The Ultimate Andalusia Itinerary: 5 Days, 7 Days, & 10 Days

ByAnmol Diddan Hours Posted on

Are you looking for an Andalusia Itinerary to explore Spain’s enchanting south? I spent a week exploring this beautiful region and here are the best itineraries for 5 days, 7 days, or 10 days.

Andalusia, a sun-drenched, underrated region in southern Spain, will captivate you with its unique blend of Roman, Moorish and Christian heritage, vibrant culture, and stunning sea and mountain scapes. Andalusia boasts a blend of history, nature and culture with some of the oldest towns in Spain, architectural marvels like the Alhambra palace in Granada and the Mezquita mosque-cathedral in Cordoba.

From the bustling streets of Seville, the capital city, to the serene white villages dotting the countryside, there’s something for everyone. Explore the breathtaking natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains, indulge in the region’s world-renowned cuisine, or simply relax on the sun-kissed beaches of Costa del Sol.

How Many Days in Andalusia?

Andalusia is the second largest province of 17 provinces in Spain at over 33,000 square miles. It has beaches, sea cliffs, mountains, views of Morocco, orange trees in old squares in older towns and even sand dunes you can drive through!

Moreover, it is important to think about what the focus of your trip to Andalusia is – relaxing on a beach, mountain scenery or historical/cultural sights. There are no wrong answers and to make it easier for you, we have broken down our suggested itineraries into by what we recommend and alternate options based on your preferences.

To fully experience the charm of Andalusia, we’d recommend planning at least a 7 to 10 day trip. For just 5 days, limit yourself to 2-3 stops at most to ensure you have time to lounge on the beautiful beaches and take a breath to admire the scenery.

While you can see the highlights in a week, a 10-day or 2 week itinerary allows you to immerse yourself and explore at a slower pace, including time for day trips and off-the-beaten-path experiences.

Additionally, how you’re traveling through Andalusia also makes a big difference. A rental car and a road trip would be the most efficient way to see the area. An alternative would be tours from the major cities around Andalusia or trains that connect most major cities across Andalusia and Spain.

5-Day Andalusia Itinerary

A 5 day itinerary can be planned in many ways depending on the focus of your trip. If you only have 5 days – pick your top 2 spots. I’d recommend Sevilla, Ronda and Marbella / Estepona.

  • Seville (1 night)
  • Ronda and white villages (2 nights)
  • Marbella / Estepona / Malaga (2 nights)

Seville (1 night)

Seville is a stunning city that effortlessly blends Moorish and Christian culture, architecture, food and other influences. It exemplifies Andalusia and Southern Spain in general. While you can spend over a week in Seville and still not run out of things to do, it is a big city. To escape to the more serene parts, spend a day in Seville exploring its spectacular architecture and move on to other destinations in Andalusia.

What’s Unmissable In Seville:

  • Plaza de Espana: The most famous landmark of Seville which is a square in the shape of a semi circle. A little waterway runs along the periphery and there is an ornate building and archway that is simply spectacular.
  • Seville Cathedral: A 16th century Gothic cathedral which is the second most famous landmark in Seville and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Head up the Giralda tower for an additional fee and gorgeous views of the old town.
  • Alcazar de Seville: The Royal Palace in Seville where Spain’s royal family resides when visiting Seville. This also has UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

    A guided tour that covers all three is a great option to learn more about the city and its important landmarks, especially if you’re short on time.
A picture of the stunning Plaza de Espana in Seville, Andalusia, Spain. The picture has been taken from a raised walkway by the crescent shaped square in Seville. The periphery of the crescent has a crescent shaped red palatial building with 3 bell towers. The picture shows almost half the building with ornate arches that run along its entire edge. There is also a water channel and a fountain in the plaza seen in the picture.
Plaza de Espana in Seville

Ronda, Zahara de la Sierra, Setenil de Las Bodegas (2 nights)

About 1h 45m south east of Seville is Ronda, one of the oldest towns in Spain, in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Set on high rock faces atop the dramatic El Tajo gorge with the Guadalevin river running through it, Ronda has top cultural sights like the oldest bullring in Spain, great food and unique scenery. Ronda itself can be explored in one day but you can spend a day, 3 days or 5 days here exploring the town, white villages near it and the two national parks.

On the way to Ronda from Seville, stop by for some lunch or a stroll at Zahara de la Sierra, often considered one of the most beautiful white villages or pueblo blancos, that are such prominent sights in Andalusia. Zahara de la Sierra served as a defensive position overlooking the valley between Seville and Ronda, first built during Moorish times.

The next day, spend the morning walking around in Ronda and head 20 mins down the road to Setenil de Las Bodegas for a lunch and stroll. It is another spectacular white village cut into rock faces along a stream. It serves as quite a dramatic lunch spot.

There are many convenient tours from Seville to Ronda, Zahara de la Sierra and Setenil de Las Bodegas.

A view of the Puente Nuevo bridge in Ronda, Spain. The picture is taken from the bottom of the canyon looking up at the three arched medieval bridge. Buildings of the town of Ronda can be seen on either sides of the bridge.
A view of Puente Nuevo, the most famous landmark in Ronda from Mirador del Viento.

What’s Unmissable:

  • Puente Nuevo (New Bridge): The bridge in Ronda which is the postcard!
  • Mirador del Viento or further down to Arabic Arch: This has the best views of the postcard shot and entails a short steep walk down into the gorge.
  • La Cuidad / Ronda’s old town: Gorgeous old town with white buildings atop vertical rock faces.
  • Setenil de Las Bodegas: A gorgeous white village carved into rock faces along a stream.
  • Plaza de Toros de Ronda (Bullring of the Royal Cavalry of Ronda): Oldest bullring in Spain with neoclassical architecture.
A picture of a street in Setenil de Las Bodegas in Andalusia, Spain. The street is cut into a rock face by a stream. There are little white buildings that serve as shops and restaurants along the left edge of the picture. You can also see tables with tourists eating lunch under the carved rock face. There is a rock ceiling to the street that can be seen along the top of the picture.
Setenil de Las Bodegas

Where to Stay in Ronda:

📍Hotel Palacio De Hemingway

📍Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria

📍Hotel Soho Boutique Palacio San Gabriel

📍Ronda Hotel Polo: This is where we stayed and it was a really cute hotel run by an Asian-Spanish couple with a beautiful terrace.

Marbella / Estepona / Malaga (2 nights)

Any trip to Andalusia would be incomplete without spending some time on the stunning beaches along the Southern Costa del Sol coast. The entire coast is littered with 41 spectacular, blue flag beaches and is a water baby’s dream!

Marbella, Estepona and Malaga all offer over 4 blue flag beaches. If you’d like a beach destination with a compact, beautiful old town and amazing restaurants, shopping, head to Marbella.

If you’re looking to just soak in the sun and lounge on a fine sand beaches, Estepona would be a great option with fewer crowds than Marbella and Malaga.

If you enjoy city vibes, head to Malaga which is the largest city in Costa del Sol with over a million people in the metro region. We didn’t really love Malaga and can be skipped in our opinion for Marbella or Estepona.

The itinerary above can also be done in reverse but if you’re renting a car, Seville airport is likely to have the best deals, especially in the high tourist summer season. Seville airport also has the best connectivity in the region, potentially offering cheaper flight options than Malaga.

What’s unmissable:

  • Marbella’s charming old town
A picture of Marbella's old town in Andalusia, Spain. The picture has been taken in the evening with sunset hues. You can see a staircase and an alley with a church tower in the background. The church is white and yellow in color while the streets of the old town have cobble stones and white walls.
Walking around Marbella’s charming old town

Where to Stay:

Alternative 5-Day Itinerary for Andalusia

For you beach bums, skip the Ronda leg and swap it for Cadiz or a small town like La Barrosa or Roche further south of Cadiz.

For the mountain / culture buffs, add Cordoba to your itinerary instead of Marbella. Alternatively, you can add another night in Seville and reduce 1 night in Ronda or Marbella / Estepona / Malaga.

  • Seville (1 night)
  • Ronda and white villages (2 nights) or Cadiz (2 nights)
  • Marbella / Estepona / Malaga (2 nights) or Cordoba (2 nights)

Details on both Cadiz and Cordoba below in the 7-day itinerary.

7-Day Andalusia Itinerary

A 7 day trip in Andalusia gives you more breathing room to explore all the destinations in the 5 day itinerary including spending 1 or 2 nights in both Cadiz, Cordoba.

  • Seville (1 night)
  • Cadiz (1 night)
  • Ronda and white villages (2 nights)
  • Marbella / Estepona / Malaga (2 nights)
  • Cordoba (1 night)

Cadiz (1 night)

Cadiz has many long sandy beaches around it along with a gorgeous, well preserved old town. The imposing Cadiz Cathedral is a sight to behold by the blue ocean waters. It has also served as a centre for trade and cultural mixing, at the southern tip of Europe so close to Africa.

A view of the Cadiz Cathedral in the Spanish city of Cadiz in Andalusia. The picture has been taken from near the sea and you can see a sea wall with rocks and a promenade, road that runs along it. The imposing cathedral can be seen in the background with other colorful buildings. The dome of the cathedral is red with white stone around it. The building also has two distinct bell towers.
A view of the Cadiz Cathedral in Cadiz

Top sights in Cadiz Old Town

  • Catedral de Cadiz and the tower for panoramic views: Easily the most spectacular and imposing building in Cadiz. Tickets for $8.38 can be bought online.
  • Castillo de Santa Catalina: Seaside castle with views of the old town
  • Playa le Caleta: Main beach in town with a sea wall promenade extending into the ocean
  • Ficus centenarios or Big Ficus Trees: Giant, native ficus trees that almost cover an entire square!
  • Teatro Romano de Cádiz or Roman Theatre of Cadiz: This Roman amphitheater has free entry.

Cadiz offers many walking tours and we’d recommend spending a morning doing a free or paid walking tour of Cadiz old town to learn more about its history, culture and explore the top sights.

A picture of a giant ficus tree native to Cadiz in Spain. The tree is large with countless branches extending in every direction. You can see the sea to the right and the picture has been taken on the seawall promenade running along it. The tree covers the promenade and a checkered square next to it.
The giant Ficus trees of Cadiz

Best beaches near Cadiz:

  • Playa del Chato: 10 minute drive from Cadiz centre, this is a long stretch of sand that extends from the old town for over 25 kms. There is also a well built boardwalk that stretches along the beach.
  • Playa de la Barrosa: The town of La Barrosa offers many resorts around the beach.
  • Playa de Roche: A slightly more quaint town further south of La Barrosa.
  • Playa de Los Lances: This little beach about 100 kms or 1h 15m south of Cadiz is a gem for wind surfers and paragliders. You should also drive to the sand dunes of Duna De Valdevaqueros where you can literally drive through a large sand dune and enjoy a great view of Playa de Los Lances. Stay in the town of Tarifa if you choose to head down to the area.
A picture of a road going through the sand dune of Duna De Valdevaqueros. There are sandy dunes on either side of the road with ficus trees lining both sides of the road. You can also see sand that has blown onto the road with a deep blue sky clear sky in the backdrop.
The Dunes of Duna De Valdevaqueros

What’s unmissable in Cadiz:

  • Playa del Chato
  • Catedral de Cadiz

Cordoba (1 night)

Cordoba, only an hour and 40 minutes down the road east from Seville, is a charming old city which has seen influences of Romans, Visigoths, Islam, Christianity and Judaism through its thousands of years of existence. Cordoba has a compact old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and can be visited in a day or up to 5 days, walking around the old town and visiting the main attraction – the Great Mosque of Cordoba or the Mezquita-Catedral de Cordoba. 

Endless arches in a dimly lit hall at the Mosque-Cathedral monument in Cordoba, Spain. The building was built as a mosque over 1000 years ago and was converted into a cathedral. The picture is of the grand hall with arches painted in white and red stripes that run all along the hallway along ornate marble pillars. There are people walking around admiring the structure.
Endless arches inside the Great Mosque / Mezquita-Catedral de Cordoba

Top Sights In Cordoba

  • The Great Mosque of Cordoba or the Mezquita-Catedral de Cordoba: The top sight in Cordoba where ground was broken in 785 to build a mosque. It was completed as a cathedral in 1607. This first got UNESCO world heritage status in 1986 which was extended to all of Cordoba’s old town in 1994. If there was one building that sums up the unique cultural blend in Andalusia, it is this!
  • The Roman Bridge or Puente Romana de Cordoba: The bridge that leads to the Great Mosque and Cordoba’s old town built by the Romans in the 1st Century BC and rebuilt multiple times by the Moors, Catholics and the Spanish state.
  • Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos or the Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs: This imposing palatial fortress forms the western edge of the Cordoba old town, and was built after the Spanish King Alfonso XI of Castile in the 1300s. The palace consists of large, ornate gardens and orchards that have existed at the site from the 10th century. Guided tours of the palace complex are a great way to explore this site.
  • The Jewish quarter (Synagogue and Mosque): Cordoba has a well preserved Jewish quarter that has existed here from Moorish times, around the 8th century. The most strikingly beautiful landmarks are two tiny landmarks that are often missed in Cordoba – the Sinagoga de Cordoba and the Capilla Mudejer de San Bartalome. You can opt for a walking tour of the Jewish quarter to visit the synagogue, mosque and to learn all about Jewish Spanish history and this neighborhood.
  • Medina Azahara – Conjunto Arqueológico Madinat al-Zahra: The Medina Azahara or ‘the radiant city’ was built by Moorish Abd ar-Rahman III, the ruler of Cordoba and Andalusia at the time. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has the ruins of a fortified city 4 miles from old town, at the Western edge of Cordoba. 
A view of the Roman Bridge in Cordoba, Spain. The bridge is a medieval bridge first built in the 1st Century by the Romans. It is made of brownstone with arches. There is a church and a medieval old town in the background. The sky can be seen at sunset with clouds scattered with orange, red and blue hues.
Puente Romana de Cordoba or Roman Bridge with the old town in the background

What’s unmissable in Cordoba:

  • The Great Mosque or Mezquita-Catedral
  • Roman Bridge or Puente Romana de Cordoba

Where to Stay in Cordoba:

Old town is the best for proximity to the main attractions and quaint ambiance.

📍Hotel NH Collection Amistad Córdoba

📍Hotel Hesperia Cordoba

📍Eurostars Conquistador

Alternative 7-Day Itinerary for Andalusia

Since the beaches around Cadiz and Marbella are similarly beautiful, you could skip Cadiz and head to Granada for more history and culture! You could also play around with the number of days you spend per destination based on your preferences.

  • Seville (2 nights)
  • Cordoba (1 night)
  • Granada (2 nights)
  • Marbella / Estepona / Malaga (2 / 3 nights)
  • Ronda and white villages (2 / 3 nights)

10-Day Andalusia Itinerary

A 10 day trip in Andalusia is ideal as it gives you time to take it slow and truly immerse yourself in the culture, food and landscapes of Andalusia. 10 days gives you room to be flexible and if you’re traveling in the shoulder / off season, we’d recommend keeping a day or two unplanned to check out some off beat destinations you stumble upon or hike in the national parks or just find another great beach to relax on. We usually go unplanned for about 50% of our trip when we travel during shoulder season so we can discover some hidden gems along the way.

Another thing to keep in mind is how you want to end the 10 days, with beach days or mountain scenery. Depending on that, either choose to do Marbella / Estepona / Malaga before Cordoba, Granada and Ronda or the other way round.

  • Seville (2 nights)
  • Cordoba (1 night)
  • Granada (2 nights)
  • Ronda and white villages (2 nights)
  • Marbella / Estepona / Malaga (2 nights)

Granada (2 nights)

Granada is one of the most interesting cities in Andalusia, in the far east of the region, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains where two rivers merge. The mountains serve as a dramatic backdrop for the beautiful architectural marvels of Granada, a city with the most Moorish influence in Andalusia. Granada was the last city in Andalusia to be captured by Catholic Monarchs in 1492, almost 200 years after most other parts of Andalusia and thus, retains a lot of Moorish influences mixed alongside prominent Renaissance influences.

Granada has steep slopes, at 2,241 ft above sea level and it was recently voted as 7th least walkable city in Europe. However, the narrow alleys make exploring Granada on wheels very difficult. Thus, walking is still the best way to explore the town but factor in some additional time and effort, especially for those of you who don’t love walking.

You can spend a day or two or a week exploring Granada and the areas around. We would recommend spending at least two nights here if you choose to drive all the way east. If you’re adding Granada to your Andalusia itinerary, another option is to land in Almeria, which is an hour and 40 minutes from Granada.

Top sights in Granada

  • The Alhambra and los miradores: This fortress, its walls and miradors (viewpoints) are the main attraction in Granada. Alhambra means ‘red castle’ and is easily the grandest example of Moorish architecture in Spain. It was built to be seen from every part of Granada to emphasize the might of the Nasrid dynasty. Sunset up at the fortress is the most popular thing to do in Granada. So, head up there early to reserve a spot on the walls! You can opt for guided tours of the Alhambra to help you immerse in this gem.
  • The Albaicín or Jewish Quarter: A well preserved and stunning Jewish quarter which is where most of the miradors are. If you get lost here, simply walk up until you find your bearings in relation to the Alhambra.
  • La Catedral de Granada: Built on top of the main mosque in Granada in the 1500s after Granada’s capture by Catholic monarchs, the cathedral with its ornate white interior is a break from dark and dingy cathedrals across Europe.
  • Monasterio St. Geronimo: A beautiful renaissance style monastery.
  • Sacramonte and a flamenco show: Sacramonte is the area in Granada having caves that were dug by gypsies to serve as homes. These still serve as homes and many host flamenco shows in these unique settings. You can also have the best views of the city here as it involves a steep uphill hike! There are daily walking tours for this area and are a great, inexpensive way to explore this gorgeous neighborhood.
  • Day trip to Sierra Nevada: The best place to hike or ski in Andalusia. You can opt for a day tour from Granada city centre that takes you to the glacial valleys and for a moderate, 6 hour hike that covers 8 kms or 5 miles.

Where to Stay in Granada:

Old town is the best for proximity to the main attractions and quaint ambiance.

📍Seda Club Hotel

📍NH Collection Victoria

📍Eurostars Gran Via

📍Arte Vida Suites & Spa

Alternative 10-Day Itinerary for Andalusia

Having 10 days or longer gives you the ability to be really flexible and cover as much or as little as you want on your Andalusia road trip. An alternative would be skipping Marbella / Estepona / Malaga for an extra night in Seville and / or Ronda, heading to Cadiz or a nearby beach town or spending a day in Nerja on the coast.

  • Seville (3 nights)
  • Cordoba (1 night)
  • Granada (2 nights)
  • Ronda and white villages (3 nights)
  • Nerja (1 night) OR Cadiz (1 night)
A view of the sea and beach in Cadiz in Spain. There are many boats on the blue water. The picture has been taken at sunrise and you can see the beach with the city in the backdrop.
Playa De La Caleta in Cadiz City Centre

Other Places For Your Andalusia Itinerary

Andalusia is whatever you want it to be – a beach destination, a ski destination, a culture destination, a wine destination etc. A few other places / experiences worth an honorary mention below:

  • Nerja: Beautiful beach town with 10 miles of sandy beach, caves and amazing water sports at the eastern edge of Costa Del Sol.
  • Motril: A cheaper, less glamorous beach town with an equally beautiful beach.
  • Gibraltar: For all you travelers interested in world politics and events, the short drive down to Gibraltar is well worth it, with the famous, towering Rock of Gibraltar.

    The town of Algeciras on the Spanish side of Gibraltar is nothing special and a typical port town. But, Gibraltar itself, the views of the strait and Morocco make this area an interesting day trip if you have the time. Keep in mind that the border between Spain and Gibraltar is an international border. You need to go through UK immigration and comply with UK visa requirements to enter Gibraltar.
  • Ecija: An ancient city, known for its eleven towers and baroque monuments along with river activities like kayaking.
  • Tarifa: Great spot near Playa de Los Lances great for water activities like wind surfing and parasailing.
A view of the Rock of Gibraltar and the blue waters of the strait. The picture has been taken on a seaside promenade with palm trees lining its left. The picture also shows the city of Algeciras in Spain.
A view of Gibraltar from Algeciras in Spain

How To Get Around Andalusia

Andalusia is a vast region, the second largest province in Spain and a road trip is the most efficient way to get around.

By Car: The best way to explore smaller towns and rural areas. Rental cars are likely to be the cheapest in Seville or Malaga.

By Train: High-speed trains connect major cities like Seville, Córdoba, and Málaga.

Public Transport: Buses are generally reliable but may not reach remote villages and / or the frequency will be limited.

By tour: There are many tours that run between cities or top destinations around Andalusia. You can opt for day tours from Seville to Zahara de la Sierra, Ronda, Setenil de Las Bodegas, Cordoba and many other destinations.

Andalusia Road Trip Map

Here’s a helpful map for planning the best route for your trip.

Best Time to Visit Andalusia

Andalusia is a dry, sun drenched destination for most of the year with cool, moderately rainy winters and dry, hot summers. We recommend traveling to the region either in Spring or Autumn to avoid the tourists and harsh summers.

Spring (March-May): Ideal for mild temperatures, blooming flowers, and fewer crowds.

Summer (June-August): Hot but perfect for beach destinations. Cities like Seville, Malaga can be scorching and crowded with tourists.

Autumn (September-November): Warm weather and vibrant festivals along with fewer tourists when compared to the summer, especially in late October / November.

Winter (December-February): Just the locals around with mild weather in coastal towns, the possibility of swimming on certain days, and snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains for skiing enthusiasts.

What To Know For Traveling Andalusia

Spain has a distinct culture and here are a few things to keep in mind when traveling to Andalusia or Spain in general.

  • Spaniards eat dinner late (around 10 PM) and many restaurants don’t even start open before 8PM. This is something to account for especially for Americans who tend to eat early.
  • Tipping is not obligatory but appreciated. A 10% tip is considered generous.
  • Expect to pay tolls on all the roads beginning with E or A which are the expressways. A pro tip to check ‘no tolls’ in Google maps to compare driving times on tolled expressways vs smaller, more beautiful roads.
  • Parking is generally a challenge in the smaller old towns. There are usually parking garages and street parking (usually for up to 3 hours but free between 9pm – 9am) around the periphery of the old town areas. Many old towns have restrictions on vehicles entering and you could get hefty fines if you wander into them by mistake. While looking for our hotel in Cadiz, we drove into a square in the old town we weren’t allowed to. Our hotel in that square was kind enough to help ensure the cops do not fine us.
  • Afternoon siestas mean many shops close from 2:00pm – 5:00pm.
  • While many locals speak some English across the tourist towns, knowing basic Spanish phrases will enhance your experience.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets.
  • Pack lightweight clothing and a hat for hot summers.
  • Pack layers for cooler evenings in spring or autumn.

TLDR: The Ultimate Andalusia Itinerary For 5 Days, 7 Days & 10 Days

Andalusia is a gorgeous region that covers Spain’s south. It has a mix of a beautiful coastline littered with blue flag beaches, the Sierra Nevada mountains and some of the oldest towns in Spain with Roman, Moorish and Catholic influence. You can spend 5, 7, 10 or 14 days exploring this gorgeous region.