Andalusia road trip: a 10-day route (with variations)

In short: In ten days you can cover the four big cities of Málaga, Seville, Córdoba and Granada, plus Ronda, the Alpujarras and a beach day. You start and finish in Málaga, because that is where most flights land. Book your tickets for the Alhambra, the Alcázar and the Caminito del Rey before you fix the route.

The route day by day

The route runs clockwise. That way the Alhambra comes at the end, and you have more flexibility if your preferred date is only available on one particular day.

1. Days 1 and 2: Málaga

   Arrive, explore the old town, the Alcazaba and the Castillo de Gibralfaro (combined ticket 10 €, as of October 2026), and head to the beach in the evening. All the details: Things to see in Málaga.

2. Day 3: Ronda

   Drive through the mountains, see the Puente Nuevo and the old town, and stay overnight. Ronda is at its most beautiful in the evening, once the day-trip coaches have gone. If you like, stop at one of the white villages on the way.

3. Days 4 and 5: Seville

   Real Alcázar (15.50 €), the cathedral with the Giralda (13 € online), Plaza de España and Triana. Plan two full days in Seville. Prices as of October 2026.

4. Day 6: Córdoba

   Mezquita-Catedral (15 €, as of October 2026), the Jewish Quarter and the Roman bridge. Monday to Saturday, the Mezquita is free for individual visitors from 8:30 to 9:30 am. More under Córdoba.

5. Days 7 and 8: Granada

   One day for the Alhambra (22.27 €, as of October 2026), one for the Albaicín and Sacromonte and the tapas bars. Overview: Things to see in Granada.

6. Day 9: Alpujarras

   The mountain villages of Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira on the southern side of the Sierra Nevada, with a short hike. See Alpujarras.

7. Day 10: Costa Tropical and back

   Beach in the morning on the Costa Tropical, then back along the coast to Málaga Airport. If you have time, stop in Nerja.

What variations are there?

You can extend or shorten the route at either end, depending on whether cities or beaches matter more to you.

• 7 days: drop the Alpujarras and the coast, and cut Málaga to one day.
• With the Atlantic: after Seville, continue to Cádiz and the Costa de la Luz, then return via the white villages to Ronda. Adds 3 days.
• With the east: from Granada via Guadix to Almería and the Cabo de Gata. Adds 2 to 3 days.
• With the gorge: fit in the Caminito del Rey between Málaga and Ronda. It is closed on Tuesdays and not open to children under 8.

Car or train?

High-speed trains run between Málaga, Córdoba, Seville and Granada, operated by Renfe and, on some routes, by other companies too. Journey times and prices vary a lot depending on when you book, so check directly with Renfe. In the cities themselves a car only gets in the way: car parks are expensive and many old towns are closed to visitors’ cars.

For Ronda, the Alpujarras and the coast, on the other hand, you need a car. A good solution: do the cities by train and only pick up the car in Granada for the last few days. What to watch out for when booking is covered under Car rental in Andalusia.

Which tickets do you need to book ahead?

Three attractions regularly sell out. Book them first and plan the route around those dates.

• Alhambra: fixed time slot for the Nasrid Palaces, bring your original ID. Here is how to go about it: Alhambra tickets.
• Real Alcázar Seville: only via the official shop, and the ticket office only takes cards.
• Caminito del Rey: tickets are released in blocks, and the early time slots go first.
• Mezquita Córdoba: usually available at short notice too, but online is still more convenient.

When is the best time for the trip?

Spring and autumn. In July and August the average daily maximum in Seville is around 36 degrees (AEMET, normal values 1981 to 2010), and considerably higher on some days. In winter the cities are pleasantly empty, but nights in Granada get cold. The months compared: Best time to visit Andalusia.

Many people who fall for the region on a trip like this then wonder where the best place to live permanently would be. For that, there is the comparison Where in Spain?

Frequently asked questions

As of October 2026. Opening hours, prices and entry rules change. Check them on the official websites before your visit.

Cover image: Jebulon · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain