Road Trip through Best Places to Visit in Southern Spain

Can’t believe 5 days of my Spain travel is over! The days were hectic with lots of drives and sightseeing the top tourist attractions in southern Spain. Based on trip and study I have this list of best places to visit in southern Spain.

Five cities in Andalusia region of Spain you must visit are: Malaga, Ronda, Granada, Cordoba and Seville. Owing to time constraint I had to give Malaga and Ronda a pass. However I managed to see the exquisite La Alhambra in Granada, Mezquita in Cordoba and Flamenco in Seville.

Road Trip through Best Places to Visit in Southern Spain

Day 1 in Spain

Walking Tour of Barcelona

Barcelona mesmerized us with its pleasant weather! We took early morning flight from Goa to Barcelona. After gulping a quick meal we went on a self guided walking tour of Barcelona.

Read the Walking Tour of Las Ramblas.

During the walk we took a detour to explore the Cathedral of Barcelona, a medieval era monument. The walking tour sapped us of our energy but not not our enthusiasm for the touristy sights.

By the time we completed our dinner and hit the bed we didn’t realize we were awake for whole 24hrs! Next day we were to tour of south of Spain.

Day 2 in Spain

Barcelona to Granada Road Trip

It was a long drive from Barcelona to Granada (>850 km) which was warmer by a few degrees comparatively, but equally beautiful with spring flowers coloring up the roadsides.

The road trip to from Barcelona to Granada was through AP-7 which has plenty of tolls. At some stretches of the road we could see the coastline of Balearic Sea. Those sights almost tempted us to take a diversion. It took us little more than 10 hours to reach Granada as we had halted at couple of places for refueling ourselves and the car.

See photo essay here –> Barcelona to Granada Road trip

Night halt was in Granada. The hotel staff at Hotel Universal Granada were surprised that we didn’t book the time slots for Alhambra. In fact they were worried if we would get the tickets the next day. They advised to leave early in the morning for the tickets.

I didn’t realise the seriousness and foolishness on my part for not having booked the tickets till the next day when I saw the long queue at the ticketing office of Alhambra.

Read more: Where to stay in Granada Spain

Barcelona to Granada road trip Google Map Spain

Day 3 in Spain

This was the most incidents-full day of the whole trip. We hadn’t booked our tickets to Alhambra instead we decided to queue up for the tickets there not realizing it was a big blunder.

Read here –> to know how we got the tickets to La Alhambra.

Tour of Granada, then Road trip to Seville

Granada is GRAND, one of the top tourist attractions of southern Spain. Granada is rated as one of the most beautiful cities of Spain. I am so glad we included it in our itinerary for Spain. While the sights in streets and the cathedrals enthralled us, the interiors of Alhambra stunned us to silence.

Read more: Granada – Things to Do

We drove to Seville that same night and it was past 1 AM when we reached Seville totally exhausted and clueless where our hotel was located. It was no less than a miracle when two angels helped us out.

Read more about it here –> Miraculous End to Road Trip from Granada to Seville

Day 4 in Spain

Road trip Seville to Cordoba and back

With Seville as base, we drove to Cordoba to see the Mezquita. I will never regret this hectic travel. Cordoba ranks high in the list of top tourist attractions in Spain. Each site surpasses the other in terms of beauty and grandeur! And of course we had lots of local food.

Cordoba is worth visiting for its rich history and fascinating architecture. If time permits you allow three days to take in the city’s top attractions. Many tourists make Cordoba a home base for a day trip to the vibrant city of Seville, but we did the reverse.

While there we visited the stunning Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral), explored the Jewish Quarter, had lunch, and visited the Roman Temple and the Roman Bridge.

Read more: Things to Do in Cordoba

The same evening we returned to Seville and witnessed a live Flamenco dance. The grace and energy in their movements mesmerized us beyond words.

Best Places to Visit in Southern Spain – Cordoba

Day 5 in Spain

A very eventful day when we toured through three UNESCO heritage sites – Merida in Spain and Elvas and Evora in Portugal. We concentrated on just the heritage sites.

Merida in Spain not to be confused with Merida in Mexico.

Merida has some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Spain, the group of which were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993. The town of Emérita Augusta was founded in 25 BCE under the rule of Emperor Augustus, when Rome was expanding its empire. It became the largest Roman outpost in Iberia and the capital of the Lusitania province.

Merida is small, but with so many Roman ruins to see, you can’t do full justice to it in a few hours. Ideally this town deserves two days itinerary.

Road trip: Seville to Merida to Elvas to Evora

We drove to Merida, then crossed over to Portugal. The first place we halted was at Elvas in Portugal. Elvas is a very quite town, the most striking factor the town is painted yellow. After spending 3 hours in Elvas we drove to Evora, by then it was late in the evening. Sunset time here is 9PM, so with so much daylight time we could do lots of walking tours.

Elvas, a charming town, is frontier fortress of easternmost central Portugal, located in the district of Portalegre. For centuries, this town had been the stage for border disputes and frequent invasions from Spain. This resulted in Elvas becoming one of the most fortified towns in Portugal.

Sights worth exploring in Elvas are Santa Luzia Fort, Amoreira Aqueduct, the yellow city walls, and the ancient church. All major sights can be covered in one day, we did it in a couple of hours.

Tourist Attractions Portugal – Elvas

Evora is worth visiting for the largest medieval cathedral in Portugal. Other sights worth seeing are Evora’s Roman temple and aqueduct, a bone chapel ossuary (Chapel of Bones) and shopping for souvenirs made of cork. Located at the top of a hill in the Alentejo region it has preserved its 2000 years of history and miraculously escaped the massive earthquake that hit Lisbon.

We did a night halt here. Check – Where to stay in Evora Portugal?

Highlights of Road trip through south of Spain – Barcelona to Evora

The entire stretch we drove in southern coast of Spain was 1748 km. Highlights of the road trip:

• We crossed over from one country to another
• we crossed over from one time zone to another
• Visited 7 major cities of Europe
• We visited 5 UNESCO heritage sites in Spain: Barcelona, Granada, Seville, Cordoba, Merida
• We visited 2 UNESCO Heritage sites in Portugal: Evora, Elvas
• Tasted amazing cuisines of Spain and Portugal

Best Places to Visit in Southern Spain

Other Places to Visit in Southern Spain

Malaga Spain

Málaga, a coastal city in Andalusia, Spain is famous for stunning beaches. Malaga in Spain is an ideal destination for beach lovers. Best time to visit Malaga is during summers. Malagueta and La Caleta are the busiest beaches.  Two massive hilltop citadels, the Alcazaba and ruined Gibralfaro, remnants of Moorish rule, are worth a visit. Another great thing to do in Malaga is to visit the Roman theatre located at the bottom of the Alcazaba. The public transport in Malaga makes it easy to travel both within and outside the city.

A word of caution, like in any other city of Spain, don’t let your guard down here too, stay alert. Petty crimes of robbing can happen.

Read more: 18 Attractions in Malaga Spain , 10 Best Places to stay in Malaga

Ronda Spain

Ronda is best known for being the birthplace of bullfighting. See Spain’s most historic and beautiful bullrings here. Other interesting things to do in Ronda are visiting Plaza De Toros De Ronda, Puente Nuevo Bridge, Museo Del Bandolero (Bandit Museum), the Arab Baths and exploring the intricate streets of Ronda.

Ronda is one of Spain’s picturesque white villages on a cliff. (White towns of Andalusia (Pueblos Blancos) are a series of whitewashed towns and large villages in northern part of the provinces in southern Spain). There are two ways to visit Ronda from Malaga: take a bus or take a train or the other option is self-drive. It takes an average of 2h to travel from Malaga to Ronda by train, over a distance of 65 km.

Read more: 12 Best Things to Do while Visiting Rhonda and Malaga

FAQ for Road Trip through best Places to Visit in Southern Spain

Here’s a set of FAQ questions and answers to plan a road trip through the best places to visit in Southern Spain:

What are the popular places to see in Southern Spain?

Southern Spain is home to several must-visit cities, including Seville, Granada, Cordoba, and Malaga. Each city offers its own unique blend of history, culture, and attractions.

What’s the best way to travel around Southern Spain?

Road tripping through Southern Spain offers the flexibility to explore at your own pace and discover hidden gems off the beaten path. Renting a car allows you to visit remote villages, coastal towns, and natural landmarks with ease.

What are the top attractions in Seville?

Seville boasts iconic attractions such as the Alcazar Palace, the Cathedral and Giralda Tower, and the vibrant Plaza de España. Don’t miss wandering through the historic Barrio Santa Cruz and sampling delicious tapas in local taverns.

What should I not miss in Granada?

Granada’s crown jewel is the Alhambra Palace, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site that blends Islamic and Christian architecture. Other highlights include the Generalife Gardens, the historic Albayzín neighborhood, and the vibrant street life around Plaza Nueva.

Is a visit to Cordoba worth it?

Absolutely! Cordoba is home to the breathtaking Mezquita, a Mosque-Cathedral that showcases the city’s rich history and architectural splendor. Don’t miss exploring the charming streets of the Jewish Quarter and crossing the Roman Bridge over the Guadalquivir River.

What are some scenic drives in Southern Spain?

The drive from Ronda to the white villages of Grazalema and Zahara de la Sierra offers stunning mountain vistas and picturesque countryside. The coastal route from Malaga to Nerja boasts breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and hidden coves.

How can I experience traditional Andalusian cuisine?

Sample authentic Andalusian cuisine by dining at local tapas bars and restaurants. Look out for classic dishes such as gazpacho, paella, pescaíto frito (fried fish), and jamón ibérico (Iberian ham). Don’t forget to pair your meal with a glass of sherry or sangria!

Are there any off-the-beaten-path destinations worth exploring?

Yes, consider venturing off the beaten path to discover hidden gems like the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, the Moorish town of Vejer de la Frontera, or the unspoiled beaches of Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park.

What’s the best time of year to visit Southern Spain?

Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are ideal times to visit Southern Spain, with pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer can be hot, especially in inland areas, while winter offers milder weather but fewer tourist activities.

How should I plan my itinerary for a road trip through Southern Spain?

Start by choosing your must-visit destinations and then plan your route accordingly. Allow plenty of time for spontaneous detours and exploration, and don’t forget to factor in relaxation time to soak up the laid-back Andalusian vibe.

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