Southern Spain
Andalusia
A first road-trip through Andalusia for UK travellers: the Seville–Córdoba–Granada loop, where to base yourself, real drive times, and whether you actually need a car.
In short
Andalusia at a glance
Andalusia is the classic week-long Spanish road trip: fly into Seville or Málaga, loop Seville → Córdoba → Granada → the coast, and you've seen the Alcázar, the Mezquita and the Alhambra without backtracking. You don't strictly need a car — the AVE train links the big cities fast — but a hire car opens up the white villages and the coast. Allow 7 days for a relaxed loop, 5 if you skip the beach.
Andalusia is the part of Spain most people picture when they picture Spain: Moorish palaces, orange-tree courtyards, flamenco and white hill villages, packed into a region you can loop in a week. The classic first trip is a one-way arc — Seville, Córdoba, Granada, then down to Málaga and the coast — which strings together the three great sights (the Alcázar, the Mezquita and the Alhambra) without ever doubling back on yourself.
The question everyone asks is whether you need a car. Honestly, for the headline cities you don’t: the AVE high-speed train links Seville, Córdoba and Granada quickly and cheaply, and a car is a liability in their centres. Hire one only when you want what the train can’t reach — Ronda and the white villages, the Cabo de Gata coast, or the freedom to stop where you like. The route below assumes the relaxed week; drop the coast and it compresses to five days.
Towns & places in Andalusia
The route
A relaxed one-week loop that hits the three headline cities without a single day of backtracking. Drive times are motorway estimates; the AVE train covers Seville–Córdoba and Córdoba–Granada faster if you skip the car.
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Days 1–2
Seville
Base here first: the Real Alcázar, the cathedral and Giralda, and a flamenco night in Triana. Book the Alcázar online before you fly. No car needed in the city — park it on arrival or pick it up as you leave.
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Day 3
Córdoba
About 1h40 by car or 45 min by AVE from Seville. The Mezquita is the single reason to come and it's worth it; go early. Half a day is enough, then push on to Granada (around 2h30 drive).
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Days 4–5
Granada
The Alhambra is the highlight of the whole trip — book the timed Nasrid Palaces ticket weeks ahead, it sells out. Leave time for the Albaicín and the free-tapas bars. Two nights lets you slow down.
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Days 6–7
Málaga & the coast
Drop down to Málaga (about 1h30) for a city-plus-beach finish: the Alcazaba, the Picasso museum and a real city beach. Fly home from Málaga to close the loop without doubling back.
Where to base yourself
Pick one or two bases rather than moving every night.
Seville (Santa Cruz / Alfalfa)
££ mid-rangeThe best first base: walkable old-town lanes, the Alcázar on your doorstep and the most direct flights from the UK. Atmospheric but can be noisy at night — pick a side street.
Best for: First two nights, flamenco, walkability
Granada (Realejo / Albaicín edge)
££ mid-rangeStay within walking distance of the Alhambra shuttle and the Albaicín. The Realejo is quieter and better value than the very centre; the Albaicín is prettier but steep and taxi-only late at night.
Best for: Alhambra, tapas, two nights
Málaga (Centro Histórico)
££ mid-rangeA proper city base for the beach finish — culture, a real old town and the airport 15 minutes away. Far better value and character than the resort strips further along the Costa del Sol.
Best for: City-plus-beach finish, flying home
Getting around Andalusia
The AVE high-speed train links Seville, Córdoba and Granada quickly and cheaply, so a car is optional for the cities. Hire one only if you want the white villages (Ronda, Arcos), the Cabo de Gata coast or rural flexibility — and remember city-centre parking is expensive, so pick the car up as you leave each city rather than keeping it parked.
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