) in February. The sun shone every day , while the temperature stayed between 17 and 23 (!) degrees. The only thing which was a little bit less than perfect was a very strong wind and mist which caused worsening visibility during the first days of our trip. But it was rain and cold darkness in the rest of the Europe so we’re not complaining here!

This beautiful sunset was taken near a white village called Istan. Even though it can be warm during the day in February, the evenings and nights are chilly.

To answer the question ‘ When is the best time to visit Andalusia for a road trip’ I will just say: that depends what you want to see and do . If you fancy exploring secluded or popular beaches, taking surfing lessons or kayaking waters, or possibly camping, then go to Anda during the hot & humid season (May – October) . If you plan on hiking, visiting charming Pueblos Blancos (White Villages) and nature exploring, go in Autumn, Winter or during spring and pray you get lucky with the weather. Summer is just too hot and uncomfortable for hiking or all-day nature trips.  

Where to Stay on your Andalusia Road Trip?

You have two main options over here. You can decide to find one base to stay at , from where you start out every day and where you’ll come back after your day-trip. The other option is to stay in hotels, airbnbs, or couchsurfing on the go . This would mean that you visit a place, stay overnight, then travel to another place and spend the night there.

We chose the first option mostly because I live in Andalusia and have spare space for friendly wanderers. Because of this we all saved some nice money (definitely 180 – 250 each) which we invested in petrol and food. I’ll briefly summarize all pros and cons of the both options.

Breathtaking landscapes of Sierra Grazalema

One Base & Day Trips

PROS: you have one stable place to come back to, save time on looking for multiple sleeping options, no check-in / check-out times, no boring packing and unpacking all the time, and a source of food to come back to.

CONS: more time in the car, more petrol, more fumes.

Travel & ‘Sleepover’ Trips

PROS: exploring new hotels, hostels, airbnbs; less time in the car = saved time; could be more ecological (depends where you stay and how you treat the places you stay at), etc.

CONS: stress due to constant moving, your trip is influenced by check-in and check-out times; you can’t really do proper food shopping, etc.

There is also a third and cheaper option – which is sleeping in the car or caravan, or going camping . This could work as well but bear in mind that only in summer and you’d have to look for places to take care of your hygiene (lakes, sea, camp areas). Sounds romantic!

Hiking in Sierra Blanca

Our Andalusian Road Trip Itinerary

Here it is, the promised inspiration for your Andalusia road trip! My dear family couldn’t come for a longer time so we had basically just 4 full days to spend on the road and explore the natural beauties of Andalusia. However, all of those days were very intense, and made up of many stops at many amazing places. Get inspired!

• Day 1: Sierra Blanca & Istán
• Day 2: Visiting the UK, Gibraltar
• Day 3: Grazalema & Sierra de la Zahara
• Day 4: Beach Hike in Estrecho

A misty view from Mirador de Juanar, Sierra Blanca

DAY 1: Hiking in Sierra Blanca and The White Village of Istán

Sierra Blanca is a mountain range located just above the popular resort of Marbella and below the bigger woodland and mountain nature park of Sierra de la Nieves . Sierra Blanca is surrounded by the white villages of Ojen and Istán and offers nice and easy hiking trails with  several ‘ Miradores ’ – (viewpoints) – from which to take in the scenery.

Our Impression of Sierra Blanca, Miradores and Istán

Just wicked! The journey is the destination as they say! The way up the Sierra Blanca was a wonderful experience in itself. The views you get from the car just leave you speechless. The curvy, rocky road offers you some awesome views down to the ‘world below’ – the city of Marbella, surrounding countryside and the never-ending greenery all around.

Beautiful views taken from El Coto de Istan

The nature at Sierra Blanca is stunning and the combination of olive fields and pine trees in the forests of the area are perfect food for your soul. Total peace and tranquility!

Points of interest of Sierra Blanca & Istán

Sierra Blanca: Mirador de Ojén 1; Mirador de Ojén 2; Hotel El Refugio del Juanar for coffee, food & possibly parking (ask nicely at the reception); Sendero Cruz de Juanar, Olivar de Juanar, Mirador de Juanar, Cruz del Juanar.

From here you can also climb up to La Concha or pop in to the white village of Ojén .  After we finished our short hike in the Sierra Blanca area, we drove to Istan where we took a nice tapas lunch and explored every corner of this beautiful pueblo blanco.

Istán: Nacimiento Del Rio Molinos, Tiro Al Plato, El Coto de Istan, Mirador Los Jarales, Mirador del Peñón.

The streets of pueblo blanco, Istán

DAY 2: A Quick Jump to Gibraltar, the UK Neighbour of Andalusia

Gibraltar is one of the UK’s sovereign overseas territories so if you feel like visiting another country and seeing slightly different fauna, flora and colonial architecture you should definitely give it a go. We visited this place mostly because I live in the only neighbouring town of Gibraltar, which is La Linea de la Concepcion.

I live literally just 10 minutes from the border between Spain and Gibraltar so it was a must-see of our trip from the very beginning. We didn’t take our car to Gibraltar so it wasn’t really a road trip but you can drive there from your Andalusian base and park either in La Linea or at any paid parking spot in Gibraltar. Just to let you know, if you plan to drive up the Rock and park there you need to have a car registered in Gibraltar.

Stunning sunset taken from the northern part of the Upper Rock, Gibraltar

Our impression of ‘Tour de Gibraltar’

As I’ve worked in Gibraltar for 4 years, I know the place quite well. I didn’t have to spend much time thinking where to take my lovely visitors. They both loved the Botanic Gardens and the cutest animals on Earth: the lemurs which were saved from smugglers and placed in the Alameda Wildlife park .

My brother was particularly amazed by the hike up the Mediterranean Steps (so called Med Steps) and by the military bases on the top of the Rock of Gibraltar . The weather was pretty misty and annoyingly windy (mainly at Europa point ) but it got beautifully sunny later and we managed to see a pretty gorgeous sunset from the Upper Rock too. My sister-in-law was constantly bothered by the cheeky monkeys, but she loved the Rock as well.

The King Fahd bin Abdulaziz al-Saud Mosque and the Upper rock, taken from Europa Point

Points of interest: Walk through the Main Street; Botanical Gardens; Alameda Wildlife park; Europa point and the Mosque; Climb up the Mediterranean Steps ; the Rock of Gibraltar and its points (Pillars of Hercules, O’Hara’s Battery, Windsor Suspension Bridge etc.). Don’t worry though, I’ll prepare a separate article all about Gibraltar!

The view from Mediterranean steps is just spectacular!

DAY 3: Sierra de Grazalema, Ronda, Zahara de la Sierra

It is hard to say which day was my favourite because each of them was remarkable, full of new adventures and funny stories. But if you asked me to choose without providing you the boring answer above, then I’d have to go for our Grazalema day.

Sierra de Grazalema is one of the big nature parks of Andalusia . There are uncountable things to see on its 52 hectares of land – from mountain ranges, caves, green valleys populated by cows and sheep, to lakes, rivers and rural white villages.

Amazing view of Zahara-El Gastor taken from Castillo de Zahara.

Once again, the journey itself was filled with spectacular green landscapes looking like they came from a fairy-tale. On our way to the first point on our itinerary – Ronda – we stopped at several viewpoints (Miradores) to enjoy the peace of the infinite panoramas before us.

After having a coffee in one of the most popular towns in the whole of Andalusia (see here for what to do in Ronda ) we headed up to Zahara de la Sierra , a small white town perched on the top of a mountain overlooking the scenic azure lake called Zahara-El Gastor.

Our impression of Zahara de la Sierra & Grazalema

Man, this place is unreal! I felt like I was in a postcard, I couldn’t believe all the beauty my eyes were drinking in! Even though you may choose different things to see in Andalusia you can’t skip this one!

Points of Interest in Grazalema and Surrounding Area

Ronda, Sierra de Zahara and other white villages you’ll pass through or around like Cortes de la Frontera, Benaojan, Montejaque, Acros de la Frontera on the west, etc… We didn’t have enough time to go to Grazalema itself but there are sheep and goat cheese tastings so go make a visit if you love some ‘quesito’. There are also 25 different hiking trails in Sierra de Grazalema . You can check out this article to see the best ones .

DAY 4: Hiking at the Beaches of Tarifa

This was the last full day we had for our daily road trips. It was a very important and special day as well because I turned one year wiser and prettier (Or not!).

Those who follow my WeSoloTravel posts know that my very fave beach of Andalusia is Punta Paloma Beach , located in the Parque Natural Del Estrecho , right after the popular surfer beach paradises of Valdevaqueros and Lances.

Valdevaqueros beach in Tarifa

We followed a hiking trail published on Wikiloc to Cerro de Bartolo , or at least we thought we followed it! Probably just because we decided to start the trek on the land and finish it with a walk on the beach (rather than the other way round) we reached just El Chaparral! In the end it didn’t really matter because El Chaparral gives you some stunning views as well. Just check the pictures below. It was a pure view paradise!

We also got a bit lost and wandered into the military zone where we ignorantly took a lunch break and then carried on deeper inside this prohibited area! We met a few soldiers who told us ‘the big news’ about invading their zone but they let us to leave the complex through their road instead of taking the longer way around. Such nice guys these soldiers!

The countryside of Tarifa is just romantic!

Our Impression of The Hike

Beautiful, splendid, funny and refreshing! The aroma of the pine trees, the smell of the donkeys begging you for food and the incredible surprise when you finally reach the secluded beaches of Tarifa is just a once-in-a-lifetime experience! The area between Punta Paloma and Bolonia is astonishing! On our drive back to Linea we stopped to get some ice-cream at the cafeteria next to a viewpoint called Mirador del Estrecho .

Points of Interest of the Area

Valdevaqueros, El Chaparral, Pinar del Chaparral, Playa de Bolonia, all small beaches of the area, Punta Paloma, Valdevaqueros, Duna de Valdevaqueros, there is also a lovely canyon to check on the hike but I can’t find if it has any name.

The view from El Chaparral

Things we Planned to See but the Time Didn’t Allow

Africa: If you ever come down to Andalusia you should take a ferry, sailing boat or even a helicopter to check out the hot continent of Africa! We skipped it on this trip because as a person who has been to Morocco before I know that one day wouldn’t be enough to explore all the most important places, and the port of Tangier itself is not the loveliest city ever!

Nerja, Maro & Frigliana: These three were just a bit too far away from our la Linea base, although the area around Nerja is amazing! There are very good-looking beaches, bays, coasts and hiking areas, not to mention fine restaurants with stunning views over the Mediterranean sea.

Sierra de la Nieves: We planned to take at least one hike here, but in the end we headed to Sierra Blanca which is very close to the area of Nieves, so I guess we got a feel for the place anyway!

A gorgeous secluded beach between Punta Paloma and Bolonia beach

Car Rental in Andalusia – Malaga Airport

My dears rented a car at Malagacar.com and everything went perfectly smoothly. After they landed they just popped into the office, showed their passports and picked up the keys. They told me it took really just a few minutes.

The rental costs were 134 euros for 6 days , and the petrol for the whole road trip was 90 euros. Their Slovakian driving licences were perfectly valid as per the Driving Licence in EU law. If you own a non-European driving licence you’ll have to do some research about your country because there might be restrictions.

If you look closer you can see Africa! Taken in El Chaparral, Tarifa

Where Did We Park?  

We parked the rental car in La Linea de la Concepcion, where I am currently based, at the Plaza de la Constitucion parking to be more precise. I booked the place in advance through this parking app called Parclic.

We paid €52 for 5 nights . Later I realized it was a bit pricier than a regular weekly parking payment at this place (I was told it would be around €40). I booked it in advance mostly because of the safety aspect. You don’t want to come to a parking lot after travelling for 12 hours and realize there is not a single space left. Also, it was super easy with the app, a quick reservation, you get a QR code and they have also a hotline so all good in the end.

During our daily road trips we improvised a lot and were really lucky with finding free parking spots . The only paid parking was in Ronda. We parked for free in Sierra de la Nieves, Istan, Zahara de la Sierra and other nature spots. It was pretty easy, we just googled parking before our arrival or basically relied on our guts and luck!

Andalusian nature will steal your heart

Adios Muchachos!

I hope that my little Andalucia road trip itinerary helped you to make the big decision. There are way too many stunning places worth visiting in Andalusia . You just need to choose the path to go: historical cities, white villages, beaches, nature parks, hikes, resorts, etc. Or you can select the top option from each category and make your own itinerary! Luckily for those who need more inspiration I wrote an article about places to visit in Andalusia where you can check even more hot spots of Anda! Have fun guys!

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Must See Andalucia 7 Day Southern Spain Road Trip Itinerary

This post contains affiliate links , If you make a purchase through these links I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

Andalucia is one of those travel destinations that a lot of people have preconceived ideas about. Bullfights, Moorish architecture, the magic of the countryside. Beyond what the word Andalucia might stir up in your imagination, this southern province of Spain has so many lesser-known sights to discover.

Planning your trip to Southern Spain ? Below are some places to stay, things to do, and more. Make sure to book ahead when planning your trip to Andalucia as some experiences will have zero availability on the day of, like the Alhambra or Caminito del Rey.

• Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces Ticket, Granada (advance tickets are a must!)
• El Caminito del Rey Entry Ticket (these sell out!)
• Seville Cathedral and Giralda Skip-the-Line Ticket (most popular sight in Seville!)
• Seville Royal Alcazar Tickets (avoid an hour in line, unlike me)
• Seville Food Tour: Tapas, Wine, History & Traditions
• La Casa Mata Central, Malaga (great location, very affordable)
• Boabdil Guesthouse, Ronda (favourite place I stayed!)
• Las Casas de El Arenal, Seville (central, rooftop terrace)
• Verona, Granada (great location)

Looking to travel around Andalucia independently?   Click here to check  Spain rental car rates !

Seven days in Andalucia is hardly going to be enough time. At almost every single place I went to, I wished for longer. In a week, you can see some of the cultural highlights of Andalucia including Seville and the Alhambra. You also will have time to experience the countryside of Southern Spain, which in my opinion is the real highlight of this trip.

Table of Contents

7 Day Southern Spain Road Trip Itinerary

Length:  8 days, 7 nights Start and End Point:  Malaga, can start in Granada or Seville Cities:  Ronda, Seville, Granada Hikes:  Caminito del Rey , El Torcal de Antequera

Top 5 Experiences to Have in Southern Spain

• Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park
• Hike the world’s (formerly) most dangerous hike, El Caminito del Rey
• Soak up the atmosphere of the white villages (pueblo blancos ) of Cadiz
• Wander Seville’s streets and indulge in tapas and sangria
• Visit the Alhambra and see the Moorish architecture and gardens

Renting a Car in Andalusia

While you could do this itinerary using day trips and getting between cities with buses and trains, a car will give you a lot more flexibility.

I recommend and use Discover Cars . It compares local Spanish and international companies so you can get the best deal. If you don’t have full coverage, you can also add this to your booking so you’re covered.

Even though it can be tempting to go with the cheapest price, don’t go with a company with low ratings. In Spain, I used Hertz and was very happy with the car and the service.

Driving in Spain is fairly easy and straightforward, although city driving can be a little confusing if there are road construction closures. My mistake in Spain was using the GPS that came with the car. It was not at all updated so it had me going in circles in Malaga. I highly recommend having Google Maps for at least the cities saved in your phone as it will be more up-to-date.

When to Visit Southern Spain

This trip would be suitable for any time of the year as southern Spain is one of the warmest places in Europe. It gets very hot and crowded in the summer so I would head there either in the spring or autumn. This could also be budget-friendly as accommodation and car rental may be cheaper in the off-season.

I visited in October and the weather was quite pleasant. Most of the time it was suitable to be wearing a light sweater or t-shirt. Some places were crowded but it was easy to find yourself away from the crowds.

One Week in Spain Itinerary

Day 1: malaga.

Depending on your flight schedule you can either arrive the day before hiking the Caminito del Rey or the morning of and drive directly to the hike.

For me, this was hardly a travel day. I arrived very late into the Malaga airport and went straight to the guesthouse where I was staying. This was honestly one of the most frustrating drives I have ever done. The GPS in the rental car was not up to date and kept trying to direct us down roads in the center of Malaga that clearly had do not enter signs. Highly recommend using Google Maps here.

The Malaga Airport is a really great budget option to arrive into if you are coming from outside of Spain as Ryanair flies into here. If you are arriving from somewhere else in Spain, it might make more sense to take the high-speed train to Seville or Granada.

If you have more time in Malaga, it is one of the best beach cities in Europe as it is on the sunny Costa de Sol.

Day 2: El Caminito del Rey Hike

Make sure you have your Caminito del Rey tickets booked in advance for your hike. I booked a time around 2:30 pm so I would have lots of time to have breakfast and drive from Malaga to the hike. If tickets are unavailable, you can join a tour to ensure that you get to hike the Caminito del Rey, it is not to be missed. If you aren’t renting a car for this trip, there are tours with the bus from Malaga included, like this one .

I enjoyed my breakfast at Gloria Hoyos before going to a local grocery store to grab lunch supplies. There was limited options for where to eat on the way to Caminito del Rey so it would be best to have food with you.

The drive to El Caminito del Rey is gorgeous. It passes through beautiful scenery and white villages. The hike itself is stunning. With boardwalks clung onto the sides of a steep canyon with towering mountains, it is a once-in-a-lifetime sort of experience. It was once claimed to be the most dangerous hike in the world but it is now newly renovated with new boardwalks. You can see more photos and read a detailed guide to hiking the Caminito del Rey here .

After spending approximately 2-3 hours on the hike, drive to Ronda. I was able to arrive just before sunset and check into the Boabdil  Guesthouse . This guesthouse was so comfortable and was a fantastic place to stay while visiting Ronda.

After check-in , walk to the famous Puente Nuevo bridge to see the sunset and the bridge light up at night before having dinner in Ronda.

Day 3: Ronda and Pueblos Blancos

Spend the morning exploring Ronda and seeing the town. It was nice to walk to all the viewpoints of the bridge as well as walk down below it to get a view of just how large the bridge is.

After exploring Ronda, head out on your day trip of the Pueblos Blancos, or white villages, of Andalucia. There are so many villages to choose from but I chose the route that made the most sense to end up in Seville at days end.

After leaving Ronda, I checked out the village of Setenil de las Bodegas.  This village is known for its cave buildings. Head towards Grazalema and have lunch here. After, take the scenic drive through Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park on the CA-9104 road. Grazalema was probably my favourite white village that I visited and I would class the drive through the park as a drive of a lifetime. The final village of the day is Zahara de la Sierra , which has a castle above the village. Check out my post on the Pueblos Blancos for more details on the best views in Ronda and more information on the route I drove.

Finish up your day trip to the pueblos blancos by driving to Seville . I stayed in an apartment here, La Casa de San Lorenzo , which I highly recommend as it was large and close walking distance to the main sights of Seville. Another good option in Seville is the very affordable hotel, Pensión Córdoba or Las Casas de El Arenal , a beautiful boutique hotel.

Day 4-5: Seville

With two days in Seville, you should be able to see the main sights. I left my itinerary for Seville with lots of space in it to explore the city and not just be inside buildings all day. You can check out my complete guide to two days in Seville here .

Spend your first day in Seville exploring the historical buildings of the Seville Cathedral and Giralda and the Real Alcázar . The cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and is definitely worth a visit. The walk up the Giralda bell tower gives you views over the city and is definitely a must-see. If you are not a huge fan of architecture, you can skip the Real Alcázar, as you will see plenty of Moorish architecture at the Alhambra in Granada. I enjoyed seeing both palaces but it can feel a bit repetitive if it isn’t your thing.

I highly recommend booking skip-the-line tickets for both the Seville Cathedral and the Re a l Alcazar as I ended up having to wait an hour in line to buy tickets.

The first day in Seville is a good day for exploring the streets of the city and getting a chance to try lots of tapas and Spanish drinks. My favourite place for tapas ended up being Bodego dos de Mayo . If you end up near it, the Metropol Parasol (Setas de Seville), is a great place to get views of the city and watch the sunset.

On your second day in Seville, try to make time to explore the neighbourhood of Triana before heading to the Plaza de Espana . The Plaza de Espana is one of the top sights to see in Seville. The gorgeous tile details and bridges are a highlight. It was one of my favourite things that I did in Seville. There were street performers where you can watch flamenco dancers and have a relaxing afternoon. You can easily spend hours in Plaza de Espana and Maria Luisa Park . It’s a huge area and there are lots of photo opportunities.

Day 6: Torcal de Antequera

Day six will have you spending the night in Granada. While you can drive straight to Granada, I found it was worth the detour near Antequera to see the Torcal de Antequera . This mountain-top park has unique-looking karst formations. It was a nice break in highway driving that took us up into the Sierra del Torcal mountains. You have an opportunity to do either a short 45 minute hike through the formations or a longer hike here. If you’re short on time, you can just park and walk to the lookout point at the park.

You should arrive in Granada with plenty of time to find a nice tapas restaurant. One of the unique things about Granada is that every time you order a drink, they give you a tapa with it. I stayed at Hostal Verona here and it was a reasonable walking distance to everything and quite affordable.

Day 7: Granada and the Alhambra

I devoted the entire day to visiting the Alhambra . This is the one thing you really have to plan in advance and book your tickets for. I had my tickets booked for an early entrance to the Nasrid Palace , for 10:30 am, and it worked perfectly. I recommend taking the bus or taxi up to the Alhambra because the walk is quite long and steep. I have a full guide to the city of Granada here .

The Alhambra is a huge palace complex that does take a few hours to see properly. There are endless photographs you can take here and it offers views over Granada. The fountains and gardens here are gorgeous as well. I did find that some places get very crowded with other people, especially the start of the Nasrid Palace.

After exploring the Alhambra, walk down the steps to the city and have a late lunch. The steps down are actually quite scenic and offer up lovely streets views of Granada. The Malvasia Taberna is a fantastic restaurant to have lunch at that is not too far from the Alhambra. There are lots of tapas restaurants nearby that looked good as well.

One of the most popular places to watch the sunset is from the Mirador San Nicholas . It’s quite the walk up steps through tiny alleyways to find it. The mirador offer up great views of the Alhambra and the Sierra Nevada mountains behind it. At sunset, it is packed with people so you might want to arrive a bit early to secure your spot. The neighbourhood that this view point is in, the Albayzin , is full of cobbled streets and is a good location for tapas bars as well as souvenir shops.

Day 8: La Rijana

Depending on your flight or train schedule, you may have time for a beach visit today. My flight was from Malaga in the late afternoon so I had time to drive from Granada and stop to see the Mediterranean.

There are many beaches that you can visit on the way to the airport. Playa la Rijana was a gorgeous beach framed with cliffs and was a good place to end this southern Spain road trip. Keep an eye out for jellyfish , there has been a problem with beaches near here having an abundance of them. You can see more photos of this gem on the Costa Tropical here . If you have extra time before your flight, there are plenty of things to do in Malaga .

Where to Stay in Andalucia

Andalucia has some really good options for accommodation at a great price. Compared to other places in Europe, I found the rooms and apartments to generally be more spacious. In addition to traditional accommodation, Spain also has some really wonderful vegan and eco-friendly hotels .

Malaga I stayed at La Casa Mata Central in Malaga. Super budget-friendly and in a good location. Ronda I stayed at Boabdil Guesthouse and loved the location and the rooms which were spacious and super comfortable. I would have happily stayed longer than one night.

For a hotel, Hotel Soho Boutique Palacio San Gabriel   is a good option for Ronda. The rooms look gorgeous as it is in a restored historic building and there is an option for breakfast, which is important as breakfast is nearly impossible to find in Ronda. Seville I rented an apartment, La Casa de San Lorenzo . The location was fantastic as it was walking distance to everything. The apartment was enormous and has everything you need, including a washer and dryer.

Las Casas de El Arenal a beautiful boutique hotel with a terrace in a fantastic location. Granada I stayed at Verona and loved how affordable it was. It was just a short distance to the sights and although the room was a bit small, it was still quite reasonable.

What to Eat in Andalucia

If you are a vegetarian or vegan, you can find some great food options in Spain.

Tapas are truly the highlight here. I think almost every meal I had was made up of tapas. And they come in surprisingly large portion sizes too! I know that meat tapas are quite popular but the vegetarian ones are very yummy. There are some unusual flavour combinations like eggplant with cane sugar honey or fried asparagus with a mayo dip. Some are definitely outside of my usual food comfort zone but it is a lot of fun to try the different options.

Churros are a must-try in Spain. They are best when dipped in chocolate. I wasn’t the biggest fan of them but they are still an experience to try, most people love them.

Tinto de Verano is often outshined by the classier and more expensive sangria, but it is delicious. It’s essentially red wine mixed with either Sprite or Lemonade Fanta. It’s fizzy and refreshing and a popular summertime drink.

Gazpacho is one of those things I did not understand before visiting Andalucia. I get it now, freshly made gazpacho is delicious. It makes for a great lunch on hot days. While you can find it all over Spain, gazpacho originated from Andalucia.

One Week in Andalusia, Spain

One week in Andalusia is just enough time to visit some of the hotspots in this region. There is tons to see and do so with more time, you could fit in a visit to Cordoba and spend time relaxing on the beaches of the Costa Sol near Malaga. Overall, I was very happy with this itinerary for my first visit to Spain and left me wanting to explore more of Andalusia and Spain.

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23 comments.

I have been absolutely dying to visit Spain, and Andalucia is at the top of my list! Great itinerary and tips, I’m usually pretty lazy with booking activities in advance but I’ll make sure I book the Alhambra and hike in advance.

Glad you like the itinerary! I too am lazy about booking activities in advance but here you definitely have to or you end up disappointed.

Beautiful photos!

Is it bad that the food photos enough make me want to visit? Spain seems like one of those places I’d fall in love with, though it’s pretty easy for cities as some of the one’s you visited to catch my heart. I’m always seeing Spain/Portugal itineraries, but seems like Spain probably has so much to offer that it deserves its own trip.

My best friend lives in Spain and I’ve yet to visit her there. I am fascinated by Southern Spain and love seeing the Moorish influence on architecture and art!

I am going to Spain in August for work and this comes in handy, although I can’t travel to all of them at once I can sure do some of them connected.

This looks awesome!! I’ve only been to Madrid and Barcelona, but have been aching to get back to Spain. The Caminito del Rey is definitely on my list of day hikes, and this is a region I neeeeeed to get to for the good food. Thinking of cycling this itinerary, so I’ll keep it bookmarked!!

HOLY SHIZ your pictures are amazing! This is the prettiest Spain road trip I’ve ever seen! What camera do you use?! Gahhhhh this is giving me serious wanderlust.

Driving really does seem like the perfect way to go. You saw some absolutely beautiful places. I especially love Maria Luisa Park in Seville with the water going right through the park. Just lovely.

We love a perfect roadtrip and this was a great itinerary that I will keep in mind for future. Also, beautiful photos <3

Wow Spain looks so dreamy. I was supposed to go To Valencia In March..the east side but did not work out..thanks for sharing your wonderful post…loved it!

I keep saying I need to visit Spain and yet I end up booking flights elsewhere. Reading this has motivated me to not put it off any longer. Looks incredible!

Southern Spain looks so beautiful! Spain is a country I overlooked for many years, but the more pictures I see of it the more I want to go!

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My friend and I just followed your itinerary for an 7/8 day road trip in Andalucía – we finished today and had the best time! Late November seemed like a good time to travel here as places were a bit less busy and there are lots of beautiful autumn colours. Particular highlights for us included Ronda and the drive to Seville through some of the pueblos blancos and the natural park; roaming the streets of central Seville; and of course the Alhambra in Granada. Having been to Cordoba on a separate trip I would recommend to anyone with a day extra to add this in as la Mezquita is one of the most amazing buildings I’ve ever seen. Thanks so much for all your tips and tricks, this was a wonderful trip and we were glad to have your guide to follow!

Hi Susanna, thank you so much for your comment! I’m so happy my guide was useful for your trip. It sounds like you had a wonderful time in Andalucia. How lovely that you got to experience the autumn colours there. The highlights of your trip are mine too, it was such a beautiful area to road trip around. I’m hoping to make a visit to Cordoba on my next trip to Spain, I’ve heard great things about it!

I am planning a trip to southern Spain at the end of June ( I know it’s gonna be hot and hopefully the EU crowds are less than Aug/Sept). A couple of questions: Did you have to seek out vegetarian tapas and such or readily available in many restaurants? Also, we wanted to get to some good beach front places to relax but I am reading that Malaga is too touristy and crowded? Any quiet, nice beach towns you can recommend? Thanks.

Hi Mehul, I didn’t need to specifically search out vegetarian tapas. Luckily, Spain is quite easy to be vegetarian and there were always a few things on the menu that I could eat. Malaga is going to be more touristy as it does have a cruise ship port as well. Cadiz is another option but again it has a cruise port. Check out Estepona, Nerja, or Marbella for a beach town, they won’t be quiet as this coast is very popular, but they are great alternatives to Malaga. Have a wonderful trip to Spain!

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The Ultimate 1-Week Andalucia Road Trip Itinerary And Guide

Ever wonder how to make the most of your South of Spain adventures? Well, then an Andalucia Road Trip could be everything you are looking for.

Just back from our 1st proper trip this year (#AndaluciaRoadTrip), we want to share with you our Andalucia driving itinerary and all we learned as we road-tripped our way across Andalucia main hotspots during 7 days. So here you have it: Our 1 week Andalusia road trip itinerary and guide, along with a few other tips that will help you craft a memorable time in this region.

Ready? Let the fun begin!

1 Week Andalucia Road Trip Itinerary

Whether you have just a week or want to take things slower, this 1 week Andalusia road trip itinerary is a great one to start with as it crosses 4 of the region’s 8 provinces: Malaga, Cadiz, Sevilla, and Granada.

We took Malaga as the starting and ending points as our flights arrived and departed from there but any other Andalucia city served by a decent airport would do for that matter.

That said, Malaga is also a great choice because low-cost airlines like Ryanair – the one we used scoring a couple of return tickets for €32 each – have many flights from lots of European destinations. That would be the case of Jerez and Sevilla too.

Given that this is a round road trip, and you will complete a circle by the end after driving almost 1000km, you could really start at any other stop. Other great starting points would be Malaga, Jerez, Sevilla, and Granada.

Here’s a map of the proposed itinerary :

Go to the Top

Day 1: Arrival to Malaga

You have made it! Welcome to Malaga and, therefore, welcome to Andalucia. One of the warmest – in weather and locals – regions in Spain and one of the most visited ones too (along with Barcelona , Madrid , and the Canary Islands ).

✈  Malaga’s airport  is barely 8km away from central Malaga and the place where this Andalucia road trip itinerary starts.

?After picking up your car, we would suggest you head to Gibralfaro , just a 20 min ride from the airport, where you will be able to enjoy the best views overlooking Malaga city.

?From there, down the mountain to the city center to have a first approach to the Andalusian way of life, take some tapas surrounded by cheerful locals and visit some of the architectural wonders of the city , including the cathedral which definitely is a Malaga must-see .

⚡ If you get just a bit lucky, you could also enjoy some of the celebrations that regularly happen in Malaga.

Take for instance, what happened to me in 2008 when a couple of friends and me arrived right in time for the feria (the city’s main festivity, in August), and our tranquil trip transformed into an endless party. Or, what we saw a couple of weeks back in the main street: a giant dome of lights covering the whole strip . Quite a background for your selfies!

☾ Malaga is a pretty big city and as such, parking is not its greatest point. That, plus your freedom to sleep wherever you want to thanks to your car, would make us recommend you head somewhere else nearby to rest your head. Torremolinos and Benalmadena , although not the prettiest, are literally packed with hotels and apartments which make them a great budget option for those with a car (you!).

We just went for the first one and booked a basic €25 double room in Torremolinos.

Day 2: From Torremolinos to Tarifa

Here’s when things start to get interesting. Your second day on the road, but the first you will be checking spot after spot for as long as the daylight allows you too.

After leaving your hotel, Airbnb or place where you spent the 1st night, skip the autopista – toll highway – and choose the autovía instead. Also fast, you will be able to stop when you want and will avoid any extra toll charges.

? Located on the Costa del Sol – Sun Coast – , 30 km southwest of the provincial capital, Mijas Pueblo was mainly engaged in agriculture and fisheries until the tourist boom in the 50s. Today is one of Andalusia’s main hubs of residential tourism .

⚡ While you are there, explore on foot its narrow cobblestone streets and get amazed to the burro taxis  – donkey taxis -. If you too are extra sensitive with them, there’s a donkey sculpture you can ‘ride’ without hurting a soul (pictured below).

Once you are hungry enough, head to the main square for a quick, filling and cheap lunch (full menu including a starter, main dish, dessert, tap water, and bread basket from €8).

You might have heard about this town’s corruption and impressive construction boom from the late 80s until the great depression the real state industry experienced when the bubble burst in 2007. Well, if we were to find this reality’s epicenter, this would be Marbella.

⚡ Still, the city has a few interesting spots that deserve a quick stop and will give you some nice Andalucia images. One of them, our favorite, would be the pier by Marbella club .

Quick note: We did not have time to jump the border and actually step into this UK’s territory but we did admire its natural beauty from a distance.

? Before reaching the Southernmost tip of Spain, take a detour to ‘ El Higuerón ‘ viewpoint to overlook Gibraltar.

⚡ Bonus points if your visit aligns with sunset time.

? This would be 2nd day’s last stop as this windy town by Gibraltar’s Trait, and facing Africa, is the perfect spot to spend the night. Quiet unless your visit in high season (from Easter to Fall, but mostly Summer), its narrow and labyrinthine alleys designed to cut the wind lashing the coast, and its trendy bars will leave you in love.

⚡ Go for some tapas and beers before crashing. You want to save some energy for tomorrow, yet another awesome day.

☾ The amount of diverse accommodation offered in Tarifa is pretty mind-blowing. From hostels to boutique hotels and pensions, this small town has turned to tourism with all its heart.

Pictured here, myself having breakfast at our very own – and hyper cozy – rooftop terrace at one of Tarifa’s most central hostels, called Correos. Doubles from €30.

Day 3: From Tarifa to Cadiz

⚡ Before leaving Tarifa for good, get some sunbeams while walking one last time its historic center.

VALDEVAQUEROS

? A 5 min drive from Tarifa, its main – and quite long – beach will make you stop as the road passes just a couple hundred meters away from the sea. Once a windsurfing paradise, today Valdevaqueros is the main kitesurfing hub in the country along with some of the Canary Islands and the next stop of this Andalusian road trip.

But whether it is windy or just the calmest day ever, the beach is worth some time to get close and personal with its pale yellow fine sand and unique atmosphere, where vans roam for days or weeks in low season enjoying a quiet life by the sea.

PUNTA PALOMA

? Again a stone’s throw from the previous stop, Punta Paloma is a unique dune area overlooking Tarifa and Valdevaqueros beach that could leave you speechless. As you approach, the road begins to be taken by the sand, in what could seem a beautiful post-apocalyptic scene in the bright Andalusian sun.

⚡ There was a fashion photo shoot taking place when we visited Punta Paloma. Indeed, it is a great place to take some stunning pictures, so get your camera ready!

VEJER DE LA FRONTERA

? Like Mijas, Vejer de la Frontera is a village on the slope of a mountain with a wonderful view of the town itself and its lush surroundings.

To be honest, we stopped at Vejer because lunchtime was approaching and we thought it could be a great place to eat. But truth is that we didn’t find a restaurant for that purpose, instead what we did is discover a picturesque village.

? On your way back to the coastal road, you will find a few local restaurants. Stopping wherever the parking lot is pretty busy (especially filled with trucks) is always a great idea.

Barbate is situated at the mouth of the River Barbate, some 11 kilometers along the coast to the east of Cape Trafalgar, our next stop. Very popular in Summer among Spanish tourists, it has a long history of fishing stretching back to Roman times.

The town does not have the charm of many older settlements but it is well designed and has an attractive central square, called Plaza de la Inmaculada (like me!).

⚡ What we would really suggest you is to drive through it along the coast and reach one of the nearby beaches, where from to admire the upcoming highlight: Trafalgar Cape’s lighthouse! A highlight indeed on this Southern Spain itinerary.

⚡ Roads are windy as the lighthouse comes closer and they are some of the most beautiful we have seen in a long time too, with dense forests in both sides of the road that continue as far as the eye can see.

TRAFALGAR CAPE LIGHTHOUSE

? Historic place as few are because the 1805 naval Battle of Trafalgar, in which the Royal Navy decisively defeated Napoleon’s fleet, took place off the cape.

⚡ It is also one of the nicest places from where to watch sunset between Tarifa and Cadiz.

PUERTO DE SANTA MARIA

? Best known for having been the port from which Columbus sailed on his 2nd trip to the Americas, El Puerto de Santa Maria is a city on the outskirts of Cadiz.

☾ Like we did on the 1st night in Malaga, this one resulted in the perfect spot to spend the night. Easy to reach at night, with plenty of free parking spots available and low rates. We paid €30 for a double room with breakfast included.

Day 4: From Cadiz to Sevilla

? Ever since I visited Cadiz during that aforementioned 2008 trip with a couple of my girlfriends, I was drawn to go back to Cadiz.

Situated on a narrow slice of land surrounded by the sea‚ Cádiz is a typically Andalusian city with a wealth of attractive vistas and well-preserved historical landmarks. It is also the oldest continuously inhabited city in Spain and one of the oldest in western Europe. Here’s what you shouldn’t miss in Cadiz.

⚡ Its Old Town , within the remains of the city walls and mainly surrounded by the sea.

⚡ The cathedral square , its interiors and rooftop views from the bells tower.

⚡  The  Castle of San Sebastián,  a fortress at the end of La Caleta beach on a small island separated from the main city, another gem on this Andalucia trip.

? Now here’s a pretty town on your way North to Sevilla you should definitely check out. We tried to skip it as we were planning to meet some friends for dinner BUT Jerez definitely wanted us to stop and have a look. So fate made us have a flat tire on our way North and our insurance’s technical service took us to Jerez, where our tire was fixed in the blink of an eye. Next time, Jerez, you don’t have to try that hard! We will properly visit you. Promised.

? This city, often seen as Andalucia’s finest , is definitely one of the highlights of this Andalucia Road Trip. And as such, it deserves at least 2 days (in reality, a day and a half) of your time in the region.

Its sights are never-ending, but you will have time to explore them tomorrow. For now, go for tapas and chill as the night comes at any of the city center’s busy squares.

⚡ Sevilla’s  bars and bodegas  (wine houses or cellars), contrary to Granada’s – where tapas often come for free along with your drink – sell their tapas but their menu is usually diverse, extensive and a fair portrayal of Andalusian cuisine.

Day 5: Sevilla

Now before even stepping out of your hotel, be aware today there’s no car supporting you. Sevilla is better seen and experienced on foot and therefore, if you are ok with that, you will likely walk a lot today.

Instead of analyzing every one of the Sevilla highlights we recommend you to visit in an overdone and boring travel guide style, we’ll leave you with our visual memories of those places. It is up to you to choose them or not but be aware they were our 1st choice for a reason.

⚡ PLAZA DE ESPAÑA

⚡ METROPOL PARASOL ( Las Setas de Sevilla )

⚡ THE CATHEDRAL AND ITS GIRALDA TOWER

⚡ ST. CRUZ NEIGHBORHOOD

⚡ SEVILLA’S CITY CENTRE

⚡ AIRE ARAB BATHS

Day 6: From Sevilla to Granada

Slowly approaching the end of the trip, the 6th day of this Andalucia road trip will be a one where you will drive from 3 to 5 hours depending on how many stops you want to take along the way.

?Our first suggestion is that you break the driving time in two the least and, again like we mentioned when we were in Malaga (day 2), take the secondary road and skip the toll highway. Ronda is pretty much in between Sevilla and Granada and makes it for the perfect place to stop, stretch your legs, have some lunch at one of its endless restaurants overlooking the valley and continue your journey towards the East.

⚡  Do take the dust off your hiking shoes and venture through the many trails surrounding the town. Many picture perfect spots await.

CAMINITO DEL REY

? Ah, who could make days last 48 hours or, at least, take us out of bed early enough to make it to the 2nd planned stop of the day: the infamous Caminito del Rey (The King’s Path). Once named the most dangerous hiking trail in the world, it is today a recently restored wonderful path that takes visitors across impossible cliffs and exceptional nature sites.

TORDAL DE ANTEQUERA

? Yet another milestone in the way we had to suppress due to our lack of time (we followed this itinerary in Winter when daylight lasts an average of 6 hours less than Summer, hence our frantic and shortened schedules).

Our idea was to get closer to this area of unparalleled beauty and unpredictable shapes to admire the sunset against the rock formations. We’ll have to wait until you tell us how it is!

? And here it is. Finally, we reached our final milestone, the wonderful city of Granada.

With more history than many (in fact it was a Moorish city before the Spanish Christian kings, Ferdinand and Isabella kicked the last Moorish king and his entourage out of it at the end of the 15th century), its strategic location halfway between the mountain peaks of Sierra Nevada (the only ski resort in the south of the Iberian Peninsula) and the coast as well as the fact that it owns one of the three oldest and renowned universities in Spain – therefore it is a young and dynamic city -, Granada could perfectly be  one of the cities I would move to in a heartbeat .

⚡  As fatigue might be kicking in at this point after a long day on the road, we advise you to have dinner and head to your hotel for a good rest. Tomorrow, the last proper day of this Andalucia itinerary will be a great one too and you want to be fresh and ready to make the most out of it!

Day 7: Granada

As we did with Sevilla, Granada is so full of goodness that anything we could say now wouldn’t make it justice. Therefore, once again, let’s leave the images speak for themselves and help you configure your day plan. Make sure you can at least squeeze a visit to the Alhambra and Generalife gardens in your itinerary. They are a complete must and something you shouldn’t leave for a later visit at all. Nonetheless, this monument regularly tops the list of the most visited ones in Spain!

⚡  GENERALIFE GARDENS

⚡  ALHAMBRA PALACES

⚡  GRANADA CITY CENTRE

⚡  ALBAICIN

⚡  SACROMONTE

⚡  SAN MIGUEL ALTO

Day 8: From Granada to Malaga and back home

⚡  All good things come to an end. And day 8 is the last one of this suggested Andalucia road trip. Whether you need to run to the airport as your alarm clock wakes you up or you can enjoy a few more days in sunny Andalusia (continue reading below these lines for more info on how to extend your Andalucia road trip), make everything counts and remember to bring a big smile with you back home, one like the many you’d face any given day here!

Even better.

Do you have 2 weeks to spend in Andalucia?

Here’s what you should add to this Andalucia one week itinerary:

Saying that the aforementioned 1-week Andalucia road trip itinerary (right above these lines) covers everything that the 4 provinces it goes through – Malaga, Cadiz, Sevilla, and Granada – offer, would be a HUGE understatement and definitely if you get two weeks to spend in Andalusia, you could as well follow the previous route slower and stopping in many other towns and epic nature gems along the way; as tbh, 7 days in Andalucia is a short time to explore it fully.

That said, you could also (and we strongly recommend it), extend your Spain road trip itinerary and touch the other 4 Andalucia provinces – Huelva, Cordoba, Jaen, and Almeria – we left behind before.

What to See and Do in Huelva :

• Fall for Doñana National Park’s wildlife
• Learn some history at Muelle de las Carabelas (Cristobal Colon’s boats), in Huelva
• Begin to understand Rocio’s pilgrimage, a big-time religious tradition, in Almonte
• Get amazed by the surreal colors pouring from Riotinto mines

What to See and Do in Cordoba :

• Discover a whole cathedral inside a column filled mosque at the world-famous Mezquita de Cordoba
• Get lost through Cordoba’s patios (courtyards) and  Juderia  (Jewish quarter)
• Stop at Almodovar del Rio’s fairytale castle
• Uncover some ancient Roman sites

What to See and Do in Jaen :

• Walk one or a couple of Cazorla Nature Park hiking trails
• Visit the city of Jaen and its magnificent cathedral
• Get Acquainted with the beautiful cities of Ubeda and Baeza
• Play king or queen at Fortaleza de la Mota, in  Alcala la Real

What to See and Do in Almeria :

• Visit the Desert of Almeria, regularly a backdrop for Hollywood productions.
• Shoot sunset by Gata’s cape, in Nijar Natural Park, an epic spot on the coast.
• Wander across the Monumental Ensemble of La Alcazaba, an architectural jewel.
• Have some fun in Almeria city.

Well, now this is rad.

What to do in Andalucia if you have 1 month ?

1. Rent a van, head to the Northernmost coastal point of the region (…) and take all the time you need – 2 weeks should be fine – to slowly drive along the seaside until you hit Portugal’s Algarve.

2. Make it a memorable and meaningful trip:

• Like water sports? Go kite surfing at some point. We strongly recommend you Tarifa for this! The kitesurfing community (and digital nomads one) is huge and there are a few renowned schools where you can rent your equipment and get a sense of this sport if you have never tried it before.
• Visiting in winter? Buy a 1-week ski pass for Sierra Nevada, the only ski resort in the region but a great one if you ask me. 45′ away from Sierra Nevada, you’ll be able to see the beaches from its tallest point (the highest in the Iberian peninsula).
• Is food your thing? Learn how to prepare the main dishes of Spanish cuisine . With balanced, fresh and local ingredients like olive oil, fish, and veggies you are in a perfect spot to become an expert in no time!
• Habla español? Even when you’ll definitely pick an accent if you learn Spanish in Andalusia, it is a lovely one so go for it!
• Flamenco classes? It can’t go more touristy but if you are really into dance, this one is really something you wouldn’t want to miss as you road trip Andalusia.

3. On your way back, go for the 1 or 2 weeks Andalucia travel itinerary.

4. Fall madly for Andalucia or, alternatively, a local.

5. Never leave.

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Andalucia Road Trip Tips For a Successful Experience

• Pick the right car.

Not the cheapest or the fanciest but the right one. It could make a huge difference.

We decided to go for Autoclick Malaga  (a step away from the airport, free pick-up service) and rented a Renault Clio that literally spent just €50 on gas for the 1000km trip. How great is that for a Southern Spain road trip? But what we really loved about this company is that, after leaving a €100 refundable deposit, your car is equipped with a tablet and mi-fi device (read, a great navigation system plus wi-fi onboard at all times) that could save your ass a few times and, definitely, save you loads of time when driving across Andalusia.

And while we are at it…

• Drive safely!

Because if you don’t, you will either get a ticket real fast (Andalucia has more radars than any other Spanish region we have been to so far) or, what’s even worse, an accident that could ruin your tour through Andalusia.

Even when you are extremely careful, pay extra attention to every sign and drive slowly, shit can happen. And we say this from our own experience as we had a flat tire on our way from Cadiz to Sevilla. Luckily, we were rescued in no time, picked up by the insurance service for free, driven to Jerez and there the tire was fixed in about 2 minutes. So, after all, we were back on the road in less than one hour! What takes us to:

• Book the best insurance you can.

It might set you a bit more than you expected to spend (especially these days when it is not uncommon to see real good fares – sometimes, even as good as one digit numbers – in car rentals across Spain) but it will save you tons if things go wrong.

• Book your room in advance in big cities like Sevilla and Granada.

Both busy all year round, it is a must if you want to avoid overpriced last-minute hotels.

In the first one, we got really lucky and the hip TOC Hostel   Sevilla invited us to check their top location double suite overlooking Sevilla’s cathedral.

With all the comfort you can expect from a basic hotel and a hostel price tag, it is a great choice for everyone looking forward a great Sevilla experience because as soon as you step out of the main door, you are right where you should be to start exploring the city highlights.

Plus, its tapas bar – where you could be having your a la carte breakfast if you decide to book a suite – is the hippest thing on earth, serving the most delicious freshly baked cakes and coffee.

On the other hand, if you want to spend a few more bucks and go for something really unique, book a room at the heritage Alhambra Palace Hotel in Granada . The best views in town are guaranteed!

• Spend a few more bucks and get a guided tour at the Alhambra.

Seriously, trust us on this one. It is not every day that one gets to wander across these filled with history walls and you really want to absorb everything a knowledgeable guide will tell you.

We took Viator’s Private Tour of Alhambra and Generalife   and it was one of the best decisions of the week as we had our guide, Alberto, picking us up at our hotel and spending 3 hours explaining – at our own pace, not his! – everything we could be interested in as well as pointing us to the best spots for pictures and avoiding all the queues we would have fallen into if it wasn’t for him.

• Say yes to unique experiences like the Arab Baths in Sevilla.

With full access to all the facilities including steam room and hydromassage pools, you can stretch out, scrub down and soak off all of your cares.

Plus, if you book your entry ticket with Tinggly experiences as we did, you will enjoy a Santa Cruz short tour through this charismatic Sevilla neighborhood’s narrow streets with a friendly local guide (we had Diego and he was amazing!) AND a drink in a memorable rooftop terrace – like the one Doña Maria hotel has – from where to admire Sevilla’s cathedral and its Giralda tower, a must on this Andalucia itinerary.

Not only a romantic experience for couples (although it is a great one if that is what you are looking for indeed!), this is also a fantastic way to enjoy a less crowded Sevilla from a unique point you will remember forever.

• Pack your suitcase with both Wintery and Summery items.

It takes less than one hour to go from Sierra Nevada ski resort to the beaches and you want to be ready for both if you road trip South Spain. Plus, the Arab Baths!

• Do not try to go everywhere and do everything.

Andalusia is pretty big if you ask us. You simply won’t be able to see all it has to offer and there is where planning in advance will do wonders for you. Even with that, be ready to skip or change things as you go. For instance, we had to skip both Tordal de Antequera and Caminito del Rey as sunset caught us right after leaving Ronda.

Take these as signs to come back!

• Go crazy on tapas but remember they won’t fill your stomach. 

The only thing you will get if you decide to just eat the free tapas that come with your drink in places like Granada is getting drunk. Before it is too late, just spend a few more bucks on a racion  – a bigger plate of tapas – or dish. You have been warned!

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Should you have any recommendations for an Andalucia road trip, tips on the best itinerary for Andalucia or  any questions about our Andalusia trip ,  comment below .

And finally, if you have liked this Andalucia road trip guide, please share it with your community. Thanks so much!

There are 65 comments

Thank you. Very Professional Shots. We heading there in Feb…are they safe from crime, to explore exp nite? Fr Spore

Thanks! No place on earth is 100% crime safe, but Andalusia is a VERY safe destination. Use your caution and common sense to explore at night, but you should be perfectly ok. Here are a few safety tips you can read: https://www.aworldtotravel.com/best-resources-for-solo-female-travelers/ Enjoy!

Great guide! I spent a month in Seville studying spanish more than 10 years ago and now am planning on returning with my wife and in-laws for a 2 week road trip, but we’re actually thinking of also including the north of Morocco on the package, as it’s just a short ferry ride from Tarifa. Anyway, good job!

Thank you! Hope you have fun on your upcoming adventure 🙂

I loooove Andalucia!!!! I learned Spanish there and your picutres are so beautiful!!!

hahaha we love it too! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

I loved Alhambra Palace and Grenada. I visited back in May and am hoping to go again next year to see more of the places you listed. Your photos are stunning as well!

Thanks so much, Tracy!

I’m definitely saving this for next year. Planning on road tripping in Europe =) Great post and pics!

What an impressive itinerary! You seem to have had the best time and your photos are just amazing…I’m definitely parking this for later!

Fab post! I’ve only been to Sevilla briefly but it looks like I need to go back. I’m bookmarking your itinerary for future reference. Amazing photos too! Thanks for sharing! x

Thanks so much! Yes, you need to go back 🙂

I’ve never been to Spain, but after looking at all of your beautiful pictures, I cannot wait to book my trip. Thank you for such a comprehensive post!

Thank you for stopping by and enjoy your trip!

What a fantastic guide! So informative 🙂

Glad you like it!

Great article and fantastic photos. I’m flying to Malaga tomorrow and driving down to Tarifa for a week. I’ll definitely do as you suggested and drive the coast road rather that the motorway to Tarifa. I’ll have 2 and a half free days after that before flying back out of Malaga. If you had to pick maybe just one place that you’ve seen, any suggestions on where best to go? Based on your amazing photos I will have to come back again on another trip to explore the area further (and improve my Spanish!)

Hi I was looking at the Autoclick website as we are planning a trip here and did not see good reviews. did you have to put a huge deposit or excess?? very confused. is there any other rental companies that are reputable in your opinion? Thanks

That’s weird. We did not. Why don’t you contact them directly and find out? Thanks for stopping by and hope you have fun!

ok, we’re sold. booking flights now. but first, how would you rate this trip with a 1.5 yr old? and how was the parking experiences, if we were to possibly rent a camper van and forego hotels?

Beautiful photos and informative. Andalusia is an ideal place to do a roadtrip. Last year we did a roadtrip through Andalusia and covered the same places you did, but we din’t go to Gilbaltar.

Do you have any info on a good car rental companies? Love your Photos!

ditched the guide books and read your blog guide instead – very informative! thanks and keep it up!

Great article and very detailed! Me and my girlfriend are leaving tomorrow for Malaga where we are renting a van. Your tips will definitely come in handy. Thank you! Thank you!

Wow, I’m excited about your article and moreover it’s so useful for traveling even if you have been here before as I did. Also, I used this site xxxx to choose suitable car and price.

Wow! This is an incredible itinerary! I’m pinning it for future use! Great job!

Thanks so much. Glad you liked it Joe

Amazingly beautiful photos! We did a road trip through Spain, but not in this region. it’s really such a great way to experience the country. I am bookmarking this for our next journey! We have a kid, so can’t go quite as fast, but this all looks spectacular

Thanks! You guys have a blast!!

What an amazing road trip! The pictures are absolutely mesmerizing! Thanks for the tips!

I’ll save this for the future reference because this kind of trip is definitely on my bucket list!

Sounds great Monika. Hope you have a blast when you visit Andalucia!

I only visited Catalonya when in Spain. I am definitely coming back and this itinerary will be a great resource! Thanks for the effort puttuning it together!

Thanks so much Veronika. Glad it helps!

Malaga and Gibraltar were already on my bucket list but you’ve shown me so many gorgeous places, shame on you. 😉 Photograph is great. Those places are spectacular!

then you know what you have to do.. .:D

Wow, there’s so much great information here! Definitely saving this for a future trip.

Thanks! Glad you found it helpful

First, your photography is fantastic! This looks like a great road trip. Did you ever feel rushed or wish you could stay somewhere longer, or was it well-timed to move around like that? I’ve wanted to explore that area for a long time.

Thanks Laura. And yes, we did feel like staying for longer, specially in Granada and Tarifa areas. There’s just so much to explore in Andalucia! Have a blast when you go and let me know if you are in need of any other tips!

Wow, what a great resource! Thanks for sharing all your insights on this epic road trip. And your pictures are so amazing. I saw in one of them that you are using a Nikon, but couldn’t make out which one. I am looking for a new baby, so would you mind sharing which one you are using?

Thanks! Glad you found it helpful. We use Nikon D750, D700 and D5100. If you are starting out, the last one (I believe they are already in D5300 or so) is your best bet!

Beautiful photos! I really like how you included plenty of car tips. Having just rented a car once in Europe (Belgium) I’m still a bit new to the game and learning about parking tips is hugely helpful.

This is an amazingly indepth post! Thanks for sharing this, this is quite worthy of being a one stop resource for our planned trip to the region and we hope to benefit from quite a few saved hours!

Glad it helps!

Super informative post – driving is always such a great independent way to explore an area and it sounds like Andalucia is quite well suited to it.

Agree! We definitely love road trips. Being able to stop whenever and wherever you want is key!

loved your article we are heading down this way in December and now i dont know where to go after reading this i want to go evereywhere. Amazing pictures loved it shared it everywhere cheers mark

Thanks so much Mark!

I have to agree with Nellie..your photography is outstanding. You have covered a lot, it’s certainly a useful guide for visiting Andalucia.

Thanks so much Inka! Glad you like it

Wow, you covered so much in just 8 days and your beautiful photos show Andalucia at its very best. The weather looked great for your trip, winter is now my favourite time of year in Andalucia (Malaga has been my home for 9 years now), sunny days, quiet beaches and the best time to explore. Thanks for a great guide, i look forward to your other posts. Anna

Thanks so much! Glad you liked it 🙂

Wow great piece on Andalusia! Wish you had told me you were coming, shame I wasn’t in Granada either. Your photos are outstanding – they really made this region look so beautiful. Thanks for reminding me I live in a beautiful part of the world!

Thanks so much Nellie! Coming from you is such a huge compliment 🙂 Next time I will make sure you are there!

The Andalusia’s definitive guide!

Wow, I get exhausted just reading this itenary. You seem to have covered a lot of ground. I am impressed.

Andalucia is a great place, I have lived here for more than six years now and travelled extensively around the area. One week only scratches the surface of what there is to see, but you have done an excellent job covering a great deal of it. Now you should come back and enjoy it a bit more, especially the nature is breathtakingly beautiful.

lol Stefania! We did cover quite a few cool spots, yes! But also keep a fair share of time for beers, tapas, resting and just living! 😀

Amazing. I’m heading to Andalusia soon so this came just at the right time!! Thank you. Thank you.

And beautiful pictures!

Great to hear Cayce! Hope you love it as much as we did and this resource results a useful one for your Andalusia adventures!

Comments are closed.

Andalucia Road Trip: 10 Day Andalucia Itinerary

Dive into the land of flamenco dancing, orange tree-lined streets, whitewashed buildings, and Moorish architecture with this 10 day Andalucia itinerary that takes you on a road trip of a lifetime visiting the most iconic must-see places of Spain’s Andalucia region.

I recently did this Andalucia road trip with my mum and some friends. We picked up our rental car at the airport of Seville and dropped it off at the Cordoba bus station.

You can either pick up the car as soon as you arrive in Seville or like we did the morning before driving to Jerez de la Frontera. Keep in mind that parking in Spain can cost between 12 to 25 euros per day. 

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission.

Table of Contents

How to Road Trip Andalucia in 10 days – A Detailed Itinerary

Map of andalucia road trip.

Day 1: Seville

Seville is the bright and beautiful capital of Andalucia making it the ideal place to start our road trip. The place where flamenco dancing was born and combining Gothic, Renaissance, and Mudejar architecture, this is your gateway into amazing Andalucia.

Where to stay in Seville

Hotel Fernando : Situated in the historic center, the hotel offer amenities including free WiFi and modern rooms, along with a perfect location. There is also a rooftop terrace that offers incredible city views, a swimming pool for those hot summer days, and rooms with balconies!  Click here for more information and to check the latest prices. Ribera de Triana : If you’re looking for impressive views, a rooftop pool, air-conditioned rooms, a free gym, and a spa then you’ve come to the right place. This hotel includes everything that is guaranteed to make your trip a great one! You’ll also be 20 minutes away from all of the city’s main attractions. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.

Visit the Royal Alcázar of Seville

Built in 913 by the Moors, this picturesque palace will have your jaw-dropping in amazement as you take in the Moorish, Gothic, Mudejar, and Renaissance architecture with geometric ceramic tiles, carved marble arches, and sunken garden courtyards.

Tip: The lines are huge to enter the Alcazar, I had friends who didn’t even get in after waiting for hours, so book your tickets and tour in advance. 

Check here for more information and to book your guided tour to the Alcázar. If you are interested in a guided tour that includes the Alcázar, the Seville Cathedral and La Giralda I recommend: Guided tour of the Alcázar, Seville Cathedral, and La Giralda.

See Seville Cathedral

Whether you just admire it from the outside, or you take a tour inside too, know that Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and contains the tomb of Christopher Columbus.

Opening Times:  Monday 11am to 3:30pm, Tuesday-Saturday 11am-5pm, Sunday 2:30pm- 6pm. Extended opening hours in July and August until 4 pm Monday, 6 pm Tuesday-Saturday, and until 7 pm Sunday. Cost: €9 (it includes the entrance to the Giralda)

Climb La Giralda

The Cathedral Bell Tower (La Giralda) measures 97.5 meters tall making it one of the best places to enjoy the view over the city. Access to the viewing platform is via gently sloping ramps so you won’t be too puffed out upon reaching the top!

Opening Times:  Monday 11am-3.30pm, Tuesday-Saturday 11am-5pm, Sunday 2.30pm-6pm Cost: €9 + €3 for audio guide.  Optional visit to include a visit to the roof and stained glass windows: €12

Explore the Santa Cruz Neighbourhood

The former Jewish Quarter is the oldest part of the city surrounding Seville Cathedral and the Real Alcazar. Get pleasantly lost as you explore the picturesque backstreets before people watching from a cafe in a square lined with orange trees.

Visit the Torre del Oro

The 13th century 26-meter high dodecagonal-shaped military watchtower stands beside the River Guadalquivir and is today the home of the Naval Museum. Even if you’re not a museum person, the Torre del Oro is well worth a visit simply for its riverside views.

Opening Times:  Monday-Friday 9.30am-6.45pm and Saturday-Sunday 10.30am-6.45pm Cost: €3

Day 2: Seville

Admire Plaza de Espana

Start your day bright and early for the best photo opportunities at Plaza de Espana aka ‘the Venice of Seville’ as you take in the intricate details of this magical square with a boating canal, and ornate blue and yellow tiled bridges, mosaics, and horse and carriage rides.

Explore Parque de María Luisa

Adjacent to Plaza de Espana is a picturesque and peaceful park. Breathe a sigh of relief now that you’re away from the hustle and bustle and set out to find the Alfonso XII Pavilion, Monte Gurugu waterfall, plus the multitude of fountains, sculptures, and statues.

Head to the Museums at Plaza de América

Located on the southern side of Parque de María Luisa, this square contains beautiful gardens and is surrounded by architectural gems that house some of the city’s top museums including the Museum of Popular Arts and the Archaeological Museum.

Visit the Metropol Parasol

Otherwise known as ‘the mushroom sculpture’, this modern 26-meter tall sculptural structure made from wood allows you to take in the views across the city from its rooftop walkway.

Explore Triana Neighbourhood

This former gypsy neighborhood is still alive with the character today. Located across the river from the main tourist attractions, Triana is a maze of backstreets containing traditional tapas bars, shops selling handmade ceramics, and lively street markets.

You might also be interested in: How to spend one day in Seville How to spend 2 days in Seville The best day trips from Seville Things to do in Seville in October

Day 3: Jerez de la Frontera and Cadiz

Located just over 90km south of Seville is the city of Jerez de la Frontera. Known as Jerez for short, this often-overlooked small Andalucian city is well known for its production of sherry (part of the famous sherry triangle) as well as for its horse culture and flamenco. Spend a day exploring some of its highlights…

Start in the Old Town

With an 11th-century Alcazar, a relatively new 18th-century Cathedral, a beautiful park called Alameda Vieja, and a maze of atmospheric cobbled streets full of shops, tapas bars, and sherry bars Old Jerez is well worthy of exploring.

Visit a Sherry Bodega

Take a guided tour of one of the sherry manufacturers in Jerez which includes the company Gonzalez-Byass, one of the largest sherry producers in the world. Sample the drink made from palomino grapes whilst learning the long history of sherry making in Jerez.

See a Horse Show or Visit the Carriage Museum

The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art preserves the equestrian arts in the Spanish tradition. A riding school plus breeder for some of the world’s finest horses, tourists can visit the carriage museum or enjoy an equestrian ballet show to see the famous Andalucian horses dancing.

Watch how the Andalucian Horses dance – click here for more info. 

Carriage Museum : Monday-Friday 10:00am-2:00pm or until 3pm on show days.

Drive to Cadiz

45 minutes south of Jerez, on the South-west Spanish peninsula, you’ll arrive at the romantic port city of Cadiz. In the 16th century, Cadiz was a base for exploration and trade yet its history dates back much further, it is founded as a trading post by the Phoenicians in 1100 BC.

Day 4: Cadiz

Visit Museo de Cadiz

Understand the history of this 3,000-year-old port city that was founded by the Phoenicians, conquered by the Romans, taken over by the Moors, and prospered from the 15 th -18 th century thanks to the discovery of America. See paintings, statues, and artifacts from the 5 th –20 th centuries.

Opening Times: Tuesday-Saturday from 9 am, 10 am-3 pm Sundays Cost: €1.50 or free for EU citizens

See Cadiz Cathedral

The 18th-century gold-domed cathedral is an iconic sight that cannot be missed with its baroque and neoclassical architecture. Admire it from the outside or step inside to visit the crypt of Manuel de Falla with the option to climb the Eastern tower to admire the views over the water.

Cathedral Opening Times: Tuesday-Friday 10 am-1 pm and 4.30 pm-7 pm. Saturday 10am-1pm Cost: €5 Cathedral Tower: Daily from 10 am

Admire the View from Torre Tavira

Need another viewpoint? The city’s official watchtower, the 18 th century Torre Tavira offers up panoramic views of the port and the Atlantic Ocean from its roof terrace, the highest point in the old town.

Opening Times: Open daily from 10 am Cost: €6

Watch Sunset from Playa de La Caleta

This beach is the place to be if you want to watch the sunset, so much so that you’ll need to arrive an hour beforehand during the Summer season to secure the best spot for watching the sun sink into the Atlantic Ocean.

Dine on Seafood

Round off your day in Cadiz with a fish supper in one of the many restaurants. Fried fish is the specialty here, sold at freidurias, but other seafood restaurants are plentiful too.

Day 5: Exploring the White Villages of Andalucia

Put your bags in the car and say your goodbyes to coastal Cadiz as you drive inland through the dramatic hilly landscapes en route to the white-washed town of Ronda, stopping off at 3 of Andalucia’s charming Pueblos Blancos (white villages) on the way.

Arcos de la Frontera

Located 45 minutes inland from Cadiz, the town of Arcos de la Frontera (Arcos for short) is one of the more famous Pueblos Blancos. Built atop a sandstone cliff with dramatic views over the surrounding countryside, Arcos de la Frontera is so-called because it was a frontier town in the Reconquista at the time of the Moors.

Spend your morning meandering along Arcos’ maze of cobblestone streets that lead steeply uphill to Plaza Cabildo where a 15th-century church is built on top of the remains of a Moorish fortress. You might be puffed out by the time you reach Plaza Cabildo but the views overlooking the valley below make it worth the walk!

Zahara de la Sierra

Hop back in the car and make the 50-minute journey from Arcos de la Frontera to picture-postcard-perfect Zahara de la Sierra just in time for a leisurely lunch. Built on the side of a cliff above a lake, British explorer Richard Ford described this place as a ‘Moorish eagle’s nest’ and he wasn’t wrong!

After lunch (tomato and asparagus soups are popular local dishes as are “quemones” made with a base of oil, garlic, onion and topped with a poached egg) and a spot of people watching from Plaza Mayor which is the main square with the Church of Santa Maria de la Meza, the town hall, and tourist information office, make your way up to the 13th-century Moorish fortress located above the town to take in the breathtaking views. On your way back down to the car, stop at the viewing point in the square (and perhaps a cafe and coffee?!) to take photos of Olvera, the neighboring town with the reservoir lake below – Beautiful!

Setenil de las Bodegas

Another 45-minute journey will have you arriving in beautiful Setenil de las Bodegas in the mid to late afternoon. You might be expecting another clifftop village/town but Setenil (as it’s known for short) has developed from a network of caves in the cliffs along the Rio Trejo.

The whitewashed houses look like they are growing out of the caves and with many of them having rock roofs or roof gardens (complete with olive trees!), it’s a wonderfully unique place to spend a few hours. Wander along the steep cobblestone streets, stopping off to see the ruins of the Moorish fortress and/or the Church of the Encarnacion which is unique in that it combines Moorish and Gothic features.

End your day in Ronda, the famous Andalucian town located 30 minutes away by car from Setenil de las Bodegas. Spend the night here, taking in the iconic El Tajo gorge and the views of the Puente Nueve (New Bridge) lit up at night from Mirador de Aldehuelaand/or Mirador de Los Viajeros románticos. Find somewhere to enjoy a relaxing dinner that takes in the view before falling into bed after one very incredible day of sightseeing – You’ll have time to explore Ronda more tomorrow!

You might also like: A guide to Pueblos Blancos of Andalucia. 

Day 6: Ronda

Walk Through Alameda del Tajo Park

These beautiful botanical gardens date back to the 19 th century and contain a wide variety of trees, plants, and flowers. Watch the locals going about their day, find and photograph the fountains, and admire the view of the valley below.

Stand at Mirador de Ronda

This iconic viewing platform juts out over the valley offering panoramic vistas of the El Tajo gorge, mountains, and Puente Nuevo – Have your camera at the ready, and be ready to smile for your selfie!

Hike El Tajo Gorge

You would have admired the view of Puente Nueve towering above you last night, but go back in the daytime and consider doing the hikes from this lower viewpoint – The shorter hike takes you under the bridge to the old water mill whilst the 2 nd takes you down the valley.

Step back in time at Banos Arabes

The remains of these Arab baths date back to the 13th-14th century and are in remarkably good condition – Admire the horseshoe arches and columns as you peer up to see the star-shaped holes in the roof.

Marvel at Mondragon Palace

The former home of King Abbel Malik and Hamet el Zegri, the last Arab governor, this stunning palace gives visitors a fascinating insight into the history of Ronda with its artifacts and architecture.

Admire Iglesia de Santa Maria la Mayor

This 14th-century church has a beautiful white and yellow facade, admire the exterior as you sip on a coffee in the square, or pop inside and discover the rich and varied history, this church standing on a Visigoth structure.

Wander Through Cuenca Gardens

Walk through the clifftop patios admiring the breathtaking scenery and historic architecture as you make your way to Puente Viejo, the smallest and oldest bridge that crosses the gorge.

Say goodbye to Ronda and prepare for a 2-hour twenty-minute drive to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains where the city of Granada, with its 700 years of Moorish heritage is waiting to captivate you.

You might also want to check out: Things to do in Ronda 

Day 7: Granada

Where to stay in granada.

Gar Anat Hotel Boutique It gives off a vibe of Granada’s architectural spirit but also has calm, cool, and beautiful rooms with a Granada-styled courtyard for your morning cup of coffee. The hotel is also 5 minutes away from Granada Cathedral. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices. Hotel Granada Center : One of the most renowned hotels in Granada, the Hotel Granada Center is only 10 minutes away from the old town and has free Wi-Fi, great rooms, and an a la carte restaurant. You’ll also be 10 minutes from the Granada Cathedral! Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.

Visit The Alhambra & Generalife Gardens

This famed hilltop fortress is huge, the ancient enclosed town made up of royal palaces, the iconic reflecting pool, patios, and the sprawling orchards and stately gardens of the equally massive Generalife gardens, you can easily spend the best part of the day here.

TIP: It is very important to book tickets in advance! If you can, book your entry time at least a month out from your intended visit. You must specify a specific time when booking your ticket, so make sure you purchase a ticket for when you know you can get there, otherwise, you won’t be allowed in. 

A guided tour is often better at a place like the Alhambra because you have the added benefit of a local guide who can share the history and facts, as well as legends, of the Alhambra and its surroundings. You can choose from a skip the line guided tour to the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens or  book your tickets online  and explore on your own.

Explore the Albaicin Neighbourhood

Granada’s historic Arab quarter will make you think you’ve taken a wrong turn and have somehow arrived in Morocco! Explore the narrow alleys with hand-painted Moorish tiles adorning the houses and shop at the remaining street of the 15th-century Grand Bazaar known as the Alcaiceria.

Watch Sunset at Mirador de San Nicolás

End your day of sightseeing at the most famous and most picturesque viewpoint in the city and watch the sunset behind the mountains and the Alhambra. Get there early to secure your spot on the wall for the best views!

Day 8: Granada

Admire Granada Cathedral

This 16th-century cathedral is the 2 nd largest cathedral in Spain and stands on the ruins of the old Mosque from the Nasrid Empire. Step inside to see the renaissance interior with beautiful stained glass windows, sculptures, and paintings.

Visit the Royal Chapel

Next door to the cathedral is the resting place of two of Spain’s most important rulers, the Catholic Monarchs Isabella I and Ferdinand II who completed the Christian re-conquest of Spain in the 1400s.

See Granada’s El Bañuelo

If you run out of time to see the Arab baths in Ronda, be sure to see them in Granada. These well-preserved baths date back to the 11 th century, located below a private home.

Step inside Horno de Oro

This is one of the best-preserved Mirisco (Catholic Moorish) houses in the city. With a delightful enclosed courtyard, see what a traditional Arab house looks like and admire the views of the Alhambra.

Tourists can buy the Monumentos Andalusíes ticket on the Alhambra webpage, which will allow you to visit the Bañuelo,  the Dar al-Horra Palace (in the Albaicin), the Horno de Oro House, and the Corral del Carbón. This joint ticket costs only 5 euros, but entry to these monuments is free on Sundays.

Explore the Sacromonte Neighbourhood

The home of the city’s gypsy community who were forced to make their home amongst the caves after the city was retaken by the Catholic Monarchs in the 16th century, this area is still lively today with flamenco performances taking place inside some of the cave houses – An ideal way to end your time in Granada.

You might also want to check out: How to spend 2 days in Granada. 

Day 9: Cordoba via Ubeda

En-route from Granada to Cordoba, take a detour to the town of Ubeda for a couple of hours to see Spain’s purest examples of delightful renaissance architecture in what is known as the ‘Florence of Andalucia’.

Ubeda – Plaza de Vázquez de Molina

Sip on a coffee in this monumental square surrounded by the most imposing 16 th century Renaissance buildings as you take in the view of the Las Cadenas Palace (aka, the Palace of Marquis de Mancera) the El Salvador Chapel, and the Santa Maria de Los Reales Alcazares church, deciding which if any you want to see inside.

Ubeda- Visit the Olive Oil Museum

The Centro de Interpretacion del Olivar de Ubeda is a great alternative to visiting more palaces and churches – Here you can taste several varieties of olive oil whilst learning the history of olive oil production in Ubeda.

Ubeda – Visit the Pottery Museum

Located in Barrio San Millan, the town’s pottery neighborhood, the Museo de Alfareria Paco walks you through the traditions of this craft, explaining the processes for which Ubeda and its 2 most famous potters are known worldwide.

After your renaissance detour, arrive into Medieval Cordoba in the late afternoon and feast your eyes on the melting pot of Roman and Moorish architecture and the delightful flowering patios.

Where to stay in Cordoba 

Hesperia Cordoba This 4-star boutique-style hotel is in a superb location on the banks of the River Guadalquivir with views of the Alcazar and Mezquita, all of these attractions and more a short 5-10minute walk away. With a seasonal pool on the roof, on-site restaurant-bar serving regional food,  and gym it provides comfortable accommodation for couples looking to explore the city. Click here to check availability and the latest prices. Hostal Esencia de Azahar : Located in the heart of the picturesque Old Jewish Quarter, just a 5-minute walk from the Mezquita, this elegant guest house has a roof terrace where you can sit and soak up the sun whilst admiring the view across the city rooftops before heading out to explore all the sights which are within walking distance, though if you prefer, there is a bus stop close by. Click here to check availability and the latest prices.

Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba – Mezquita

This 10th-century mosque-cathedral (half Moorish, half Renaissance) will dazzle you with its intricate designed facade with golden doors but just wait until you step inside and see the iconic 850 red and white columns in the prayer hall!

Opening Times:  March-October10am-6pm Monday-Saturday and on Sunday’s 8.30am-11.30am and 3pm-7pm. November-February 10am-6pm Monday-Saturday and Sunday’s 8.30am-11.30am and 3pm-6pm. Price: €10

Click here to book a guided tour to Cordoba’s Mosque-Cathedral.

Explore the Jewish Quarter

Walk the streets lined with orange trees, explore the maze of quaint backstreets admiring the architecture, see the churches and a 14th-century synagogue, enjoying the thrill of what’s around the next corner as you keep within the boundaries of the historic city walls.

Plaza de la Corredera

Once the place of public spectacles including bullfighting and executions, this grand-looking plaza with its arched porticos makes a lovely spot to enjoy a bite to eat whilst people watch and rest their weary feet.

Roman Bridge

Catch the sunset from the 16-arched Roman Bridge that crosses the Guadalquivir river. Lit up at night, the bridge which leads to the tower in one direction and the gate and Mezquita in the other is the spot to admire the most historic sights of Cordoba.

Day 10: Cordoba

Calleja de las flores.

Get up bright and early so that you can enjoy the most iconic and picturesque street in Cordoba, the “alley of the flowers” to yourself, without the hoards of tourists.

Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos

The main residents of the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella I and Ferdinand II, wander the hallways of this palace-fortress before stepping out into the landscaped gardens with orange trees and reflective pools that will take your breath away.

Opening Times:  Tuesday-Sunday 8.45 am-3.15 pm Price: €5

Click here to book a guided tour to Cordoba’s Alcazar.

Torre De Calahorra

Step inside the 12th-century defense tower and discover the history of Cordoba at the Vivo de Al-Andaluz museum. Learn how the Muslims, Christians, and Jews lived side by side in peace in Cordoba.

Opening Times:  May-September 10am-2pm and 4.30pm-8.30pm, October-April 10am-6pm. Video projections at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 3pm, 4pm Price: €4.50

Palacio de Viana

Covering 6,500 square meters, this Renaissance palace, home to the descendants of the Marquis of Villaseca and Viana is full to the brim with art and antique collections and has 12 delightful courtyard gardens (patios) to explore.

Opening Times:  September-June Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-7 pm. July and August Tuesday-Saturday 9 am-3 pm Price:  €8 House & Courtyards, €5 courtyards only

Archaeological Museum

One of the most comprehensive archaeological museums in Spain, see artifacts from the Iberian, Roman, and Visigoth cultures, all of whom left their mark on Cordoba.

Opening Times:  January-June Tuesday-Saturday 9 am-8.30 pm, Sunday 9 am-3.30 pm. July-August Tuesday-Sunday 9 am-3 pm. September-December Tuesday-Saturday 9 am-9 pm, Sunday 9 am-3 pm. Price: €1.50

Take a Patio Walking Tour or Take a Bath!

If you’re a flower fanatic who wants to see more of these beautiful patios, take the 2-hour patio walking tour around the San Basilio neighborhood with a local guide. Alternatively, why not have your very own Turkish Bath experience at one of the many traditional Hamman’s dotted around the city.

Click here to book your patios walking tour.

You might also be interested: Things to do in Cordoba How to spend one day in Cordoba

Our 10-day Andalucian road trip itinerary ends here having taken you around some of the most iconic as well as lesser-known villages, towns, and cities of this unique Spanish region, but don’t let us be the ones who make your road trip come to an end, use this guide as a starting point and carry on exploring!

You might also like: The best places to visit in Andalucia.

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1 thought on “Andalucia Road Trip: 10 Day Andalucia Itinerary”

Hey there, great post. Last year I visited Spain with my husband but could only cover Seville in Andalucia. After the trip I realised should have spent more time exploring the southern part.

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ZigZagonEarth

Plan unforgettable road trips!

How to plan your Andalucia road trip (Spain)

Last updated on August 25, 2023 by Claire Robinson - this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I get a small commission ( more )

Time to plan your Andalucia Road trip!  There is so much to do, that planning can be overwhelming. Below is my guide to help you go step by step and decide when and where to go, define your itinerary and prepare for you trip in Southern Spain.

Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Andalucia:

My favorite platform to rent a car in Andalucia: DiscoverCars

The unmissable visit: Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces

My favorite excursion from Seville: White villages and Ronda

My favorite places to stay:

• Seville , to explore the vibrant city – see best rated accommodations
• Cadiz , the charm by the sea  – see best rated accommodations
• Ronda , to explore the white villages – see best rated accommodations
• Nerja , pour la Costa del Sol – see best rated accommodations

STEP 0 – Essentials to know for your Andalucia Road Trip

Let’s start with a few essential facts to keep in mind before planning your trip to Andalucia:

• There are lots and lots of places (charming villages, forts, beaches, cities…) so be reasonable in your planning.
• Most of the roads are in very good condition
• There are a couple of road sections with tolls, but you can avoid them
• If you enter villages or the old parts of towns with your car, know that a lot of streets are very narrow. This can be nerve racking
• July and August get really crowded
• If you plan on visiting the mountains or if visiting outside of Summer, bring layers of clothes for warmth, wind and rain
• If you want to visit the famous Nazaries palace in Granada, book at least 3 months in advance – visit passes are limited

All my favorite locations are included (with GPS coordinates and practical tips) in my Travel Guide eBook that helps you easily plan your road trip around Andalucia :

Plan your dream trip in Andalucia thanks to my guide

• 7 maps to easily plan your itinerary
• 150+ pre-selected locations
• GPS + tips to make the most of your time
• 300+ original photos to help you choose

STEP 1 – Decide your best time to visit Andalucia

When to visit andalucia – the climate.

Let’s start with the important question of the climate and what to expect. Andalucia is the southernmost region of Spain. The region is crossed by mountain ranges and facing strong wind. Therefore, you can experience a variety of different weather conditions during your road trip.

Overall – Andalucia has a temperate Mediterranean climate: hot and dry summers and mild winters with irregular rains that can be heavy. However it gets cooler in the mountains of course. And the East is generally dryer.

In terms of weather, it is often considered the most enjoyable in April, May, September and October.

Best time to visit Andalucia – Other criteria

The other points to consider when deciding when to travel around the South of Spain:

• Access – Some smaller attractions are closed in Winter 
• Crowds – It is extremely crowded in Summer, especially on the main beaches and the large cities
• Prices – Of course, during the Summer months, prices are up because of demand.
• Driving conditions – In Winter some of the mountain passes and some roads can be covered in snow, but not that many
• Daylight – You will have longer days to drive around and see the sights if you visit in Spring rather than in Autumn. 

So, when to travel to Andalucia?

If you really want to avoid the crowds, November is a good option. However, know that sunset is early so it will limit your exploration and it can get really cold in the mountains. Otherwise for a good balance weather and crowds, I recommend April or October.

STEP 2 – Where to go in Andalucia – Regions (provinces) and Map

Size of andalucia – driving times.

Because it is part of a larger country, we don’t often realize how big Andalucia is, but you should not underestimate how long it will take you to get around. To give you an idea of driving times (mostly via Motorways):

• Seville to Cordoba = 1h40
• Seville to Granada = 2h40
• Seville to Cadiz = 1h20
• Seville to Malaga = 2h20
• Malaga to Almeria = 2h15
• Huelva to Almeria = 5h
• Malaga to Cordoba = 2h
• But as soon as you go off the main road to explore, driving will take a lot longer

Provinces and map of Andalucia and what to expect

Now let me introduce the variety of places to discover in each of the provinces.

Huelva is the capital. It is the less famous of all the Andalusian cities. You can enjoy the wharf, the cathedral and the sites about Christopher Columbus.

Other highlights

• Donana National Park – wetlands, great for bird watchers (especially for Flamingos)
• Sand dunes and beaches
• Mining around Rio Tinto
• Aracena and its cave
• Border with Portugal

Sevilla is the Capital of Andalusia. It is a vibrant town where you can enjoy music, dance (flamenco), magnificent monuments and beautiful parks. Don’t miss the Real Alcazar, Plaza de Espana and the cathedral.

• The magnificent archaeological sites of Santiponce: Italica with a theater and many mosaics
• La Sierra Norte mountain range with geological sites such as Cerro del Hierro
• The historical town of Carmona

Cordoba is the main town and it is magnificent (My favorite) – walking around town with the bridge and the narrow streets feels like traveling back in time. Plus, the mosque-cathedral is so unique and impressive.

• The Unesco site of Medina Azahara
• Forts such as Almodovar del Rio
• Charming white villages such as My favorite: Zuheros
• The mountain range Sierras Subbeticas with caves and canyons

Jaen is far less touristic than the other cities. Its fort is not standing anymore but the Cathedral is, and the views from the hill are splendid.

• The many forts: Alcaudete, Banos de la Encina, La Guardia de Jaen, Iruela, Cazorla…
• The impressive site of Fortalez de la Mota
• The beautiful mountain range of Cazorla
• The historical towns of Ubeda and Baeza (Unesco sites)

Cadiz is very different from the other Andalusian cities. The ambience is very relaxed with some great sea-side walks. Don’t miss the cathedral, the towers and the roman theater hidden between the buildings.

• Lots of charming villages and old town centers: Chipiona, Jerez de la Frontera, Vejer de la Frontera, Arcos de la Frontera, Medina-Sidonia, Tarifa, Sentenil de las Bodegas, Grazalema…
• Stunning beaches (Costa de la Luz) with sand dunes: Bolonia, Valdevaqueros
• Faro de Tragalgar with the sandy beaches and lagune
• Archeological sites such as Baeolo Claudia

Malaga is a very large town with modern art museums and access to wide beaches.

• Antequera with its dolmens, historical buildings and the geological wonders of Torcal de Antequera
• The beaches of Costa del Sol
• The famous town of Ronda with the impressive bridge over the canyon
• The town of Nerja with the Balcony of Europe and the cave
• Many charming villages (pueblos blancos): Frigiliana, and Mijas

Granada is one of the most famous town in Spain because of its large fortress above the town: the Alhambra and the exquisite Palace of Nazaries in Mujedar style.

• Some beaches on Costa Tropical
• The Sierra Nevada and its famous villages: Pampaniera, Bubion and Capileira
• The region of Guadix with fascinating geological formations and troglodyte houses
• Photogenic little villages or old towns such as Montefrio or Alhama de Granada

Almeria is lesser known but is attracting more and more visitors with its combination of fort, old town, archaeological site and beaches.

• The Cabo de Gata Natural Park with stunning volcanic features and the famous beaches of Playa de los Muertos or Playa de Monsul
• The salt plans of Cabo de Gata and the pink flamingos
• The Tabernas desert, the only official desert in Europe – with its movie sets

I don’t drink coffee

But I also like other drinks and sweets! Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…

STEP 3 – How long to plan your road trip around Andalucia

Time needed to complete the tour of andalucia.

Do not attempt to tour the whole region if you have less than 2 weeks. Even with 2 weeks, you would have to be diligent to only focus on some highlights of each regions in order to make it work. 3 to 5 weeks is way more comfortable.

Time to dedicate to each region

Of course, you can focus on just one single region and visit it in depth. Even each cities deserves quite a long time to be discovered. Below are my estimations to give you a general idea of what to plan. These timeframes do not include spending long hours laying on beaches. I love road trips and seeing as much as possible.

The following times are sufficient to see the highlights and get an overview of each region

• Huelva – 1 to 3 days (if you are limited in time, this is the region I would skip)
• Sevilla – min 2 days in town and 1 to 3 days for the region
• Cordoba – min 2 days in town and 2 to 3 days for the region
• Jaen – 1 day in town and 2 to 4 days for the region
• Cadiz – min 1 day in town and 3 to 5 days for the region
• Malaga – min 1 days in town and 3 to 6 days for the region
• Granada – min 2 days in town and 3 to 5 days for the region
• Almeria – min 1 day in town and 2 to 4 days for the region

STEP 4 – How to get there & where to start?

You can reach Andalucia via planes. There are International airports in:

• Jerez (Cadiz area)
• And you can also arrive at Gibraltar

My preference goes to Seville. Since Seville is one of my favorite places to explore. You can rent your car after and before visiting the city and not bother with having a car to park in Seville.

You can also arrive by train or car from the rest of Spain.

STEP 5 – Rent your car

If you fly in, it is now time to rent your car. You will find all the international brands at the big airports. Here are a few tips:

• If you are not the most skilled driver, pick a car that is not too large so that you will be more comfortable in the more narrower sections of the streets in the villages
• Pick a car that has a good motor so that you can drive more comfortably in the mountains
• Note: most cars are manual, so you will pay more to get automatic
• You don’t really need a 4WD, especially as most companies do not allow you to drive off-road even with a 4WD for insurance reasons
• Compare car rental prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated sites!
• Choose the car and company you prefer (remember the villages narrow streets)
• Consider their full coverage option – I always take it for peace of mind! 
• Book early to have a large choice of vehicles
• See all my 36 tips about renting a car in Spain

Learn more on my article about driving in Andalucia.  

STEP 6 – Create your Andalucia Itinerary

Now that you have dates and transportation, you “just” have to decide on your Andalucia itinerary.

For some inspiration you can check my article about the 21 best things to do in Andalucia.  (to be published)

And you can use the maps and planning info in my eBook to plan your ideal road trip:

When planning your itinerary don’t forget to consider the following essentials:

• DRIVING TIMES – Always plan more time to go from point A to point B than what Google says. You will want to stop all the time to admire the scenery and the roads might have traffic
• DAYLIGHT HOURS – Check out the daylight time you have available when you are traveling. Check out how long you have to see all the sites during the day
• CHECK OUT ROAD DIFFICULTY –  In my eBook, I indicate the roads that are a little more difficult. 
• If you have a toddler, not all destinations may be adapted – Check out these tips for an Andalusia road trip with a toddler by Dream, Book and Travel for more specific tips.

Unesco Heritage sites in Andalucia

For some people, the Unesco Heritage sites are must-sees, so here is the list:

• Granada and many of its monuments
• Seville and many of its monuments
• Cordoba and many of its monuments
• Medina Azahara (Madinat al-zahra) – Moorish archaeological site
• Ubeda and Baeza – 2 Renaissance towns
• Donana National Park for its wetlands
• The Antequera Dolmens
• Gorham’s cave complex on the eastern side of the Gibraltar rock
• And many biosphere reserves

STEP 7 – Book your Accommodations

There is a very large choice of accommodations in Andalucia – many campsites, hotels, resorts, rentals and all-inclusive resorts. You can find something for everyone’s taste.

Few things to be aware of:

• Generally, wifi is good, except in some mountain villages
• Swimming pools at hotels are not often heated, so it can be cold during shoulder seasons
• Most establishments accept credit cards
• I have found some magnificent rentals in the main towns offering great service – might be better than hotels

You can find a lot of choices on  Booking.com . This is where I booked almost all my stays.

I think some of the best places to stay in Andalucia are  the main towns, of course:

Where to stay in Andalucia?  My tips:

• Sevilla for its vibrant life –  see best rated accommodations
• Cordoba for the unique cathedral –  see best rated accommodations
• Granada for the historical buildings –  see best rated accommodations
• Ronda for the villages and historical area –  see best rated accommodations
• Nerja for Costa del Sol –  see best rated accommodations
• Cadiz for Costa de la Luz –  see best rated accommodations
• Agua Amarga for Cabo de Gata –  see best rated accommodations

Where to stay in Andalucia?

My favorites on a road trip:

• In Sevilla, to explore the vibrant city – see best rated accommodations
• In Cadiz, the charm by the sea  – see best rated accommodations
• In Ronda, to explore the white villages – see best rated accommodations
• In Granada, for the history – see best rated accommodations
• In Nerja, pour la Costa del Sol – see best rated accommodations

STEP 8 – Get all the equipment you need & pack

Classic clothes. Nothing special to think about. Check my overall  preparation and packing checklists  to help you.

And don’t forget: 

• Layers for rain and for colder nights in the evening and in the mountains
• Hiking shoes

And regarding electronics and other equipments, I recommend

• Photography equipment
• GoPro for snorkeling 
• An extra battery to recharge your phone – you will want to take many photos and videos!
• I also recommend binoculars to see the flamingos and other birds in the wetlands – see my guide to help you choose your binoculars

And keep track of your own trip!

STEP 9 – Get ready to drive in Andalucia

You just have to be aware that:

• Roads are overall in good condition – there are lots of motorways and wide roads
• Just a few tolls that can be avoided
• Streets in villages can be very very narrow, try parking and exploring on foot
• A few landmarks are accessible via gravel roads (beaches in Gabo de Gata for example). Know that your rental car insurance may not cover breakdowns on gravel roads.
• The only driving difficulties I experienced were around Seville and Malaga because of the traffic.

Check out the video and tips in my article about driving in Andalucia . 

Fill your GPS with the coordinates

I recommend you fill in all the GPS coordinates in your GPS before leaving. This way you save a lot of time and can enjoy the scenery. In my eBook you can find the coordinates to the closest carparks for all the locations:

Plan your dream trip in Slovenia thanks to my guide

• 100+ pre-selected locations
• 16+ extra ideas
• GPS + info to make the most of your time
• 190+ original photos to help you choose

STEP 10 – Get ready for your road trip in Andalucia

Andalusian people are very welcoming. There is a lot of tourism and you feel welcome. In bars, they often bring free tapas with your drinks.

Knowing a few words in Spanish is always appreciated. I was greeted with big smiles when I tried ordering in Spanish.

• Hello – Ola
• Bye – Adios
• Please – Por favor 
• Thank you – Gracias
• Excuse me – Disculpe

There are some great products to taste in Andalucia.

• The many many tapas
• Tortilla de patatas (potato omelettes)
• Ham (jamon)
• The gazpacho (cold soups such as Salmorejo)

Note: for breakfast, I don’t recommend purchasing food to eat at your rental. All cafes have great toasts and fresh orange juices for a really good price.

Other tips for your Andalucia Road Trip

• Emergency number is 112
• Plug is 2 round holes
• Tap water is safe and delicious in the mountains

Want to see more of the best Andalucia has to offer?

• Best landscapes in Andalucia in 40 pictures – read article
• 24 best things to do in Andalucia – read article (to be published)
• 17 most beautiful white villages in Andalucia – read article
• 20 best beaches in Andalucia – read article
• 21+ best cities and towns in Andalucia – read article
• Cordoba vs Sevilla vs Granada – where to go? – read article

Planning a trip to Andalucia?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

Want to see more of ANDALUCIA?

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Best castles and palaces in Andalucia

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Where to stay in Andalucia – 15 best places

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10-Day Highlights of Andalucia Road Trip Itinerary (With Free Download)

When planning a road trip to Southern Spain, the most asked question must be: how much time to spend in Andalucia? How much time to spend in Seville and how long should I stay in Granada? Or how long can I stay at Malaga beach? I had the same questions when I planned my Andalucia travel itinerary and pieced the small bits of information together and came up with my own 10-day Andalucia road trip itinerary.

I want to make planning your Andalucia travels and Southern Spain itinerary easier for you. Therefore, I put together this list of things to do in Andalucia and the main highlights, and how much time it takes to visit the highlights of Andalucia.

I paid for everything in full myself. I was not paid or sponsored. All my opinions and experiences are my own.

Probe around the Globe does use affiliate links. If you decide to follow one of my links and make a purchase, I’ll earn a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you.

10-Day Southern Spain Road Trip Itinerary around Malaga, Ronda, Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada (with free download)

At the bottom, you can download my free Andalucia road trip itinerary spreadsheet . You can fill in the things that interest you in Andalucia Spain. When you add everything up, you’ll see how much time you need to spend in the different cities of Andalucia Spain.

Impatient? Download the FREE sample itinerary for your Andalucian road trip straight away.

Andalucia in the South of Spain

Andalucia is the most Southern province of Spain. It consists of 8 smaller regions, each with its own character. It was under Arabic rule by the Moorish kings until 1492. After this, the Catholic monarchs ruled over Andalucia.

The mix of Roman, Moorish and Spanish history, combined with the great food culture and its excellent climate makes this area of Spain so popular with tourists and travelers. What attracts you to travel to Andalucia?

The average temperature in Andalucia in summer is 36°C (97 °F). These scorching temperatures are not meant to explore cities but April and May are lovely months to visit Andalucia and October and November are very pleasant too.

What to see in Andalusia and what to include in your Southern Spain itinerary?

The beaches of Andalucia draw sun-seekers year-round, especially the Malaga beach, but this Andalusia road trip itinerary is about cultural exploration.

Here is a list of the main Andalucia highlights and the things to do in the Andalucian cities.

Málaga and Málaga beach

• Main start and finish of an Andalucia itinerary
• Malaga airport  is connected with air, rail, and road with Madrid and Barcelona
• Famous is Malaga beach for sun-seekers
• White Villages around Malaga
• Famous “Pueblo Blanco”- White Village of Andalucia
• Old-stone bridge connecting modern Ronda with historic Ronda

Sevilla Spain

• Film set for many episodes of Games of Thrones
• Seville Cathedral and Giralda Bell Tower .
• Royal Alcázar , the palace of Sevilla
• Excellent food and tapas culture
• Mezquita of Cordoba . Mosque turned into Catholic Cathedral
• Famous Alhambra Castle and Palace in Granada
• Ancient Arabic neighborhood the Albeyzín

Other places in Andalusia worth your time

The places I didn’t visit (on this trip) but are very much worth your time:

• The oldest city of Europe: Cádiz
• Horses and sherry in Jerez de la Fonterra
• Monkey spotting in British Gibraltar in one day
• Other white villages of Andalucia

My 10-Day Andalusia Road Trip Itinerary

My road trip through Andalucia was in November and I split my days in half. I drove during siesta time and arrived in my new city early evenings.

This way, I had 1 evening to look around, a full day of exploring, and a morning of wandering around. This worked really well for me.

Below you’ll find the travel itinerary for my 10-day Andalucian road trip cramming in as much as the highlights of Southern Spain as possible.

Day 1: Start in Malaga

This was my travel day and I arrived late in the evening at Malaga Airport. I picked up my rental car and checked into my Málaga hostel .

The first tapas of my Andalucia travel was an excellent choice.

Day 2: Malaga morning tour

Because I had little time in Malaga, I skipped Malaga beach but joined a Food Tour around Málaga  instead.

In half a day, I learned about Malaga’s history and sampled some delicious wines and foods of the region at the market and in local tapas bars.

I got to see a glimpse of the Picasso Museum and the Cathedral of Malaga. The Alcázaba of Málaga looks really impressive and you can easily spend half a day there.

Total time spent in Malaga: 1 night

Drive to Ronda

After 2.30 pm, I left Malaga and drove off to Ronda. In the afternoon I settled into my Ronda hotel  and explored the city on foot.

I wanted to see the sunset in the center so I headed for the bridge. It was Friday night and the streets were buzzing with people. I never experienced such an alive and vibrant little village before.

Unfortunately, dark clouds prevented any gorgeous sunset from showing itself, so I went back to the main shopping area.

I was looking for a bathing suit, see my story about the Hammams in Andalucia , and I looked for some souvenirs and delicious tapas dinner.

Day 3: Explore around Ronda

I woke up early to explore more around Ronda because I wanted to see the famous bridge of Ronda from below the canyon.

More things to do in Ronda: explore the bullfighting arena and visit the vineyards of Ronda .

After this, I left for the Pileta Caves .

20 km outside of Ronda, these caves are privately owned property and the tour takes you through history and the earliest cave drawings. Unfortunately there wasn’t a tour available so I continued my road trip.

Roman Ruins of Acinipo near Ronda

Ronda la Vieja is situated 15 km outside of Ronda and this is the place of the Roman settlement of Acinipo at Ronda.

Does anybody say Roman theater?

It was raining, hailing and even snowing at the top of the sight, but I had fun roaming around the old Roman Ruins of Ronda!

Total time spent in Ronda: 1 night

Do you like Roman Ruins? Check out my post about the Roman Heritage in Orange, France

I took the touristic route down to Seville and passed many of the white villages of Andalucia on my way. The scenery was amazing with big thunderstorms rolling in, double rainbows crossing the road and no traffic at all.

Because of the bad weather, I didn’t see any opportunities to stop for photos but if you have more time, I can definitely recommend this.

First evening in Seville

After check-in at my Sevilla hostel , I joined another food tour: the Tapas and Wine Tour of Seville!

And boy, did I not regret this!

I sampled some amazing tapas and wine .

I benefited from this immensely for the rest of my trip because I got some really good pointers about tapas in Andalucia and how to order.

Day 4: Explore Seville

Rise and shine! The rain vanished without a trace and sweet Seville saluted me this morning.

I joined a Bike Tour a round Seville to explore some of the major sights of the city.

We explored La Triana, the center of Seville and we went to Plaza España which is the prettiest thing I have ever seen.

If you like bike tours as much as I do, you might be interested in my  Bike Tour of Rome

After the bike tour in Seville, I had a nice tapas lunch and visited Sevilla Cathedral and the Giralda bell tower .

I watched the sunset at the Setas in Seville (also named the Metropol Parasol). This modern futuristic building had some interesting angles at sunset.

Day 5: Morning in Seville

This morning, I packed my bags and prepared to leave Seville. I had half a day left and had to make the difficult decision to either go back to the lovely Plaza d’España or explore the Real Alcázar of Seville . I opted for the latter.

The royal castle of Seville is still in use when the king and queen of Spain visit Seville.

The castle is used for many Hollywood movies and TV series and it is absolutely stunning to explore. I might even argue it is as beautiful as the Alhambra in Granada!

Total time spent in Seville: 2 nights

Stronghold of Carmona

A little later than anticipated, I left Seville behind and headed west towards Cordoba.

I stopped in Carmona, a small stronghold in ancient times.

I wanted to explore the Roman ruins of Itálica outside of Seville (because, hello.. Roman Ruins!!) But they are closed on Monday’s. My luck.

I climbed the fortress of Carmona and had a lovely lunch at the town square before I continued my journey to Cordoba.

After check-in at  my Córdoba hotel , I visited the Hammam of Cordoba and got a massage. After this, I had a lovely tapas dinner with a little too much to drink.

Day 6: Take in the highlight of Cordoba

I wanted to get up early and see the Mezquita of Cordoba for free (between 8.30 and 9.30 am entree is free .) but I couldn’t be bothered to get out of bed. Because I was a bit cold and tired, I slept in.

A little bit later that morning I visited the Mezquita of Cordoba and reserved a spot on the list to climb the bell tower at sunset.

I roamed the streets of the city and returned to climb the bell tower.

The sunset was covered in thick clouds so I decided to head for dinner. Delicious tapas (again) and I sampled some local wines (again.)

Total time spent in Cordoba: 2 nights

Day 7: Drive to Granada

In the morning, I had another sleep-in session and a very exuberant breakfast. I left for Granada but took a little detour to visit the old sight of Madinat Al-Zahra . This ancient Arab city is now in ruins, but there is still plenty to see for a little half-day trip.

In 2018 it was added by Unesco to their World Heritage listing.

Visit Madinat Al-Zahra Day Trip from Cordoba

I left my car at the museum and took the shuttle bus to the sight. I wondered around and imagined what it would be like to live in this palace city around 1100 AD.

After my visit, I returned to the highway and put the pedal to the metal to reach Granada.

I checked into my Granada hostel  and found my way to the center. I picked up my Granada card at the tourist office and took a crack at conquering Arab neighborhood, Albaycin but I struggled to make it up the hills so I settled for some tea and sweets in a tea house.

Day 8: Granada, Save the Best for Last

I woke up really early and headed to the Alhambra of Granada. My Granada Card was my entry ticket to visit the Nasrid Palace at 9.00 am and I enjoyed the Alhambra gardens early morning. Was this the highlight of my travel to Andalucia?

I wandered through the palace and took in all the splendor of this magnificent sight. It was pristine and so delicate. It was really early and also really cold, so I settled in a hotel for some tea. I took some time to warm up again before I went back to explore the rest of the Alhambra.

By 2 pm I was absolutely dead tired and I headed back to town for lunch and some much needed siesta time.

At night, I met up with a friend from Seville and we went out for tapas dinner in a local bar . Order one drink, get free tapas with it. Only in Granada.

Day 9: Explore more of Granada Spain

On the last full day of my Andalucia road trip itinerary, I explored more of Granada. I visited the Cathedral and the Royal Tombs (Capilla Real) which were included in my Granada card.

I also took the tourist train around town to see more of the city (without walking).

In the evening I joined a walking tour of the old town and enjoyed some amazing views of the Alhambra from the Albeycin.

For my last evening in the south of Spain I climbed to the top of the Albeycin for an excellent steak dinner to wrap things up.

Total time spent in Granada: 3 nights

Day 10: Last day of the Andalucia Road Trip Itinerary

I can’t believe it has already been 10 days in Andalucia!

This morning I packed my bags and enjoyed one last visit at the hammam in Granada and treated myself to a Kessa massage .

I drove back to the coast and explored Malaga’s old castle, ( Castillo de Gibralfaro ).

From here you’ll have beautiful views of the harbor and the city of Malaga and its endless stretches of coastline.

I couldn’t believe it was about time to return my car and fly back home again! I saw so much on my travel through Andalucia.

Recommended changes for my Andalucia Travels

As you can read above, I had quite a busy schedule and in the end, got a bit tired. Looking back, I could have easily made some changes. Here are my recommendations for the changes on my own Andalucia itinerary:

• Take more time to stop in the white villages of Andalucia from Ronda to Seville.
• Stay a day (or two!) longer in Seville.
• Visit the Roman Ruins of Itálica outside of Seville .
• Stay a day shorter in Cordoba or visit Cordoba on a (half) day trip . Read my blog why.
• Can’t get enough? Me neither. I planned the 2nd Tour of Andalucia around Cadiz Province.

I used the Lonely Planet Andalucía Guide Book to read about the history and culture of southern Spain. Pick up a copy of the Lonely Planet Andalucia (Travel Guide) .

Make your own Andalucia Road Trip Itinerary

If you plan your own Andalusian road trip, I made things easy for you. I put together a spreadsheet with all the mentioned activities and things to see and do in Andalucia. If you put the things you wish to do on your list, my spreadsheet will tell you how much time you need to plan in each city.

This way, you can build your own Andalucia road trip itinerary! You can download my Andalucia travel planner for free with this link  or click the image below.

So, now you know what to see in Andalucia. If you downloaded my FREE sheet to plan your own Andalucia travel planner. All you need to do now is pin the image below to Pinterest or leave a comment and tell me when you’ll go roadtrippin’!

Author: Naomi

47 comments.

I find your trip itinerary very helpful and interesting, the only thing that I would find even more helpful would be to add how long it took you driving between the destinations so I can plan accordingly.

Thanks Dean, glad you liked it. I didn’t include that information because it really depends on your driving style and how often you stop for photo options and breaks. I think the longest it took me to drive was maybe 2 or 3 hours. You can use google.maps to see how long it takes to drive from one place to the next and then round up to have an indication.

Hi I have tried to join your mailing list so I can download the itinerary sheet for Portugal and Spain but have not received a link back. Maybe this is because it is a weekend but thought I should pop an email of just in case.

Cheers Paul

Hey Paul. When you sign up, you need to confirm via E-mail and then you receive an automatic message with the link and password. Maybe check your spam filter? I don’t see a succesful sign up yet. Naomi.

Hi Naomi Thanks for the tips and draft itinerary. Unfortunately my wife and I only have a week including flying to and from UK so that arguably leaves 5 complete days but as haven’t booked flights yet (will try for Friday to Friday third week of Oct, it could be more. We would both like to see Alhambra otherwise flexible. Guess we have a dilemma to cut out some things you suggest. Have you a brief itinerary to suggest please? Thanks Kevin

Hi Kevin. Thanks for your message. It really depends what you’d like to see and what interests you most. It you have your own car, I’d suggest a day in Ronda and then focus on Granada and Seville if you like a taste of Andalucian life. I’d focus on max 2 cities for the 5 days, giving you time to see the highlights and enjoy the good food and flow of Andalucia. Let me know if you have more specific questions. Have a great trip!

Cannot wait to get to this part of the world! This post has been so helpful. We are going to start/end in Madrid but I will definitely be able to use all these ideas to create an awesome road trip itinerary. Thank you!

I’m sure you’ll have a great trip Rebecca. Let me know how things turned out!

I enjoyed your Andalusia and Cadiz itinerary. I’m planning to go there next month. I actually have been planning a similar itinerary to yours, but after I read your Cadiz itinerary, I’m contemplating ditching the city (maybe not completely, but just hit the attractions such as Alhambra, Alcazar) and go to the rural/villages side. I love stunning hidden-gems that are less discovered.

As you have done both, I would love to hear your thought on this. I actually would love to stay longer and just explore everything, but sadly it’s not possible.

Hey Olivia. Great plans! I loved Cadiz city though! I visited on a day trip from Jerez and it was amazing. But all comes down to time and money and efficiency. It was very easy for me for my 2nd road trip to focus on the rural side as I’ve already seen Cordoba and Granada. They are quite far from Cadiz. You could plan to stay west of Malaga. So Malaga Ronda Cadiz and Seville for example. It all depends on your interests and time. I travel quite fast so can do a lot in little time but other people might like more time to just be and go to the beach or visit local markets and sleep in.

Comments are closed.

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15 Must-Sees for an Amazing Andalucia Road Trip With Kids

If you're looking for an unforgettable road trip with your family, look no further than Andalucia Spain. This stunning region in southern Spain is home to endless breathtaking landscapes, charming villages, and interesting historical attractions. An Andalucia road trip with kids is truly a must for any family visiting Spain. 

We spent three months traveling through the Andalucia region, visiting many southern cities in Spain. During that time, we did as much as we could to experience the region to its fullest. We were so surprised at the many things to do in Andalucia for families!

But whether you’re spending one week in Spain or multiple years, you definitely want to visit Andalucia as part of your southern Spain itinerary. From ancient castles and world-famous cities to stunning mountain scenery and gorgeous beaches, there's something for everyone in Andalucia. 

To help you make the most of your trip, I’ve compiled a list of my family’s 15 must-sees during an Andalucia road trip with kids. Read on to find out what they are! (Quick note: you’ll see in this post that I use both spellings of the region, Andalucia and Andalusia, interchangeably.)

This post was originally published on February 25, 2022.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase something. But don't worry, this will not result in any extra costs to you.

Table of Contents

Andalucia road trip highlights

If your time in Andalucia is limited, check out my top 5 Andalucia road trip highlights to get a peek into Spanish history and culture.

• Visit Alhambra in Granada
• See the patios of Cordoba
• Sample tapas in Seville
• Take a boat tour in Cadiz
• Take a Ronda day trip from Malaga

Where to stay during your Andalucia road trip

Andalucia is full of beautiful cities and small towns where you can stay during your Andalucia road trip. We spent the majority of our time in the small town of La Herradura, situated in between Malaga and Almunecar. During our three months in Spain, we did multiple mini-versions of an Andalucia road trip, so La Herradura served as the perfect home base.

If you’re looking for a place to stay for your Andalucia road trip, you’ll be able to find lodging in many of the cities in the area through Booking, Expedia, or Airbnb. We prefer Airbnb because it gives us a chance to experience living in a city like a local. But if you prefer hotel stays for your Andalusia roadtrip, there are many wonderful hotels to stay in the area. 

Take a look at some of these highly rated hotels to stay during your south Spain road trip.

Petit Palace Plaza Malaga Hotel (Malaga)

Located in the heart of Malaga, Petit Palace Plaza Malaga Hotel is a highly rated four star hotel with rooms that can accommodate families of 3-5 people. Rooms have air conditioning/heating, WiFi and TV. And the rooms for families have bunk beds.

The hotel is located 16 minutes away from Malagueta Beach, and is four minutes away from the Picasso Museum. So it’s a great central location if you’re planning to stay in Malaga during your Andalucia road trip. While parking is not available at the hotel, you’ll be able to find several parking garages nearby. Breakfast is available for a fee.

Hotel Dauro Premier (Granada)

For families visiting Granada, consider staying at Hotel Dauro Premier, located near Jardines del Salon. This hotel has cozy rooms overlooking the city streets that can accommodate families of 3-4 people. Rooms come with air conditioning, WiFi, TV, and a balcony. 

If you’re looking to do a date night while in Granada during your Andalucia road trip, you can take advantage of the babysitting services at Hotel Dauro Premier. There’s a cafe on-site where you can have a breakfast buffet for a fee.

Ibis Styles Sevilla Santa Justa (Seville)

If you’re looking for a cozy hotel with a boutique feel in Seville, take a look at Ibis Styles Sevilla Santa Justa. Rooms are beautifully decorated, and can accommodate families of up to 4 people, as long as your kiddos are okay with sleeping on a sofa bed. The rooms at Ibis Styles Sevilla Santa Justa come with air conditioning, TV, and WiFi, plus a crib for families who need it. And for larger families, connecting room options are available.

Although Ibis Styles Sevilla Santa Justa is a bit of a walk from the historic city centre of Seville, the Casco Antiguo, many of the city’s sights are within a 15-20 minute walk. Families will enjoy the kid’s area, as well as the gym onsite. Plus there’s an outdoor pool! Breakfast and parking is available for a fee.

Ready for a change? Take the first step to living a life of full time travel.

Major cities of southern Spain to visit on your Andalucia road trip

Andalucia has so many amazing cities to explore! Many of these places to visit in south Spain are packed with multiple layers of history and culture, influenced by all the civilizations that have touched this area.

I highly recommend spending more than a week in Spain in order to get the most out of your visit to Andalucia. The following is a list of our favorite southern cities in Spain that you can visit on your Andalucia road trip.

Malaga is a coastal city that is full of art and history. It’s one of the best places to visit in Andalucia to kick off your Andalusia road trip. The city is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso. It’s also the hometown of famous actor, Antonio Banderas (he owns a theater called Teatro del Soho in the southern part of Malaga!).

Families will love this city for its beautiful beaches, as well as the beautiful plazas and pedestrian walkways. Malaga has several museums, including a Center Pompidou art museum.

As for history, the old town part of the city is home to the Roman ruins of a theater that you can walk through. And there’s also the Alcazaba and the Castillo del Gibralforo, old fortresses that were built by the Moors.

Here are some other points of interest in Malaga during your Andalucia road trip:

• Mercado Central
• Jardín Botánico 
• Malaga Park
• Playa la Malagueta
• Malaga Museum
• Picasso Museum
• Home of Picasso
• Centre Pompidou
• Museum Carmen Thyssen
• Teatro Romano
• Castillo del Gibralforo

Book these Malaga tours in southern Spain for your Andalucia road trip:

Best of Malaga Tour

Malaga Tapas Walking Tour

Ronda Private Day Trip From Malaga

The city of Cadiz was one of the ports used by the Spanish during their colonial period. It served as a port for bringing goods from and to Latin America, and eventually became the home port for the Spanish Navy.

But even before that, Cadiz was already an important city. It is one of the oldest inhabited cities in Western Europe, once the home to Phoenicians, Romans, and Moors. Today, Cadiz is one of the best places to visit in southern Spain for families wanting some history during their Andalucia road trip.

The city is known for its many watch towers. And at Torre Tavira, one of the towers in Cadiz, there is a camera obscura that allows you to get 360 degree views of the city! We loved doing the camera obscura so much, we ended up visiting another one when we were doing our 3 days in Edinburgh trip in 2023.

Check out these other points of interest in Cadiz for your Andalucia road trip:

• Torre Tavira
• Castillo de Santa Catalina
• Parque Genovés
• Mercado Central Cadiz
• Muralla de San Carlos
• Paseo de Vendaval

Book these Cadiz tours in southern Spain for your Andalucia road trip:

Cadiz Old Town Walking Tours

3-Hour Boat Ride Through The Bay of Cadiz

Private Day Trip From Cadiz to the White Towns

Cordoba is a great place for families to learn about the influence of Islam in southern Spain. The history of Cordoba dates back to Roman times. But when Cordoba was ruled by the Moors later on, it became an important center of Islamic culture and learning.

The Mezquita-Cathedral of Cordoba, which was originally a mosque, is a testament to Cordoba's Moorish past. The city also has a historic Jewish quarter. Today, Cordoba is a popular tourist destination for people of all ages.

Cordoba also has beautiful private courtyards, called patios, that are filled with colorful flowers and plants.  Many of these patios are open to the public during the Festival de los Patios in May. This festival is a great opportunity to see Cordoba's traditional architecture and culture. 

If you're looking for a city with a rich history and plenty of activities to keep the whole family busy, Cordoba is definitely worth a visit!

Take a visit to these points of interest in Cordoba for your Andalucia road trip:

• Mezquita-Cathedral de Cordoba
• Barrio de la Juderia
• Mercado Victoria
• Templo Romano
• Patios of Cordoba
• Plaza de la Corrodera
• Hammam al-Andalus
• The Roman Bridge
• La Casa Andalusi

Book these Cordoba tours in southern Spain for your Andalucia road trip:

Mosque-Cathedral, Alcazar, and Synagogue Tour

Patios and Perfumes of Cordoba Festival Tour

Bike Tour of Cordoba

Granada is a city steeped in history. The Moors occupied Granada for centuries, and the city's Moorish influence is still evident today. Granada was the last Muslim city to be conquered during the Reconquista, when the Catholic kingdoms of Spain fought to expel the Muslims out of Spain.

Granada is a popular tourist destination, and there's plenty to see and do here during your Andalusia road trip. One of the city's most popular attractions is the Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This Moorish palace and fortress is truly breathtaking. 

Streets like Calle Elvira and Calle Caldereria Nueva are famous for their Moroccan style stores, restaurants, and teterias (tea shops). If you're looking for things to do in Andalusia that’s a bit more lively, Granada is well-known for its great flamenco shows. Additionally, you can enjoy a Moroccan style bath at Hammam al-Andalus in Granada. My daughter and I loved that experience!

If you want an easy way to access some of the tourist sites of Granada, consider getting a Granada card .

Here are the major points of interest in Granada for your Andalucia road trip:

• Alhambra and the Generalife
• Hammam Al-Andalus
• Museo de Patio
• Calle Calderería Nueva
• Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte
• Mirador de San Nicolás 
• Tablao Flamenco Jardines de Zoraya
• Granada Cathedral
• Museo San Juan de Dios

Book these Granada tours in southern Spain for your Andalucia road trip:

Alhambra and Generalife Small Group Guided Tour

Small Group Food Tour in Granada

Albaicin and Sacromonte + Caves Museum Tour

With its rich history and culture, Seville is another one of the best places to visit in Andalucia families as there is plenty to see and do in the city. Seville was founded by the Romans who called it Hispalis. It later fell under Muslim power before falling under the rule of the Castilians. 

Seville played an important role during the age of Spanish colonialism. The city was the departure point for many Spanish sailors heading out to the North and South American continent. Today, Seville is a vibrant city with a lively nightlife and plenty of cultural attractions. It’s an important city to include on your Andalusia tour.

The Guadalquivir River flows through the city and is a popular spot for locals and visitors to relax. To the west of the Guadalquivir River is the neighborhood of Triana, known for its great restaurants, pottery, and flamenco culture.

In the central part of Seville, the Seville Cathedral is a popular point of interest, and is an example of Islamic mosques that were later converted to cathedrals by the Spanish. The Giralda bell tower of the cathedral actually used to be a minaret of the mosque that once stood in its place.

Check out these points of interest in Seville for your Andalucia road trip:

• Triana neighborhood
• Setas de Seville (also known as the Metropol Parasol)
• Seville Cathedral
• Royal Alcazar
• Plaza Espana
• Guadalquivir River
• Flamenco performance
• Roman Aqueduct
• Columnas de Hercules

Book these Seville tours in southern Spain for your Andalucia road trip:

Cathedral, Alcazar, and Giralda Guided Tour

Tapas, Taverns, and History Tour

Seville Highlights Bicycle Tour

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Smaller cities to visit on your Andalucia road trip

While Andalucia is certainly filled with many historic and beautiful cities, there are also a large number of smaller cities and towns that are worth visiting. Taking trips to the smaller cities was one of our favorite things to do when we were in Andalucia. The region has so many cute small towns and villages!

If your Andalucia itinerary allows, I highly recommend venturing out to the small towns along the coast of Andalucia. Take a look at some of my favorite smaller cities that you can visit during your Andalucia road trip.

6. Frigiliana

If you're looking for beautiful and charming places to visit in southern Spain with your kids, Frigiliana is a great choice. This tiny village is located in the province of Malaga, Andalusia, and is known for its whitewashed buildings and stunning mountain views.

The main attraction is the Casco Historico, or historic center. This area is full of narrow streets and whitewashed houses, many of which have lovely flower gardens. You'll also find some great small shops and restaurants.

Frigiliana is also a great place to incorporate hiking into your southern Spain itinerary. A short hike goes up to the ruins of the Castillo de Lizar. But there are plenty of other great trails that wind their way through the hills around Frigiliana.  These trails offer amazing views of the village, and on a clear day, you may be able to look across the Mediterranean Sea and view the coast of Morocco!

Here’s a Frigiliana and other white towns tour you can book for your family:

Frigiliana, Nerja, and El Acebuchal

7. Torre Del Mar

Torre del Mar is another one of the charming coastal places to visit in southern Spain. Like Frigiliana, it’s also located in the province of Malaga and it's home to some of the most beautiful beaches in southern Europe. Lining the beach is a paved walkway that stretches about two miles.

The pathway along Torre del Mar is a great place to bike. Several bike rental shops are located along the Paseo Maritimo Levante, and families can rent bikes by the hour. This was our favorite thing to do in Torre del Mar!

There are also plenty of playgrounds and restaurants along the beach at Torre del Mar. If you're looking for a chill activity to do with your kids, Torre del Mar is a perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon.

8. Almuñécar

Almunecar is another beautiful town in southern Spain and is a perfect place to visit with kids. Since we were home based close to Almunecar, we visited this town quite often. Families visiting Almunecar can experience the Cave of the Seven Palaces, visit the El Majuelo Botanical Park, and walk through the Castillo de San Miguel.

The Paseo San Cristobal runs along the coast of Almunecar, and has some great restaurants for families to enjoy an afternoon meal near the beach. For some fun beach play, families can visit Playa San Cristobal.

Visiting other parts of Europe? Read my Europe posts for ideas!

Other South Spain road trip activities to do

Besides visiting cities and towns during your Andalucia road trip, there are also specific activities that I highly recommend for families. The Andalucia region has some unique attractions that you don’t want to miss, like epic hikes, one of a kind parks, and amazing natural wonders.

Be sure to leave some room for these unique activities in your Andalucia itinerary. Here are my favorite activities for families to do during your South Spain road trip.

9. Nerja Caves

If you're looking for an interesting day trip to take with your family during your Andalusia tour, Nerja Caves is a great option. Located near the town of Maro, the Nerja Caves, also known as the Cueva de Nerja, is a network of caverns that were formed over millions of years by the erosion of limestone. These caves are home to some amazing geological features, including stalactites and stalagmites.

Nerja Caves are open every day from 9:30am to 4:30pm every day. A visit to the Nerja Caves will make for an interesting and educational experience for kids, who will love exploring the different chambers and learning about how these caves were formed.

10. Mini Hollywood in Tabernas

Another option for things to do in Andalucia is to visit Oasys: MiniHollywood . This place is a wild west town in Tabernas, Spain that families can visit to step into a Wild West experience. MiniHollywood is located in the province of Almeria in southern Spain, and it's easy to get to by car. 

The attraction was originally built in the 1960s as a set for spaghetti Western films (films about the Wild West that were directed by Italian filmmakers). These films were shot in southern Spain because the landscape and weather resembled that of the American West. 

MiniHollywood was used as a backdrop for many famous spaghetti Westerns including For a Few Dollars More, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly , and A Fistful of Dollars . Parts of Lawrence of Arabia and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade were also filmed at MiniHollywood.

Today, MiniHollywood is an amusement park with shops, restaurants, a cowboy show, a film museum, and a zoo. If you're a fan of Wild West movies (or even if you're not), MiniHollywood is a fun and kitschy place to spend the day with your kids.

11. Zip lining during your Andalucia road trip at Aventura Amazonia

Just outside of the city of Malaga is Aventura Amazonia . It’s located in the town of Marbella and touts itself as the largest adventure park in Andalucia. If your family is into zip lining and climbing, then you’ll need to include this place in your itinerary for southern Spain.

Aventura Amazonia is essentially a ropes course park with zip lines. There are circuits to suit varying levels of difficulty. Kids and adults will both have fun at Aventura Amazonia, as there are circuits that are easy for young kids, and there are more challenging courses for older teens and adults.

Safety is important at Aventura Amazonia, and before every session, participants go through a training and orientation to learn how to clip on and off the course. The park uses a special magnetic clip, so at every point that you’re on a circuit, you will always be clipped onto the line. 

12. El Caminito del Rey

If you're looking for adventurous things to do in Andalusia, consider a visit to El Caminito del Rey , located near the famous white town of Ronda. This one way hike, also known as the "King's Walkway," is a narrow platform walkway that goes along the Guadalhorce River and ends at El Chorro dam.  

The Caminito del Rey was once considered the most dangerous in the world, because of its height (at times as high as 100 meters above the river), the narrowness of the walkway (only one meter wide), and the lack of side rails. In 2015, it was restored and is now safe for visitors. 

The trail is approximately 8 km long, and requires timed entry. You'll need to purchase your tickets ahead of time online. Tickets cost 10 euros per person without a guide, and 18 euros per person with a guide. Children under the age of 8 are not allowed to go on the Caminito del Rey due to safety concerns.

Families looking for adventure definitely need to include this walk on their Andalucia road trip. 

Learn more about the amazing family travel resources we use for worldschooling!

13. Hike in the mountains during your south Spain road trip 

The Andalucia region is a great place for hiking during your south Spain road trip. The Sierra Nevada mountains, the main mountain range in Andalucia, located near Granada, offers plenty of Andalucia hiking opportunities for families. But there are also trails you can access near the cities of Frigliana and Malaga that are also worth doing.

Wikiloc is an excellent resource to use to find trails in the area. It will give you information about the trail such as distance, elevation, type of trail, and level of difficulty. There’s also a map of the trail, so you can see where to start and end. Hiking in Andalucia is a great way to experience the beautiful nature of the area.

Here’s an Andalucia hiking tour you can book from Malaga:

Torcal de Antequera Hiking Tour from Malaga

14. Enjoy some coastal Andalucia hiking

If Andalucia hiking in the mountains is not your thing, you can also try some hikes along the Andalucia beaches and coast. Wikiloc has some fun hikes along the coast that are perfect for families.

Here are a few hikes to try along the Andalucian coast:

• Trails around Cerro Gordo near La Herradura and Almunecar
• Torre Vigía del Cambrón, Fortaleza or Castillo Árabe, and la Bóveda Medieval in Salobreña
• Torre de Calaceite (Torrox Costa), Torre Macaca and La Torrecilla (Nerja)

15. Visit the Andalucia beaches time during your Andalucia road trip

By far, the best reason to take an Andalucia road trip is to enjoy the beautiful Andalucia beaches of the region. Almost every city along the Andalucia coast has amazing beaches to visit. 

As you’re driving through this region of Spain, build in some time during your itinerary for southern Spain to experience things to do in Andalusia on the beach. 

Want to explore more of Spain? Check out my Spain posts .

Recommended days for your Andalucia road trip with kids

To fully enjoy this Andalucia road trip itinerary, it’s best to set aside three to four weeks. That way, you can easily spend at least two days in each of the southern cities in Spain that I highlight here, and a day to enjoy the smaller cities and activities. Or you can do what we did and spend three months!

Many of the places to visit in Andalucia are along the coast. But there are some inland cities and destinations to visit too. Here are two sample itineraries you can use for your Andalucia road trip.

21 day Andalucia road trip

Here is a sample itinerary for a 21 day southern Spain road trip. I recommend expanding this multiple day Andalucia road trip route to a month, so you can spend a few extra days in each of the cities.

Take a look at this 21 day itinerary for southern Spain:

• Malaga (Days 1-2)
• Aventura Amazon (Day 3)
• Caminito del Rey (Day 4)
• Cadiz (Days 5-6)
• Seville (Days 7-8)
• Cordoba (Days 9-10)
• Granada (Days 11-12)
• Hiking in the mountains (Day 13)
• MiniHollywood (Day 14)
• Frigliana (Day 15)
• Almuñécar (Day 16)
• Coastal hikes (Day 17)
• Torre Del Mar (Day 18)
• Nerja Caves (Day 19)
• Beach time (Day 20)
• Malaga (Day 21)

7 day Andalucia road trip

If you’re pressed for time, and can only do a south Spain itinerary 8 days or fewer, I suggest only visiting the major cities in southern Spain. This will help you make the most of your Andalucia road trip. 

Here’s a suggested itinerary for one week in Spain. Plan to spend at least one day in each of the cities.

• Malaga (Day 1)
• Cadiz (Day 2)
• Seville (Day 3)
• Cordoba (Day 4)
• Granada (Days 5-6)
• Malaga (Day 7)

Alternatively, you can localize yourself around Malaga and spend your one week in Spain visiting the city sights and doing day excursions to Caminito del Rey, Granada, Nerja, and Frigliana. Feel free to be creative with your Spain itinerary.

Why you want to do an Andalucia road trip

Road trips are a great way to explore a country. And for families looking for a beautiful and historic region of Spain to road trip through with kids, Andalucia is the perfect place! 

Andalucia is located in the south of Spain, and is home to some of the country's most stunning beaches and mountains. What's more, Andalucia has a rich history that you and your family can explore while on your road trip. As an aside, an alternate spelling of the region is Andalusia, so I’ll use the two spellings interchangeably here in this post.

Some of the cities in Andalucia that families should visit during their Andalucia road trip include Granada, Seville, Malaga, and Cordoba. Each of these cities of southern Spain has something unique to offer visitors. 

Additionally, there is so much nature and activities for families to experience as part of their southern Spain itinerary in Andalucia. It's really the best place for worldschooling families who love learning about culture and history and who enjoy the outdoors.

Need planning help? Check out my 8 steps to planning a family vacation .

Things to know before your south Spain road trip

Before embarking on an Andalucia road trip, get yourself acquainted with tips for getting to Andalucia, and getting around the region as well. Also, be sure to make a budget for your south Spain itinerary, and brush up on your Spanish too. Additionally, get to know the fascinating history of Andalucia.

Here are some useful things to know about Andalucia before you begin your south Spain road trip.

Getting to your Andalucia road trip

For families planning to fly into Andalucia, you’ll want to fly into an Andalucia airport that’s near the places you plan to visit in the area. The main international airports are located in Seville and Malaga. There is also a domestic Andalucia airport in Almeria, as well as in Cordoba, Granada, and Jerez de la Frontera that are convenient to many places to visit in south Spain.

Besides flying into an Andalucia airport, you can also take a ferry into Andalucia or take a train. If traveling to Andalucia from Morocco, you can opt to take a ferry into Cadiz. From inland Spain, you can take a train into cities like Malaga or Cadiz, where you can start your Andalucia road trip.

Renting a car for your road trip Andalucia adventure

If you’re planning on doing a road trip Andalucia experience, you’ll definitely want to get a rental car. This allows you to travel among the cities of southern Spain with relative ease.

You can go with international brands like Hertz or Europcar . Or you can book with smaller local brands. We went with a car rental company called CarGest that was based out of Malaga.

Keep in mind that the Spanish drive on the right side of the road. In order to drive during your Andalucia road trip, you’ll need to be over 21 years old, have a valid driver’s license and an international driver’s permit. Be sure to get your international driver’s permit before you leave your home country for your south Spain itinerary. 

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Budget and costs for visiting cities in southern Spain

Even though Spain uses the euro as their currency, the cost of most things in Spain is relatively affordable to travel in compared to other parts of Europe. While lodging in Spain can range from $60 to $150 per night, food costs are relatively inexpensive. This can be beneficial if you’re trying to keep costs down during your Andalusia roadtrip.

A meal of tostada y cafe , a common Spanish breakfast consisting of Iberian ham on a toasted baguette slice and coffee, can cost as little as 3 euros. Our family of four generally spent between 20-40 euros per meal. This would include a dish and a drink for each of us.

Road trip south Spain packing tips 

When it comes to packing for your Andalucia road trip, you’ll need the basic travel essentials . Whether you’re packing for a week in Spain or five months in Spain, you’ll want to pack things like clothes, shoes, and light sweater or jacket. 

We recommend bringing along your bathing suit if you want to go swimming on the beach or experience a traditional Moroccan hammam bath. And if you’re planning to do some Andalucia hiking, remember to bring good shoes for the outdoors.

If you’re doing your Andalusia tour in the summer, you’ll need to pack warm weather clothes, because it will be hot. For winter travel, bring along plenty of layers because the temperature can fluctuate between cold and balmy.

You’ll also need to get a good bag or backpack for traveling with kids during your Andalusia road trip. If you’re a carry-on only type of traveler, we recommend bags from Cotopaxi, Thule, or Osprey. They're our favorite brands. Click these buttons to buy the same types of bags we own. We absolutely love them!

If you’re looking for a larger capacity bag to check on your flight, we recommend the Osprey Sojourner.

Language considerations for a south Spain road trip

Spain’s main language is Spanish, so be sure to learn some Spanish before your trip to Andalucia. Keep in mind, if you learned your basic Spanish phrases from a Latin American country , you’ll be able to get by, but there may be a few differences in the Spanish that you encounter in Spain. 

For starters, Spanish speakers in Spain use the “ vosotros ” form for “you all”, rather than “ ustedes ”. Additionally, there are words used in Spain that are different from words used in other Spanish-speaking countries: aparcamiento versus estacionamiento ; alquilar versus rentar ; coche versus carro ; boligrafo versus pluma .

To prepare for speaking Spanish during your Andalucia road trip, use the Amazon affiliate links below to buy one of these Spanish language books:

• Living Language Spanish
• Rosetta Stone Learn Spanish
• Learn Spanish for Beginners
• Easy Spanish Step-By-Step
• Spanish for Kids

For absolute newbies to Spanish, my free 25 Essential Spanish Words and Phrases guide is a must. This phrasebook has the basic Spanish words you need to know to get by in any Spanish speaking country.

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History of Andalucia

One of the ways we travel responsibly is by learning about the history of the places we visit. And the Andalucia region in southern Spain certainly has a long and rich history . The area was home to the Phoenicians, Romans, Vikings, Visigoths, and Muslims at some point throughout history. These groups all made their imprint on the culture of the Andalucia region.

The name Andalucia is derived from the Arabic word al-Andalus, which means "the land of the Vandals."  Andalucia was part of the Caliphate of Cordoba, which was a Muslim dynasty that ruled much of the Iberian Peninsula. Its origins tie back to the Umayyad dynasty in Damascus, Syria.

In 1492, Andalucia became part of Christian Spain. The Castille and Leon kingdoms in Northern Spain had merged, and Andalucia later became part of that new kingdom. The conquering of Andalucia was part of the Castilians' campaign of Reconquista, the expansion of Spanish power throughout the Iberian peninsula. The Moors were essentially driven out of southern Spain.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, Andalucia played an important role in Spanish exploration across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas. Seville, and later Cadiz, were important ports for sending ships across the Atlantic to the American continents and receiving goods from those areas. 

Today, Andalucia serves as a popular tourist destination for the Spanish, as well as nationals from other European countries. The area gets sunshine all year round, and has many beautiful beaches to entice visitors.

Making your Andalucia road trip memorable and fun

There are so many things to see and things to do in Andalucia. You will surely have no trouble packing your Andalucia road trip itinerary with activities and seeking out all the best places to visit in Andalucia with your kids.

For our family, even though we spent almost three months in Andalucia, we felt like we barely scratched the surface. There were still so many places we didn’t get to visit, and things we didn’t get to experience.

My advice for families planning an Andalucia road trip is to take your time. This will give you the best opportunity to experience Andalucia to its fullest, and make lasting memories with your family. But even if you only have a week in Spain, you can still enjoy many things in Andalucia.

Have you done an Andalucia road trip with your kids? Where did you go, and what was your favorite part? Share your top south Spain road trip travel tips and your itinerary for southern Spain with us in the comments below!

Are you visiting Andalucia as part of a bigger family travel adventure? Use my ebook,  Hey Kids, Let’s Go Travel!  as a resource for tools, advice, and action steps for planning your trip.

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