Andalucia is one of the most beautiful regions in Spain.
To the south of the Iberian peninsula, strolling through cobblestone streets where Islam and Christianity alternated for centuries resulting in a beautiful fusion that impresses at every corner; in which each town brings you an amazing myriad of palaces, churches, mosques converted into churches, towers and monuments; that's where we spent a few days, absorbing art and history and eating lots of tapas washed down with white wine (and fresh orange juice for the kids).
we were on a road trip through Spain and Portugal – very hot indeed – (I haven't posted about it yet, but this XNUMX days Spain and Portugal itinerary was pretty similar to ours, excluding Barcelona and Madrid).
I had already fallen in love with the south of Spain back in the 90s, when I was there backpacking on a very limited budget, which, in addition to beautiful photos on paper, left me wanting more. For me, the decision was more than obvious: take my husband and daughters for an immersion in history, art and flavors in Andalucia.
It was a really quick road trip, only ten days long, we could have stayed much longer - at the end of this post, as I always do, I put my suggestions of what to do if you have a few days more or less to explore this region.
As we didn't have all the time that Andalucia deserves, we had to make choices, and and we selected just the best.. Check out our complete Andalucia itinerary here, with all the tips you need to make the most of your trip to southern Spain.
All our posts about Spain, to inspire and help you on your trip:
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1st and 2nd day – Ronda
How to get to Ronda
We were finishing our road trip through Portugal in the Algarve. As I couldn't find a rental company that allowed us to could pick up the car in one country and return it in another, we had to return our rented Portuguese car in Portugal - we returned it in Faro, about 45 miles west of the Spanish border.
In Faro we caught a bus to Seville. There is no border control, the driver barely looked at our passports before boarding and that was it, in 2 and a half hours we were at the bus station in Seville. From there, we took a taxi to the airport, where we picked up our rental car and left for Ronda.
From Seville to Ronda it's about 130 miles , easily covered in 1h45 by car.
Two days later, we left Ronda for Granada, which is 180 km east and took us a little more than 2 hours by car.
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What to do in Ronda
Ronda, one of the “white towns” (pueblos blancos) of Andalucia, is one of the most incredible towns in Spain for its geographical location. It is on the edge of the cliffs of the canyon of the Guadalevín river, which runs through the town.
This post details everything we did in Ronda. In addition to the beautiful Puente Nueva ("New Bridge"), , which crosses the gorge connecting the two sides of the town, there are several viewpoints along both the upper part of the canyon and the lower part. I found it so nice to walk along the streets that follow the edges of the canyon, stopping strategically for photos, coffees and ice cream. This symbiotic integration between city and canyon is incredible and that alone would be enough to justify a trip there.
Not to mention the restaurants and cafés—one of the best things about visiting small towns in Europe is enjoying the local cuisine. In my experience, the food tends to be tastier, and the prices are usually lower.
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Where to stay in Ronda
If you like charming hotels, one of the best options in town is the Catalonia Ronda – check this post in which I share where we stayed and other accommodations options that I loved, or this one, where I talk about why I chose Ronda as one of the 5 small towns you need to visit in Europe.
Check availability and rates here:
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3rd and 4th day – Granada
How to get to Granada
From Ronda, we drove to Granada, it's 180 km in about two hours by car.
Driving in Spain is easy, the roads are great, driving on the right lane (as in the USA and other countries in continental Europe), the signs in Spanish are easy to understand, it is super easy.
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What to do in Granada
The world famous Alhambra, one of (if not the most) most visited tourist attraction in Spain, is located in Granada.
No matter how many photos or videos you've seen of the Alhambra, you will still be awestruck when you step into its gardens and palaces. In fact, the more images and videos you've encountered, the more emotional it will be when you finally experience it in person.
The Alhambra complex includes several buildings, towers, walls, gardens, and even a mosque. However, it’s the intricate stone carvings, delicate filigree work, magnificent tiled ceilings, graceful arches, and serene courtyards of the Nasrid Palaces that will leave you speechless.
Granada is such a beautiful and unique city that I dedicated an entire post to it, detailing everything you can do in two days. Be sure to check it out!
In practice, we spent only a day and a half in Granada. We arrived after lunch and, after a visit to the Alhambra ticket offices (I share the full story in my post about Granada), we explored the city. The next day was dedicated to fully experiencing the Alhambra, and the following day, we headed to Córdoba.
We could have easily spent at least one more full day in Granada to better enjoy the city and take the time to explore at a more relaxed pace.
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Alhambra tickets
The Alhambra is divided into two main sections: Generalife Gardens and the Nasrid Palaces..
You can choose to visit just the Gardens, or both the Gardens and the Palaces. I highly recommend seeing both. It is essential to purchase tickets in advance, and I suggest doing so through the official website, where you'll find all the necessary information about prices, schedules, and accessibility. If you're unable to secure tickets, consider trying through tours like this one or this one (at first) without queues, which often offer skip-the-line options.
For more details on purchasing tickets to the Alhambra, check out our post on what to do in Granada.
Entrance to the Nasrid Palaces is by timed entry (this was the case even before the pandemic), and the schedule is strictly enforced—doors won’t open a minute early, and I believe late entry isn’t allowed.
No matter how you choose to visit the Alhambra, I recommend getting the audio guide (available in a wide range of languages). It’s excellent and provides insights not just into the Alhambra but also into the region's entire history.
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Where to stay in Granada
On this trip, we opted to stay in an apartment – with the kids already grown up, it's always good to have more space, so in recent trips I always try to prioritize apartments (we usually rent throught Airbnb). We stayed in an Airbnb in Barrio del Realejo, an excellent location.
If you prefer staying at a hotel, there is no shortage of options in Granada. My top picks would be Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol, a charming small hotel in a historic house with spectacular views of the town, or Casa Morisca Hotel, also set in a historic building (am I the only one who loves hotels in historic houses?). For a more budget-friendly option, consider Hotel Parraga Siete, which is centrally located near several bars and restaurants, or Porcel Navas, also in the same area.
To find out more, check out this post where I share everything we did on our visit to Granada.
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5th and 6th day – Córdoba
How to get to Cordoba
We left Granada early and headed towards Córdoba, a journey of about 200km which took just over two hours. As I mentioned before, the roads in the region are excellent, mostly dual carriageway, with very light traffic.
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What to do in Córdoba
Córdoba has two main attractions that you shouldn’t miss under any circumstances (and which likely motivated you to include this town in your itinerary): the Mosque-Cathedral and the Alcazar of the Christian Kings.
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Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral
The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba is one of the most striking examples of Islamic architecture, and you’ve probably seen photos of its distinctive interior, where columns connected by red and white arches seem to stretch endlessly. The arches are stunning, but the Mosque is so much more than that.
Its origins date back to a VI century church, which was transformed into a mosque in 786 and subsequently expanded and altered over the centuries. It was revolutionary for its time, as it abandoned the vertical emphasis typical of Islamic religious buildings, opting instead for a horizontal layout.
In 1236 it was converted into a Christian church, with several structures added inside, including a central nave, choir, dome, and tower. Despite these changes, it remains one of the greatest icons of Islamic architecture and art in Europe.
The visit to the Mosque-Cathedral is truly impressive. Entering through the Patio de los Naranjos, you step into a dimly lit mosque with a relatively low ceiling. Then, suddenly, you find yourself inside an immense cathedral, complete with all the architectural features typical of Gothic and Renaissance cathedrals from the same period.
I recommend picking up the information leaflet and audio guide (available in a wide range of languages and in kids version) at the entrance. These are essential for understanding the different parts of the Mosque, its history, features, and purposes, making your visit much more enjoyable and enriching.
In fact, I suggest gathering as much information as possible about any place you visit, especially about its history and the people involved. This not only enhances your experience but also allows you to leave with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world. If you enjoy guided tours, here are some options.
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Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos
A must-visit attraction in Córdoba is the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos. This fortress, built in the 13th-14th centuries, was the meeting place of Christian monarchs Isabel and Fernando, where they commissioned Christopher Columbus. Be sure to explore the palace gardens while you're there. Nearby, you’ll also find the Baños del Alcázar Califal, which are well worth a visit.
The Judería neighborhood (Jewish quarter), adjacent to the mosque, is a charming labyrinth of narrow streets and small squares. Its whitewashed buildings with yellow-framed windows, wrought-iron doors, and tree-lined courtyards make it a delightful place to wander. Although it’s popular with tourists and has a plethora of souvenir shops, it’s a great spot to stop for a drink or dinner.
By the way, speaking of tree-lined courtyards (and especially if you are visiting Cordoba in the summer, as we did), take some time to relax in the shaded courtyards, as they offer a refreshing escape from the intense heat - oh boy, Cordoba can be really hot in summer!. It's also worth visiting the Palacio de Viana, Association of Friends of the Patios Cordobeses and the Courtyards of San Basilio.
Also close to the Mezquita, it is worth walking along Puente Romano (Roman Bridge) and if you are a fan of flamenco, don't miss the Centro Flamenco Fosforito.
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Where to stay in Córdoba
As we did in the other stops in this trip, in Córdoba we also stayed in an Airbnb. A two bedroom apartment, very well located and super comfortable – the best apartment of this trip (the one in Ronda was also great, but this one was more spacious).
If you belong to the hotel team, Granada offers several great options.. I recommend the Hotel Patio del Posadero, a charming 15 th-century house with a lovely courtyard, or the more modern Hesperia Cordoba. For a more budget-friendly option, check out Cordoba Carpe Diem.
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7th to 9th day – Seville
How to get to Seville
From Córdoba to Seville it is about 140km, which we did easily in 1 and a half hours. Arriving in Seville, we returned our rental car at the airport and took a taxi to the Airbnb, which was centrally located.
Seville is the capital of the Andalucia region, the largest of the towns we visited It was the last stop of our trip precisely because it has the largest airport in the region, resulting in a better (and cheaper) flight back home - we flew Air Europa, connecting in Madrid.
We picked up and returned the rental car in Seville, so we didn't have to pay any extra fee - those exorbitant fees that rental companies charge when you pick up car in one place and return it in another – it was a relief, as these fees tend to be quite high (in Portugal, we had to pay, as we picked up the car in Lisbon and returned it in Faro).
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What to do in Seville
We stayed in Seville for 3 days (2 full days and 2 half days), it was enough to see the main attractions of town. Considering that we only had 10 days (in total) for travelling in Southern Spain, it was a good amount of time to stay there; if there were no time restrictions, the town has a lot to offer and there would be no shortage of things to do there for a few more days.
You can easily explore the city on foot, despite it being the largest of all the cities we visited.
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Giralda Cathedral and Tower
The Cathedral and Giralda tower are one of the main attractions. Even if you are not Catholic, or not so connected in any religious or spiritual matters, Seville Cathedral will still be inspiring. If you, then, are one of those – like me – fans of history and architecture, you will be dazzled by the building and everything that surrounds it.
Built between 1434 and 1517 on the remains of an ancient mosque, it is considered (depending on the source) the largest gothic cathedral in the world.
It’s worth climbing to the top of the tower – the Giraldawhich was adapted from the minaret of the mosque on which the cathedral was built. Views of town are amazing, as so the size of the iron bells up there.
Inside the Cathedral, you cannot miss the monumental tomb of Christopher Columbus, nor the Capilla Mayor and its stunning altar. In short: whatever your faith, or lack thereof, a visit to the Cathedral is a must.
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Royal Alcazar of Seville
Another must-see in Seville is the Real Alcazar. After visiting the Alhambra in Granada and the Alcazar dos Reyes Cristianos in Cordoba, I confess that I thought “oh no, another Christian-Islamic fortress-palace to visit”. Well, you may also think that it will be more of the same, but I tell you: leave your laziness aside and go, because you will be surprised by the Real Alcazar. The place is amazing. Game of Thrones fans will recognize quite a few movie sets, so you can imagine the quality of what awaits for you inside the walls of the Alcazar.
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Seville Aquarium
As we were traveling with children, we couldn't miss a visit to Seville Aquarium. "Oh no, another aquarium?!" you might think, just like I thought. I confess that I was a little lazy to go... But it's worth. The aquarium is really cool and I'll tell you why.
Did you know that it was from Seville that Ferdinand Magellan's expedition departed, the one that made the first circumnavigation of the planet? (I didn't know that). The aquarium recreates this historic navigation, displaying the various maritime environments that the fleet encountered along the way and all the challenges of this feat. I simply loved it. Here is the link to the official website of aquarium.
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Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de España
Close to the Aquarium is Parque de Maria Luisa, which is very pleasant to walk around, and Plaza de España , one of the town's postcards and always pleasant to walk around and enjoy some of the street artists that perform there.
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Metropol Parasol – The arrows
In Seville, sooner or later, you will come across the Metropolis Parasol, also called ”Las Setas" or "Mushrooms“, a wooden structure designed by German architect Jürgen Mayer-Hermann and completed in 2011, at Plaza de la Encarnación. The upper part of the structure is perfect (although probably full of people) for a stroll while enjoying the sunset.
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Seville Museums
The city has so much to offer, whether you have 3 days in Seville or a week, wheter you visit Seville with kids or not, you'll have plenty to do and discover.
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Where to stay in Seville
In Seville, we booked an apartment through Booking.com with Zentral Suites & Apartments. Specifically, we stayed in a two-bedroom apartment at Morgado 5. The listing also includes other apartments in various locations and sizes. The location was convenient, the beds were very comfortable, and having two bathrooms was a definite advantage. However, despite these positives, this was my least favorite accommodation of the trip. Even so, it still offers good value.
If you prefer staying in a hotel, I recommend Las Casas de El Arenal and Casa Romana Hotel Boutique. Both offer excellent value for money.
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10th day – Return home
On our last day in Seville, we made the most of the morning by enjoying a delicious coffee, strolling through the central area, having a quick lunch, and then heading to the airport for our flight home.
We flew with Air Europa, with a connection in Madrid. The journey was smooth and peaceful. While Seville airport is relatively small and can be quite busy, our flight departed on time..
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Detailed itinerary of our ten day trip through Andalucia
You can find a detailed map of our trip on Google MyMaps. Just click and save it to your Google account to reference when planning your next trip to Spain 😉
The map includes details of everything we did, where we stayed, and the places we visited, with different colored layers for each area. The blue line shows the route we drove.
Discover: how to create a map for your trip; When I say that my trips changed levels after I started using them, it's not an exaggeration!
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What would I change in the itinerary
If we had more time...
I would have loved to have had a few more days (maybe weeks?) to wander around and get to know southern Spain better. Malaga, Cadiz, Sierra Nevada, Baeza, Úbeda and the list goes on. One little city is more beautiful than the other, you can spend months there, whatever the time of year.
If we had one more day, it would be dedicated to Granada. With two extra days, I would split the time between Córdoba and a brief stop in Málaga, especially if you enjoy scenic drives and don't mind a quick visit to each place.
With three more days on the itinerary, one of them dedicated to Granada and the other two would be or Sierra Nevada (if it were winter) or in Malaga or Costa do Sol (remainder of the year).
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If we had less time...
It’s tough to cut beloved places from the itinerary. With less time, I would have had to skip the charming city of Ronda for another trip.
Could we have fit everything into one week? Yes, it’s possible. However, I don’t recommend it. Rushing through so many culturally rich, historically significant, and gastronomically delightful places would likely leave you feeling stressed and frustrated. If your time is limited, carefully review what we did, consult other sources, and make thoughtful choices to ensure a more enjoyable experience.
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