South of Spain Travel Itinerary : A complete 2 week guide to the wonders of Andalusia
- Feb 21, 2024
- 8 min read
Spain is a culturally diverse country with a rich history, influenced by its surrounding nations and its Andalusian heritage. Every destination on this route is stunning and I am so happy to guide you in finding all the gems the South of Spain has to offer. This guide will be for a 2-week road trip starting and ending in Barcelona and completing a full circle through the Southern region of Spain.
Barcelona
Valencia
Granada
Málaga
Seville
Madrid
Barcelona
Barcelona
Starting with the home of iconic Artictecht and designer Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona does not have to be your first stop but it should be on your list if you go to Spain. From iconic landmarks to iconic movie scene locations, Barcelona truly has everything for everyone
Getting to city center
The lively square of Plaça de Catalunya is the heart of Barcelona. It separates the 2 main districts of Barcelona - Ciutat Vella and Eixample and is a meeting spot for street performers and tourists.
Barcelona Sants Train station - 20 minutes to city center
Barcelona Nord (Bus Station) -11 minute to city center
El Prat Airport (International Airport) - 36 minuets by train , 16 minuets by car
Art
Antoni Gaudi is a Catalan Artictecht who is most known for the church of the Sagrada Familia located in the heart of Barcelona. You can buy tickets to enter the church from the official website of the church. Be sure to buy tickets in advace as you cannot enter without a ticket
Antoni Gaudi also desgined Park Güell, which offers the most gorgeous views of the city and a perfect spot to watch the sunset. Prices can range anywhere from 10 -20 EUR and is most definitley worth it. You can buy tickets in advance here.
Casa Batlló is another landmark in Barcelona made by Antoni Gaudi. This house is filled with Gaudi's spirit and designs everywhere you look. A purchase of your ticket provides you with a virtual guide to give you infomration about what you are looking at along the way. Be sure to get there early in the day to avoid crowds and have the best photo oppritunities. See ticket options on their official webiste
Hostel recommendations
Barcelona is such a hub in Spain, finding the right hostel can be overwhealming. I stayed in 2 different hostels in Barcelona and I honestly loved them both. Hostelworld is the perfect website to browse hostel availiabiolity in a certain city.
TOC Barcelona - View Hostel details here. This one was perfect for a more laid-back, reading freindly common areas. Not too much social gathering activities but this stay definitley had a hotel feel to it. It was huge, and right near the city centre so getting aroung was a 10/10.
Urbany Hostel Barcelona - View Hostel details here Looking for fun pub crawls and an awesome bar on the roof? This hostel was perfect! First night I was there they had pub crawls (which I did not participate in) but this hostel is the perfect oppriunity to meet new people and expereince the nighlife Barcelona has to offer
Barceloneta
Barceloneta is an area near the beach in Barcelona that is a MUST go! You get out of the old brick buildings are suddenly you are in the mpst gorgeous beach town with life oozing out of every corner. Here are some food recomendations for the area
Valenica south of spain travel
About 3 hours by train south, you will find yourself in the beautiful city of Valencia, Spain. The home of the traditional Spanish Paella belongs in Valencia, but it's also met with futuristic buildings that welcome all types of people to the city. For all transportation info visit this website
Top Spots
Look no further the best Paella in Spainihs history. Visit La Pepica to be transported into 125 years of Paella history on the Mediteranean.
Granada
Just to the southwest of Valencia, we head to Granada. Granada was a city of woners for me. It is a small, quaint town just to the northwest of Malaga. Its filled with historcal landmarks and traditional Spanish flamenco dancing. It's not a usual must on everyone's list but it should! Granda is underrated and was easily my favorite city I visited. south of spain travel
I arrived to Granda via the Airport (which is very small) and caught a bus to city center.There were buses outside the Airport with routes hitting every point in Granada, so as long as you know where you are staying, its easy to get around. Here is a link to the Air BnB that I stayed at and had a wonerdul expereince! It had a perfect location, was a good size for 1 person but still enough room for 2-3! So central to everything and had such a good feel to it. I could not recommend it more.
Best means of transportation is going to be walking or the bus, just be sure to have cash for the bus as they do not take apple pay like Barcelona or Madrid.
Alhambra
The Alhambra is a word in Muslim meaning "red castle". This landmark became the court and royal residence in the mis 13-century. This grand castle is about a 2.5 hour tour, covering the Alhambra, Generalife, Palacio Nazaris, and Alcazaba, so dress cool if you go in the summer because it was HOT. See details and buy tickets here
Catedral de Granada
Another gorgeous monument in the heart of Granada. I didn't plan this and happened to stuble across it because it was so close to my Air BnB. You can buy tickets in advance or at the door for around 15 EUR. See ticket prices here!
Authentic Flamenco Show
While in Granada, I wanted to attend an authentic flamenco show in a cave, which I heard about through the streets of Granada. I ended up attending a different show in a theater just about a 10 minute walk from centro with a friend I met but I wanted to recommend both for you. Next time I am in Granada I will definitley be attending a cave show.
La Albore- Live Show with live guitarist who was phenomal and blew everyone away. Cost of show included one free drink during the show!
Cueva de la Rocio - Live show within a cave with different food and dining options available.
Food
Breakfast was the best in a cafe called Stories in centro Granada. Delicious croissaints and Matcha latte i got but everything sounded so yummy! Free wifi and comfy lounge area as well to read or do some work. More details <3
I had an amazing traditional Spanish Paella at a resturaunt called Cafe Bar Bib Rambla. I probably went here everyday I was in Granada, the staff was so friendly and could tell I was struggling with my Spanish and helped me navigate the menu with questions I had! See details here
Another amazing resturant was Mirador de Morayma. It is definiely more on the pricer side but for a nice dinner and an amazing view of La Alhambra its so worth it at least once on your trip in Andalusia. See resturant details here
Málaga
So it is up to you weather you would like to stay a whole day Málaga or just make it a day trip while you are in Granada. Either way this city is a must visit to escape the landlocked southern city of Granada.
Top Things to Do
Alcazaba - built between 1057-1063, this landmark is similiar to La Alhambra in its archeticure inspired by the Hispanic-Arabic period of Spain's history. Tickets here
Playa de la Caleta
Playa Peñón del Cuervo
Hammam Al Ándalus - Traditional Andalusian Arab baths, 90- min session
Resturaunt Reccomendations
Sevilla
Just under 2 and a half hours west of our last stop Málaga, you'll find yourself in Sevilla, the capital of Andalusia. I had such an amazing expereince in Sevilla and I can thank my amazing hostel for that. I met people I will remember forever and am forever grateful for the expereince I had. There are two locations for Oasis Backpackers in Sevilla. I stayed at Sevilla Palace.
Real Alcazar (shown in top row on gallery)
This historical royal palace was built in the 10th century. Of course, similar to the Alhambra, this Islamic palace displas beauiful architechture that will truly take your breath away. Be sure to arrive during the time displayed on your ticket or else you will not be able to enter the palace. If you want an in-depth on the history I would definitley reccomend touring with a guide. Buy tickets here This is also where the city of Dorne was filmed for all my Game of Thrones fans!
Plaza de España (shown in bottom row on gallery)
Plaza de España is known for being built for the Ibero-American expidtion of 1929. It is now a commonly crowded square that is half-moon shaped with buildings that are now being used for government purposes. This is free to visit and is defitinitley a must see if you are in Sevilla.
Park 'Maria Luisa'
Located right behind Plaza de España, this park serves as an oasis in the summer on a hot day. Its gorgeous gardens is a perfect place for a romantic walk or picnic spot in the summer. is no cost to enter so enjoy on your own time.
Las Setas de Sevilla
Designed by a german architect who won a competition to re-vamp the square, a wooden construction on top of parasols was built in 2011. El Mirador is a walkway with beautiful views of Sevilla. Buy Tickets here
Madrid
Last stop but CERTAINLY not least we have arrived at our last city before heading back to Barcelona to go home. Now when you are bouncing all around Spain, the app Omio made it super easy for me to buy tickets for buses, trains or planes last minute from city to city! Just over 5 hours in the car North of Sevilla, you'll find yourself in the capital city of Spain, Madrid.
I also had a very lovely hostel where I met the best people here in Madrid. My hostel had a rooftop bar and nightly pub crawls for the soical butterfly. But what really sold it was the spa they had in house you can pay to use for a time slot. I hit Madrid towards the end of my trip so I definitley needed some relaxtion and time for myself in this city. Book your hostel stay at 260 in Madrid
If you do ANYTHING in Madrid let it be Tapas- a small appetizer served with a drink as a common delicacy in Spain. Some classis versions of Tapas are Olives, Calamari and croquetas. Here is a list of areas to try out Tapas in Madrid:
Calle Ponzano
Mercado San Miguel
Cava Alta
Calle de las Huertas
Mercado San Miguel
Here is your list of all landmarks and other spots to hit in Madrid
Royal Palace of Madrid - Tickets are required for entry. Terrace in front of palace offers amazing views of the whole city and beyond.
Plaza Mayor - Plaza filled with bars and cafes.
Parque del Retiro- Beautiful park perfect for picnic or just a gorgeous nature walk
Prado National Museum - See ticket detials here
Gran Via & Puerta del Sol - Both great urban shopping areas.
Templo de Debod - Ancient Nubian temple, Ticket details here
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