You don't need to rent a car to get to the Alhambra but it is easy to get there and park in a garage. It is not good to drop off cars in downtown Malaga. In Seville train station is the best place if you are going on to a hotel. The main route from Ronda to Seville allows you to stop nearby in Grazalema, Bodegas de la Setenil and other nice white towns.

Really getting excited for our upcoming trip to Spain!

A few more questions:

Do we need to make reservations in advance for the Picasso Museum in Barcelona?

If we want to take a day trip out of Barcelona ( Girona, Figueras, Montserrat, Stiges) should we make train reservations in advance? We will be in Barcelona during the La Merce Festival. Also can we combine towns in one day and if yes which ones?

Can you suggest the best way to view the Gaudi architecture in Barcelona? We are staying in the El Born area.

Should we make reservations for the Sagrada Familia before arriving?


Thanks!

Allyboy.... I just stumbled upon your post and thought I'd throw in a recommendation for place to stay in Ronda. A few years back my wife and I drove from Lisbon across Spain and down to the Med for a week in a time share. Many of the places you plan to visit were on our route. It looks like you'll have a great vacation. One of our favorite places to stay in Spain was a small boutique hotel I found on line. It was run by some young people from Belgium and their web site is what turned me on to taking a shot at this place. It's called Enfrente Arte. You can book on line at their web site for about 80 -90 euros a night. www.enfrentearte.com The rooms and the entire little hotel is extremely unique and we loved it. The best kept secret is directly adjacent to their check in desk in the lobby if things are still the same. A bar with wine, beer, soda & juices available to all guests round the clock and it is free. the breakfast is also outstanding. Each room is different and unique. The place is located in the lower part of town in the area along the road that leads to the old roman baths. I think you will have a great time there. We planned on a one night stay, but stayed for two. We never did take one of the side trips out into the caves in the surrounding country side. Drop me a line if you have any questions...socal

Thanks Socal for your suggestion, however, we are already committed to the Hotel San Gabriel for the evening.

Must I have a credit card with a chip? Will this present a problem if I don't have one

<Should we make reservations for the Sagrada Familia before arriving?>

I very much recommend to buy tickets online in advance for both La Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. Then you have direct entry and will not have to wait for ages in the often endless lines. In La Sagrada Familia I also recommend to do the guided tour (also in English), it added very much to our visit some months ago.
Online tickets:
http://www.sagradafamilia.cat/sf-eng/?lang=0
http://www.lapedrera.com/en/buy-your-ticket
http://www.casabatllo.es/en/buy-ticket/general-ticket/

Same for the Picasso museum: http://212.15.255.23/Muslink_jsp/Persones.jsp

The Picasso museum is, as you probably know, in El Born.
The Gaudí buildings La Pedrera and Casa Batlló are very close to eachother and some 30 mins walking from El Born. La Sagrada Familia is also some 30 mins walking from El Born. Taxis are everywhere and very affordable, some 6-7€ from El Born to Battló/Pedrera and La Sagrada Familia.

Perhaps also see the Picasso museum in Málaga? He was born here. http://www.museopicassomalaga.org/index.cfm

In Málaga there is also the new Carmen Thyssen museum: http://www.carmenthyssenmalaga.org/en/

Can also recommend the Museo de Artes and Costumbres Populares:
http://www.andalucia.com/cities/mala...-populares.htm

Málaga is museum city: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/malaga/museums.htm

Thanks once again to kimhe for your wonderful suggestions!

Here's another question: We will be driving from Malaga to Ronda. Which route do you suggest we use and any suggestions for places to stop along the way?

The next day we will be driving from Ronda to Seville. Any suggested route to take?

Thanks.

I have been in a trip like that before, see what I did and I had a Great time:

Barcelona-Valencia-Cordoba-Granada-Seville.