This post's overview:
- 1 Here’s an overview of our 4-day Andalusia itinerary:
- 2 4 days in Southern Spain (Andalusia) FAQs:
- 3 4 days in Andalusia by car: from Malaga to Cadiz, including Seville and Marbella
- 4 Summary of a South of Spain road trip: 4 days in Andalusia, from Malaga to Seville and Marbella
- 5 Here are some other articles you might enjoy reading:
In this article, I will share our itinerary for the South of Spain/ Andalusia road trip, visiting Malaga, Seville, Cadiz and Marbella in 4 days! While spending just 4 days in Andalusia doesn’t sound like a lot of time, it is actually enough to see some of the highlights of the South of Spain! However, I must warn you that you will probably be a bit tired at the end of the trip!
Here’s an overview of our 4-day Andalusia itinerary:
Day 0: landing in Malaga in the evening, night at Debambu Atarazanas
Day 1: Malaga, driving to Seville in the afternoon, night at Numa Jondo
Day 2: Seville, a night at Numa Jondo, watch a Flamenco show >
Day 3: Seville, driving to Cadiz, night at La Sal by Pillow
Day 4: Driving to Marbella, flying back in the evening
We completed this road trip in winter, and while it was a bit chilly, it was definitely a huge improvement compared to the weather in London in winter!
Before we start with the itinerary, here are some important questions answered!
4 days in Southern Spain (Andalusia) FAQs:
Where to rent a car for your South of Spain road trip
Unless you’re driving all the way to Andalusia in your own car, I assume you will plan to rent a car there. Since we bought return tickets to and from Malaga airport, we decided to rent a car in Malaga. However, as our flight landed quite late, around midnight, most rental offices were already closed. Since we were staying in Malaga overnight, we picked up the car the next day instead!
Parking in Malaga Old Town is very limited, so I recommend finishing all sightseeing in Malaga first and then getting to the airport to pick up your rental. We always rent cars from Rentalcars.com – they have the best third-party full insurance that is much cheaper than the full insurance purchased at providers directly! You can check prices and availability of rentals in Malaga here >>
What’s the best time to visit Andalusia?
Another frequently asked question about the South of Spain is when to visit Andalusia. We completed this road trip in winter (in January), and it was unusually cold in this region of Spain. However, it was still sunny almost every day, and the temperatures reached 12-13 degrees during the day (and dropped to 4 degrees at night).
Usually, it would be around 15-18 degrees in winter. If you want warmer weather, the end of February – March would be better—alternatively, November and the beginning of December. In April, it’s already pretty hot – 26-30 degrees and summers in Andalusia are some of the hottest in all of Europe. Unless you’re okay with temperatures above 38 degrees on a daily basis, I don’t recommend visiting the South of Spain in summer!
Alright, without further ado, let’s get started with the itinerary for 4 days in Andalusia!
4 days in Andalusia by car: from Malaga to Cadiz, including Seville and Marbella
Day 0 – Arriving at Malaga Airport. Where to stay in Malaga?
Day 0 is your arrival day, where you’ll land in Malaga in the evening. Depending on your arrival time, you can either have a walk in the Old Town and have a nice dinner or go straight to bed. In our case, we arrived after midnight, so we went to sleep immediately.
For staying in Malaga, I recommend the following hotels: Debambu Atarazanas, Soho Boutique Colon or Palacio Solecio.
Day 1: Explore Malaga. Pick up the rental car and drive to Seville
On day 1, it’s time to explore Malaga! Malaga is an all-year-round destination, and it’s a magnificent city. It’s straightforward to visit due to a well-connected airport in the city and affordable flights from many European cities. Since you will be exploring the city centre of Malaga and parking options are limited and pricy, I recommend picking up your rental car in the evening, around 5-6pm, when you are ready to drive to Seville!
Malaga is a beautiful coastal city with a rich cultural heritage, and there’s plenty to see and do here. Here are some of the best things to do in Malaga in one day:
- Visit the Alcazaba – This stunning Moorish fortress dates back to the 11th century and offers breathtaking views of the city and the sea. You can explore the castle’s many towers, courtyards, and gardens and learn about the rich history of Malaga. You can buy a guided tour that includes entry to the Alcazaba here >
- Wander through the historic Old Town – Malaga’s old town is full of charming streets and squares, lined with colourful buildings and buzzing with life. You can visit the Cathedral of Malaga, the Roman Theatre, and the Picasso Museum, or enjoy some people-watching at one of the many cafes and bars.
- Eat in a local restaurant – Malaga is known for its delicious seafood, fresh produce, and sweet wine. You can try local specialities, such as fried fish, gazpacho, or sweet Malaga wine, at one of the many restaurants and bars around the city.
- Relax on the beach – Malaga has some stunning beaches, from the famous Playa de la Malagueta to the quieter Playa del Palo. If you’re visiting in spring or autumn, you can still soak up the sun (and perhaps even swim there).
Once you have explored Malaga enough, you can pick up your rental and drive to Seville. It takes around 2-2.5 hours to drive to Seville from Malaga, depending on the traffic.
Day 2 & 3 – Exploring Seville
Where to park in Seville? Can you drive around Seville Old Town?
If you’re considering staying in Seville Old Town, keep in mind that you can’t park there, and it’s challenging to drive there. Some hotels and apartments (like the one we stayed at, Numa Jondo) have parking, but they are quite expensive – expect to pay 15-25 EUR per day.
If you’re looking for free parking, there is a street just 10-15 minutes walking from Seville Cathedral, where you can park for free if you’re lucky to find a spot. The street is called Calle José Maria Moreno Galvan, and the parking lot is close to the bridge. Some comments say that sometimes there are people demanding money for the parking (1-2 EUR) with a promise to look after your car, but we arrived late and in winter and no one was there.
Where to stay in Seville
Seville has plenty of places to stay for any budget. If you’re looking for a very modern apartment with super fast internet and great coffee capsules, I recommend the place where we stayed, Numa Jondo Apartments, located just 4 minutes away from Seville Cathedral. Nonetheless, it’s super quiet and even offers baggage storage.
If you’re interested in a luxury hotel, Seville has plenty – Radisson Plaza Magdalena with stunning views of the city and Hotel Alfonso XIII – probably the most impressive hotel in the city,
Excellent mid-range hotels in Seville: The Honest Sevilla Hotel, Hotel Posada del Lucero
If you’re visiting Seville on a budget, Hostel Triana Backpackers or Nuevo Suizo might be a great option!
What to do in Seville in 1.5 days?
If you’re planning to visit multiple attractions and landmarks in Seville, it might be worth buying a Seville Digital Pass. You can learn more about it here.
Alternatively, here’s another pass that includes an entrance to the Royal Alcazar and a Flamenco show.
Visit the Alcazar Palace
This stunning palace is a must-see in Seville, with its intricate architecture, beautiful gardens, and rich history. This is our favourite landmark in Seville, and if you can only visit one place – I would recommend the Royal Alcazar Palace. Queues to visit are usually large, so I recommend buying a ticket online in advance.
See the Cathedral of Seville
This impressive Gothic cathedral is the largest in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can marvel at its soaring vaulted ceilings, intricate stained glass windows, and the tomb of Christopher Columbus. To avoid losing half of the day queuing there, I recommend buying tickets online here.
Visit the Plaza de Espana
This iconic square was built for the 1929 Ibero-American Expo and is a stunning example of Neo-Mudéjar architecture. You can stroll around the square’s many fountains and bridges, admire the colourful ceramic tiles, and even rent a gondola on the canal. It’s free to visit (except for the gondola ride, of course), and sometimes there are even Flamenco performances you can watch for free right in the heart of the square.
See a Flamenco show
If you haven’t found a Flamenco performance in Plaza de Espana, don’t worry – there are dedicated places where you can see a flamenco show. Seville is the birthplace of flamenco, and there are many places where you can experience this passionate and dramatic dance form. You can choose from traditional tablaos, outdoor performances, or more modern interpretations. We went to Tablao La Milonga – a very small intimate tablao with affordable prices and great performances!
Alternatively, if you’re visiting during a high season and are afraid everything might be fully booked, you can book a flamenco show in advance here >>>
Explore the Triana neighbourhood
This lively neighbourhood on the other side of the Guadalquivir River is known for its ceramics, flamenco, and delicious tapas. You can wander through its narrow streets, visit its many shops and bars, and enjoy some of the best views of Seville. We went to Triana just before the sunset, and it looked absolutely stunning!
Wander through the Barrio Santa Cruz
This charming neighbourhood is full of narrow streets, colourful buildings, and lovely plazas. You can explore its many hidden corners, enjoy some tapas at one of the many bars and restaurants, or soak up the atmosphere.
Climb the Giralda Tower
This bell tower was originally part of the mosque that stood on the site of the Cathedral of Seville, and it offers stunning views of the city. You can climb the tower’s ramps instead of stairs. The view from the tower is spectacular!
Visit one of Seville’s many roof terraces
Another great thing to do in Seville is to visit one of its many roof terraces. Seville has plenty of hotels with panoramic rooftops that were transformed into trendy bars. Some of them, like EME ,Terrace don’t require a reservation – however, you need to come early to get a spot. Alternatively, you can book a table in another terrace bar!
Visit the Metropol Parasol
This modern structure in the old town is also known as the “Mushrooms” due to its distinctive shape. You can take an elevator to the top of the structure and enjoy panoramic views of the city or visit the archaeological museum and other exhibitions inside. It’s not in the Old Town, so it requires a 20-30 min walk, but it’s totally worth it!
A controversial one – visit the Plaza de Toros
Here is a very controversial thing to do, but since it’s a vital part of Andalusian culture and Seville’s history, I decided to include it. Plaza de Toros is the oldest bullfighting arena in Spain and still a functioning bullring (meaning you can see a bullfight from April to September each year). You can also visit the bullring on a guided tour to learn more about the history of bullfighting in Seville.
Seville is one of my favourite cities in Europe, and I hope you enjoy it as well!
Getting to Cadiz
In the afternoon of our day 3 in Spain, we drove to Cadiz. It takes around 1.5 hours to get to Cadiz from Seville, and it’s a very fast and smooth journey.
Cadiz is a relatively small city – you can see it all in one evening. One of the best places to stay in Cadiz is La Sal by Pillow. Cadiz also has a nice beach – if the weather permits, you can spend some time on the beach!
Here are some of the best things to do in Cadiz:
- Explore the Old Town – Cadiz’s historic centre is full of narrow streets, charming squares, and beautiful architecture. You can wander through the old town, admire its Baroque and Neoclassical buildings, and visit some churches and museums.
- Visit the Cathedral – Cadiz’s cathedral is a stunning example of Baroque architecture and features a golden dome visible from all over the city. You can visit the interior, which is filled with works of art, and climb to the top of the tower for panoramic views.
- Relax on the Beach – Cadiz is home to several beautiful beaches, including Playa de la Caleta. You can soak up the sun, swim in the clear waters, and enjoy some of the best seafood in Andalusia at the beachfront restaurants.
Visit Jerez de la Frontera
If you have time, you can also visit Jerez de la Frontera – Jerez is known for its sherry, flamenco, and Andalusian horses. You can visit one of the many sherry bodegas for a tasting, watch a flamenco performance, or see the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. It’s just a short drive from Seville on the way to Cadiz.
Day 4: Enjoying Marbella
On the last day of the Andalusian road trip, you can either spend the morning on the beach in Cadiz or drive to Marbella immediately. It takes 2 hours to get to Marbella from Cadiz. Marbella is just 40 minutes from Malaga airport, so you won’t need to drive much on the way to the airport.
Marbella is an upscale resort town. However, it is very charming and has a lot of history. Here are some of the best things to do in Marbella:
Things to do in Marbella
- Explore the Old Town – Marbella’s charming old town is filled with narrow cobblestone streets, white-washed buildings, and colourful flowers. It’s lovely and looks beautiful during the day and at night!
- Visit the beaches – Marbella is known for its beautiful beaches, with plenty to choose from. You can relax on the golden sand, swim in the clear waters, or try some water sports like paddleboarding or jet skiing.
- Stroll along the Paseo Maritimo – The Paseo Maritimo is a beautiful promenade that runs along the beach in Marbella. You can take a leisurely stroll, enjoying the sea breeze and the views, and stop at one of the many beachfront restaurants or cafes for a drink or a bite to eat.
Puerto Banus
If you’re up for a short trip (actually, it’s easier to stop there on the way to Marbella) – visit Puerto Banus. Puerto Banus is a glamorous marina located just a few miles from Marbella. You can admire the luxurious yachts, browse the designer boutiques, and enjoy a meal or a drink at one of the many waterfront bars and restaurants. That’s where you can find all the luxury shops, from Chanel to Gucci and lots of wealthy people shopping there. It reminded me a little bit of Porto Cervo in Sardinia.
If your flight is next day, here are the best-rated places to stay in Marbella: Hotel Claude Marbella and B&B Boutique Tribeca!
Summary of a South of Spain road trip: 4 days in Andalusia, from Malaga to Seville and Marbella
I hope you enjoyed the trip article and found it helpful. 4 days in Andalusia is not much as there are so many other amazing places that you can visit, from Ronda to Granada; however, if you only have 4 days in the South of Spain and you want to see as much as possible, that’s an itinerary I would recommend. It’s possible to go on this trip all year long – the only difference is that you won’t be able to swim during the colder months. However, all these places have impressive landmarks and beautiful Old Towns, and there is so much to see that you might want to spend less time on the beach.
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