In this post, I intend to inspire you to go on a road trip to get a taste of southern Andalusia! I will cover the capital cities of four of the eight provinces that together form Andalusia. I will share some of my favorite cultural attractions, restaurants, and neighborhoods of each city, as well as recommendations to avoid the crowds! This itinerary is a loop that can be started anywhere you are about to read, so pick the most convenient destination airport if you are coming by air!
Without more preamble, pack your stuff, and let’s get rolling!
Cadiz
A coastal city with invaluable history! For over 3,000 years, Cádiz was home to incredible civilizations, such as the Phoenicians–the first ones to settle in–the Romans, Visigoths, and Moors. Each civilization contributed to culturally enriching each aspect of what Cádiz is today–from gastronomy to architecture.
My favorite neighborhoods are in the historic district–an ancient fortified wall surrounds these. Have breakfast at El café de Ana–This is a popular spot, so I recommend getting there before 10 am. In the El Mentidero quarter, visit the Cádiz Museum to get a feel for the historical local artists. Walk to the seafront towards Santa Catalina Castle–free entrance! Enjoy the ocean views from inside that Castle. If you start feeling your tammy, head to Bar La Tabernita, a phenomenal nearby tapa bar. Finish the day with a spectacular sunset view from Santa María del Mar Beach.
Cádiz Province has many more places to explore! If you are staying longer in the area, check out this post!
Seville
The capital of Andalusia is known for its annual county fair in April (La Feria de Abril), devotion to Easter Week, and Holy parades–it gets intensely crowded. In summer, the temperature averages around 95°F (35°C), and exceptionally, very few days reach 104°F (40°C.) So keep this in mind if you travel during summertime to stay hydrated!
Buy tickets a few days before visiting Las Setas, where you will enjoy a magnificent view of the city. Even better, get there a few hours before sunset for a splendid golden hour! From there, you can take a stroll and head to a tapas bar named Universal People Bar de Tapas–Around that area, there are tons of bars/restaurants to choose from.
In the morning, have a very authentic Spanish breakfast consisting of toasted bread with Spanish prosciutto, churros with hot chocolate to dip in, orange juice, and coffee at Cafetería Catunambu.
Once you have had your morning caffeine, you can take a 15-minute walk to visit the wonderful Moorish royal palace, the Royal Alcázar of Seville.
If you are a Star Wars fan, don’t miss out on checking out The Plaza de España! This iconic location was used as the exterior of The Royal Palace of Naboo in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. It’s a must-see for any fan of the franchise.
Granada
Granada is a gem in southern Andalusia. Have your legs ready to walk up and down because this city is hilly! It’s located in the wild Sierra Nevada National Park foothills, which I recommend exploring!
The Alhambra, a medieval marvel, reveals Granada’s rich medieval and Moorish history.
Before visiting The Alhambra, have a delicious breakfast nearby at Café 4 Gatos or Oteiza Coffee. Or why not go before and after that visit? I guarantee that you will enjoy it both times!
This cat just came from having breakfast.
Granada is a food lover’s paradise. Most tapas bars here will give you a free appetizer for each beer you order, and the portions of those appetizers are filling! However, their food is so good that you will find yourself ordering a main course and a dessert! One of the best places to experience that is La Sitarilla.
Malaga
A popular city destination for many of the cruises in the Mediterranean Sea! Something must have Malaga that attracts so many tourists every year. Darker, light-grey tones characterize some of its beaches. Stroll around La Malagueta Beach to feel this grain of sand in your feet. From there, head to Muelle Uno, where you will find a variety of shops and fine restaurants.
If you are looking for a breakfast spot with the best churros to dip into hot chocolate, Tejeringo’s Coffee is your place!
(maybe a picture of us eating breakfast there?)
Malaga city is Pablo Picasso hometown. So, of course, there is a Pablo Picasso museum where you can admire many of his great paintings! A must-do on your itinerary for art lovers!
