Highlights
- Spend the day at one of Costa del Sol's idyllic beaches
- Visit some of Spain's White Villages, with their charming streets and unique history
- Watch an authentic flamenco show and enjoy tapas in Seville
- Walk along the cliffs and relax on the beaches of Cala de Roche
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Málaga, Self-Guided Beach Day | Málaga |
| Day 2 | Treasure Hunt in Málaga, Taste of Málaga Tapas Walk | Málaga |
| Day 3 | Drive to Marbella, Enjoy the City | Marbella |
| Day 4 | Drive to Ronda, Live Spanish Guitar Show | Ronda |
| Day 5 | Ronda Heritage Walk, Self-Guided Visit to Ardales | Ronda |
| Day 6 | Drive to Conil de la Frontera via White Villages & Beaches | Conil de la Frontera |
| Day 7 | Drive to Cádiz, History, Local Culture & Wine Tasting | Cádiz |
| Day 8 | Drive to Seville, City Walk, Ancient Bath Experience | Seville |
| Day 9 | Visit Seville's Cathedral & Alcázar, Tapas & Flamenco Experience | Seville |
| Day 10 | Depart Seville |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Málaga, Self-Guided Beach Day
Welcome to Málaga! After picking up your rental car from the airport, you'll drive to your accommodation in the city center. Once you've settled in, it's time to enjoy one of the best perks of the Costa del Sol: its beaches. You'll find a few options for municipal beaches in the city's center, including the popular Playa de la Malagueta. For other nearby beaches, Málaga has a user-friendly bus line that hugs the coast to the north and a metro that covers the south.
But if you'd like to experience some of the beaches along the Mediterranean Sea, you can rely on your rental car. As a self-guided beach day, you'll receive all the options after you book your trip, so you can choose which beaches are best for you. Some are better suited for families, whereas others are great for couples or offer more privacy. A few recommended options include Marbella's beach resorts, Nerja with its idyllic coves and inlets, and the beaches within the Cliffs of Maro, a nature preserve.
Day 2: Treasure Hunt in Málaga, Taste of Málaga Tapas Walk
Today is all about discovering the city in a unique and fun way. You'll start with a private treasure hunt through Málaga using a GPS device, an adventure kit, and plenty of clues to help you move around the city. You'll visit important sites and look for hidden clues to solve puzzles at each location, all while a helpful guide and book provide interesting facts and cultural information. In the end, you'll be able to open the secret treasure box!
Then, to truly embrace Málaga's food scene, a proper tapear (tapas walk) is a must. Tapas are a popular custom in Spain, which brings people out on the town as they enjoy drinks and bites of shared food with friends. With your guide leading the way through Málaga's picturesque and historic center, you'll watch this custom come to life (and enjoy it yourself), revealing Spain's lively and flavorful history.
Day 3: Drive to Marbella, Enjoy the City
Start your road trip by heading to Marbella, a one-hour drive from Málaga. If you'd like to stop at one of Costa del Sol's seaside towns along the way, take a break in Benalmádena. All ages love the major attractions here, including the Sealife Aquarium, Benalmádena Butterfly Park, the Tivoli World amusement park, and the Cable Car, with incredible coastal views. You can also enjoy views from Torre Mirador, try watersports along the coast, stroll through Parque de la Paloma, or hang out at one of the beaches.
After settling into your accommodation in Marbella, spend some time in the Old Town, also called Casco Antiguo, a charming historic area filled with narrow streets, whitewashed houses, and colorful flowers. Grab a coffee in one of the squares, then consider a snack or lunch at the Marbella Market. Afterward, walk down to the beach via the Avenida del Mar, a pedestrian walkway decorated with public art and statues designed by Salvador Dalí.
Marbella is known for its beautiful beaches, so you have many choices. Head to one of the glitzy beach clubs or rent an umbrella and chairs at one of the more relaxed stretches of sand. You could also spend time at the Marbella Club Golf Resort, with its spa, golf course, and eateries, though you might want to enjoy dinner at one of the seaside restaurants. Regardless, a great spot for sunset is on the Paseo Marítimo, the city's waterfront promenade.
Day 4: Drive to Ronda, Live Spanish Guitar Show
Continue your road trip to Ronda and enjoy some viewpoints and hikes along the way. Learn more about the drive from Marbella to Ronda here, but know it's exceptionally scenic. You'll pass through the Parque Nacional Sierra de las Nieves and twist along the A-397 highway, driving for a little over an hour. But if you'd like to stop to stretch your legs, you'll find plenty of hiking options, from easy scenic outlooks to more challenging treks.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Ronda Heritage Walk, Self-Guided Visit to Ardales
In the morning, you'll join a local guide and explore Ronda, the village Ernest Hemingway once called the most romantic town in Spain. In addition to being home to several palaces, museums, and historic buildings, Ronda is also set on a spectacular gorge and surrounded by the Serranía de Ronda Mountains. Your guide will take you through the historic neighborhoods and across all three of the town's famed bridges, including Puente Nuevo, for its incredible views of El Tajo Gorge.
Next, drive to Ardales, one of Spain's official white villages. Though a small town, it's one of the most popular, as it's the gateway to the famous Caminito del Rey hiking trail and is known for its cultural aspects and natural environment. The historic Old Town sits below the church, Ardales Castle, and hermitage Ermita del Calvario. Surrounding the town are several lakes, reservoirs, river gorges, and mountains, so the area is perfect for an active adventure.
As a self-guided day, you can cater your experience in the village and its surroundings to your interests, whether you want to explore or relax in Ardales, hike, or visit a nearby winery.
Day 6: Drive to Conil de la Frontera via White Villages & Beaches
Today's drive from Ronda to Conil de la Frontera offers many excellent stopping points, including more white villages, hiking paths, and beaches. As a self-guided day, you can choose where to stop and what to do. You'll get all the information you need upon booking, and you can learn more about making the journey from Ronda to Conil de la Frontera here.
For some inspiration, consider stopping in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park and visiting white villages like Grazalema or Zahara de la Sierra. There are many hiking options in the area, too, if you're interested in time in nature. Otherwise, consider stopping at one of Spain's most famous coastlines near Cala de Roche, where you can swim, hike, or relax on the sand.
Day 7: Drive to Cádiz, History, Local Culture & Wine Tasting
Your road trip continues today as you drive from Conil de la Frontera to Cádiz. Though the route typically takes just 40 minutes, you can visit two of the most beautiful beaches in the area if you didn't already yesterday: Cala de Roche and Playa Sancti Petri. As a bonus, this alternative route keeps you closer to the coast, so you can stop at the Mirador Faro de Cabo Roche or walk along the Roche Trail. Learn more about what you can do and see on the drive from Conil de la Frontera to Cádiz here.
Once settled into your accommodation, enjoy wine tasting and a historical culture walk in Cádiz. An expert guide will take you through the historic streets, stopping to view monuments, churches, viewpoints, markets, and more. Cádiz is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Western Europe, founded by the Phoenicians in the seventh century BCE, then settled by the Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, and Arabs. Before calling it a night, end your walk at a beloved tavern for wine tasting.
Day 8: Drive to Seville, City Walk, Ancient Bath Experience
Today, you'll drive from Cádiz to Seville, which you can make into a mini road trip with a couple of stops. First, you'll pass by the family-owned Luis Pérez Winery to learn about merlot, syrah, petit verdot, and sherry. Then stop in the historic city of Jerez de la Frontera, known for its architecture and horseriding. The Old Town highlights include the Alcázar de Jerez, an 11th-century Moorish fortress, the Jerez Cathedral, and Plaza del Arenal. Learn more about this road trip between Cádiz and Seville here.
After settling into your accommodation in Seville, you'll explore the city's historical core with a local guide. A guided walk in Seville is a great way to get acquainted with the city and learn about its 2,000-year history. You'll stroll through the historical streets, stopping at many essential monuments, like the 15th-century Seville Cathedral (the largest Gothic church in the world). You'll also stroll through the Jewish Quarter and check out the modern architecture of Metropol Parasol.
Day 9: Visit Seville's Cathedral & Alcázar, Tapas & Flamenco Experience
In the morning, you'll join a private guide and visit Seville's most important monuments: Seville Cathedral and the Royal Alcázar. You'll skip the long lines and enjoy a personalized experience starting at the cathedral (the world's largest Gothic cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site). You can climb the bell tower, La Giralda, for incredible city views. Then make your way to the Alcázar, a royal palace replacing the original Moorish fortress and offering one of Spain's best examples of Mudejar architecture.
Dig deep into Spanish culture with quintessential tapas and flamenco in Seville, plus a stroll through an authentic neighborhood. Flamenco was born in Andalusia, so Seville's historic Jewish Quarter and Triana districts are excellent places to experience it. You'll start by walking through one of the neighborhoods and stopping to enjoy tapas, followed by your authentic flamenco show. Afterward, enjoy a typical Spanish evening with new friends, conversation, more tapas, and wine at family-run taverns.
Day 10: Depart Seville
It's time to catch your flight out of Seville Airport. The journey from the city center to the airport usually takes about 20 minutes, but give yourself plenty of time to return your rental car and get through security. Safe travels!
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