My daughter and I arrive in Malaga on Dec 9 and depart Jan 9. We want to slow travel in andalusia and I'm thinking it might work to stay somewhere like a pueblo blanco (Olvera) for a month and just do day trips around the area. We want to visit Granada, Cordoba, Seville....and other places we find of interest, then finish off with a few nights in Malaga. There seems to be bus connections to all those places. So for those that know the area, is this feasible, or would we be better off staying in 4 separate places for a week at a time.

I would prefer to stay a few different places. Some places are nice at night and need more than one day to see them. Seville is certainly worth two or three days and you could day trip to Cordoba from there. Some places are a bit too far for a good day trip. Granada, for example, which could also use two or three days.

I would base places where, if the weather is cool or rainy and there end up being days you don't want to be traveling, there would still be things to do, choices of good restaurants and places to walk.

Also, IMHO, a month in summer in Andalucia when you could enjoy the beaches and late night-life would be great, but in winter it might be a bit long. If you have not been to Spain before, I would consider a week in Madrid (even though Madrid will probably be much colder) with day trips.

Take a look at Antequera, the so called heart of Andalucía, just North of Málaga. Almost right in the middle of the Sevilla, Córdoba, Granada, Málaga rectangle. Here you'll find dolmens (some 5000 years old burial chambers), Roman baths, a Moorish Castle, Gothic churches, Renaissance fountains and baroque bell towers. Antequera was the first of the Granada emirate towns to fall to the Christians in 1410.
http://www.andaluciacoastandcountry.com/antequera.html

Close to many of the white villages in the Málaga/Ronda mountains, spectacular landscapes etc (the famous Torcal is just outside town). Excellent public transportation to all the cities mentioned above.

With a month to spare, I'd stay in a place that could offer different restaurants and a good choice of hotels for that time. I like to stay near the sea with good access to roads and public transport for sightseeing.

So Marbella, Puerto Banus or that area would be perfect.

I'd chose somewhere on the good train system with lots to do, so Seville or Malaga would be big for me.

Thanks for replies so far. I guess I should mention that while we are not backpackers, we are on a budget of sorts and if moving constantly, won't be able to stay in places that cost more than about 50 euro a night. That's why I thought of a base for a month with day trips or overnight/s away. I've found a long term rental in a central position in Andalusia that works out to 14 euros a night and with car hire of 13 euros a day, that's 27 euros p/day for accom and travel. I could afford to overnight in other places as well I think, so could possibly explore Portugal to Granada distances. Another consideration is parking. What are the costs like in Spain if we visit Seville for a day, for example? Does the plan sound feasible, or do people still think a week in 4 different places would be better? Bear in mind that we're not beachy people and don't especially like overly crowded places.

Wow! 14 euros a night is super cheap. Does the 13 euros a day for the car include insurance, etc? Gas will also be costly and parking may be difficult and certainly add to the cost. In summer, I would not mind a month in one place, even out of the way, perhaps, but in winter, I would definitly want to stay in some different places with places to walk in the evenings for dinner sometimes.

Unless I were working on a book or something like that, and with budget being a big concern, I would even take a shorter vacation, but spend it in some of the most interesting places. All just personal choice, however.

I would be hesitant to stay in a small town for a month - but then I'm a big city person and if there aren't a lot of different restaurants, museums, etc I can get really bored. Also - not sure how easy the driving will be in winter - depending on where you are based.

I would vote fr 2 or 3 different places - making Seville one of them - otherwise I would go stir crazy.

But - you may have different interests and needs than we do.

(We have stayed several day in Puerto Banus - which was great in April - not sure about winter).

I agree with the above posters, particularly if you've never visited Andalucia. You could easily spend 1-2 weeks in Sevilla then head to a base better logistially to visit Granada/Malaga, etc..... I can't imagine trying to take in all the sights of some of the bigger places as daytrips. It can be done but you really are just checking off sites.

Olvera looks quite nice, and the price can't be beat ! That's what I'd do with overnights in Seville, Cordoba, Granada, and Malaga. If you rent the car, ask them for a diesel. Gets better mileage. Have tons of fun !