Andalusia Itinerary: 8 incredible days in the South of Spain - sara far away (2024)

Andalusia boasts over 1.000 km of coastline with golden beaches, sand dunes, and dramatic cliffs. The inland is a mix of spectacular mountain ranges, Europe’s only desert, ancient forests, and rolling hills, dotted with olive orchards, citrus groves, and whitewashed villages.

The culture in Andalusia is influenced by its Moorish past, whose remnants can be found until today. In addition, the region is also the home of flamenco. And let’s not forget about the food! Andalusian food features traditional tapas, fresh seafood, Gazpacho, and of course the world-famous Sherry wine.

Distance: 135 km

Once you’ve arrived in Malaga and picked up your rental car, hit the road and head straight to Granada.

The town is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, a mountain range containing the highest peak of the Iberian peninsula, Mulhacén. The highlight of any trip to Granada is without a doubt the Alhambra, a Moorish fortress and one of the most famous buildings in Spain.

But there’s also a lot to see and do in Granada besides the Alhambra. I would recommend saving the Alhambra for the morning and spending the rest of your day wandering around Granada’s old town, visiting the beautiful cathedral or Granada’s oldest quarter, the former Arabic quarter of Albiacín.

Another great thing about Granada are the free tapas you get with every drink you order. So once you get hungry, just pick one of the many tapas bars and restaurants in the old town. Some of the best places for (free) tapas in Granada include:

• Los Diamantes, one of Granada’s most popular Tapas bars.
• Bodegas Castañeda, another one of Granada’s classics.
• Bar Casa Julio,known for some of the best seafood tapas in town.
• Los Manueles,well known for their croquetas and open since 1917.

Distance:135 km

If you didn’t visit the Alhambra the night before, now is the perfect time for it. The Alhambra is an ancient palace and fortress located on a hill west of Granada. It got its name from the reddish walls and towers surrounding it: al-qal’a al-hamra, meaning red for or castle in Arabic.

Exploring the Alhambra will most likely take you between 3 to 4 hours. The whole complex consists of different parts, including fortresses, splendid palaces, and lush flower gardens. You can buy the ticket and time slot for the Nasrid Palaceshere.

We picked an early slot for the Nasrid Palaces and went there first so that we could explore the rest of the Alhambra without checking the time.

Once you’ve seen it all, it’s time to leave Granada and head to Ronda, one of Spain’s oldest towns. It sits on top of dramatic cliffs and is split in half by the over 100-meter-deep El Tajo gorge.

The highlight of Ronda is the stunning Puente Nuevo (the New Bridge), which was completed in 1793 after roughly 40 years of construction. It connects Ronda’s newer part with the old Moorish quarter “La Ciudad” and was built in addition to two other bridges Puente Viejo and Puente Romano.

Distance:140 km

The white towns (Pueblos Blancos) are a group of picturesque, whitewashed towns in Andalucia. There are different itineraries covering different white towns, but for this Andalucia road trip, I’d recommend visiting the following three villages on the way to today’s final destination, Jerez de la Frontera.

Located on a hill, overlooking green hills, fields, and olive groves, Olvera is one of the prettiest Pueblos Blancos in Andalusia. Despite this, Olvera isn’t a popular tourist destination, making it a great spot to escape the crowds.

The most iconic landmarks of Olvera are the Arab Castle and the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, throning side by side at the top of the town. Head up to the church and the castle for amazing views over Olvera and the surrounding hills.

Spend some more time exploring Jerez de la Frontera before heading to the coast. You can learn more about Sherry while touring one of the many bodegas or visiting a Tabanco, Jerez’s local bars specializing in sherry and wine. Or you could visit a show at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Artif you’re in Jerez on a Thursday.

Once you’ve seen it all in Jerez head towards the coast to Cadiz. On the way, you can take a little detour to Rota. The ancient town is located on the Atlantic coast, close to the two national parks Natural Park of the Bay of Cádiz and the Doñana.

After a stop at the beach, continue to Cadiz. Cadiz is one of the oldest cities in Western Europe and used to be one of Europe’s most important ports for trading with America.

The city was built on a peninsula and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. The Moorish old town of Cadiz is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets, colourful houses, and small squares, where you can easily wander around and get lost for hours.

We stayed atHotel Las Cortes de Cadizin the old town. This beautiful hotel’s highlight is undoubtedly the rooftop terrace with a perfect view of the golden roof of the Cadiz Cathedral. The hotel is located a short 5-minute walk from Plaza San Antonio, where you can drop your car off atInterparking San Antonio.

For the best coffee in Cadiz, head toTop Coffee Shop and Juice Bar orLa Vaca Atada. And of course, you can’t visit Spain without indulging in mouthwatering tapas at least once (or more like daily). I’ve read many great reviews about the tapas served at Taberna Casa Manteca. Unfortunately, it was closed when we visited Cadiz, but if you’ve ever eaten there, please tell me about it in the comments.

Distance:120 km

Make sure you stop at Bolonia Beach on the way from Cadiz to Tarifa. Bolonia Beach is 4 km long and of fine white sand, fringed by the crystal clear turquoise waters of the Atlantic. The real highlight of Bolonia beach is the Gran Duna, an over 30 m high and 200 m wide dune.

Once you are done exploring the dune and beach in Bolonia, it’s time to head to Tarifa, the southernmost point of continental Europe, where the Atlantic and Mediterranean meet.

Tarifa is the last stop before Morocco, only 14 km separate the town and the African continent, and it offers beautiful views of the Moroccan coast and the Rif mountains. It is often referred to as the “wind capital of Europe”, making it a popular destination for windsurfers around the world.

Distance:160 km

You can’t leave Tarifa without a stroll through the quaint old town. As soon as you step through the Puerta de Jerez, the only remaining medieval entrance to the old town, you’ll find yourself in a maze of cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses, and pretty squares.

As you wander through the streets, you’ll come past little boutiques, cool bars, and cozy cafes. For a great cup of coffee and breakfast, head to Cafe 10. After a delicious breakfast and some more exploring in Tarifa, it is time to head back to Malaga, the last stop on this Andalusia itinerary.

Once you arrive in Malaga, head straight into the old town. If you got some time to spare before dinner, you could walk up to the Mirador de Gibralfaro and visit the Castillo de Gibralfaro, or the Alcazaba and the Roman theatre.

The Alcazaba is one of the best-preserved Moorish fortresses in Spain and one of Malaga’s most iconic landmarks. The best place to grab some food is the Calle Granada in the old town. There are various restaurants and bars, and it’s usually teeming with life and bustling locals and tourists alike.

Exe Malaga Museos is located right in the heart of Malaga near the Cathedral of Malaga. Its rooftop terrace with an outdoor pool offers incredible views over the roofs of the city.

For me, a good cup of coffee in the morning is definitely essential. If you feel the same way, I’ve got you: atPaneteria Cafeteria Granier you’ll not only get a good cappuccino, but also delicious pastries, good combo deals, and even a free treat with your coffee (at least we did).

The main international airport in Andalucia is Malaga Airport, with almost 60 airlines connecting the airport with other Spanish cities, Europe, and even some countries outside of Europe. Malaga is also the starting point for this 1-week Andalusia itinerary. However, you could also fly to Sevilla, Granada, Jerez de la Frontera, or Almeria and tailor the itinerary accordingly.

Alternatively, you can also get to Andalucia by car or train. The Spanish Railway Network RENFE operates trains throughout the country and also in Andalucia. With the Alta Velocidad Espania (AVE) it would take you less than three hours to get from Madrid to Malaga. Or you could even catch an overnight train from Barcelona to Granada.

For this 1-week Andalusia itinerary, the best way to get around is by car. Driving in Andalucia is great. There are many beautiful backcountry roads, as well as good highways. In addition, you’ll be able to stop for photos wherever you like – and trust me, you will want to stop often.

There are various car rental companies at Malaga airport, including Budget, Hertz, Avis, or Sixt. Especially in the old towns of the places along this itinerary, the streets are often pretty narrow. I would suggest paying a little more for an automatic car so that you can focus solely on the driving part.