This route through Andalusia in 7 days will take you to the main destinations in the south of Spain, both large cities and charming villages.
Andalusia hides an immense number of attractions, many of them World Heritage Sites, which show the traces left by the Arabs together with the later Christian reconquest. The Alhambra in Granada, the Mosque-Cathedral in Cordoba, the Giralda and the Real Alcazar in Seville are some of the examples.
But Andalusia also has many charming villages in the mountains, beaches everywhere, nature, tapas on the terrace of the bars and a cultural legacy that marks its past and present.
This recommended route through Andalusia in 7 days, you will visit all these places that receive thousands of tourists year after year.
When is the best time of year to drive around Andalusia?
Although there are tourists in these places all year round, it must be taken into account that in the summer the south of Spain has high temperatures that often exceed 40 degrees Celsius, which means that walking through the inland towns can be suffocating. On the other hand, if you visit the coastal area, it is the ideal time to go to the beach.
🚗 Search here for car rentals in Andalusia.
Both spring and autumn are ideal times to travel to Andalusia, as temperatures become milder without getting too cold and you can even witness many local festivities such as Semana Santa (Easter).
Winter is also a good time, the temperatures are not so low, although if you want you can even go skiing in the Sierra Nevada, near Granada.
Itinerary Route through Andalusia in 7 days
This 7-day tour of Andalusia includes the main cities of the region, where you will not only discover buildings from past centuries that will leave you open-mouthed, but you will also experience first-hand the Andalusian culture through its gastronomy, customs and flamenco dancing.
Day 1 and 2: Seville and its monuments
We start our route through Andalusia in 7 days in the largest town of Andalusia. Seville is a must-see because there are so many attractions to see.
The historic centre hides two of the most emblematic sites of southern Spain such as the imposing Cathedral of Seville with its Giralda and the Real Alcazar, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
📷 Book the tour of the Alcazar, the Cathedral and the Giralda with entrance tickets included here. You will tour the three most important monuments of Seville with an English speaking guide who will explain all the details. The best thing? Including tickets!
But it’s not all monuments, make time to walk along the banks of the Guadalquivir river and cross the bridge to enter the famous Triana quarter with its Sevillian tiles. If you want to take a break from touring the city, you can sit in the Parque Maria Luisa, contemplate the architecture of the Plaza de España or simply go for tapas in the area of La Alameda.
🏨 Check out this article with the hotels we recommend to stay in Seville. You’ll love them!
Day 3: Cadiz, on the seashore
On the visit to Cádiz you are going to enjoy yourself twice over. Here you have the option of visiting and bathing in one of the extensive beaches of the Atlantic Ocean and also taking a tour of its historic centre, surrounded by sea water.
The Plaza San Juan de Dios is the main point of the historical area where the Town Hall and the church of the same name are located, and together with the Cathedral of Cádiz are two of the most important sites. In the old town there are many narrow streets with small squares, where the great local atmosphere is reflected in the terraces of the bars.
📷 If you want a tour that explains everything about the city, we recommend you to take the Guided Tour of Cadiz.
In addition, here you can visit the remains of ancient fortifications on the seaside like the castle of Santa Barbara or the castle of San Sebastian, sit under the shade of the tall trees at the Genovés park or contemplate the views of Cádiz and the sea from the entre Catedrales viewpoint or the Tavira Tower.
🏨 Find here the best hotels in Cádiz.
Day 4 and 5: Malaga, a must on a 7-day route through Andalusia
On the shores of the Mediterranean, Malaga is one of those cities where you are sure to feel at home. Its connection with the sea encompasses not only the central Malagueta beach with its beach bars, but also the marina and the art present in the Pompidou Centre.
In the historic centre you can visit the Cathedral, the shopping and bar street Marqués de Larios, and the Picasso museum with more than 200 works of art by the painter, who was born in this city.
Finally, it is worth visiting the old Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle, two Muslim fortifications, to see the interior crowned with fountains, gardens and walls. Stay at sunset to watch the sea and the city from above at sunset!
📷 Book the guided tour of the Alcazaba and the Roman Theatre of Malaga here. A trip back in time!
🏨 Find here the best hotels in Malaga.
Day 6: Granada and its Alhambra
The Alhambra and the Generalife, a must-see in Andalusia in 7 days. This building, located on a hill and dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, is a great work of art in the open air and displays all the splendour of Nasrid culture. The best thing to do, especially if you go in summer, is to visit the complex in the morning, as the walk is quite long and in many parts you will be in the sun.
📷 Don’t miss the details of your visit by booking this tour of the Alhambra. Including tickets!
The Nasrid palaces have spectacular interior details including fountains, such as the one in the Patio de los Leones, canals and arches. In addition, the palace of Carlos V represents the Christian reconquest with its architecture that is different from the rest.
To see the Alhambra in all its splendour, you must go to the San Nicolás viewpoint, located in the charming Albaicín neighbourhood. Climbing up narrow cobbled streets and past low white-painted houses, you reach this spectacular observatory of the Alhambra. If you have time, don’t miss a flamenco show in the evening in the Sacromonte area.
📷 Book a guided tour of the Albaicín and Sacromonte here and don’t miss anything!.
🏨 Find here the best hotels in Granada.
🔝 Check out this article on things to do in Granada besides the Alhambra.
Day 7: walk through Cordoba
Cordoba has the particularity of housing a monument that was first a church, then a mosque with the presence of the Arabs and later became a cathedral with the return of the Christians to these lands.
Thus, as you walk through the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, you will come across the Patio de los Naranjos and arches from the Muslim period at the beginning, and then move on to the imposing Cathedral built on top of the mosque.
📷 Don’t miss out on the details of your visit to the Mosque Cathedral by taking a guided tour.
The city also has other places to visit such as the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, with its walls and towers, and the Roman bridge over the Guadalquivir river together with the Torre de la Calahorra.
💯 Go to see the views of the city, both from the walls of the Alcázar and from the Calahorra Tower..
Finally, the historic centre is worth a walk through the old streets of the Jewish quarter and the typical houses with their Andalusian courtyards full of flowerpots and flowers. If you want to relax on the terrace of a bar, the Plaza de la Corredera is the ideal place to do so.
📷 To get the most out of your visit to the Alcazar of Cordoba, it is best to take a guided tour.
🏨 Find here the best hotels in Córdoba.
🔝 Check out this article on things to do in Cordoba.
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