Southern Spain: Your perfect road trip
Southern Spain is the ideal spot for a self-drive tour. The region of Andalusia is a vibrant choice! It is full of charming cities and small towns and easy connections. It makes a wonderful choice for clients interested in a self drive trip. However, as always, with Bella Vita you are never on your own.
As soon as you arrive, we will have a rental car waiting for you. We will leave you with the perfect amount of direction so that you are headed to the best destinations. You’ll have the freedom to decide where to go. Nevertheless, with Bella Vita, we will take care of the rest of the details. Our detailed destination kits mean that in Spain you are never traveling alone. This leaves your trip worry free and easy to navigate!
This month, we are sharing some special itinerary ideas for a self drive trip. Southern Spain is a wonderful choice any time of they year. Since you are in the south of the Mediterranean, though, it gets hot in the summer. This self drive trip is a great idea in the spring or fall!
As always, all of our holidays are custom made to your travel wishes. If this itinerary gets your wanderlust going, contact us to learn about all we can arrange for you in this special part of Spain!
DAY 1: Welcome to Southern Spain
Your trip begins in one of our favorite cities, Seville. Captivating and beautiful, the capital of Andalucia intoxicates and excites. It is the city of flamenco, bulls, Carmen and Don Juan. Its history and culture give rise to pride, tradition, passion and joy.
It’s arguably Southern Spain’s most beautiful city and we strongly recommend you embrace its history, charm and idiosyncrasies. Sevillanos are fun-loving people who take great pride in their custom and traditions. The annual Easter parades and April Fair festivities are extraordinary events in many ways, but the city is joy throughout the year. Apart from great local guides, we are also proud to offer an exciting range of activities and very unique “insider access” activities.
We have a wealth of accommodation choices in this special city in Southern Spain. Luxurious, meticulously refurbished apartments with an eye to art and local architecture? Comfortable 4-star located right in the historical center? We’ll find the perfect place for you to stay!
After some time to settle in, we have a great night planned. This evening, make your way to Casa de la Guitarra for an evening of Flamenco. A visit to Southern Spain without a flamenco experience is not complete. Witness the authentic passion of Flamenco at a first rate venue!
DAY 2: Seville
Your guide will meet you at your hotel, and together step out into arguably Southern Spain’s most enchanting city.
During your tour you will see the enormous cathedral, the largest Gothic building in the world, featuring the tomb of Christopher Columbus and its 12th-century bell-tower, La Giralda, originally built by the Moors as a minaret.
You will also visit the ornately decorated Alcazar Palace and its Andalusian gardens. It was originally a Moorish palace. After, it was re-built and designed by Mudejar craftsmen for the Christian royalty after the expulsion of the Moors. You may also wander through the Barrio de Santa Cruz. Originally the Jewish Quarter and now the prettiest quarter of Sevilla.
DAY 3: Jerez de la Frontera
Your rental car will be waiting outside your hotel this morning. You’ll then head south to your next stop, Jerez de la Frontera. This charming city in southern Spain is known for so many special things. The world famous Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art is a riding school with horse shows and a carriage museum. Jerez holds worldwide acclaim for its sherry and brandy production. It is also often called the birthplace of flamenco!
You’ll have a choice of unique and hand selected accommodations from our portfolio. The rest of the day is up to you! With your rental car, you have the freedom to explore as much as you like. We can organize whatever experiences you wish while in the area. A sherry tasting in the famous Spanish “sherry triangle”? A horse show? Or, we can leave you with our detailed list of recommendations and you can decide that moment! With a self drive itinerary, it is truly up to you.
DAY 4: Exploring Southern Spain
Today, your next self driven adventure is waiting. A short drive will take you a beautiful Cádiz, surrounded by mountains, forests, and beaches. It has a different feel from other cities in Southern Spain. It’s rugged, romantic and full of history.
It’s also a great stop for those who travel for food. You cannot miss tortillitas de camarones. Or, for something more substantial to power your southern Spain road trip, try pollo a la canilla — chicken marinated in sherry. Cádiz is also a great stop to try one of these special libations from the area!
Afterwards, the day is yours to decide. A stop for a long lunch at one of our favorite places? Exploring the Arabic forts and palaces along the sea? We are full of suggestions for you on how to finish off your day!
DAY 5: Marbella
This morning we have a very special drive planned as you make your way to Marbella. On the way, you’ll spend the day the breathtaking white villages of Andalucia. This is one of Southern Spain’s most special sites. A wonderful day in the country air full of enchanting, authentic villages and stunning scenery.
Some of these villages you can drive through on your way are, for example, Arcos de la Frontera. There are monuments to see, great pastries to taste from local nuns. The historic old town is an enchanting maze. The views are worth the stop alone!
Another we love is the beautiful Zahara de la Sierra. A castle on a large hill overlooking a lake makes it seem like out of a fairly tale. More active clients looking to use their legs instead of their wheels might enjoy a hike up to the castle. Or perhaps a visit an 18th century olive mill just outside the village!
Or perhaps a stop in Ronda, one of southern Spain’s most dramatic towns. The village over a sheer drop river gorge that divides the medieval part of town. It’s also considered the birthplace of bullfighing.
There are several other white villages to see, the choice is yours as you make your way to Marbella. Once you arrive, we will help match you with the perfect accommodations for your travel tastes. Depending on how much you wanted to see of the white villages, you might be tired and ready for a delicious local seafood dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. Or perhaps we can advise you on our favorite sunset walk along the sea. The trip is yours to decide!
DAY 6: Beach day or Granada
Today you can choose how to spend the day. With your rental car, you have the freedom to do what you wish! You can have a fun and relaxing beach day and leisurely lunch in Marbella, taking in the Mediterranean sun. Or perhaps get an early start and head to Granada, your next stop. The choice is up to you. If your trip has an extra day, spending a full day in Granada before you leave is an excellent idea.
Heading to Granada, we recommend maximizing your time in the city to see one of Spain’s (and Europe’s) most special places. The Alhambra is a truly one of a kind, cannot miss site! One of our favorite accommodations is located nestled among the gardens of the amazing Alhambra. This means you’ll be ready for a visit as soon as you arrive.
DAY 7: Granada and Adios!
If your travel schedule permits you another day, we recommend spending the full day here in the Alhambra. This palace and fortress of the Moorish monarchs is one of a kind. If your trip has you leaving southern Spain after 7 days, you will drive your rental car back to the airport and depart today. Otherwise, another night in Granada before you leave!
Perhaps your vacation doesn’t end here either. We can happily arrange a few days for you in any other parts of Spain or the rest of the Mediterranean. Adding on an extra day in Marbella so you can hike through the Sierra Blanca mountians? An extra day in Jerez so you can drive and explore the Costa de Luz?
We are eager and ready to help make your travel dreams come true!
