The Ultimate 4-Day Andalusia Road Trip: Málaga, Granada, Seville & Ronda 🇪🇸

Written By Dan

Ok, so perhaps we are biased but we may have done the best mini-road trip you can do in Europe. In this article, we’ll show you how to experience some of the best that Andalusia has to offer - even if you're short on time! Ruled by the Moors for over 800 years until the 15th century, the region is rich in history and architecture, complemented by stunning landscapes. From the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada to the surreal rock formations of El Torcal de Antequera, Andalusia is a land of contrasts. From the golden beaches of the Costa del Sol, to the dramatic cliffs of Caminito del Rey, if you're looking for a whistle-stop, yet unforgettable adventure, this three-day itinerary covers Málaga, Granada, Seville, Ronda, and the breathtaking Caminito del Rey hike.

🗺️ WHERE IS ANDALUSIA AND WHY SHOULD I GO?

Andalusia is one of Spain’s most visited areas, and for good reason. It is the most populous, has the best weather, and is the second-largest autonomous community in the country - stretching the entirety of the southern coast. Andalusia is divided into eight provinces: Almería, Cádiz, Córdoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaén, Málaga, and the capital, Seville. Despite its popularity, the region has largely stayed true to its roots - continuing traditions like flamenco music, flamboyant dress, and the laid-back lifestyle. In many places, particularly in cities like Granada, you’ll still find the custom of receiving free tapas with your drink, a small but significant reminder of Andalusia’s warm hospitality.

✈️ HOW DO I GET TO ANDALUSIA?

With 4 domestic airports (Almería, Cordoba, Granada and Jerez de la Frontera) and 2 international airports (Malaga and Seville) - whether you travelling from other parts of Spain, or from elsewhere in Europe, getting to Andalusia is possible from near or far. Flight times from the UK are around 3hrs - and there are no shortage of airlines offering services - one search we did, saw 27 airlines offering a UK-Malaga option. Budget airlines in particular offer year round fares, at incredibly economical prices.

WEATHER

Andalusia really is the perfect year round destination - of course, one persons idea of perfect weather is going to be different to the next, but the region is renowned for its number of sun days, with Andalusia typically seeing over 320 days per year! The weather does vary between the seasons, so here’s a rundown so you know what to expect whenever you may decide to visit:

🌸 SPRING (MAR – MAY)

  • Temperature range: 15°C - 25°C (59°F - 77°F)

  • Expect pleasant mild temperatures and blooming landscapes. Spring (and Autumn) is probably our most recommended time to visit for sightseeing, hiking, and outdoor activities - warm but without the intense summer heat, and heavy crowds.

☀️ SUMMER (JUN – AUG)

  • Warning! Temperatures can range between 30°C - 45°C (86°F - 113°F), especially inland - in places like Seville and Granada. Our trip was in June and we can confirm this. Coastal areas such as Málaga and Cádiz, can be cooler due to sea breezes.

  • 🌟 Tip: If visiting inland cities, explore early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid peak heat. 🌟

🍂 AUTUMN (SEP – NOV)

  • Temperature: 18°C - 30°C (64°F - 86°F)

  • You can expect it to be warm, but certainly more comfortable than the summer months, especially from late September onward. This season is best for wine tours and other outdoor pursuits, with fewer crowds at major attractions.

  • 🌟 Tip: Early autumn is still warm enough for beach trips, but November starts getting chillier in the mountains. 🌟

❄️ WINTER (DEC – FEB)

  • Temperature: 5°C - 18°C (41°F - 64°F), even colder in mountainous areas.

  • Expect it to be mild along the coast, but cold in inland cities and with snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains - here you could even try out skiing at Europes most southerly ski resort!

  • 🌟 Tip: Granada and Ronda can get quite chilly, packing layers if visiting in winter is a must. 🌟

OUR ITINERARY: JUNE 15th - JUNE 18th

DAY 1: LATE EVENING ARRIVAL IN MALAGA

Our trip started with a super late arrival into Malaga - there has to be some downside to getting flights for less than £50 return I guess! It may sound obvious, but since we were not needing the rental car until the following morning, we did not collect it directly on arrival (as we usually would), we stayed at the nearby airport hotel which was convenient and clean.

🌟 Tip: Make sure you have multiple ride share apps installed and configured 🌟: Due to our late arrival and frankly, intense competition for onward transport - we elected to use Uber/Bolt for which there is a designated pick up area outside the terminal. We noticed there had been a price surge on Uber and checked Bolt - managing to grab a ride for half the Uber price, and were one of the first to be picked up!

DAY 2: DEPART MALAGA, DRIVE TO GRANADA - ALHAMBRA & EVENING FOOD TOUR

After collecting our rental car early in the morning, we hit the road towards Granada (around 1.5 hours away) - we were presented with two options and elected to take the slower, more scenic coastal route. We made a pit stop in Nerja, and visited Panadería Nybakat Bakery which offered excellent Coffee, bread and baked goods right on the sea front.

On arrival into Granada we took time to stroll through the streets and familiarise, visiting the Albayzín / Arab district, and watching the world go by from one of the many of street cafes while escaping the midday heat. One great thing about Granada (which has disappeared in some other parts) is its culture of serving small plates/Tapas with drinks as standard.

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly our visit to The Alhambra, the breathtaking Moorish palace and fortress. The Alhambra is over 1000 years old in parts, and sits in an elevated position on Sabika Hill. The site covers 35 acres and is split into various sections, to make the most of your experience:

EVENING: GRANADA FOOD TOUR

After soaking in the beauty of The Alhambra and checking into our hotel, after a quick freshen up, it was time to dive into Granada’s famous dining scene. we opted to take a guided food tour which is a fantastic way to sample the best local dishes, learn about the local scene and meet new, likeminded people. Our group had 10-12 which made for a lovely dining experience, with people from all walks of life. We visited 5-6 city centre locations with relatively short walks between each, sampled a number of dishes and local wines. Our host Marcel, was incredibly passionate and knowledgable about his home, the food, the history and it was a real insight into life in this part of the world. 🌟 10/10 🌟

🍽️ CHECK OUT THE TOUR WE DID HERE

… or these other highly recommended options:

🍽️ GRANADA TAPAS CRAWL

🍽️ GRANADA CITY E-BIKE AND FOOD TOUR

WHERE DID WE STAY IN GRANADA AND WOULD WE RECOMMEND IT?

Our stay in Granada was at the Room Mate Leo Hotel, a stylish boutique hotel located in the centre of the city. The hotel is on a pedestrian street in the city's main shopping area - parking was around 5 minutes walk away but there were plenty of options in the vicinity. The Granada Cathedral was only a short walk away, as well as the quaint Albayzín district. We’d definitely recommend staying here if visiting the city. 🌟 8.5/10 🌟

DAY 2: DRIVE TO SEVILLE & EXPLORE THE CITY

MORNING: ONWARD TO SEVILLE

After a swift breakfast of coffee and pastry in the nearby streets, we set off for Seville (approximately 2.5 hours by car). The drive takes you through Andalusia’s picturesque countryside, with seemingly never ending olive groves - Marcel from the food tour had advised us that he and his family typically become nervous when they drop below around 10litres of olive oil at home, we spent the entire journey reminiscing on what was a great experience we’d had the previous evening.

AFTERNOON: DISCOVERING SEVILLE’S BEST SIGHTS

We arrived into Seville just before lunchtime and tried our luck at an early check in - which thankfully, was available. Seville is a city of grandeur, flamenco, and rich history. Despite it having a vast feel - very different to Granada’s cosy quaintness (as much as a city can be) - many of Seville’s main attractions are within a short walk of each other. We began our exploration with;

  • The Alcázar of Seville – We pre-booked to visit the Alcazar and it is highly recommended to do so. The attraction is incredibly popular with long queues almost constantly around the entrance. The Alcazar, is a UNESCO-listed royal palace and there are similarities to the Alhambra - with both sites showcasing Islamic and Moorish architecture. The Alcazar is on a smaller site but is equally impressive and both should not be missed if visiting Granda and Seville. Get your Alcazar tickets ahead of time here:

#1 CATHEDRAL, GIRALDA & ALCAZAR GUIDED TOUR

#2 PRIORITY ACCESS - GUIDED CATHEDRAL, GIRALDA, ALCAZAR TOUR

#3 ALCAZAR ENTRY ONLY

  • Afterwards, we visited the Plaza de España – A 10-15 minute (longer if you stop in one of the many cafes en route - as we did) from the Alcazar, one of Spain’s most iconic and recognisable squares, perfect for photos and a stroll. We found street performers playing music and dancing among other things, which provided a welcome break in the shade.

  • Seville Cathedral & La Giralda – The Plaza de Espana was the farthest point for us, after which we headed back to the impressive Giralda. The largest Gothic cathedral in the world, where Christopher Columbus is buried. The cathedral is situated in one of our favourite areas of the city - offering a plethora of bars, restaurants and cafes, among retail stores and other outlets.

Here are some great tour options for Seville that are on our list for next time:

🚶‍♂️ SMALL GROUP WALKING TOUR (get to know Seville with a local)

🚢 ONE HOUR RIVER BOAT TOUR

EVENING: FINE DINING AND COCKTAILS AT RESTAURANT EL PINTON

If you haven’t noticed yet, this tour of Andalusia is a real ‘grown ups treat’ - staying in boujee hotels, partaking in food and wine tours, visiting world heritage sites - we had to explore some of the best dining options too, right! Our Seville option saw us dining at Restaurant El Pintón. The decor is chic and elegant, they serve a modern twist on local tapas dishes, have a great cocktail menu all delivered it in a somewhat theatrical fashion. 🌟 8.5/10 🌟

WHERE DID WE STAY IN SEVILLE & WOULD WE RECOMMEND IT?

For our overnight stay, we chose the Only YOU Hotel in Seville which really was the perfect option! We opted for Only You Seville mainly due to its central location and elegant, boujee decor. The hotel provided exceptional service, a great cocktail menu, quality in-house dining options, a pool and perhaps the best hotel breakfast we’ve ever had, anywhere, ever! High praise, yes - but if you’re ever in Seville, do not overlook the Only You! 🌟 10/10 🌟

DAY 3: RONDA, CAMINITO DEL RAY & RETURN TO MALAGA

MORNING: DRIVE TO RONDA & EXPLORING THE TOWN

Our final day was jam packed - we started by driving to Ronda - about 1.5 hours from Seville. Ronda is famous for its dramatic Puente Nuevo, a bridge spanning a deep gorge which seperates the new and old towns. Its a real tourist town and we saw many guided tours, bus tours and school trips during our short but sweet visit to Ronda. While the gorge is the impressive, its worth noting the other attractions in Ronda:

  • The Plaza de Toros, one of Spain’s oldest bullrings - it was nice to see a large school trip visiting the bull ring while we were there, honouring traditions and passing on important cultural

  • The Arab Baths, a well-preserved piece of Moorish history.

  • A scenic walk around the El Tajo Gorge.

While we didn’t have the time to see and do everything, its easy to see a full day being made of a visit to Ronda - we’ve taken the guess work out of which day trip to take:

🌟 FROM SEVILLE: RONDA & SETENIL DE LAS BODEGAS DAY TRIP 🌟

🌟 FROM MALAGA: RONDA & SETENIL DE LAS BODEGAS & OPTIONAL SUNSET 🌟

🌟 FROM SEVILLE: WHITE VILLAGES & RONDA DAY TRIP 🌟

AFTERNOON: THE CAMINITO DEL RAY HIKE

Leaving Ronda, and continuing towards El Chorro - about 1 hour’s drive - to do the Caminito del Rey, one of Spain’s most famous hiking trails! The walkway was historically an access route for workers crossing between two hydroelectric power stations built in the early 1900’s. However, after it fell into disrepair and being dubbed “the worlds most dangerous walkway”, its since been restored and despite still clinging to the side of steep cliffs, it offers safe, yet epic views and a thrilling adventure! 🌟 9/10 🌟

KEY INFOMRATION ABOUT THE CAMINITO DEL RAY:

  • Tickets:

  • Entry Points and parking:

    • The hike is one-way (north to south).

    • Parking is available at both ends but more limited on the south side. It’s possible to park at either end and take the shuttle to the start (around €2pp).

    • The main access point is near Ardales, where you’ll take the shuttle bus, be dropped off and then walk through a short tunnel and around 5-10 minutes down the hill before reaching the official entrance.

    • The exit is near Álora, and regular shuttles connect this end to the north carpark and start of the trail.

  • Restrictions & Requirements:

    • Age Limit: Minimum 8 years old to enter.

    • No pets allowed for safety reasons.

    • Safety gear: Helmets are provided and must be worn at all times - whether or not you are on the guided tour.

    • Weather-dependent closures: If strong winds or heavy rain occur, the trail may close for safety - this has happened as recently as March 2025.

EVENING: QUICK VISIT TO MALAGA & FLIGHT HOME

After completing the hike, and driving back to Málaga about 1 hour, we had a short amount of time to explore Malaga’s center and grab a bite to eat before the evening flight.


PRACTICAL TIPS FOR VISITING ANDALUSIA:

1. Renting a Car

  • A car is essential for this itinerary, but make sure you book in advance to get the best rates.

  • Parking in cities like Seville and Granada can be tricky. Look for accommodations with parking or pre-plan and navigate to specific public parking near your hotel or place of interest.

2. Best Time to Visit

  • Spring (March-May) and Fall (September-November) offer the best weather with fewer crowds.

  • Summer can be extremely hot, especially in Seville and Granada.

3. Booking Tickets in Advance

  • The Alhambra, Alcazar and Caminito del Rey require advance bookings due to very high demand and dates selling out, if they’re on your itinerary, book sooner rather than later for peace of mind.

  • Consider getting a skip-the-line ticket for Seville’s Alcázar and Cathedral to save time.

4. What to Pack

  • Comfortable walking shoes (especially for the Caminito del Rey hike).

  • Light clothing & sunscreen (if visiting in summer).

  • A power adapter if traveling from outside Europe.

Final Thoughts

This 3 to 4-day road trip through Andalusia is a whirlwind of history, culture, and natural beauty, will you leave feeling refreshed - probably not, but these are memories which will truly last forever. From the majestic palaces of Granada and Seville to the breathtaking landscapes of Ronda and Caminito del Rey, every stop offers something equally different and unforgettable. With a little planning, and the spirit of adventure - this mini-road trip around one of Spain’s most magical regions should be on everyones list!

Would you take this trip? Get in touch and let us know!

❤️🇪🇸

Dan