From Malaga and Granada to Córdoba and Sevilla, learn the best places and highlights of a road trip in Andalusia, the south of Spain.
The southern part of Spain is mainly a peninsular region. Enriched with history and culture, this locality consists of the provinces such as Huelva, Cadiz, Sevilla, Malaga, Cordoba, Jaen, Granada, and Almeria. These provinces, as a whole, are known as Andalusia. 33,819 square miles in area, the capital of this region is Sevilla. Extremadura and Castile surround them – La Mancha regions in the north, the Murcia region in the east, Portugal in the west, the Mediterranean Sea in the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean in the southwest.
Imagine having a road trip in this region. You are feeling as excited as I am. This might be a perfect plan to escape your busy life schedule. You will need, at best, ten days to travel all over Andalusia. So it would be best to pack your bags, start your engines, and hit the road.
Planning The Road Trip To Andalusia
Any holiday starts with planning. Here, it includes all the necessary pieces of information that you will need for the road trip to Andalusia.
Best Time To Visit Andalusia.
The best possible time to visit Andalusia is twice a year. The first option is you can visit there during April and May. It will be the rainy season at that time. As it is a region beside the sea, you will experience the most amazing rainy times there. But there is also a chance of thunderstorms during that time. And the second option would be late September and October. The specialty of this time is that the sea remains calm, and the weather is also very mild and windy.
How To Get To Andalusia?
Getting to Andalusia is a relatively easy task. You can get there by air, sea or land. If you live outside Spain, note that there are two international airports. One is in Malaga, and the other is in Sevilla.
Renting A Vehicle For The Road Trip
Car renting is the easiest part of the plan. Websites like www.rent-off.com or www.kayak.com are the best ones for you. Both of them offer you to rent vehicles at a very reasonable rate.
Duration Of The Trip.
The best possible duration for the trip is around 14 days. But then again, you can also complete it within ten days. The decision depends on you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The best time to travel to Andalusia is either April/May or September/October.
You can get to Andalusia by sea, air or land.
Websites like www.rent-off.com or www.kayak.com are the best possible options to rent vehicles at a very reasonable rate.
The duration of the road trip depends on your choice. But 14 days is preferable.
Road Trip Itinerary
A 14 days itinerary is perfect for the road trip across Andalusia.
- Ronda and the White Village, three nights.
- Sevilla, three nights.
- Cordoba, one night.
- Granada, three nights.
- Nerja, three nights.
- Malaga, one night.
Day 1: Malaga
Malaga is the port city of Andalusia. It is located at the bay of the Mediterranean Sea. The port in Magalamis one of the leading ones after Barcelona. Among the two airports in Andalusia, one is situated here. Foreign travelers can quickly head start their vacation from here.
Places To Visit In Malaga.
- Alcazaba de Málaga: It is an ancient Moorish castle built in the 11th century and later renovated in the 13th century. The Muslim rulers used to rule from this stronghold hundreds of years ago.
- Catedral de Málaga: This unique structure was built in the 15th century during the Spanish Renaissance. It is considered one of the most significant landmarks in the old town of Malaga.
- Mercado de Atarazanas: Another example of the fantastic Islamic architecture in Malaga is the Mercado de Atarazanas. It is a gateway made in the 14th century in the shape of a horseshoe. The inside market compound was built in the 19th century.
Recommended Restaurants And Cafes.
You don’t have to worry about restaurants and cafés in Malaga. Being a port city, there are numerous restaurants all over it. Some notable ones are Mercado Central de Atarazanas, Uvedoble Taberna, La Galerna, Mia Coffee Shop, etc.
Accommodation Options In Malaga.
There are generally two types of accommodation facilities in Malaga. First are the luxury hotels, and the others are the mid-level ones. The luxury ones are within walking distance from the Old Town. And the mid-level ones are scattered all over the place.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The top attractions in Malaga are the old Islamic architecture located all over the city. Some of which are already mentioned above.
Some notable restaurants are Mercado Central de Atarazanas, Uvedoble Taberna, La Galerna, Mia Coffee Shop etc.
Either you can stay at a luxury hotel or a mid range one. The luxury ones are near the old town, and the mid-range ones are scattered around the city.
Day 2-3: Granada
This city is situated on the northwestern bank of the Genil river. It is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Spain. It is enriched with ancient architectural monuments. Among these, the most notable is the tomb of the Spanish catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella.
Alhambra Is A Must-Visit Place In Granada.
Alhambra was the highland of Granada that overlooked the whole city during Islamic rule. Built-in the 13th and 14th centuries, it was the stronghold of the Moorish leaders. The interior of the castle was well-designed and decorated. It was the highlight of the Moorish kingdom in Granada.
Recommended Restaurants And Cafes.
Granada is one of the best places to get tapas and drinks in Spain, also you can get some for free. Here are some picks of those kinds of restaurants, such as Bodegas Castañeda, La Vinoteca, Restaurante La Auténtica Carmela, etc.
Accommodation Options In Granada.
Because Granada is a frequently visited city by tourists, the accommodation facilities are top-class. Hotels like Shine Alcaiceria, Eurostars Catedral, and Catalonia Granada are located in this city.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are many must-visit attractions in Granada. For example, the Alhambra, Albaicín and Mirador of San Nicolas, Capilla Real de Granada etc.
The Alhambra is considered the prolific benchmark of Islamic architecture. It was built between the 13th to 15th centuries on the hilltop of Sierra Nevada. It is enlisted as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Granada.
Restaurants like Bodegas Castañeda, La Vinoteca, Restaurante La Auténtica Carmela etc., are considered the finest ones in Granada.
Hotels in Granada are considered to be the finest of all. You can blindly check in to any one of the following such as Shine Alcaiceria, Eurostars Catedral, Catalonia Granada etc.
Day 4-5: Cordoba
Cordoba is situated at the foot of the Morena Mountains, and towards its right is the bank of river Guadalquivir. It was dominated by Muslims from 711 AD. Under their rule, the city flourished until the civil war of the 11th century. Since then, it was captured and ruled by Ferdinand III, the Christian monarch of Spain.
Mezquita Is The Centre Of Attraction
Cordoba was a city dominated by Muslims before the reign of the Castilian King Ferdinand III. The tribal rivals of the Muslims hampered its development. But under Abd al-Rahman, I resolved this issue and made Cordoba the capital of his kingdom. For this reason, Cordoba is considered the center of Muslim heritage attractions.
Among these attractions, the most prominent is the Mezquita, the Great Mosque of Cordoba. Abd al-Rahman I laid its foundation, but his successor Abu Amir al-Mansur executed the expansion and completion. The Mosque compound was built upon a Visigothic church. After the reign of the Christian monarch Ferdinand III, this great Mosque was again converted into a cathedral. If you visit this great monument, you will find Muslim and Christian heritage.
Recommended Restaurants And Cafes
Cordoba is where you can get many local dishes made under the influence of the Moorish. Taberna La Cuarta, Regadera, La Fuente 12 etc., are some restaurants where you can get it.
Accommodation Options In Cordoba
Patio del Posadero, Balcón de Córdoba, Las Casas de la Judería, etc., are the choices of hotels for your accommodation in Cordoba. These are the best hotels you may get here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The top attraction in Cordoba is the Great Mosque known as Mezquita.
The Mezquita is an excellent Mosque built during the Muslim rule in Cordoba. The foundation of it was built upon a Visigothic church.
Taberna La Cuarta, Regadera, La Fuente 12 etc.
Patio del Posadero, Balcón de Córdoba, Las Casas de la Judería etc.
Day 5-6: Sevilla
Sevilla is the capital of Andalusia. It is located east of the Guadalquivir river bank, north of the Atlantic Ocean, and southwest of Madrid.
Top Attractions in Sevilla
Among the top attractions in Sevilla, the Alcazar fortress is a must-visit place. It was the palace for the Abbadid Muslim rulers. Later, Castilian Christians converted it to the royal fortress for King Peter of Castile.
Recommended Restaurants And Cafes
La Cochera del Abuelo, Antigua Abacería de San Lorenzo, Vermutería Yo Soy Tu Padre, etc., are some of the finest restaurants in Sevilla.
Accommodation Options In Sevilla
Sevilla is filled with many accommodation facilities. International chain hotels like Hilton Hotels are also located in Sevilla.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You can add Ronda and the White Villages to your Andalusia road trip itinerary. It is also one of the prominent places to visit.
Yes, it is very much safe. You can travel there any time you like
The best way to travel between the cities is by road trip. Through this, you can experience a clear view of the picturesque landscape.
Conclusion
Andalusia is enriched with the Spanish Renaissance’s Islamic and Christian heritage, located in the southern part of the country. A road trip of about ten days is more than enough to visit this area.
You will get to see the most beautiful sculptures and monuments all over here. Moreover, you will taste some best local foods specially made from the influence of the Moorish Islamic rule.
So pack your bags, get into the car and hit the road immediately.
Related Read: 5 Day Road Trip Itinerary from Barcelona, Spain
Author Bio.
Hello! I am Evan Smith, owner and content editor of Travellye.com. I am a travel enthusiast, and here is why I share my knowledge and appreciation towards travel blogs. I will give you the best information about travelling. So stay tuned with me as I take an adventurous ride into travel.
