7 nights in Andalucia: Advise on using Malaga & Sevilla as a base...
 

Hi, my wife & I (30 & 35 yo) will go Apr 4 - 11 to Andalucia and need some advices...

We'll arrive and departure from Malaga; but would like to rent a car and visit the region; here's the plan so far:

Apr 4: Arrival to Malaga
Apr 5: Malaga & Ronda
Apr 6: Marbella & Gibraltar (have a friend to visit)
Apr 7: Drive from Malaga - spend full day in the Alhambra- Sleep in Seville
Apr 8: Seville
Apr 9: Cordoba - Day Trip
Apr 10: Seville
Apr 11: Jerez in the morning & departure from Malaga at 5pm

Any reco on itinerary would be very much appreciated!

Cheers

I am so glad you are going to Ronda! The old section (across Puente Nuevo from train or bus station) has got incredible vistas over the gorges, history and peaceful plazas. Loved, loved it! Read Hemmingway's "For whom the bell tolls"--Ronda is the setting for the most memorable event of this book about the Spanish civil war. Are you getting a driver? I think it is a bit of a trip from Malaga. Malaga doesn't have much personality, IMO, but you can decide. I much preferred Granada. Stay in the old Jewish quarter for the most interesting sights. Seville is also super cool, with so much amazing history. Again, stay in the old jewish quarter, Barrio Santa Cruz. you can walk the twisty, narrow streets and find great little spots to eat. We enjoyed the Murillo Gardens, walking the old Moorish ramp up to the top of the Cathedral, with periodic views out. Cordoba is an easy day trip on the Fast Train. another cool city. Spain is really amazing if you are a history buff at all....

We preferred Sevilla as a base-great walking city-lots of fountains and cafes. Malaga struck us as just a bit more "disconnected" in terms of walking-but the advantage there of course is the sea.

We also loved Granada but be aware it is hilly so you may need more bus transport there-but it has a very young student vibe which is nice and means there are many "cheap eats" kind of places.

Honestly I don't think you can go wrong with any of them-it just depends on what you like most.

You will love Andalucia. If your Gibraltar friend is flexible, it wolud make much more sense to visit Gib and Ronda en route to Sevilla. Makes no sense to keep doubling back to Malaga.

A couple of recent articles about Málaga, one of my absolute favourite cities in Spain. Genuine and laid-back.

NYT, "Exploring Málaga, from the Phoenicians to Picasso": http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/tr...asso.html?_r=0
Telegraph: "Secret Spanish pleasures": http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalis...pleasures.html
Guardian: "Picasso's city of hidden treasures": http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...el?INTCMP=SRCH

I recommend dinner at Mesón de Cervantes: http://elmesondecervantes.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalucia.html

Tapas at La Campana: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalucia.html
http://www.stay.com/malaga/bar-pub/1...ar-la-campana/

Bodega El Pimpi later in the night, an institution in town: http://www.elpimpi.com/en/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzLkFsVJdhc

Coffee or churros con chocolate at Málaga classic Casa Aranda, one of the best cafés I've ever been to: http://www.casa-aranda.net/

Next door you'll find the excellent Aterazanas food market. Also a couple of great tapas bars in here: http://www.sarahmelamed.com/2012/11/...overed-market/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Andalucia.html

Local Málaga sweet wines in Antigua Casa de Guardia from 1840, and little have changed since then: http://www.antiguacasadeguardia.net/home.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Andalucia.html

The flamenco singer Capullo de Jerez performs in Teatro Cánovas in the center of Málaga the night you arrive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKWyn2e1Zmg

Thanks a lot for all the comments and suggestions; we have adapted the itinerary a bit:

Friday 4th: Arrival to Malaga and drive to Granada
- Friday night: Night visit to the Alhambra
Saturday 5th: Alhambra
Sunday 6th: Drive from Granada to Sevilla, passing through Cordoba and visiting La Mezquita
Monday - Thursday: Sevilla
Thursday: Drive through the Pueblos Blancos to Ronda, where we will spend the night
Friday: Drive to Malaga and airport

We will rent a car to go from Malaga to Granada until we get to Sevilla where will drop it off and will rent another one to get back to Malaga.

What do you think?

Try to get to Ronda before the sunset--people gather at a park overlook and it is wonderful. Shame you will miss Malaga but this sounds like a much better pace. I liked Malaga for relaxation, but the other places you visit hold the highlights.