Andalusia: 10-Day Route Through Seville, Granada and Ronda
Andalusia fits in ten days if you plan well. Mosque-Cathedral, Alhambra and Alcázar are the three bookings to lock a month in advance; the rest flows. We did the classic route by rental car, added the white villages through the Sierra de Cádiz, and saw why southern Spain drives the world crazy.
Days 1-3: Seville, capital of the south
Seville demands three days. Day 1: Cathedral and Giralda (€12, book slot), Alcázar (€14.50 royal visit + upper rooms, book a month ahead) and the Santa Cruz quarter at sunset.
Day 2: Plaza de España at sunrise (empty, golden light), María Luisa Park, Casa de Pilatos (€12) and cross to Triana. Tapas dinner at Las Golondrinas, La Antigua Abacería: sea anemones, spinach with chickpeas, pringá montaditos.
Day 3: serious flamenco tablao at Casa de la Memoria (€22) or La Casa del Flamenco (€20). No tourist dinner shows. Sunrise at Metropol Parasol (las setas) for €15, includes a cava.
Day 4: Córdoba and the Mosque-Cathedral
Córdoba is 45 minutes from Seville by AVE (€16 one way). The Mosque-Cathedral (€13, free 8:30-9:30 without guide) deserves two hours. Book online: queue without booking is 90 minutes in season.
After, wander the Judería, Calleja de las Flores and the patios of Palacio de Viana (€12, 12 patios one by one).
For lunch, salmorejo at Bodegas Mezquita and authentic flamenquín. Back to Seville on the last AVE of the night.
Days 5-7: Granada and the Alhambra
Rental car in Seville (€180/7 days). 2.5h to Granada on the A-92.
The Alhambra (€19.09 general night entry to Nasrid Palaces + Generalife). Online booking opens 3 months ahead and sells out in hours. Minimum 4 hours. Start with the Nasrid Palaces (strict time slot), continue to the Generalife and end at the Alcazaba.
Day 6: Albaicín at sunset from Mirador de San Nicolás (watch for pickpockets), down through Carrera del Darro, one of Europe's most beautiful streets. Dinner at Bar Aliatar, free tapas with every beer.
Day 7: Sacromonte and gypsy caves. Zambra show at Cueva la Rocío (€28 with drink). Next morning: Hamam Al Ándalus (€39 bath + 15-min massage).
Day 8: White villages
Drive from Granada to Ronda with stops. 4.5h direct, 7-8h with stops:
Montefrío: panorama of the church on the rock, declared by National Geographic one of the 10 best views in the world.
Zahara de la Sierra and Setenil de las Bodegas: houses literally carved under the rock. Calle Cuevas del Sol is the photo. Lunch at Bar Bonilla, pork cheek in red wine.
Arrival in Ronda at sunset. Hotel with balcony to the Tajo (Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria, where Rilke slept).
Days 9-10: Ronda and return
Day 9: full Ronda. Puente Nuevo from below (Camino de los Molinos trail, 1h round trip), Bullring (the oldest in Spain, €9) and Arab Baths (€4).
Lunch at Pedro Romero (historic taurine) or Tragatá (creative, chef Benito Gómez). In the afternoon, wine route to D.O. Serranía de Ronda: Bodega Joaquín Fernández, 4-wine tasting €18.
Day 10: back to Seville (1.5h) via the White Villages Route: Grazalema, Olvera, Arcos de la Frontera. Return the car and fly home.
Practical tips
- 1Alhambra and Seville Alcázar: book 1-3 months ahead. No booking, no entry.
- 2Best time: March-May and October. July-August in Seville and Córdoba exceeds 40°C.
- 3You only need the car from day 8. Seville and Granada are better on foot.
- 4Holy Week and April Fair: hotels triple price. Book 6 months ahead for those dates.
- 5In Granada most bars give free tapa with each drink. Four beers = dinner.
Approximate budget (per person)
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