What better may to explore southern Spain than with an Andalusia road trip? There’s a lot to do in Andalusia, from strolling along the beaches to exploring its historic cities and roaming through countryside. The region has been inhabited since the third millennium BC so it’s the perfect place to visit if you love history.
And if that isn’t enough to entice you to plan a trip to Andalusia then the food and wine will. Andalusia is the birthplace of tapas which you can find in many restaurants around the region. If wine is your thing then a visit Jerez is a must, and this city isn’t too far from Cadiz and Seville either.
If you’re planning on visiting Spain, there’s nothing better than an Andalusia road trip and getting to drive through the cities of southern Spain. For those of you planning on driving down from Madrid, the best way to do this is to rent a vehicle through a trusted website such as StressFreeCarRental.com who offer a quick and easy booking service. Road trips are always a good idea in my opinion, and Andalusia is the perfect place for it.
Andalusia road trip destinations
Caminito del Rey
Just a short drive from Malaga is Caminito del Rey. This is a huge highlight in southern Spain and a very unique outdoor activity too. It takes 2-3 hours in total to walk around the gorge, which is a very easy route as well. Make sure you go when it’s not windy or else the path will be closed off for safety reasons.
Beaches in Andalusia
The Costa del Sol is famous for its beautiful beaches, but some of the best ones are those that only the locals know about, like along the Costa de la Luz. I would recommend visiting the beaches in the Cadiz area, where there are lots of activities to partake in as well. If you’re planning a road trip along the Costa del Sol, do some research ahead of time and try to find some hidden gems.
Juzcar
Juzcar is the world’s first and only Smurfs’ village. The buildings were originally white but were painted blue to celebrate the premiere of The Smurfs movie. The villagers decided to leave them this colour as it brought tourism to the area, and you can find some Smurfs dotted around the village too. Juzcar is situated in the mountains so make sure you’re comfortable driving along the narrow streets before setting off.
Gibraltar
Gibraltar isn’t part of Spain but if you’re doing an Andalusia road trip you can’t pass up on the opportunity to hop over the border and explore a new country. I would recommend spending 2 days in Gibraltar so you have time to see the Rock as well as the city below. It takes under 2 hours to drive from Malaga to Gibraltar, so you could make it into a day trip if you’re short on time. Just be careful of the monkeys!
Ronda
Malaga to Ronda takes just over an hour to drive to making it the perfect Andalusia road trip destination. There are plenty of things to see and do in Ronda, including hiking or driving down to this unique viewpoint of the bridge from below. You can also add the Roman ruins of Acinipo to your itinerary while visiting Ronda, which is a very short drive away.
Cadiz
Cadiz is a beautiful ancient port city, with its white buildings and palm trees lining the plazas. The cathedral can be found in the main plaza and sits just across the road from the sea. Make sure you walk along the waterfront and explore the castle that’s in the middle of the sea. No Andalusia road trip is complete without at least spending half a day in Cadiz.
Seville
Plaza de España is one of the most beautiful spots in Seville. There’s a lot to see in the city but it can be done in a day if you’re determined to see it all. Seville’s old town is stunning, with lots of historic attractions to visit, and it’s one of the largest in Europe too.
The Royal Alcazar of Seville is another must-visit attraction and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Try to book your tickets ahead of time or you’ll end up like queuing for a long time in the summer months.
Cordoba
Cordoba is one of my favourite cities in Andalusia. Walking through the old town is an incredible experience, with its medieval winding streets and quaint eateries. A trip to the Mezquita is a must as is the nearby Alcazar.
Granada
If Granada isn’t on your Andalusia road trip itinerary yet it needs to be. If you’re looking to explore the Alhambra, make sure you book your tickets months in advance as they sells out very early. Take some time to explore The Alcaiceria (bazaar) as well as the cathedral and chapel where Ferdinand and Isabella are laid to rest.
Situated just outside of Granada’s center, is the Carthusian monastery (Granada Charterhouse). It’s very easy to get to by car and is definitely worth a stop on your way out of the city. It’s one of the best examples of Spanish Baroque architecture in the country and is very extravagant inside.
Malaga
Malaga is a major tourist destination in Andalusia. It’s one of the oldest cities in the world and the old town features sites such as a medieval fortress, a Roman amphitheater, and a museum dedicated to Picasso, who was born in the city.
Make sure you take time to appreciate the cathedral and the winding streets which are full of shops, bars, and amazing places to eat. I would recommend joining a food tour in Malaga so you don’t miss out on the delicacies here. There are lots of things to do in Malaga and you could very easily spend a few days exploring the city.
Puerto Banus, Marbella
Puerto Banus in Marbella is crawling with fancy yachts and flashy cars, so keep your eyes peeled for a celebrity or two. It’s a great stop during your Andalusia road trip, as it takes just under an hour to drive to from Malaga and you get to travel along the Costa del Sol for the whole ride. If you have time, why not pop into Marbella’s old town as well?
Frigiliana
There are a lot of beautiful white villages in Spain but Andalusia may have the best ones. There’s a village trail you can follow in your car that takes you to some of the best in the region, including Frigiliana which is close to Nerja. The village provides you with a great example of Moorish influence and has some beautiful narrow streets to explore.
Rio Tinto
One of the most unique places to visit in Andalusia is the Rio Tinto Mining Park in Huelva. There are plenty of things to do inside the park such as visiting Europe’s largest open-cast mine, hopping on a one hundred year old wooden train, and learning all about the history of the mines at the museum. If you want to go on a tour here you’ll need to arrive early in the day as there are only set times you can visit.
Baelo Claudia
Any Andalusia road trip has to include Playa Bolonia in the Province of Cadiz. This pristine virgin beach is famous for its sand dunes and it’s also home to the Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia. The ruins sit directly next to the beach and cost very little to enter. If you’re visiting southern Spain in the summer I would recommend avoiding these ruins in the afternoon because there’s no shade to hide under.
Benagil Cave
The Benagil Cave is located along the Algarve Coast in Portugal but it’s a very short drive from Andalusia so it’s definitely worth adding to your southern Spain road trip itinerary. The cave isn’t accessible by land so you’ll either need to join a boat tour or float there yourself. I would recommend bringing your own paddle board or kayak because the rental prices at the beach aren’t cheap. There’s also a walking route that you can take to the top of the cave so you can see it from another vantage point.
Camper van rental in Malaga
VanBreak
The California Ocean is a nice choice for a camper van if you’re visiting Andalusia in the warmer months. VanBreak is based in Alhaurin de la Torre, only a short distance from Malaga’s airport, making them a great option if you’re not sure who to rent from. I would recommend using the “park4night” app, which will give you places to park in the areas that you’re planning to go to.
Booking the California Ocean camper van in the summer works out to be around €122 per day, which includes their insurance for the whole trip. VanBreak also give you the option of renting sports equipment such as a stand up paddle board so you don’t need to worry about bringing these with you.
Any Andalusia road trip you design is going to be a fantastic one. Hopefully some of the above destinations have made it onto your list the next time you visit southern Spain. And if you’re thinking of doing a road trip further north don’t forget to check out Toledo and Segovia too which are both easily accessible with a car or camper van.
Please get in touch with me either via email or through Instagram if you need any advice planning your road trip in Andalusia or have any other recommendations for me.
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