Change of plans - what to do between Granada and Malaga.
 

I thought our itinerary for our trip to Andalucia in November was more or less settled. We planned to spend 9 nights in the region after a week in Paris. We have cancellable reservations for 2 nights in Cordoba, 3 nights in Granada and 3 nights in Malaga, then one night near the airport in Madrid before flying home on November 19th. We omitted Seville because we've visited there before but we've never been anywhere else in Andalucia.

Now my husband has announced that he has some work-related meetings in Berlin on Nov. 21 to 23. Luckily there's a direct flight by easy jet from Malaga to Berlin, but we have to leave on the 19th. So now we have an extra night in Malaga.

So my question, after the long-winded introduction, is - do we just spend 4 nights instead of 3 in Malaga, or should we spend a night or two in Ronda or some other village between Granada and Malaga? We thought of renting a car for a day trip or two from Malaga, but should we now rent a car in Granada and stop along the way?

Would appreciate advice from the Andalucia experts or anyone who's done this kind of trip. I'm starting to feel like we're moving around too much. This was supposed to be a relaxing trip after some difficult months at work.

From Granada you could take the road to Motril and stop by the Alpujarra for a look at 'white villages' and then go down to the coast thru Nerja to Malaga. You'd need a car for this.

Sorry.
You, and others, may have a grasp and the wit to follow what you are asking but, again sorry, I do not.
So all I can offer is Ronda is not 'between Granada and Malaga' and yes there are several day trips available from Malaga including by bus to Granada or underrated Antequera perhaps.

Rent a car and drive down from Granada to the Med through the scenic A 4050 road known as the Moor's Sigh. End up in beautiful and small Nerja among the cliffs, fourty mins driving from Málaga city. Photo of Nerja: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2622/...de6a8146_o.jpg

The name of the road from Granada down towards the coast comes from the legenedary sigh of Boabdil, the last emir of Granada, when he at the mountain pass known as Puerto del Suspiro del Moro (The Moor's sigh pass), in 1492 for a last time had a look back upon the city now lost to the so called Catholic Monarchs. His mother shall then have said: "You cry like a woman over a city you couldn't defend as a man". Images from the road:
http://www.holavalencia.net/2010/02/...and-almunecar/

For a relaxing night or two in Nerja, with fabulous views of both the sea and the inland Almijara mountains, I recommend either Hotel Carabeo or the Parador de Nerja. Both are on the seaside edge of the charming and local atmosphere old town.
Hotel Carabeo: http://www.hotelcarabeo.com/
Parador de Nerja: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/para...-nerja.en.html

Plenty of genuine tapas bars in the old town. Here you get free and delicious tapas too choose with every glass of whatever in the bar area.

For a typical Andalucian super-fresh, no fuss fish and seafood splurge, I highly reccomend Restaurante La Marina. Very popular with locals, and as good as you get a seafood freiduría in all of the south of Spain: http://www.guideofnerja.com/pages/gu.../marina_en.htm

Also some high end places around. Michelin guide Bib Gourmand restaurant Sollun is perhaps the best in town: http://www.sollunrestaurante.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalucia.html

The Nerja Caves, where people lived some 30 000 years ago, are just 3 km east of town:
http://www.cuevadenerja.es/index.php?lenguaje=en#

Kimhe suggestions are ok, but have in mind that Nov is not beach time, and driving the Alpujarras will be nice if sunny, but not if it rains. Better have a plan B. There'll be little people in the Nerja coast, though some restaurants may be closed, for sure others shall be open.
WomBatt is right, but it is doable, you can take Bus or train. Ronda to Malaga, better by Bus.
Plan B: if weather is bad, go straight to Malaga and plan daytrips according to weather. Many things to do in Malaga, anyway.

josele,

I love the laid-back pace of Nerja in November, and a couple of days here at this time of year is perhaps not a bad idea if you want to increase the "relaxing trip after some difficult months at work" part. Visited many times during the past ten years, and November has come to be our favourite.

But, of course, Málaga is a very welcoming and easy-going big city:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalis...pleasures.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/200...el?INTCMP=SRCH

Also two direct daily buses from Granada to Nerja, and buses from Nerja to Málaga city about every half hour. http://www.guianerja.com/bus-horarios/

If you have any interest in hiking, you might consider the Poqueira Gorge.

Kimhe, dont get me wrong, I too love the Coast when is quiet, in autumn/winter.

Thank you all for your ideas and insights. This is just the kind of information I need.
Nerja sounds intriguing, perhaps we'll do 2 nights there and 2 nights in Malaga.

IMO Nerja sounds a lot nicer than it actually is.

My wife and I just returned from a two week trip to Spain. We spent 3 days in Malaga which included a day trip ( by car) to Granada. On our way back we stopped in Nerja for a few hours (for a drink and a view) and then were on our way back to Malaga. I cannot see staying here longer especially if it is not beach weather.

My advice would be to spend the extra day in Malaga, rent a car and drive to Ronda for the day. Leave early via the mountain route avoiding the tour busses. Ronda has a magnificent Gorge to view and explore. Either leave before or after sunset ( which can be seen from the bridge).

A few suggestions for a couple of relaxing days in Nerja.

You don't find much better views for the meal than at Marisquería Puerta del Mar. The speciality is fish and seafood. Within five mins walking of both the hotels suggested above: http://www.marisqueriapuertadelmar.c...ex.php?lang=es

Often great artists on stage in the theater at the Nerja Cultural Center. The programme is normally Spanish music, jazz, classical or flamenco. Had one of the concert experiences of my life here in October 2004 with the legendary flamenco singer José Mercé: http://www.nerja.es/villadenerja/?cat=32&lang=en

Lan Sang is a top notch Thai/Laos restaurant:
http://www.lansang.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalucia.html

If you're looking for genuine tapas bars in the old town, here are some of my favourites. Free tapas to choose with every glass.
El Cangrejo: http://www.guianerja.com/bares-de-tapas/el-cangrejo/
El Velero: http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandrestaurants/el-velero/
Los Bilbainos: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaur...Andalucia.html
La Puntilla: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaur...Andalucia.html

My advice would be to spend the extra day in Malaga but why don´t go to Antequera for a day trip or just stop along the way?