Southern Spain’s breezy coastal bends are best accessed via roads with Budget Car Rental, granting travellers greater freedom to admire rustic landscapes en route to the small villages.
Picture sweeping views across breathtaking gorges, streets lined with fragrant orange trees, and exploring centuries-old palaces. These are just some of the gems awaiting you on an Andalucian road trip.
Andalucia, Spain’s southernmost region, is a treasure trove of culture, music, stunning nature, incredible architecture, and a sunny coastline. From charming, whitewashed hilltop towns (pueblos blancos) and Mediterranean beaches to snowcapped mountains, the possibilities are endless.
When I booked my week-long road trip, I knew Budget Car Rental was the way to go. With their fantastic deals, diverse range of cars, and super convenient pick-up and drop-off services, the choice was a no-brainer. Choosing between the stylish Fiat 500, the chic Citroen C3, and the sleek Peugeot 3008 was tough, but I ultimately opted for the spacious Volvo XC40 – perfect for a family of four ready to explore in comfort and style.
Málaga
We arrived in Málagaon a warm June afternoon and picked up our ride at the airport. A quick drive took us to the city centre, where history and modern charm blend seamlessly. Ancient cobbled streets, a Roman Amphitheatre, and the Moorish citadels of Alcazaba and Gibralfaro showcased its rich past, while rooftop bars, boutiques, and beaches lent a contemporary flair.
Our adventure began at the iconic cathedral, “La Manquita,” with its single tower and mix of architectural styles. Climbing 200 steps to the rooftops rewarded us with stunning views. We then wandered through the historic centre to Mercado Central, the city’s most famous food market, passing stylish stores on Calle Marqués de Larios.
At Mercado Central, we admired the 14th-century Moorish arch before indulging in delicious tapas. A stop at Antigua Casa Guardia for vino dulce (sweet wine) let us soak in the atmosphere of Málaga’s oldest bar, once frequented by the famous 20th-century Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. We couldn’t miss Museo Picasso and his birthplace museum on Plaza de la Merced.
When it was time to unwind, we hit the beaches. Playa de Malagueta was lovely, but Pedregalejo, with seafood spots like Maricuchi, was the highlight—especially the charred sardines.
Marbella
We couldn’t choose between a beach or city holiday, a culinary or retail trip, or a budget or luxury vacation, so we headed to Marbella on the Costa del Sol, which has it all.
The drive from Málagato Marbella was quick and scenic, taking less than an hour along the coast. We spent the day on one of the pristine beaches, basking in the sun under a cobalt sky.
Marbella still retains a touch of glamour, with highlights like the Dali Sculptures on Avenida del Mar, showcasing five of Salvador Dali’s pieces in a beautiful open-air setting.
We then explored the charming old town, stopping at Plaza de los Naranjos for a coffee and some people-watching. The whitewashed buildings with flower-filled balconies reminded us of Capri, and the surrounding boutiques and shops were buzzing with tourists sporting fresh tans.
We finished the day with a delicious dinner at Maruja Limón, enjoying seafood paella and salmorejo.
Ronda
Just 63 kilometres from Marbella, Ronda offers enchanting mountainside views as you leave the coast behind. Upon arrival, we easily found street parking and headed to the historic centre.
Ronda’s highlight is the majestic Puente Nuevo (old bridge), dramatically spanning the El Tajo Gorge. We crossed the bridge and walked down Camino de Los Molinos for stunning views of white houses perched on the cliffs. From the top of Puente Nuevo, the Hemingway pathway leads to Mirador de Aldehuela and Balcón del Coño, offering panoramic countryside views. Ronda also boasts Spain’s oldest bullfighting ring, Plaza de Toros, which hosts the sport annually in September and doubles as a museum rest of the year.
Sensur Gastrobar, in the town centre, was our lunch stop, where we savoured local specialties. Our more-than-satisfactory meal was followed by a true-to-Spanish style siesta. We spent the evening, wandering along the main street, checking out its boutique shops, and admired the charming churches and ancient Arab baths.
Seville
The gloriously beautiful Andalusian capital exceeded all our expectations. It’s hot, passionate, loud, and bursting with colour—unapologetically flamboyant and easily our favourite spot in Spain. The car journey to Seville from Ronda is approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. The road is in good condition and is easy to drive in for most part; however, the road near the latter is a bit steeper. Once in Seville, the city is easily walkable despite chaotic traffic and limited parking.
In the old town, Seville Cathedral, Giralda Tower, and Alcazar stand as must-see landmarks, each showcasing the city’s rich history in Gothic splendour. Adjacent to the old town, Barrio Santa Cruz’s narrow alleys offer a taste of Seville’s vibrant tapas culture, where we savoured some of Andalucia’s finest dishes.
Venturing into Centro’s bustling streets, we marvelled at the Metropol Parasol, the world’s largest wooden structure, resembling a fluid parasol that provides shade and stunning rooftop views.
A highlight was the mesmerising flamenco performance at Museo del Baile Flamenco, set in an intimate venue with Roman stones.
Cordoba
Nestled just an hour and 45 minutes northeast of Seville, Cordoba blew us away with its iconic Mezquita or the Mosque-Cathedral—a mesmerising blend of cathedral grandeur and Moorish architectural splendour. Stepping inside was like entering another world steeped in history.
We soaked in the beauty of Palacio de Viana’s intricate gardens, wandered through vibrant, flower-filled patios, and explored the storied Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs and the labyrinthine alleys of the Jewish Quarter.
At lunch, Puerta Sevilla treated us to traditional delights like melt-in-mouth rabo de toro or oxtail stew, while Victoria Market tantalised our taste buds with its array of tapas and multicultural flavours.
Our holiday went by in a jiffy, and soon it was time to return home. Looking back, a road trip with Budget Car Rental through Andalucia was an excellent idea, offering the freedom to explore the region’s rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes at our own pace.
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Pooja Naik is a Mumbai-based journalist with a penchant for food, art, and adventure. Her affinity for travel has often led her to many cultural crossroads, whereby she savoured butter tea with the resident monks at Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh and guzzled an indigenous produce of green ant gin at a local’s behest in Australia. Her work has appeared in National Geographic Traveller Ind
