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The short answer: 7- and 10-day routes
The classic Andalusia road trip is a loop from Málaga through Granada, Córdoba, Seville and Ronda, with the white villages on the way back. Seven days covers the highlights; ten days adds the Cádiz coast and more villages without rushing.
| Day | 7-day route | 10-day route |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Málaga | Arrive in Málaga |
| 2 | Drive to Granada | Nerja and Frigiliana, on to Granada |
| 3 | Granada: the Alhambra | Granada: the Alhambra |
| 4 | Drive to Córdoba | Granada: Albaicín and Sacromonte |
| 5 | Drive to Seville | Drive to Córdoba |
| 6 | Seville | Drive to Seville |
| 7 | Ronda via the white villages, back to Málaga | Seville |
| 8 | Cádiz and Jerez | |
| 9 | White villages: Arcos, Grazalema, Zahara | |
| 10 | Ronda, back to Málaga |
We’d book first: the Alhambra (weeks ahead), your car, and hotels with parking or a car park nearby. To see every stop in one place, open our Andalusia map.
Driving times
| Leg | Distance | Time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Málaga → Granada | 125 km | 1 h 30 |
| Granada → Córdoba | 200 km | 2 h |
| Córdoba → Seville | 140 km | 1 h 30 |
| Seville → Cádiz | 125 km | 1 h 30 |
| Cádiz → Arcos de la Frontera | 65 km | 1 h |
| Arcos → Grazalema → Ronda | 90 km | 1 h 45 (mountain roads) |
| Seville → Ronda (via Setenil or Zahara) | 130 km | 2 h |
| Ronda → Málaga | 100 km | 1 h 30 |
Most driving days are under two hours, which leaves the afternoon for sightseeing.
Day by day
Málaga (1 night)
Arrive, collect the car at the airport (see Málaga airport car hire) and spend the evening in the old town: the cathedral, the Alcazaba and tapas around Calle Larios.
- Hotels: Málaga old town
Granada (2 nights)
See the Alhambra (book weeks ahead), the Albaicín and the sunset from the Mirador de San Nicolás. We’d park in a public car park: the centre and the Albaicín are closed to traffic.
- Top: Parador de Granada, inside the Alhambra grounds
- Mid-range: Hotel Casa Morisca, a restored house in the Albaicín
- More options: hotels in Granada
Córdoba (1 night)
The Mezquita-Catedral, the Jewish quarter and the Roman bridge at sunset. See the Córdoba guide. With a spare day, see Zuheros, a white village in the south of Córdoba province.
- Top: Hospes Palacio del Bailío, a 16th–18th-century palace with Roman remains and a spa
- More options: hotels in Córdoba’s old town, or our best hotels in Córdoba
Seville (2 nights)
We’d park the car for two days in a car park at the edge of the centre, or return it and collect another when you leave. See the Real Alcázar, the cathedral, Plaza de España, Triana and a flamenco show. Follow our 2-day Seville itinerary and choose a base in where to stay in Seville.
Cádiz and Jerez (10-day route)
Cádiz’s old town and beaches, then a sherry bodega in Jerez. See Seville to Cádiz.
The white villages
Arcos de la Frontera on its cliff, Grazalema in the mountains, Zahara de la Sierra under its castle, Setenil de las Bodegas with houses built into the rock. See the white villages.
Ronda (1 night on the 10-day route)
The Puente Nuevo over the gorge, the old bullring and the viewpoints. We’d stay the night to see it without the day-trip crowds.
- Top: Parador de Ronda, next to the Puente Nuevo
- More options: hotels in Ronda
Car hire
We recommend hiring at Málaga airport for the lowest prices and the widest choice, with a full-to-full fuel policy. We’d choose a small or compact car for village streets. A one-way rental (Málaga to Seville) costs extra but lets you drop the car before Seville. See car hire in Andalusia.
With maps running all day, you will use a lot of data. EU plans roam at no extra cost in Spain; if yours is from outside the EU or has a small allowance, see our eSIM guide. For the rest, see our pre-trip checklist.
Without a car
You can do most of this route by train and bus:
- Train: Málaga–Córdoba about 1 hour, Córdoba–Seville just under an hour, Seville–Granada on four direct trains a day via Córdoba, and Málaga–Granada on three.
- Bus: Ronda, Cádiz and some white villages are easier by bus (Alsa, Damas) than by train.
- Day tours from Seville or Málaga cover Ronda and the white villages. See day trips from Seville.
Compare trains and buses on Omio.
Variations
- Summer: drive in the morning, avoid the interior at midday, and add beach time in Cádiz or Nerja.
- With kids: we’d shorten to three bases (Málaga, Granada, Seville) and do day trips from them.
- Only 5 days: Seville (2 nights) and Granada (2 nights), with Córdoba on the way.
- Two weeks: add the Alpujarras, Úbeda and Baeza with Cazorla, or the Cabo de Gata. See the best places to visit in Andalusia.
For the figures behind this, with their sources, see our Andalusia tourism statistics.
Work out your own total with our Andalusia trip cost calculator.
Starting from Madrid? See our 10-day Spain itinerary.
FAQ
How many days do you need for an Andalusia road trip?
Seven days covers Málaga, Granada, Córdoba, Seville and Ronda. We think ten days is better, with Cádiz, Jerez and the white villages.
Where should I start an Andalusia road trip?
We’d start in Málaga, for the cheapest flights and car hire. Seville works just as well if you fly there. Combining the trip with Portugal? See Lisbon to Seville.
Is it easy to drive in Andalusia?
Yes. The roads are good and quiet, and most driving days are under two hours. We’d park outside the old towns, which are closed to traffic.
Can I do Andalusia by train?
Yes, between the main cities: Seville, Córdoba, Málaga and Granada. For Ronda, the villages and the coast, buses, tours or a hire car are easier.