Anyone thinking of taking a road trip in Spain should try the southern part. Packed with breathtaking nature, sunny coastline and striking architecture, you won’t tire of enjoying the beauty of this land.
Wondering how to plan a road trip to southern Spain? This post is here to help you. It not only collects the beautiful places to visit, but also where to stay while enjoying your road trip.
Seville
We start with Seville as it is the capital of Andalusia. We recommend you to spend at least two days to see it in all its splendor. This city has several World Heritage Sites, which makes it one of the most attractive cities in Spain.
Begin your trip at the Plaza del Triunfo. The square is dominated by the Cathedral of Seville, which is among the largest Christian churches in the world. Its popular tower, the Giralda, at about 100 meters, was once the tallest in the world. Climb to the top for a thrilling adventure.
Opposite is the Real Alcazar, a large palace complex with dreamy gardens where you can entertain yourself. You can take a lunch break and enjoy traditional tapas in Santa Cruz while feeling the authentic spirit of the city.
Visit the Plaza de España, known as the most beautiful square in the city. Next to it is the Maria Luisa Park, where you can take a horse-drawn carriage ride. Enjoy a Guadalquivir river cruise.
From the banks of the Guadalquivir, take a 20-minute walk to Triana, the city’s best neighborhood. You can also enjoy the sunset from the Seta de Sevilla, initially called Metropol Parasol, a mushroom-shaped project that forms the largest wooden structure.
Where to stay in Seville
After a busy yet fun day, you will need a relaxing night. Hotel Catalonia Giralda, a magnificent hotel, is situated in the ancient center of the city.
The hotel is located near the Santa Cruz district and the Giralda. A few steps away, you can visit the Plaza de España and Maria Luisa Park.
All of the hotel’s rooms are exterior facing and have free wifi. You can cool off in the indoor pool or have a drink in the Restaurant-Bar with a modern wooden design.
Granada
Granada is the city that houses the Alhambra, one of the most visited monuments in all of Spain with Nasrid architecture. We recommend that your stay in this wonderful city is at least two days.
As a curiosity of the city, Granada means pomegranate, a fruit and is reflected in the coat of arms of the city.
When you visit the Alhambra, do not hesitate to take a picture of yourself in it, as it is located on top of a hill, you can see the Sierra Nevada in the background. As always, we recommend you to buy your tickets well in advance before visiting the Alhambra.
After visiting the Alhambra, you can visit the Royal Chapel where the Catholic Monarchs are buried and then visit the Cathedral.
Later, you can visit the ancient Arab baths, which are the best preserved so far in Spain, called El Bañuelo.
If you like viewpoints, visit the Albaicin neighborhood with its famous San Nicolas viewpoint, you won’t regret it!
Finally, we recommend a walk through the Sacromonte neighborhood, where you can see gypsy caves and its wonderful flamenco shows.
Where to stay in Granada
If you want to rest in one of the best hotels in Granada, the Catalonia Granada Hotel is perfect for you. It is a 5-minute walk from the best points of interest: the historic center, the Cathedral of Granada and the AVE train station.
It has a wellness area, superior terrace, buffet breakfast and snack bar with local, national and international cuisine.
We recommend that you go up to the hotel terrace to enjoy the incredible views of the Sierra Nevada and the city of Granada itself.
Ronda
The city of Ronda is the queen of the Pueblos Blancos. Take your time here exploring the beautiful viewpoints while relaxing.
Another must-see in this place is the popular New Bridge which is over the Tajo River, built in 1788 and is the most emblematic monument of the city.
If you love bullfighting, you can’t miss a visit to this bullring, as it is the second oldest bullring in Spain.
Don’t hesitate to explore other incredible places such as the Arab baths (Baños Moros), which date from the 13th to 14th centuries and are the best preserved in the whole region. You can find them in the neighborhood of San Miguel.
Finally, we recommend that you visit La Casa del Rey Moro, a 17th century mansion, and the Alameda del Tajo, a beautiful 19th century park next to the Plaza de Toros.
If you have time, you like climbing and you want to live an incredible experience, we recommend you to do El Caminito del Rey (The King’s Little Path), located in El Chorro, in the province of Malaga. It is a walkway anchored along very steep walls in a very narrow gorge.
Where to stay in Ronda
If you want to stay in a dream hotel, among a beautiful pine forest, very close to the center, the Catalonia Reina Victoria Hotel is your best option.
It is located very close to the New Bridge and, around it, has a garden area where you can enjoy a swimming pool and a terrace for sunbathing.
A curious fact about this hotel is that it was the residence and the place where the poet Rainer Maria Rilke worked and his room today is a small museum, so we encourage you to take a look.
We hope you enjoyed this magnificent road trip through the most beautiful and emblematic places in southern Spain and do not forget the most important thing: the desire to enjoy and have fun!