Andalusia is a beautiful region with an ancient history that has absorbed all the best that Spain has. White villages, red soil and mountains washed by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. In thousand-year-old cities built by the Moors, fairs and carnivals with bullfighting and flamenco, which originated in Andalusia, are constantly held, and deep gorges and very unusual villages hide from prying eyes in the mountains. Add to this excellent cuisine and centuries-old winemaking traditions. So don’t hesitate! Rent a car and go on an exciting road trip along the roads of southern Spain. We have made a selection of the most interesting places where you can go for one day from Malaga and two detailed exclusive routes.
1. Gibraltar
Distance 140 km, about 2 hours one way on the AP-7 toll road (7.35 euros),
on free roads +1 hour on the road.
It is a British overseas territory. Pounds are in use here, the police wear the same uniform as their London counterparts, and double-decker red buses in the color of telephone booths drive around the city. And all this in the very south of Spain! There is no direct transport connection between Spain and Gibraltar: you can cross the border either on foot or by car. The most interesting thing is that when crossing the border between Gibraltar and Spain, you also cross the runway of the local airport, which otherwise could not fit on a peninsula consisting almost entirely of rock.
At the border you will need to present your passport (a Schengen multiple visa or UK visa is required) and say how many days you are staying in Gibraltar. If more than one — they may ask you to show your hotel reservation or name the hotel. You will be given a stamp with the number of days of stay, which will be checked when leaving the peninsula.
More details from Gibraltar here and more here.
Also watch a video about Gibraltar from our recreation director Alexey Kiryanov:
2. Seville
Distance 170 km, about 2 hours one way. Roads are free.
Seville — an ancient city with beautiful architecture, where the Moorish style is present everywhere: from the shape of the windows and doors to the Giralda, a 12th century minaret turned into a bell tower and which has become a symbol of the city. The Gothic Cathedral, the largest in Europe, is adjacent to the architectural miracle of Seville Alcazar. This luxurious palace took 700 years to build and rebuild, it is protected by UNESCO, and you may have already seen it – in the Game of Thrones series, all the Dorne palace scenes were filmed in the Alcazar.
But Seville is famous not only for monuments of the past – nightlife is vibrant here all year round. The Santa Cruz area offers dozens of tapas bars and bodegas serving the best Spanish wines. In bustling Triana, where flamenco originated, it is danced in bars, squares and theaters. Bullfights in the arena in Seville take place in October, April and during local holidays.
3. Granada
Distance 126 km, about 1.5 hours one way. Roads are free.
Granada, lying at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, enchants with the splendor of Baroque churches, masterpieces of Mudejar architecture and the aroma of thousands of orange trees that grow on the city streets. Overlooking Granada is the Alhambra, a medieval Moorish fortress that turns purple in the setting sun. From its walls there is a beautiful view of the city and mountains. The Generalife, the summer palace of the sultans with many pools, fountains and a magnificent garden, is located at the foot of the fortress.
In the center of the city stands a huge cathedral, which began to be built in 1505 as a monument to liberation from the Moors and took 200 years to complete. A few steps away is the Royal Chapel, a Gothic masterpiece of architecture where the 8 kings of Spain are buried.
4. Cordova
Distance 158 km, about 2 hours one way. Roads are free.
Founded by the ancient Romans and one of the intellectual centers of Europe in the 10th century, Cordoba remembers how Christians, Jews and Muslims lived in peace and harmony in one city a thousand years ago. The first on the list of unique monuments of Cordoba is the Mesquite Cathedral Mosque. It is one of the twelve architectural wonders of Spain. At first there was an ancient Roman pagan temple on this site, which was rebuilt into a Christian church. In the 8th century, the caliph demolished it and built a huge mosque, which, after the city was captured by the Spaniards in 1236, was consecrated and became the Cathedral.
Among the monuments of medieval architecture, the synagogue in the Jewish quarter and the Roman Bridge, which is more than two thousand years old, stand out. The synagogue is interesting because it is one of the three synagogues in Spain that have been preserved in their original form – with exquisite carvings, openwork arches and unique ornaments.
Photo: Mezquita Mosque
And the visiting card of the city is the Alcazar, the Fortress of the Christian Kings, rebuilt from a Moorish fortress. It is famous for the fact that from here King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella led the troops that recaptured Granada from the Moors, ending the centuries-old rule of the Moors in Spain. Here the queen received Columbus, who asked Isabella to sponsor a sea expedition to India. The palace is also famous for its beautiful gardens, magnificent Mudejar architecture and collection of antiques.
5. Travel route by car from Malaga: 11 lighthouses per day
Distance 246 km.Travel time without stops — 4 hours 30 minutes one way. With full stops — 9 hours.
We have prepared a detailed route for those who love the sea and lighthouses. In one day you can see 11 lighthouses on the way from Malaga to Almeria, each of which is different from the others.
Along the way you will find ancient castles, cute coastal towns and delicious food of the Andalusian coast. Read more
6. Road trip through Andalusia from Malaga: gorges, cliffs and quaint cities
Distance 196 km. Travel time without stops is 5 hours one way. With full stops — 10 hours.
This route is suitable for those who are not looking for easy ways. In one day you will see the Torcal National Park, try local delicacies in the city of Antequera, go to the dolmens left by an ancient civilization, see the abyss of the El Chorro gorge and the Royal Path, the city of Setenil de las Bodegas, over which the cliff hangs, and the city of Rondo , which hovers over the abyss. Read more
