Andalusia is the region in southern Spain filled with history, sandy beaches and white hilltop towns. There’s endless things to do and amazing places to see. Even after living in Andalusia for three years, I still haven’t seen it all.
Southern Spain is known for its Moorish architecture with arches, tiles and detailed carvings. Andalusia is also home to flamenco dancing and bullfighting, although the latter isn’t really my cup of tea. I much prefer to wander the towns enjoying the visual delights like bougainvillea, wrought iron balconies and potted plants at every corner.
This itinerary is my best attempt to cover the best of southern Spain in 10 days. We are basically going to make a counterclockwise loop and you can decide where you want to base yourself and if you prefer day trips. Of the 8 smaller provinces that comprise Andalusia, I’m partial to the province of Cádiz that runs along the west coast, as you might notice in this itinerary.
We’ll start in Seville, move south and then go east along the coast for some beach town options, before cutting up north into Granada. Finally, you’ll make your last stop in Córdoba before connecting this circle back to Seville.
It’s a bit of challenge to do this itinerary without staying in several hotels, but that could also be a benefit if you like staying at different types of accommodations like I do. For those of you that don’t, I’ve also suggested places where you can extend your days and make day trips instead to minimize the packing/unpacking situation.
Do I need to rent a car?
You absolutely need to rent a car to make the most of your time in Andalusia. The only world in which I would do a train trip in Andalusia, would be if I was only seeing Cádiz, Seville, Córdoba and Granada. Those cities are well connected by train, but smaller coastal towns will take forever with transfers and limited routes.
When is the best time to visit southern Spain?
I would avoid the inland cities on this itinerary like Seville, Granada and Córdoba during July and August. It can get unbearably hot. This summer it was actually 115F/46C for about a week in Seville.
If you want to stroll through sidewalks shaded by orange trees ripe with fruit, southern Spain also makes for a nice winter getaway. Something tells me you might also be here for the beaches though, and you can best take advantage of those from April-October.
Ok, now that we’ve covered some basic Q&As, let’s dive in the 10-day itinerary….
Day 1 & 2: Seville
Start off in the capital and largest city in Andalusia. It is well connected to the rest of Spain via airport and train. Since your first day will be a partial travel day, I think you need two nights in order to not feel rushed on arrival.
I’ve dedicated an entire post to the all the boutique hotels and tile-filled guest houses in Where to stay in Seville, Spain. As a preview though, I’ll suggest Hotel Alfonso XIII for luxury, Hotel Boutique Casa de Colón for a good value and excellent location, Plácido y Grata for a modern minimal stay.
With intricate tiles, palaces and tapas bars, Seville is the perfect introduction to southern Spain. Its most famous attraction is the Real Alcazar and you’ll need to dedicate a couple of hours to touring this historic royal palace dating back to the 10th century. Booking tickets in advance is essential as it usually gets fully booked and you can be turned away at the entrance.
It’s conveniently located right next to the Cathedral of Sevilla which is the largest Gothic church in the world. You’ll also see Christopher Columbus’ tomb inside. You don’t have to book this one in advance, but I would consider it if you want to skip a long line.
For more on things to do and where to eat the best tapas in Sevilla, read all the details my full guide: Travel Guide to Seville, Spain.
Another way to save an extra pack up/hotel switch would be to stay at Hacienda San Rafael. This beautiful hacienda is a rural oasis between Sevilla and Cádiz, making it a prime location to visit both and take day trips.
Day 3: Cádiz
Cádiz has to be the most underrated city in southern Spain. Honestly, I had never heard of it until we moved to Andalusia, but it is really special. After countless trips into town on the weekend, I still love discovering its churches, beaches, plazas and bougainvillea-filled parks.
On this peninsula, you’re never far from an ocean view or a tapas restaurant. Pockets of the city like around the mercado always have the smell of fried fish lingering.
You can’t miss the Cathedral and I wouldn’t pass the opportunity to climb the spiral ramp up the bell towers. Be warned that the bells go off every 15 minutes and you don’t want to be up there when they ring. It’s deafening.
La Caleta beach, Santa Catalina castle, Cádiz museum and the Roman theatre are also top sights to see. Read my post on 10 Things to do in Cádiz with more insider tips and hotels (should you choose to say the night).
Day 4: Vejer de la Frontera
Vejer de la Frontera is my without a doubt my favorite pueblo blanco (white village) in southern Spain. You could stop here for the day on the way to Tarifa or make it a day trip from Cádiz (about 45 minutes). The easiest parking lot is at the bottom of the hill next to the bus stop.
I like to arrive in the morning and peek into a few of the shops before a late lunch. They’ll usually be closed after lunch for siesta. When you get to the top of the hill along Calle de la Corredera, you’ll pass a number of restaurants and shops.
Bazar Plazuela has a nice selection of baskets, dishes and trinkets. As does Amouna, with good prices. I like to loop around the opposite side of town to visit Cesteria. It’s a hole in the wall filled floor-to-ceiling with baskets.
Having a long lunch at the Moroccan restaurant El Jardín del Califa is essential, as are reservations. If they are fully booked, try your luck at their rooftop cafe for a drink.
The restaurant is part of the wonderful Hotel la la Casa del Califa that would also be a special stay if you want to extend your time in Vejer.
Read more about how to spend one day in Vejer de la Frontera.
Day 5 & 6: Choose Your Beach Destination (Tarifa or Marbella)
After seeing some of the gems on the west side of Andalusia, move down to the south coast and either stay in Tarifa or Marbella. They are very different places with Tarifa being more of a chill, kite surfing town and Marbella has a more upscale, SoCal resort vibe.
Tarifa
The first stop would be Tarifa, just 40 minutes south of Vejer de la Frontera. Tarifa is the southernmost point in continental Europe and is just a short ferry away from Tangier, Morocco (also an excellent day trip).
There are two wonderful hotels in Tarifa that I would recommend without hesitation. About 10 minutes from the town center, you’ll find Hotel Hurricane at the opposite end of Tarifa Beach. Rooms might already be fully booked for summer, but it might be worth double checking for its pool, beachside location and decor. Check pricing and availability.
For a hotel in the town center, check into the equally beautiful Posada La Sacristía in town. We lucked out with a room on the top floor with a small outdoor sitting area on the rooftop of the inner courtyard (perfect for putting baby to bed early and having a drink to ourselves). The bathroom tiles are gorgeous. Check pricing and availability.
You can spend the day at the beach, take a kitesurfing lesson or just wander around the shops. There’s also a castle and a church dating back to the 16th century. For more details about where to eat and things to do, read my full guide to Tarifa.
Marbella
If you prefer to cut in east for better beaches, less wind and more resort style accommodations, visit the larger city of Marbella (about 2 hours from Vejer de la Frontera). The big downside to Marbella is the only hotels I’m excited about are quite upscale with a price tag to match.
Marbella Club Hotel began as the Mediterranean hideaway for Prince Alfonso in the mid 1940s and opened its first 20 room in 1954. It has a storied past as a hot spot for royalty and celebrities. I can’t imagine the parties that have taken place poolside over the the decades. The kids club looked absolutely idyllic when we walked past down a shaded lane that led to the ocean. Check pricing and availability.
I visited shortly after a renovation of some of the dining spaces. The renovation was actually completed by the same interior designer that decorated the Posada La Sacristía in Tarifa. So, you can get a similar design feeling there for a fraction of the cost.
La Fonda Heritage Hotel – For 5 star rooms that won’t cost 4 figures, check out the only Relais & Chateau property in Andalusia. Located in Marbella’s historic district of the Old Town, 19 modern rooms span across three buildings that date back to the 16th century. Check pricing and availability.
Marbella has a lovely promenade that runs several miles across the coastline. Enjoy a coffee at Cappuccino Grand Cafe or have breakfast at Rachel’s Eco Love cafe inside the Hotel Nobu (also a trendy place to stay the night).
Wander around the Old Town of Marbella with its narrow passages and flower-filled facades. Plaza de los Naranjos is most stunning in winter when the trees are heavy with oranges. This area is filled with boutiques, restaurants and plazas.
We can’t fully move north to Granada without mentioning Nerja. It is located about 1 hour from Granada and Marbella, so you wouldn’t have to change hotels if you wanted to do a day trip from either. There are several beaches along its coastline, but I really enjoyed our time at the private beach of our hotel. The Old Town streets are filled with restaurants and souvenir shops.
If that all sounds more up your alley, maybe you could squeeze it in or swap it in place of Tarifa or Marbella. Read more about our hotel, where to eat and things to do in my Guide to Nerja, Spain.
Day 7 & 8: Granada
After a relaxed morning in the beach destination of your choice, arrive to Granada in the late afternoon to rest up and have dinner.
Start the next day at the Alhambra and be sure to book your tickets in advance to save time. I went in winter when the crowds were minimal, but so were the flowers. Luckily the fog burned off by the late morning and we got to enjoy the views.
I think Granada’s main draw is the Alhambra, and it is absolutely stunning. If you’re not particularly moved to visit it specifically though, I think you could skip this part of the itinerary and still feel like you saw some special places in southern Spain.
But for those of you who have the Alhambra on your bucket list, Granada is absolutely worth a stop. Did you know you can actually stay the night on the grounds? Paradores are state-run hotels and are usually housed in historic buildings and former palaces. The Parador Granada is no exception and was a former 15th century convent. Check pricing and availability.
For a more central location to shops and restaurants, also consider Hotel Casa 1800 Granada or Palacio Gran Vía, a Royal Hideaway Hotel.
During your short stay, you have to make the trek up to Mirador de San Nicolás for stunning views of the Alhambra and stop at Andalusí Nujaila on the way down for some memorable baked goods.
Day 9: Córdoba
The crown jewel of Córdoba is the Mezquita. The cathedral within the mosque has got be one of the most unique interiors in all of southern Spain. Read more about its fascinating history. Check out tours and book your entry tickets in advance.
Right along the river in front of the Mezquita, you’ll see the Puente Romano (Roman Bridge) that dates back to the 1st century.
When lunch time rolls around, stop by Bar Santos for its famous tortilla. You’ll find patrons washing it down with a beer while sitting on the stones steps on the side of the Mezquita.
I also really enjoyed our meal on the sunny terrace of Bodegas Mezquita just around the corner for a more restaurant style experience.
While there are beautiful flower-filled courtyards to enjoy all year round, you can visit additional homes and palaces that aren’t usually open to the public during the Festival of the Patios. The competition has been held since 1921 and takes place the first two weeks of May, prime time for the floral displays. The lines can get long, but I found they move quickly.
Ticket prices, history and more information.
You can also visit Palacio de Viana year round to see 12 courtyards in one. With a history that began in 1425, different families have acquired and expanded the palace over the centuries.
We met the kindest woman at a basket shop in Plaza de la Corredera. She is actually pictured above hand making some coasters for us that we picked up the next day. Be sure to swing by this plaza and shop.
Check in to Las Casas de la Judería de Córdoba with its 64 unique rooms spread across 5 former noble houses and a pool.
You could also stay in Seville an extra night at the beginning of the trip and take a day trip tour to Cordoba to cover all the highlights.
Day 10: Travel back to Seville
The Seville airport is only 90 minutes from Córdoba, you could circle back to the airport straight from Córdoba. If you have an earlier flight time, you might want to consider getting to Seville the day before and finishing up any last bit of souvenir shopping, or perhaps you want to lounge by the rooftop pool of your hotel and relax after covering a lot of ground.
As you can see, the options to visit amazing places in southern Spain are endless. While the region is rather large and spread out, you’re never to far from the next wonderful destination.
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