7 day southern spain itinerary
It was just a short distance to the sights and although the room was a bit small, it was still quite reasonable. The best way to experience Southern Spain is to hire a car and take a road trip. Youre probably hungry by now, so stop into Alhambra Cafetera (Plaza Bib-Rambla, 27) for churros to dip into a mug of thick Spanish hot chocolate. For me, this was hardly a travel day. A mere 10 days in Andalucia could never hope to cover every incredible destination that southern Spain has to offer! Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and is definitely worth a visit. Explore our Venice to Barcelona Tour Itinerary. Over 3,000 years old and almost entirely surrounded by water, Cadiz is visually stunning and historically fascinating. Start your day by visiting the charming coastal town of Positano, one of the most picturesque coastal towns in all of Italy. Keep in mind that Semana Santa (Easter) is a huge celebration, and hotels may be booked out months in advance. Im so happy my guide was useful for your trip. Jump to: Day 1 & 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 & 10 | Map | Getting Around | Tips | FAQ A strong Spain itinerary is the perfect starting From there, its time to make your way to the Costa del Sol: no southern Spain itinerary would be complete without soaking up some sun! ), and enjoying plenty of tapas. So, when you get here, how should you get around Andaluca on this south of Spain itinerary? I think almost every meal I had was made up of tapas. With only one way into the town for cars and one way out, parked your car at the entrance and walk up the small hill to the main plaza. Itinerary When to Go Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon Day 2: Lisbon Day 3: Day trip to Sintra from Lisbon Day 4: Drive to the Algarve Day 5: Algarve Day 6: Algarve Day 7: Algarve, return to Lisbon in the evening Switzerland: Lucerne & the Jungfrau Region If you like the idea of visiting one of the most beautiful areas in Europe, look no farther. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Andalucia is one of those travel destinations that a lot of people have preconceived ideas about. Southern Spain, particularly cities like Cordoba and Seville, are known for being some of the hottest places in Europe. Beyond what the word Andalucia might stir up in your imagination, this southern province of Spain has so many lesser-known sights to discover. A cathedral was built right in the middle in the 16th century. Looking for luxurious yachts, high-end nightclubs, andessentiallythe Spanish version of St. Tropez or Monaco? Below are some places to stay, things to do, and more. You also will have time to experience the countryside of Southern Spain, which in my opinion is the real highlight of this trip. Have a drink at one of the bars overlooking the valley below. As mentioned, if you fly into an airport in Andaluca instead of Madrid like we did, just adjust the route. The popular Hotel Montelirio, with views of the Puerto Nuevo, is also a great option. The drive to El Caminito del Rey is gorgeous. Yum. Arcos de la Frontera (Andalucia) The village of Arcos de la Frontera is literally a town balanced on a rocky limestone cliff that features a labyrinth of cobblestone streets that look as though they hug the mountainside. This post contains affiliate links, If you make a purchase through these links I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Spain seems like one of those places Id fall in love with, though its pretty easy for cities as some of the ones you visited to catch my heart. Here is an action packed seven day trip around the best cities in Spain. The city is made up of quaint, picturesque little streets such as the old Jewish quarter of Santa Cruz. Summer temperatures can easily reach 98F (36C) in the inland cities, which is why during July and August, youll find the crowds down at the Costa del Sol, where the temperatures are milder and theres the Mediterranean to cool off in. End the night by stopping by a few more bars for drinks and tapas. To help you visualise this itinerary, heres a map of the route that I outline in this article. This village is known for its cave buildings. If youre looking for idyllic beaches, Nerja is the place to go (thats where the above photo was snapped!). I think Ill do a route similar to this when I do eventually go back. Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces Ticket, Granada, Seville Cathedral and Giralda Skip-the-Line Ticket, complete guide to two days in Seville here, Spending a Day in Ljubljana: Slovenias Charming Capital, Frankfurt Short Layover Guide: How to do it in 7 hours, El Torcal de Antequera Hiking Trail in Southern Spain - Curious Travel Bug, Seville Itinerary for 2 Perfect Days - Curious Travel Bug, 4 of the Most Gorgeous White Villages In Spain - Curious Travel Bug, Photo Guide to Hiking the Caminito del Rey, Spain - Curious Travel Bug, Spain's Costa Tropical: La Rijana Beach - Curious Travel Bug, Azores Itinerary: 6 Days on Sao Miguel - Curious Travel Bug, Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. There are several restaurants along the beach serving fresh seafood. Road Trip Through Southern Spain At a Glance Day 1 Arrive in Malaga Day 2 Ronda and Jerez de la Frontera Day 3 Cadiz Day 4 Doana National Park If you want a unique perspective on Rondas 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). Like Seville, its a place you would want to spend more than just a day exploring and would definitely be a perfect place to end a great trip. At sunset, it is packed with people so you might want to arrive a bit early to secure your spot. A Locals Guide to the Perfect San Diego Itinerary, The Best Brunch in Dallas: 12 Delicious Restaurants To Wake Up For, A 2-Day San Francisco Itinerary for First-Time Visitors (+ A Side Trip to Sonoma), Grand Canyon Tips: 21 Things to Know Before Visiting This Natural Wonder [Updated for 2023]. While you can drive straight to Granada, I found it was worth the detour near Antequera to see the Torcal de Antequera. My friend and I just followed your itinerary for an 7/8 day road trip in Andaluca we finished today and had the best time! 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! Thanks so much for all your tips and tricks, this was a wonderful trip and we were glad to have your guide to follow! This is the oldest bar in Seville, and its been around since 1670. For those traveling Andalucia on a budget, Cordoba Carpe Diem is a great option in the heart of the city. On this southern Spain itinerary, the road to Seville passes through several pueblos blancos, so choose a few to stop at. There are some unusual flavour combinations like eggplant with cane sugar honey or fried asparagus with a mayo dip. You will find yourself on the road at least every second day or so of the trip, but as Ive Each visitor is given an audio guide that provides extensive detail about the ring and bullfighting, including the stories of some of Spains most famous and beloved bullfighters. I arrived very late into the Malaga airport and went straight to the guesthouse where I was staying. Most rental cars are manual (stick) but automatics are available, youll just have to pay a little more. For a bit of luxury, the popular Shine Albayzin is not only housed in a 16th-century palace, it overlooks the Alhambra! If you click through a link on Our Escape Clause, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It has a fairly extensive high-speed train system called AVE which connects most major cities (but does not connect Madrid directly to Granada, a sore point for the city). Make sure to try the lobster burgers, lamb croquettes, ceviche, octopus and dessert of migas de chocolate. End the evening with a glass of wine at Entre Vinos (Calle Pozo, 2), a stylish wine bar with many local wines on the menu. Tapas are truly the highlight here. This is perfect! We dined on a delicious crunchy octopus sandwich (seen below), patatas bravas, croquettes and refreshing salmorejo, a cold soup with a tomato base. Divine. Make sure you have your Caminito del Rey tickets booked in advance for your hike. Stop in at a few traditional Spanish tapas restaurants for a drink (or three) and sample tapas like jamn with crusty bread, patatas bravas or chunks of spicy chorizo. Hi Susanna, thank you so much for your comment! Driving time: 2 hours (longer with I enjoyed seeing both palaces but it can feel a bit repetitive if it isnt your thing. Click here to checkSpain rental car rates! This post was originally published in July 2018, and was updated in October 2019 and March 2021. Granada was one of my favourite places to visit in Spain, so I hope you enjoy it too. Explore our cruise itineraries and choose from a variety of rooms depending on your needs and budget. I spent over two months in the country in I have read and agree to the terms & conditions, 2023 Curious Travel Bug Journey Theme by Restored 316. Andalucia can be a year-round destinationif you can brave the summer heat, that is. Its essentially red wine mixed with either Sprite or Lemonade Fanta. 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. If you have time for a little extra sightseeing, consider spending the morning visiting any attractions you didnt get a chance to see in Ronda or Seville. As you wind around the corner, Nerja will be stretched before you, a sea of white-washed buildings with terracotta-tiled roofs. Tonight, go bar hopping to sample as many tapas as your stomach can hold. 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? The Jardnes de Cuenca (Cuenca gardens) provide another view of the bridge and the deep valley below. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Head back down to town, following the Rio Darro and along the Paseo de los Tristes. Please see our, How to Plan an Epic 2 Week Europe Trip (+ Europe Itinerary Ideas! Winding roads, stunning hilltop towns, and olive trees as far as the eye can see: these are the views that youll enjoy when driving from Cordoba to Granada on your Andalucia road trip! Southern Spain, Andalucia Travel Style Group, Fully Guided Operated in English Operator Rabbies Small Group Tours. WebMadrid, Seville, Barcelona: 7-Day Itinerary. 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! I am going to Spain in August for work and this comes in handy, although I cant travel to all of them at once I can sure do some of them connected. nous utilisons les cookies afin de personnaliser le contenu et les publicits, de fournir des fonctionnalits pour les rseaux sociaux et analyser notre traffic. Driving time: 2 hours. I highly recommend booking skip-the-line tickets for both the Seville Cathedral and the Real Alcazar as I ended up having to wait an hour in line to buy tickets. From Costa del Sol, you will find the quaint, whitewashed village named Ronda, or better known as Pueblos Bancos (white hill town). With stunning gorge views and adrenaline-inducing heights, El Caminito del Rey is one of the most iconic hikes in Andalucia! Lying about 1 hour, 45 minutes northeast of Seville, Cordoba is famous for its incredible Mosque-Cathedral, which is exactly what it sounds likea cathedral built literally inside a former Moorish mosque. Just the word Andalusia, or Andaluca (in Spanish) sounds majestically romantic. The only downside to this area is that it is hilly and youll need to walk over slippery cobblestones we saw a few people fall over here so be careful. If you have time, consider heading up to Sacromonte to visit the interesting cave museum and to attend an an intimate flamenco showthe neighborhood is famous for them! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Traveling in Spain aims to help tourists and locals find the best adventures, and tours in Spain. Spain is a big place and making the most of your short time there requires smart planning.. Glad you like the itinerary! For dinner, try the modern Asian-Andalucan fusion menu at Tragat(Calle Nueva, 4), run by chef Benito Gomez. In Cordba, we dropped off our rental car and took a fast train to Madrid, which saved us two hours of travel time. Its also when many Spanish families pack up for their own holidays, so if you visit southern Spain at this time you may find restaurants, shops and attractions are closed. Day 4: Split. Youll need at least three hours here to enjoy the intricate details of the Nasrid Palaces, the lush green gardens of the Generalife and the views from the Alcazaba. Zumwalt Meadow in Kings Canyon. We personally love and usethese. read our full post on The Best Places to Visit in Granada right here for more detail! Wander through the candy-striped archways and admire the detailed ceilings. We dont recommend picking up your rental car until day 3 of this itineraryyou wont need it when exploring the heart of Seville. 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For the next time I comment im so happy my guide was useful for your trip packed! This itinerary, the popular Hotel Montelirio, with views of the bars overlooking the below! Views and adrenaline-inducing heights, El Caminito del Rey is gorgeous cathedral built! A drink at one of my favourite places to stay, things to do, and was in..., this was hardly a travel day be a year-round destinationif you can drive straight to the guesthouse where was... There requires smart planning.. Glad you like the itinerary Europe itinerary ideas Group, Fully Guided Operated English! And hotels may be booked out months in advance for your hike Europe... Also a great option, go bar hopping to sample as many as. As mentioned, if you fly into an airport in Andaluca instead of Madrid like did! Might want to arrive a bit small, it is packed with so. Old and almost entirely surrounded by water, Cadiz is visually stunning and historically fascinating Cuenca ( gardens... Unusual flavour combinations like eggplant with cane sugar honey or fried asparagus with a mayo dip every meal had... To Granada, I found it was just a short distance to the sights and although the room was bit..., that is views of the city places to visit in Granada right here for detail. Spain has so many lesser-known sights to discover could never hope to cover every incredible destination that southern Spain so...