Drawn to the mild winter weather, the proximity to Morocco, and the intrigue of the Rock of Gibraltar, my family headed for February break to explore Andalusia. We spent about a week driving along the coast of southern Spain on our Southern Spain road trip. On this trip, we explored both Costa del Luz and Costa del Sur. Here is a map of where we travelled, although I ended up staying and adding Ronda and Granada to my trip.
A Southern Spain Road Trip Itinerary
Seville, Spain
We flew into this town, very influenced by its proximity to Muslim Africa, with Moorish architecture and 16th-century Spanish buildings.
Things to Do in Seville, Spain
- See a Flamenco Show in the place where this dance was founded, according to Sevillians. According to Grenadians, it is there.
- Visit the oldest active European palace, the Alcazar. Book a walking tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets to the palace and the Cathedral. You must pre-book tickets to enter.
- Visit the largest Gothic Cathedral in the World, the Seville Cathedral. Climb to the bell tower, which used to be done using donkeys.
- Take in the Sunset at Plaza de España. You can also rent a rowboat there.
- Walk along the Paseo of the Guadalquivir River and climb the Torre del Oro (Tower of Gold).
- Tour the bullring, the Plaza de Toros Sevilla.
- Take a handsome cab ride around the city.
- Take a food tour.
We stayed at the Los Seises Sevilla, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. Book your room at this upscale, conveniently located hotel.
Cadiz, Spain
This town is where Cristopher Columbus sailed out to explore, and from which he came to the United States.
Watch the sunset from the cliffs here.
The town also has very large Carnival celebrations, which were happening while we were here.
Tarifa, Spain
Tarifa is the shortest ferry route to Tangier, Morocco (8.1 miles). It is also the southernmost point of Europe, the meeting of the Costa del Sol and the Atlantic and Mediterranean Oceans, and a crossroads of Spain and hippies.
We took the ferry from Tarifa to Tangier. The boat ride only takes about 45 minutes, but including getting through customs takes about 2 hours. You can visit Morocco from Spain in a full day, but we were happy to have had two days to explore Morocco. Book ferry tickets here.
You can also book tickets as part of a guided tour.
Tangier, Morocco
Tangier sits at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, where North Africa meets Europe, giving the city a long history shaped by traders, artists, and multiple cultures. Its whitewashed medina, lively souks, seaside cafés, and sweeping views across the Strait of Gibraltar create a vibrant atmosphere that feels both historic and cosmopolitan. Tangier is one of the oldest cities in the world and has a souk, medina, and beautiful beaches.
We were more in the mood to experience historic Morocco, so we stayed in the medina, the walled old marketplace. Tangier was an excellent introduction to Morocco for us, and it was a favorite of my whole family.
We loved our stay at a riad,Palais Zahia, and loved it so much! Everyone we came into contact with was so friendly, open, and welcoming. We found this true of Moroccans. They appeared excited to talk and share tea and yummy cookies with us.
Chefchaouen, Morocco
This blue city was on my bucket list and the true reason we came to Morocco. We did not take our car to Morocco; instead, we left it in Spain and took a private day trip from Tangier to the Blue City.
This gorgeous village in the hills of Morocco was my whole family’s favorite stop. Every corner is an indigo-covered treat. While in Chefchaouen, we had another private guide, Mohammed (+212675587152), whom I definitely recommend.
The landscape on the 2-hour drive was beautiful and lush in February. On the way, our driver brought us to a few of the Tangier sightseeing stops. We visited the Hercules Cave, which was, quite honestly, very cheesy and not worth our time. We did enjoy the beauty of the Cape Spartel Lighthouse. The lighthouse, built in 1864, sits at the confluence of the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean. The lighthouse sits at the western border of the Strait of Gibraltar, and Gibraltar is the eastern border.
Gibraltar
Gibraltar was a British military outpost for the British Empire and remains a British territory. It is an outcropping of land dominated by a huge limestone ridge, the Rock of Gibraltar. In a very small area (2.6 square miles), there is so much history and nature.
What to Do in Gibraltar
- The Rock of Gibraltar, including the Barbary macaques and St. Michael’s Cave. Consider a guided tour. We took a bus tour that included the World War II caves and showed us the highlights, and then we got off the bus early and walked down.
- View the outside of the Moorish Castle, a fortification built into the side of the rock.
- Visit Europa Point to look across the water to Africa and see the mosque and the The Gibraltar Trinity Lighthouse.
- The Great Siege Tunnels include over 34 miles of tunnels cut into the Rock.
- The Gibraltar Botanical Gardens are free to visit and offer a relaxing place to walk along their paths.
- Explore the nature reserve at the top of the rock.
- Check out the view of the airfield that separates Gibraltar from Spain from the top of the Rock.
- St Michael’s Cave is a truly outstanding limestone cave with a giant angel naturally formed from stalactites, and a theater and light show inside this humongous cave that you will be shocked to find in this mountain.
- Have a proper fish-and-chip meal at Roy’s in Casemate Square.
We wanted to stay overnight in Gibraltar, so we stayed at The Rock Hotel. We enjoyed the views from this elegant hotel, which is a 20-minute walk from the center but right next to the botanical garden.
Malaga, Spain
The Phoenicians started this port city in the 8th century, making it one of the oldest in the world. It has a beautiful garden along a grand boulevard and a paseo lined with restaurants on the water. It is also the birthplace of Pablo Picasso.
Things to Do in Malaga
- See the Museo Picasso Malaga, as Malaga is the painter’s birthplace. You must pre-book tickets for this museum.
- Visit the Alcazaba of Malaga, an 11th-century fortress, and the nearby Roman Amphitheater.
- Check out the views from the 14th-century Gibralfaro Castle.
- Take the 35-minute hike on the Camino de Mundo Nuevo from town to the castle.
We stayed at the Gran Hotel Miramar.
Hike the El Caminito del Rey
Plan a day at this 4.8-mile hike on platforms over a canyon just outside of Malaga. You must have reservations for this activity. You can book the hike as a tour from Malaga.
Ronda
This town is built around the gorgeous, large El Tajo Gorge and is a highlight of a southern Spain road trip.
Things to do in Ronda, Spain
- Take in the views from the Puente Nuevo Bridge and cross into the old town.
- Enjoy a drink at the Hotel Catalonia Ronda, which overlooks the Ronda Bullring. Or if you are interested in bull fighting, take a tour of the building and museum.
- Walk down the gorge on the Camino del Desfiladero del Tajo or Puente Nuevo Viewpoint Trail, then explore the Arab Baths. There is a paved walkway down the left side of the gorge (as looking from the Puente Nuevo Bridge). They close for siesta, so check the hours before you go.
- Have a drink and enjoy the views at Restaurante Parador de Ronda or Restaurante Don Miguel overlooking the El Tajo Gorge.
- Wander in the streets of the Old Town (El Ciudad) with its whitewashed houses.
- Visit the small museum and gardens of Casa del Rey Moro.
- If you stay overnight, watch the sunset at the Alameda del Tajo park. For hotels, the paradores, state-run hotels built in ancient buildings, are a unique choice, and the Parador of Ronda has excellent views and was built as a town hall and market in 1910.
If you don’t have a car, you can take a guided tour to Ronda from Seville or from Malaga.
Granada
I then went alone to explore Granada, set in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range (in which you can ski in southern Spain), with its famous fortress town of The Alhambra. Grenada still has great weather, but we could see the snow in the nearby mountains!
I was only in Granada for two nights and one day. I spent most of my time in the complex of the Alhambra complex, including an overnight stay at the Parador of Granada, on the site of which was a Franciscan convent in 1492 when the Christian religion, by the hand of the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, was first brought into this Muslim structure. They were even buried here for a time. Staying in the parador meant I was behind the Alhambra walls after dark, when all the tourists had left, so it was basically me, the security guards, and some cats —such a profoundly cool experience!
The Alhambra contains multiple castles, gardens, towers, and archaeological remnants of its Moorish beginning in the 13oos. You have to pre-book tickets to enter any of the buildings, and I highly recommend tickets that include access to the Nasrid Palaces.
I ended my night with a Granada Tapas and Wine Tour.
Madrid
My flight home gave me the opportunity to spend one day in Madrid. Read about that here.
Have you taken a road trip in Spain?… stayed in a Parador? I would love to hear the details below.
