• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to footer

ZigZagonEarth

Plan unforgettable road trips!

  • FRANCE
    • CORSICA
    • NORMANDY
    • PARIS
  • EUROPE
    • ANDALUCIA
    • CANARY ISLANDS
    • CRETE
    • ICELAND
    • ICELAND WINTER
    • MADEIRA
    • MALLORCA
    • PORTUGAL
    • SANTORINI
    • SCOTLAND
    • SLOVENIA
  • REST OF WORLD
    • NEW ZEALAND
    • OMAN
  • TIPS
  • EBOOKS
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT

How to plan your Andalucia road trip (Spain)

Last updated on January 29, 2023 by Claire / this article contains affiliate links (Info)

Time to plan your Andalucia Road trip! 
There is so much to do, that planning can be overwhelming.
Below is my guide to help you go step by step and decide when and where to go, define your itinerary and prepare for you trip in Southern Spain.

road trip Andalucia Travel Guide Pin2

Table Of Contents
STEP 0 - Essentials to know for your Andalucia Road Trip
STEP 1 - Decide your best time to visit Andalucia
STEP 2 - Where to go in Andalucia - Regions (provinces) and Map
STEP 3 - How long to plan your road trip around Andalucia
STEP 4 - How to get there & where to start?
STEP 5 - Rent your car
STEP 6 - Create your Andalucia Itinerary
STEP 7 - Book your Accommodations
STEP 8 - Get all the equipment you need & pack
STEP 9 - Get ready to drive in Andalucia
STEP 10 - Get ready for your road trip in Andalucia

// In this article, no ads, no sponsored posts. Just some affiliate links.
// If you purchase through them, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (Disclosure).


STEP 0 - Essentials to know for your Andalucia Road Trip

Let's start with a few essential facts to keep in mind before planning your trip to Andalucia:

  • There are lots and lots of places (charming villages, forts, beaches, cities...) so be reasonable in your planning.
  • Most of the roads are in very good condition
  • There are a couple of road sections with tolls, but you can avoid them
  • If you enter villages or the old parts of towns with your car, know that a lot of streets are very narrow. This can be nerve racking
  • July and August get really crowded
  • If you plan on visiting the mountains or if visiting outside of Summer, bring layers of clothes for warmth, wind and rain
  • If you want to visit the famous Nazaries palace in Granada, book at least 3 months in advance - visit passes are limited
planning an Andalucia Road Trip

Andalucia Road Trip

All my favorite locations are included (with GPS coordinates and practical tips) in my Travel Guide eBook that helps you easily plan your road trip around Andalucia:

Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!

Small Andalucia eBook Cover

Plan your perfect trip around Andalucia!

  • 7 easy-to-plan maps
  • 150+ pre-selected scenic locations
  • Planning tips to make the most of your time
  • 300+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE


STEP 1 - Decide your best time to visit Andalucia

When to visit Andalucia - the climate

Let's start with the important question of the climate and what to expect.
Andalucia is the southernmost region of Spain. The region is crossed by mountain ranges and facing strong wind. Therefore, you can experience a variety of different weather conditions during your road trip.

Overall - Andalucia has a temperate Mediterranean climate: hot and dry summers and mild winters with irregular rains that can be heavy.
However it gets cooler in the mountains of course. And the East is generally dryer.

In terms of weather, it is often considered the most enjoyable in April, May, September and October.

best time to visit Andalucia - sunny

Best time to visit Andalucia - Other criteria

The other points to consider when deciding when to travel around the South of Spain:

  • Access - Some smaller attractions are closed in Winter 
  • Crowds - It is extremely crowded in Summer, especially on the main beaches and the large cities
  • Prices - Of course, during the Summer months, prices are up because of demand.
  • Driving conditions - In Winter some of the mountain passes and some roads can be covered in snow, but not that many
  • Daylight - You will have longer days to drive around and see the sights if you visit in Spring rather than in Autumn. 
best time to visit Andalucia - rain

So, when to travel to Andalucia?

If you really want to avoid the crowds, November is a good option. However, know that sunset is early so it will limit your exploration and it can get really cold in the mountains.
Otherwise for a good balance weather and crowds, I recommend April or October.


STEP 2 - Where to go in Andalucia - Regions (provinces) and Map

Size of Andalucia - driving times

Because it is part of a larger country, we don't often realize how big Andalucia is, but you should not underestimate how long it will take you to get around.
To give you an idea of driving times (mostly via Motorways):

  • Seville to Cordoba = 1h40
  • Seville to Granada = 2h40
  • Seville to Cadiz = 1h20
  • Seville to Malaga = 2h20
  • Malaga to Almeria = 2h15
  • Huelva to Almeria = 5h
  • Malaga to Cordoba = 2h
  • But as soon as you go off the main road to explore, driving will take a lot longer

Provinces and map of Andalucia and what to expect

Now let me introduce the variety of places to discover in each of the provinces.

Regions Andalucia Map

Andalucia Map - the regions

Where to go in Andalucia - Huelva province

Huelva

Main town

Huelva is the capital. It is the less famous of all the Andalusian cities. You can enjoy the wharf, the cathedral and the sites about Christopher Columbus.

Other highlights

  • Donana National Park - wetlands, great for bird watchers (especially for Flamingos)
  • Sand dunes and beaches
  • Mining around Rio Tinto
  • Aracena and its cave
  • Border with Portugal
Where to go in Andalucia - Sevilla province

Sevilla

Main town

Sevilla is the Capital of Andalusia. It is a vibrant town where you can enjoy music, dance (flamenco), magnificent monuments and beautiful parks.
Don't miss the Real Alcazar, Plaza de Espana and the cathedral.

Other highlights

  • The magnificent archaeological sites of Santiponce: Italica with a theater and many mosaics
  • La Sierra Norte mountain range with geological sites such as Cerro del Hierro
  • The historical town of Carmona
Where to go in Andalucia - Cordoba province

Cordoba

Main town

Cordoba is the main town and it is magnificent (My favorite) - walking around town with the bridge and the narrow streets feels like traveling back in time. Plus, the mosque-cathedral is so unique and impressive.

Other highlights

  • The Unesco site of Medina Azahara
  • Forts such as Almodovar del Rio
  • Charming white villages such as My favorite: Zuheros
  • The mountain range Sierras Subbeticas with caves and canyons
Where to go in Andalucia - Jaen province

Jaen

Main town

Jaen is far less touristic than the other cities. Its fort is not standing anymore but the Cathedral is, and the views from the hill are splendid.

Other highlights

  • The many forts: Alcaudete, Banos de la Encina, La Guardia de Jaen, Iruela, Cazorla...
  • The impressive site of Fortalez de la Mota
  • The beautiful mountain range of Cazorla
  • The historical towns of Ubeda and Baeza (Unesco sites)
Where to go in Andalucia - Cadiz province

Cadiz

Main town

Cadiz is very different from the other Andalusian cities. The ambience is very relaxed with some great sea-side walks. Don't miss the cathedral, the towers and the roman theater hidden between the buildings.

Other highlights

  • Lots of charming villages and old town centers: Chipiona, Jerez de la Frontera, Vejer de la Frontera, Arcos de la Frontera, Medina-Sidonia, Tarifa, Sentenil de las Bodegas, Grazalema...
  • Stunning beaches (Costa de la Luz) with sand dunes: Bolonia, Valdevaqueros
  • Faro de Tragalgar with the sandy beaches and lagune
  • Archeological sites such as Baeolo Claudia
Where to go in Andalucia - Malaga province

Malaga

Main town

Malaga is a very large town with modern art museums and access to wide beaches.

Other highlights

  • Antequera with its dolmens, historical buildings and the geological wonders of Torcal de Antequera
  • The beaches of Costa del Sol
  • The famous town of Ronda with the impressive bridge over the canyon
  • The town of Nerja with the Balcony of Europe and the cave
  • Many charming villages (pueblos blancos): Frigiliana, and Mijas
Where to go in Andalucia - Granada province

Granada

Main town

Granada is one of the most famous town in Spain because of its large fortress above the town: the Alhambra and the exquisite Palace of Nazaries in Mujedar style.

Other highlights

  • Some beaches on Costa Tropical
  • The Sierra Nevada and its famous villages: Pampaniera, Bubion and Capileira
  • The region of Guadix with fascinating geological formations and troglodyte houses
  • Photogenic little villages or old towns such as Montefrio or Alhama de Granada
Where to go in Andalucia - Almeria province

Almeria

Main town

Almeria is lesser known but is attracting more and more visitors with its combination of fort, old town, archaeological site and beaches.

Other highlights

  • The Cabo de Gata Natural Park with stunning volcanic features and the famous beaches of Playa de los Muertos or Playa de Monsul
  • The salt plans of Cabo de Gata and the pink flamingos
  • The Tabernas desert, the only official desert in Europe - with its movie sets

STEP 3 - How long to plan your road trip around Andalucia

Time needed to complete the tour of Andalucia

Do not attempt to tour the whole region if you have less than 2 weeks.
Even with 2 weeks, you would have to be diligent to only focus on some highlights of each regions in order to make it work.
3 to 5 weeks is way more comfortable.

road trip around Andalucia

Time to dedicate to each region

Of course, you can focus on just one single region and visit it in depth. Even each cities deserves quite a long time to be discovered.
Below are my estimations to give you a general idea of what to plan. These timeframes do not include spending long hours laying on beaches. I love road trips and seeing as much as possible.

The following times are sufficient to see the highlights and get an overview of each region

  • Huelva - 1 to 3 days (if you are limited in time, this is the region I would skip)
  • Sevilla - min 2 days in town and 1 to 3 days for the region
  • Cordoba - min 2 days in town and 2 to 3 days for the region
  • Jaen - 1 day in town and 2 to 4 days for the region
  • Cadiz - min 1 day in town and 3 to 5 days for the region
  • Malaga - min 1 days in town and 3 to 6 days for the region
  • Granada - min 2 days in town and 3 to 5 days for the region
  • Almeria - min 1 day in town and 2 to 4 days for the region

STEP 4 - How to get there & where to start?

You can reach Andalucia via planes. There are International airports in:

  • Seville
  • Malaga
  • Granada
  • Jerez (Cadiz area)
  • And you can also arrive at Gibraltar

My preference goes to Seville. Since Seville is one of my favorite places to explore. You can rent your car after and before visiting the city and not bother with having a car to park in Seville.

You can also arrive by train or car from the rest of Spain.

Seville Airport

Seville Airport


STEP 5 - Rent your car

If you fly in, it is now time to rent your car. You will find all the international brands at the big airports.
Here are a few tips:

  • If you are not the most skilled driver, pick a car that is not too large so that you will be more comfortable in the more narrower sections of the streets in the villages
  • Pick a car that has a good motor so that you can drive more comfortably in the mountains
  • Note: most cars are manual, so you will pay more to get automatic
  • You don't really need a 4WD, especially as most companies do not allow you to drive off-road even with a 4WD for insurance reasons
  • Compare car rental prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com - one of the best rated sites!
  • Choose the car and company you prefer (remember the villages narrow streets)
  • Consider their full coverage option - I always take it for peace of mind! 
  • Book early to have a large choice of vehicles
  • See all my 36 tips about renting a car in Spain

Learn more on my article about driving in Andalucia. 

Renting a car in Andalucia

STEP 6 - Create your Andalucia Itinerary

Now that you have dates and transportation, you "just" have to decide on your Andalucia itinerary.

For some inspiration you can check my article about the 21 best things to do in Andalucia. (to be published)

And you can use the maps and planning info in my eBook to plan your ideal road trip:

Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!

Small Andalucia eBook Cover

Plan your perfect trip around Andalucia!

  • 7 easy-to-plan maps
  • 150+ pre-selected scenic locations
  • Planning tips to make the most of your time
  • 300+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE

When planning your itinerary don't forget to consider the following essentials:

  • DRIVING TIMES - Always plan more time to go from point A to point B than what Google says. You will want to stop all the time to admire the scenery and the roads might have traffic
  • DAYLIGHT HOURS - Check out the daylight time you have available when you are traveling. Check out how long you have to see all the sites during the day
  • CHECK OUT ROAD DIFFICULTY - In my eBook, I indicate the roads that are a little more difficult. 
  • If you have a toddler, not all destinations may be adapted - Check out these tips for an Andalusia road trip with a toddler by Dream, Book and Travel for more specific tips.

Unesco Heritage sites in Andalucia

For some people, the Unesco Heritage sites are must-sees, so here is the list:

  • Granada and many of its monuments
  • Seville and many of its monuments
  • Cordoba and many of its monuments
  • Medina Azahara (Madinat al-zahra) - Moorish archaeological site
  • Ubeda and Baeza - 2 Renaissance towns
  • Donana National Park for its wetlands
  • The Antequera Dolmens
  • Gorham's cave complex on the eastern side of the Gibraltar rock
  • And many biosphere reserves
Antequera Dolmens

Antequera Dolmen

Medina Azahara

Medina Azahara


STEP 7 - Book your Accommodations

There is a very large choice of accommodations in Andalucia - many campsites, hotels, resorts, rentals and all-inclusive resorts.
You can find something for everyone's taste.

Few things to be aware of:

  • Generally, wifi is good, except in some mountain villages
  • Swimming pools at hotels are not often heated, so it can be cold during shoulder seasons
  • Most establishments accept credit cards
  • I have found some magnificent rentals in the main towns offering great service - might be better than hotels

You can find a lot of choices on Booking.com. This is where I booked almost all my stays.

Accommodation in Andalucia

Parador de Cádiz

Accommodation in Andalucia 2

Hotel & Spa La Residencia Puerto, Tarifa

I think some of the best places to stay in Andalucia are the main towns, of course:

rental in Granada

Stunning rental in Granada - Casa Ayala

Where to stay in Andalucia? My tips:

  • Sevilla for its vibrant life - see best rated accommodations
  • Cordoba for the unique cathedral - see best rated accommodations
  • Granada for the historical buildings - see best rated accommodations
  • Ronda for the villages and historical area - see best rated accommodations
  • Nerja for Costa del Sol - see best rated accommodations
  • Cadiz for Costa de la Luz - see best rated accommodations
  • Agua Amarga for Cabo de Gata - see best rated accommodations

Looking for the best place to stay in Andalucia?

Where to stay in Andalucia best places

See my selection of the 15 best areas in Andalucia to enjoy beach, cities, attractions...
+ fantastic accommodation options

+ read more

STEP 8 - Get all the equipment you need & pack

Classic clothes. Nothing special to think about. Check my overall preparation and packing checklists to help you.

And don't forget: 

  • Swimsuit
  • Layers for rain and for colder nights in the evening and in the mountains
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat
  • Hiking shoes

And regarding electronics and other equipments, I recommend

  • Photography equipment
  • GoPro for snorkeling 
  • An extra battery to recharge your phone - you will want to take many photos and videos!
  • I also recommend binoculars to see the flamingos and other birds in the wetlands - see my guide to help you choose your binoculars

And keep track of your own trip!

Andalucia road trip journal

STEP 9 - Get ready to drive in Andalucia

drive in Andalucia

You just have to be aware that:

  • Roads are overall in good condition - there are lots of motorways and wide roads
  • Just a few tolls that can be avoided
  • Streets in villages can be very very narrow, try parking and exploring on foot
  • A few landmarks are accessible via gravel roads (beaches in Gabo de Gata for example). Know that your rental car insurance may not cover breakdowns on gravel roads.
  • The only driving difficulties I experienced were around Seville and Malaga because of the traffic.

Check out the video and tips in my article about driving in Andalucia. 

Fill your GPS with the coordinates

I recommend you fill in all the GPS coordinates in your GPS before leaving. This way you save a lot of time and can enjoy the scenery.
In my eBook you can find the coordinates to the closest carparks for all the locations:

Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!

Small Andalucia eBook Cover

Plan your perfect trip around Andalucia!

  • 7 easy-to-plan maps
  • 150+ pre-selected scenic locations
  • Planning tips to make the most of your time
  • 300+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE


STEP 10 - Get ready for your road trip in Andalucia

People

Andalusian people are very welcoming. There is a lot of tourism and you feel welcome.
In bars, they often bring free tapas with your drinks.

Language

Knowing a few words in Spanish is always appreciated. I was greeted with big smiles when I tried ordering in Spanish.

  • Hello - Ola
  • Bye - Adios
  • Please – Por favor 
  • Thank you – Gracias
  • Excuse me – Disculpe

Food

There are some great products to taste in Andalucia.

  • The many many tapas
  • Tortilla de patatas (potato omelettes)
  • Ham (jamon)
  • The gazpacho (cold soups such as Salmorejo)
  • Paella
  • Seafood

Note: for breakfast, I don't recommend purchasing food to eat at your rental. All cafes have great toasts and fresh orange juices for a really good price.

Food in Andalucia
breakfast in andalucia

Other tips for your Andalucia Road Trip

  • Emergency number is 112
  • Plug is 2 round holes
  • Tap water is safe and delicious in the mountains

Want to see more of the best Andalucia has to offer?

  • Best landscapes in Andalucia in 40 pictures - read article
  • 24 best things to do in Andalucia - read article (to be published)
  • 17 most beautiful white villages in Andalucia - read article
  • 20 best beaches in Andalucia - read article
  • 21+ best cities and towns in Andalucia - read article
  • Cordoba vs Sevilla vs Granada - where to go? - read article

Planning a trip to Andalucia?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!

Small Andalucia eBook Cover

Plan your perfect trip around Andalucia!

  • 7 easy-to-plan maps
  • 150+ pre-selected scenic locations
  • Planning tips to make the most of your time
  • 300+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE


Want to see more of ANDALUCIA?

PREVIOUS: 

Best castles and palaces in Andalucia

NEXT: 

Where to stay in Andalucia - 15 best places

tourism Andalucia Travel Guide

Inspired? Share it on your favorite platform!

road trip andalucia Travel Pin
road trip andalucia Travel Pin3

Footer

CONTACT ME

Search

Follow ZigZag on Facebook

Follow ZigZag on Pinterest

Website in French: ZigZagvoyages.fr

Website in German: ZigZagreisen.de

Website in Spanish: ZigZagviajes.com

And discover the French regions:

Normandielovers.fr

LoireLovers.fr

CorsicaLovers.fr

 

Privacy / Terms of Use / Disclosure Policies / Refund policy

Become an affiliate for the ZigZag road trip guides

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ZigZagOnEarth.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.uk and Amazon.ca

Copyright © 2023 ZigZag On Earth · Log in