One Week in Southern Spain
The memories that really stick with me from my first trip to Spain in 2004 are the grandeur of the Alhambra and the beauty of Seville. When planning my return trip, I wanted to include some new spots where I hadn’t yet traveled, but I knew both Seville and Granada were places to which I needed to return. Add on some adventure just outside of Málaga, and we’ve got ourselves a second Spanish road trip!
Welcome to my One Week in Southern Spain Itinerary! This itinerary was created for those who love getting lost in beautiful cities, culture, luxury hotels, road trips, tapas, and hiking. Let’s get started!
Anything marked with *** below are the spots I highly recommend!
Travel Tips
You’re in Spain, so you’re here to eat tapas, right?? Spaniards tend to eat dinner pretty late, so most spots will open around 21:00. I recommend trying to get to your tapas spot right when they open, as most tend to get very busy, every night of the week! I found this wasn’t hard for me to do, as I’m used to eating dinner at 18:00 haha!
It’s one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever been to. I could get lost in its streets for hours. One of Josh’s first impressions: “I feel like I’m on the set of a movie.”
These small towns have very interesting history and not a lot of tourists! We visited Carmona and were so happy we got to experience a different side of Andalusia. From my research, Osuna would also be another good option.
Good for your body, mind and soul! It’s so easy to burn out on long trips, so having some time to recharge is key. I know that if I don’t plan it, I won’t do it. For this itinerary, our scheduled spa afternoon and massages at Gran Hotel Málaga fit the bill perfectly.
Buy your tickets online here. They only allow a certain number of people to enter the trail every 30 minutes and often sell out of tickets. It gets very crowded, so we chose the day’s very first time slot so as to get ahead of the crowds and get photos free of other people. Keep in mind, the path is only traversed one-way. Once you complete the trail, there is a bus that will return you to the parking areas at the beginning of the trail. The bus is cash only but you can also pre-book your seat when you purchase your trail ticket online.
You can assume every tourist in Granada is there to see the Alhambra. I also recommend doing the night visit, as it gives a very unique look into the palaces. Get lost wandering for hours.
This is a “pinch me, I must be dreaming” experience, as you watch the sunset from Mirador San Nicolás, overlooking the Alhambra. Not to be missed.
If you want to incorporate some luxury hotel stays, but your budget only allows for a couple nights, I like to use these nights at the end of my trip. It really ends the trip on a high note and, as I’m usually ready for a little more rest by the end, it allows me to fully appreciate the amenities at higher end properties.
Day-to-Day
DAY ONE: Seville
Plan to arrive in Seville in the morning. As we were coming from Lisbon, we landed at the Seville Airport at 10:00. The drive into the city takes about twenty minutes. Check into the hotel first. Even if your room isn’t ready, they’ll likely be able to store your luggage for you.
***Hotel Alfonso XIII, A Luxury Collection Hotel***
This luxury hotel is under the Marriott brand. A regal hotel, commissioned to be built by the King of the same name for the 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition in order to host visiting dignitaries. This is one of the best places to stay in Seville if you’re looking for a splurge. Hotel Alfonso is in a great location, right next to the Real Alcázar and Seville Cathedral. Something to keep in mind: most of the restaurants and amenities on site are closed in January-February, as the weather is cooler and there are fewer visitors. There is also a darling retail shop with some beautiful souvenir options on site. Click here to go to this hotel’s website.
LUNCH: CRISTINA BISTRO – This small restaurant is right across the street from Hotel Alfonso XIII, making it a great choice if you’re feeling quite hungry and don’t want to go far for delicious food! Friendly staff and a fresh menu full of great options for a satisfying lunch to fuel you up for the rest of the afternoon.
***ARCHIVO DE INDIAS*** – This is a completely FREE museum dedicated to Magellan’s voyage circumnavigating the globe. The exhibit is very fascinating, telling first hand stories, displaying artifacts, and holding nothing back! Easy to get lost in for a couple hours. And I mentioned it’s free?? Also, it’s located in a beautiful UNESCO protected building.
This ended up being the most surprising part of our time in Seville. I loved this museum! I’m not going to lie, prior to this visit, literally all I knew about Magellan was he was the first to circumnavigate the world.
THERE IS SO MUCH MORE!!
This story has drama, adventure, violence… Seriously, Netflix. Make a series about this already 😉
After spending about 2 hours in the museum exploring at our own pace, we stood outside and talked about it for at least another 30 minutes! It was a big win all around.
***FLAMENCO SHOW AND DINNER*** – A must while you’re in Seville. There are plenty of tablao, or flamenco theater, performances to choose from, usually holding shows nightly. However, I recommend you check out Airbnb Experiences for a more unique experience on a much smaller scale.
For this particular experience, you’ll meet your host at Iglesia de San Marcos and make your way to their studio, a character filled space located in an artist’s neighborhood. The area was formerly horse stables and they’ve all been converted to artistic spaces.
This experience is hosted by a husband-wife duo, he on the guitar and she as the dancer. For our performance, they had also invited a flamenco singer to perform with them. For an hour, we had front row seats to an incredible show of dance, emotional song, and beautiful guitar music. The most incredible part was the fact that the dancer and guitarist had never once performed or practiced with the singer! It was all completely improvised, and they created a show built entirely around the chemistry in the moment.
They fed us, kept us supplied with wine, and at the end had a conversation with us about the history of flamenco, answered all of our questions, and lastly — taught us some moves! Let me tell you. Watching Josh and his two friends practice their “flamenco hands” and hip circles provided me with some incredible memories that have me laughing even as I type this!
DAY TWO: Seville
REAL ALCAZAR OF SEVILLE with CUARTRO REAL ALTO – A 16th century Moorish palace, the Real Alcázar still houses the Spanish royal family when they are in Seville. It’s an incredible palace with gorgeous architecture and meticulously maintained grounds. Fountains, arches, and intricate stonework abound! Pre-book your tickets for easy entrance right at opening. Plan to spend about 1.5 hours wandering the palace and grounds before making your way to the Cuarto Real Alto, the rooms the royal family occupy during their stay. You need additional tickets for this section and I highly recommend booking in advance, as they often sell out. Unfortunately, no photography is allowed in the Cuarto Real Alto and there’s a security guard with your group the entire time to make sure you stick to the rules!
SEVILLE CATHEDRAL – From the Real Alcázar, walk over to the Cathedral of Seville. Completed in the early 16th century, this is one of the world’s largest cathedrals. Take a climb up the Giralda tower to get some beautiful views of Seville and some closer looks at the impressive spires and roof of the church.
The Cathedral is also the final resting place of Christopher Columbus. Though, this is up for some debate! After Columbus died, his remains moved around from Valladolid, Spain to the Dominican Republic to Cuba then finally to Seville in 1899. However, there is some evidence he never left the Dominican Republic!
Whether or not he’s in there, the tomb in the Seville Cathedral is still very impressive. From the pictures, you can see the four figures holding the tomb aloft, representing the four kingdoms of Spain present during Columbus’ life: Castille, Aragon, Navara, and Leon.
LUNCH – This part of Seville around the Cathedral is filled with beautiful restaurants and patios. Take a stroll through some of the streets and pick one that you fancy. We had a lovely lunch outside, surrounded by the abundant orange trees planted along the streets. Enjoy the view!
Take some time after lunch to wander, ramble, and roam around these beautiful streets.
PLAZA DE ESPANA – This plaza was also built for the 1929 Exposition and today is a beautiful spot to explore. The reddish color, the tiles in the plaza, and the large fountain all make it extremely photogenic! This is one of the spots I most vividly remember from my 2004 trip to Spain and I enjoyed retracing my steps along the pavilion. Do some of the pictures look a little familiar to you? This spot was used to film a portion of Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. It’s fun to think about walking along the same tiles as Natalie Portman 🙂
TAPAS AT OJEVAS NEGRAS – This spot is located on a street with many beautiful restaurants and highly rated tapas bars. Ojevas Negras gets very crowded, so try to get there early. Even better if you can snag a spot at the bar. The bartender will keep you supplied with food and drinks! Great selection of local craft beers on offer.
PREMIER SHERRY AND COCKTAIL BAR – Wrap up your night with some cocktails at this stylish spot. Sherry bars are quite popular in Seville, and at Premier you can enjoy your sherry in a beautiful, modern setting.
DAY THREE: Carmona
The small towns surrounding Seville are definitely worth a day trip to visit. Carmona is one of the closer towns, at only a 35 minute drive outside of the city limits of Seville. Carmona was built high up on a ridge, giving it beautiful views of the Andalusian plains. Founded in the 14th century BC, it was a Roman stronghold during Julius Caesar’s day (100-44BC).
LUNCH: MOLINA DE LA ROMERA – After arriving in Carmona and getting your bearings, make your way to Molina de la Romera for lunch. What a space! High ceilings, wood beams, white table cloths, and a fantastic menu. There are many local specialties on offer and a great wine list to peruse. Once you have a full belly, set off to explore Carmona.
***ALCAZAR DE LA PUERTA DE SEVILLE*** – Another well preserved Moorish fortress. Admission is only 2€, making it already a win in my book! Inside, you can see the remains of an ancient Roman cistern water system and stroll through rooms with various artifacts. Don’t miss going to the top of the Tower of Gold, which affords beautiful views over Carmona. Plan to spend at least an hour or so here.
Once you’ve finished with the Alcázar, wander, ramble, and roam in Carmona. It’s a lovely town with picturesque architecture and many, many lovely churches. When you’ve seen your fill, head back to Seville.
***DINNER: CONTENEDOR*** – This restaurant focuses on fresh food with healthy options (read: vegetables! Always something I’m looking for when traveling.). The menu is highly seasonal and changes frequently. Therefore, it’s not printed on paper but written on chalkboards. The menus are written entirely in Spanish, but the servers are all fluent in English and will patiently take the time to read everything off to you.
DAY FOUR: Málaga
Sleep in a bit this morning before hopping back in the car for the 2.5 hour drive to Málaga. Enjoy the view as you drive by orange groves, vineyards, and olive groves. You’ll see green, sprawling plains and dominating mountains. Finally, as Málaga comes into view, you’ll get your first glimpse of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s also incredible how quickly the landscape can change from arid to lush in Spain. You really cover all the bases driving around this country.
Málaga is known as the gateway city to the Costa del Sol and has a very resort town feel. Once you arrive in the city, check into your hotel and prepare for some relaxation!
***GRAN HOTEL MIRAMAR MALAGA*** – This luxury hotel right is located right on the beach. It is the top resort hotel in the city. Beautiful spaces, gracious hosts, and a spa you could (and should!) spend the better part of a day in. While it was a bit cold for swimming while we were there, the pool is huge and offers plenty of surrounding seating.
Spend the rest of your day enjoying the spa facilities at this hotel. If you’d like to read more about our stay at the Gran Hotel Miramar, click here for my full review!
WANDER. RAMBLE. ROAM. – Spend the evening exploring the darling downtown area of Málaga. Dominating the area is the Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación. It’s the second highest cathedral in Andalusia, after the Cathedral of Seville. But when looking at it, you’ll think to yourself that it seems a little…off. It’s missing an entire tower! The design included two towers at each end of the building, and while one is complete, you’ll see the second was built just enough to the pylons, but then it just…stops. Weird, right?? When funds were put aside for the construction of the church, the parish decided to send some of the money to the British colonists fighting for their independence…you might remember this little skirmish as the American Revolution 😉 While the United States was built, the Cathedral wasn’t. They ran out of money and to this day, it remains incomplete.
DAY FIVE: Caminito del Rey, Málaga
***Caminito del Rey*** – Get your nature fix only about an hour from Málaga. Formerly known as “The World’s Most Dangerous Walkway” it has since been cleaned up and restored so it’s no longer dangerous, but still provides the same breathtaking views as you walk through the El Chorro gorge. It will still give you a thrill, walking along a boardwalk pinned to the side of a massive rock face, 100 meters above the river below. The views through El Chorro gorge are incredible, and even though the path is only about 3 km long, plan for about 2 hours to complete it. The urge to take pictures every few seconds is real! Also, notice the old path that still remains beneath the newer boardwalk. And then tell me if you would have hiked this path in its former glory!
Even with these incredible views, you’ll still find the best part of the Caminito is these sweet hairnets and safety helmets you have to wear 😉
***LUNCH: BLOSSOM*** – When in Málaga, do not miss Blossom. This tapas restaurant is run by two brothers from Argentina and is a complete gem. The food is incredible. I think we ordered every dish on the menu and multiple bottles of wine. The brother who was our server spoke great English and we had a really nice conversation with him about his move to Spain and whether Spanish or Argentinian reds are better (he was strongly in support of Argentina!). Unfortunately, I was so thoroughly enjoying this meal, talking with our host about food and wine, and my friends about the Caminito, I didn’t get many photos. But trust me, enjoy a meal there!
ALCAZABA FORTRESS – Built in the 11th century, this is the best preserved Alcazaba in Spain. (Alcazaba is Arabic for “citadel.”) It’s built up on a hilltop and affords stunning views of the mountains and the sea. In its shadow sits a Roman theater dating back to the 1st century BC. Once again, I was struck by Spain’s incredible history on display in every historic town: Roman, to Arabic, to medieval Christian. So much history, all displayed in one structure.
DAY SIX: Granada
Enjoy a late breakfast at the hotel and then hit the road for Granada. Your drive is only 1.5 hours today, but is filled with that same beautiful scenery you’ll have come to expect from Spain! Upon arrival in Granada, check into your hotel.
PALACIO DE MARIANA PINEDA – A boutique hotel located in historic Granada. This 17th century former estate was converted into a lovely, comfortable hotel that includes breakfast. A lot of charm and our room even had a view of the Alhambra! You can’t drive a car to the hotel, as it’s on a very narrow, cobblestoned street that requires a special permit to drive on. The hotel will instruct you which garage to park in and will pay for your taxi to the hotel. Great location, with tapas bars and the Alhambra all within walking distance.
LUNCH: MINUIT PAN Y CAFE – Great for a lighter lunch if, like I was, you’re needing something a little less heavy in your stomach after so many tapas restaurants! Great croissants and sandwiches, coffee, and lattes.
After lunch, wander, ramble, and roam around Granada. You’re going to have a later evening tonight, so if you’re feeling tired, grab a nap in your hotel room before sunset arrives.
***SUNSET: MIRADOR SAN NICOLAS*** – Prepare yourself for a nice, long, steep climb up the hilly streets and alleys of Granada! But I promise, it’s going to be worth it.
Do you ever see things in this world that make you choke up because you’re so overcome with emotions brought on by sheer grandeur and beauty? Chalk this sunset up to one of those moments. As the sun sets, the Alhambra is bathed in golden light, the cotton candy skies lit up in purples, blues, and pinks. The snow capped Sierra Nevada mountains in the distance are just the cherry on top of an unreal moment.
NIGHT VISIT TO NASRID PALACES, ALHAMBRA – This is a unique way to visit the palace. It’s bathed in light on the inside, but windows to the outside world are completely dark. The stonework in this palace is beyond compare. Be prepared for your neck to start to hurt from constantly looking up in amazement. The night visit lasts approximately an hour.
DAY SEVEN: Granada
You made it to the last day of this itinerary! Enjoy the breakfast spread at the hotel. Today, you’re going to see the Alhambra during the day and grab an authentic tapas lunch (Granada-style) before heading to the airport.
***THE ALHAMBRA*** – Are you even in Granada if you don’t visit this magnificent palace? Originally, it was built as a small fortress in 889 over the remains of Roman construction. It became the palace it is today in the 13th century, commissioned by Nasrid emir Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar. It later fell to Christian rule and was the seat of Ferdinand and Isabella (who would fund Christoper Columbus’ expedition to the New World). Today, it’s the grandest example of Islamic Spanish architecture in the country.
Your ticket for the night visit includes daytime entry to the grounds and Alcazaba. Luckily, these don’t have to be used on the same day. Plan to spend an additional two hours exploring the Alhambra during the day.
TAPAS LUNCH: BODEGAS CASTENEDA – The tapas restaurants in Granada are unique in that with every drink you order, you get a free tapa. This way, you’re able to try a variety of regional delicacies and wash it all down with some reasonably priced drinks! Bodegas Casteñeda has some great options, to include regional specialties. You never know what your next tapa is going to be, but the unknown is what makes this kind of dining experience fun, in my opinion.
In addition to the tapas, I ordered the Iberian ham and Manchego cheese plate. Our server shaved it right off the leg!
And with a full belly, make your way to the airport to head home. You’ve just had an incredible week exploring southern Spain!
Spain continues to hold a very special place in my heart. I hope you’re feeling inspired to experience this incredible country for yourself. As always, thank you for reading. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Oh, and if you’re curious how many bottles of wine we managed to fit in our two checked bags after 2 weeks in Spain, here’s proof! (Not pictured: the 5 additional bottles we had shipped!)
Málaga: Gran Hotel Miramar
