What to see in Andalusia

in one week

Overview

Hello there! What you will find below is a recap of the itinerary we have followed for our 6-days trip in Andalusia back in March 2024. We hope that it will inspire you to create your own exploration plan!

• Duration: 6 days
• Period: beginning of March
• Year: 2024
• Cost: approx. 90€/day per person (accommodation, food, visits & transports)

Highlights

Natural sites ⛰️

• Caminito del Rey
• Costa del Sol

Cities 🏙️

• ​Málaga
• Setenil de las Bodegas
• Ronda
• Sevilla
• Cordoba
• Granada
• Nerja

Day 1 - ​Málaga

Málaga is the ideal destination for anyone looking for relax, culture, good food and much more. It fitted our needs since the flights to Malaga and accommodation options are usually cheaper than in other locations. We rented a car at the city airport for our tour. We started our Andalusian itinerary by spending some hours exploring the city, and here are some suggestions.

What to see in ​Málaga

• Soho - the Art District: in this area near the city centre you will find large scale graffitis by some well-known artists.
• ​Málaga Cathedral: as many cathedrals in this area, this one was built on a former Mosque. (info on entrance tickets here).
• Picasso Museum: the internationally known artist Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga, so where to discover more of his art if not in his own city?
• Roman Theatre
• Alcazaba: the Arab palace-fortress built in the 11th century
• ​Málaga park: a peaceful green spot in the heart of the city
• Pompidou Centre Málaga: this art centre hosts a permanent collection of over 80 works by artists including Picasso, Miró, Magritte, Frida Khalo and more
• Playa la Malagueta: the immense and well-known beach of Málaga

Walking itinerary 👣

Day 2 - Towards Ronda

We decided to kickstart the day with a bit of adrenaline. The first stop was the Caminito del Rey. The Caminito del Rey is a path in the Gaitanes gorge that was originally built at the beginning of the 1900s to access the hydroelectric power station of El Chorro. The path has been inaccessible for a long time, but after a process of renovation it was open to public in 2015. This experience will allow you to walk in canyons and gorges high above the river in total safety. It is truly a spectacular experience that deserved to be included in your itinerary in Andalusia. There are different options to visit the Caminito: you can do it on your own (10€/pp) or with a guided tour in a group (18€/pp). We did the guided tour since it was the only available on our planned visiting day. It was definitely worthy! The guide will lead you through the path giving insights on the history and the geography of the place. The whole guided tour takes around 3 hours. We parked near the Reception Centre where we found a official parking (2€/day). From the Reception Centre there are buses every 15-20 minutes that bring you to the entrance of the Caminito (2.5€/person return).

Tips ✔️

• We highly recommend checking the availability and book your tickets for the Caminito del Rey in advance here
• Check the weather forecast a few days in advance (on the official website here) since the Caminito might close in case of rain or bad weather (official communication of closure is shared on X or Telegram)
• It is possible to buy the bus tickets from the Reception Centre of the Caminito to the main entrance both online and directly on the bus (be aware that card on the bus are not accepted!)

What to see in Setenil de las Bodegas

• Calle Cuevas del Sol & Calle Cuevas de la Sombra: the name cueva literally means cave which what is the peculiarity of these strees which are carved in the rock. These streets are the most pictoresque of the village!
• Mirador del Carmen: from this viewpoint you will have an amazing view on the whole village
• Ruta del Amor: the "Love Route" is a interurban street that was inaugurated not long ago. Along this route you will find five stops with different messages (such as "Let's take the journey together") thought to encourage visitors to show their love
• Plaza de Andalucia
• Castillo de Setenil de las Bodegas & Torreon del Homenaje: the old part of the village

Walking itinerary 👣

Tips: if you are visiting the village by car we recommend parking outside the central part, since the streets are very narrow and they might be a bit crowded. We parked here.

After Setenil de las Bodegas, we headed towards Ronda. This town with a very rich history, lays on the top of a narrow gorge, which makes its panorama incredebly stunning. We highly recommend including Ronda, has been declared Property of Cultural Interest, in your itineray, you will not regret it! The town has a more modern part as well as an historic centre with some major landmarks. We arrived in Ronda at late afternoon and it was the best choice: we managed to see the town with the last lights of the slowly fading and replaced by the city lights switching up, giving a unique atmosphere to our visit.

What to see in Ronda

• Puerta de Almocábar: this gate was built in the 13th century during under the arab occupation of the town and it served as the main access point to the city. This is a nice first stop to start your visit of Ronda.
• Plaza Duquesa de Parcent: in this beatiful square you will find the church of Santa Maria la Mayor and the Townhall. from this viewpoint you will have an amazing view on the whole village
• Mondragon Palace: this historic landmark was built in the 14th century and now is the Municipal Museum
• Plaza de María Auxiliadora: a nice square in Ronda. From here you can also reach a viewpoint on the Puente Nuevo, which unfortunately was closed when we visited Ronda
• Puente Nuevo: the Puente Nuevo is definitely one of the major attractions of Ronda. From 98-metres high bridge you will get an incredible view over the gorges and the Guadalevín river
• Plaza de España: a beatiful square near the Puente Nuevo
• Mirador de Ronda: from here you will get another perspective on the landscape of the area
• Puente Viejo: the second oldest bridge in Ronda
• Arab Baths: these ancient Arab baths dating back to the 13th century are among the best preserved in the country

Walking itinerary 👣

Day 3 & 4 - Sevilla

Sevilla is the capital and largest city in Andalusia. This lively city has a lot to offer including amazing sites, food and culture. Below you will find an itinerary of two days, which hopefully will inspire your own exploration of this amazing city.

What to see in Sevilla - Day 1

• Calle Sierpes: in this lively street within the historic centre of Sevilla you will find many shops and boutiques, perfectly mixing modernity with authenticity. It is also a good starting point for your itinerary around the city
• Plaza de San Francisco: since the 16th century this square has been heart of the city, with the major institutions gathered here such as the National Bank and others
• Casa de Pilatos: this is the largest and most iconic palaces of the city. This palace embeds many different architectural and artistic styles such as Renaissance, Mudejar, Medieval and Gothic styles. You will see a typical Andalusian patio, rooms with pieces of art and a peaceful garden
• Catedral de Sevilla: the cathedral, named by UNESCO as a place of Outstanding Universal Value, is the world's largest gothic temple. Its architecture is majestic and it is definitely one of the spots you don't want to miss in the city. Inside the cathedral you will also find the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Make sure to include in your visit the Giralda bell tower from which, after a relatively easy ascent, you will experience a stunning bird-eye view of the whole city
• Barrio de Santa Cruz: Barrio de Santa Cruz is one of the most pictoresque areas of the city, where you will find many shops, tapas bars, boutiques in narrow and beautiful streets. Make sure to plan some time to get lost in this area! Some points of interest in this area are: Calle Mateos Gago , Hospital de los Venerables , Callejon del Agua & Plaza de Santa Cruz. Jardines de Murillo can be a nice spot to rest from the fast moving city around
• Plaza de España: one of the most recognisable landmarks of Sevilla, it was built for the Ibero-American expsosition in 1929 and renovated from 2007 and 2010. We highly recommend visiting Plaza de Espana at sunset time, when the light and the colours of the architecture combine perfectly for an amazing experience.
• Parque de Maria Luisa: just beside the Plaza de Espana you will find the Maria Luisa Park, one of the most loved places by locals

Walking itinerary 👣

What to see in Sevilla - Day 2

• Triana: this working-class neighbourhood in the city deserves some time to be discovered. Make sure to check out the Mercado de Triana for some local fresh food!
• Torre del Oro: the beatiful tower over the Guadalquivir river
• University of Sevilla: one of the main campuses of the University of Sevilla, this 18th century bulding has been used as a tobacco factory until the 1950s.
• Royal Alcazar: the Royal Palace of Sevilla. This place is a masterpiece of the Mudejar architectural style, integrating Arab and other influences
• Metropol Parasol (or Setas): this very peculiar wooden strucure in the centre of the city is a must-see. You will be able to see the city from the top, following a scenographic path. It is named parasol (umbrella) since the structure provides shade for visitors and locals in sunny days. The place is also known as Setas (mushrooms), due to its shape. The visit to the Metropol Parasol includes a short movie, make sure to check it out. We highly recommend going to Metropol Parasol at sunset and waiting there until daylight is gone, when artificial lights are switched up for an even more spectacular experience

Walking itinerary 👣

Where to eat in Sevilla 🍲

• Bar El Cortadero: perfect tapas bar for a quick lunch break
• Bar El Rinçon: another tapas bar
• Restaurante Alcazar Andalusi Tapas: for a tapas dinner

Day 5 - Cordoba & Granada

Cordoba, the city of flowers, offers some interesting sites and a very peculiar atmosphere that needs to be embraced at is fullest. Below you will find our suggested half-day itinerary of Cordoba.

What to see in Cordoba

• Calle San Basilio & the Patios: part of what characterizes Cordoba is definitely the presence of the "Patios", courtyards of popular houses that are worth exploring. You will find around this area plenty of pictoresque Patios full of flowers. Make sure to stop by! Some are free to enter and some other require a fee
• Jewish quarter: this neighbourhood is full of little and narrow streets to discover. Make sure to wnder around! Some years ago the Network of Jewish Quarters in Spain created the Paths of Sefarad. These itineraries include recommended routes around the Jewish Quarters in some Spanish cities identified by a bronze plate on the pathway (more info here).
• Calleja de las Flores: this is a hidden gem close to Cordoba's cathedral. On the walls of this street you will find plenty of flowers which makes it a perfect spot for postcard-style picture
• La Mezquita: previously a Mosque and now a Cathedral, this monument is definitely the highlight of Cordoba. This immense sacred site has been built integrating different components from different historical periods. Make sure to include this place in your visit of the city. Inside the site take some time to admire the Patio de los Naranjos
• Puente Romano: the Roman Bridge of Cordoba dates back to the 1st century A.D. and it is one of the most recognizable landmarks of the city. It is definitely woth a visit especially at sunset for a nice walk over the Guadalquivir river
• Molino de la Albolafia: you will find a mill next to the Roman Bridge. It was built under the Arabs to carry river water up to the palace. Fun fact: the mill's wheel was dismantled by order of Queen Isabel who disliked the noise it produced, disturbing the Castle royals

Walking itinerary 👣

Where to eat in Cordoba 🍲

Granada, close to the Sierra Nevada, this city has quite a mountain-like vibe different from other cities we have visited in Andalusia. It is well known for the Alhambra but Granada has more to offer

What to see in Granada

• Alhambra: one of the most visited sites in Andalusia, the Alhambra is a must-see attraction if you are visiting Granada. This acted as a palace, stronghold and fortified city under the Arab rulers. There are different visting options for the Alhambra but consider that it will take you at least 2-3 hours. Also consider that both in high and low seasons it might be not that easy to find tickets for the Alhambra, so make sure to check quite in advance on the official website. We give detailed tips at this page. To get a stunning view on the Alhambra you can also check out the Mirador of St. Nicolas
• Alhambra forest: just outside the Alhambra you will find a forested area with a nice path that connects the Alhambra to the city centre
• Alcaiceria: during the Nasrid period this area was the main market where merchant would come to exchange silk, spices, and other goods in these narrow streets. Today you can find different boutiques and souvenirs shops
• Bib-Rambla square
• Granada Cathedral
• Plaza Nueva
• Carrera del Darro
• Albaicin area: it is Granada's oldest neighbourhood and UNESCO World Herigage Site, full of narrow streets and viewpoints, definitely deserves soem time to be explored!

Walking itinerary 👣

Day 6 - Nerja

Located in the Costa del Sol and only a little more than 50 km away from Malaga, you have Nerja. Although it can become quite busy with tourist in the high season in summer, this little town on the Mediterranean sea maintains its authenticity and unique atmosphere. Nerja is perfect for spending a day hopping between different beaches and admiring the view on the coast from the many viewpoints or miradores., the city of flowers, offers some interesting sites and a very peculiar atmosphere that needs to be embraced at is fullest. Below you will find our suggested half-day itinerary of Cordoba.

What to see in Nerja

• Playa de Burriana
• Playa Carebeillo
• Mirador del Bendito
• Playa Carabeo
• Balcon de Europa

Walking itinerary 👣

Tips: If you struggle finding a spot for your car, there is a free (and unguarded) parking here