I am planning to travel with my 16 year old daughter to Andalusia (After much deliberation) for around 2 weeks towards the end of June. We want to have a really special holiday (celebrating her 16th birthday) including beautiful beaches and scenery, with some sightseeing. We do not want to go somewhere where we are just confined to resorts, we want to be able to go out and explore. After speaking to many agents and friends the consensus is that the weather in the med will be lovely at that time and particularly this part of Spain will tick all the boxes.
Itinerary ideas so far
Thinking of flying to Seville staying maybe 2-3 nights (arrive and explore the city)
Cadiz for maybe 4 nights (relax and enjoy the beach)
Tarifa for 4 nights (enjoy the beach and take a trip whale watching as we both love wildlife)
We are then wanting to spend 5-7 nights in one beach resort with spa to completely relax before flying back from Malaga.
We are planning to travel internally by bus or train and would like to see Ronda and Granada too if poss. We are trying to avoid too many short stays so as not to feel too rushed.Number of days overall is flexible to about 17-18 days. First trip to Spain. Happy to get any feedback and flexible to help make the trip a success. Thanks in advance!

No need to post twice, just click your name to find your posts

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-andalusia.cfm

Having spent several days in Tarifa, I suggest you find someplace else. The strong wind there can be relentless, good if you're wind surfing, but otherwise definitely not.

Oops sorry for the double post - bit of a novice at all this

we really want to go whale watching so maybe reduce the number of days in Tarifa to 2?

Cádiz sounds like an excellent idea. Three thousand year old Phoenician Gadir, the very special light, the great beaches, the home of the liberal 1812 "Pepa" constitution, fabulous seafood, the manzanilla and Jerez wines and a cradle of flamenco culture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33JUrGwZQLY

One of the major cultural events in the region in late June is the Noche Blanca de Flamenco (Flamenco White Night) in Córdoba on June 21. Some of the finest flamenco artists in the world in outdoor scenes all around town from late night until early morning. Free admission and guaranteed an experience that will stay. http://www.flamenco-world.com/notici...052014ing.html
http://www.lanocheblancadelflamenco.cordoba.es/

Sara Baras from Cadíz, the world's most internationally successful female flamenco dancer on the current scene, kicks off this very special Córdoba event in Plaza de las Tendillas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwushBt_Hpw

Niña Pastori from Cádiz who sings in the Cádiz video above, goes on stage later in the night in Patio de los Naranjos with here "Raíz" (Roots).

"Córdoba, the city that changed the world": http://www.theguardian.com/spanish-t...-changed-world

Córdoba is 50 minutes from Málaga on the high speed AVE train. (renfe.com)

I'd say Sevilla for 4 days or more, Cordoba overnight and you must visit Granada and the Alhambra and eat helado at Los Italianos. So I'd say two nights in Granada. If you like the sea than Malaga is a given. I believe all can be reached by the wonderful(by US standards) Spanish trains.

Enjoy Andalusia- I still dream of revisiting it.

Do be aware that it may well be VERY hot when you are there. We had temps well up in the 80s in April - so you are likely to have upper 90s. Make sure all of your hotels have strong AC and good pools. Always carry water to stay hydrated and use very strong sunblock.

Do you also realize that it's rather late in planning something in Tarifa. Hotels like the Hurricane Hotel (http://hotelhurricane.com), which I can highly recommend, normally require a minimum stay during high season.

Heat isn't the issue on the Costa de Luz so much as the wind, which can blow for days at a time, but is a big attraction for wind surfers.

If you're looking for a nice place to stay near Malaga, and have the budget, then you should consider El Carligto (www.carligto.com/en/home.html). It has everything you could imagine.

Thanks so much for feedback so far
Planning to reduce nights in Tarifa to 3 and build Granada to the itinerary
Not sure if we will have time to do Cordoba as well
will have a look at the recommended hotels in Tarifa and Malaga
Def been helpful - never been on forums before!
)

Wow just had a look at the link for El Carligto!! Looks heavenly

You'll probably visit Granada in the midst of the International Music and Dance festival. Goes on in sixteen venues around town from June 20 to July 11. http://www.granadafestival.org/en/fe...za-de-granada/

The outdoor Generalife theater up at Alhambra is spectacular. A late night performance here could be a very special experience. Info and program: http://www.granadafestival.org/en/es...alife-theatre/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/68608849@N03/12233393436/

That sounds amazing and well worth seeing - Thanks

Where would be the best place to base ourselves in Malaga?
Looking at 6 nights don't know whether to choose Marbella or Puerto Banus or Fuengirola even looked at Nerja... Or anywhere else?
Just want somewhere with lovely beach and nice shops and restaurants not full of lager louts or mega loud night scene.
Scenic and relaxing by the sea.
I'm planning to get booking ASAP.
Any input on destinations and hotels would be great!

I would recommend genuine Málaga city itself, one of my favourite cities in the country. Great tapas bars, restaurants, cafés, the best shopping, excellent Andalucian atmosphere and fabulous sights right in the city center. You have the Malagueta city beach or the very popular Acacias beaches just east of the city center in El Palo/Pedregalejo. http://www.andalucia.com/cities/malaga/home.htm

"Secret Spanish pleasures": http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalis...pleasures.html
Picasso's city of hidden treasures: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...-breaks-travel

The newly opened "shopping, wining and dining" port in the heart of Málaga:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Andalucia.html
http://www.andalucia.com/cities/malaga/muelle-uno.htm

I also love Nerja, nine beautiful beaches among the cliffs. Nerja has retained much of its small town Andalucian charm even though it has got all the amenities that make it popular with tourists. The problem is that Nerja is the only city along the Andalucian coast which hasn't got an operating sewage plant. I swim here every year since 2002, as do thousands of locals, and have never thought of the issue, but you should know.

Doesn't get any more "scenic and relaxing by the sea" than an apartment or hotel/hostal in the oldest street in town, seaside Calle Carabeo. Calle Carabeo runs along the cliffs on this picture. https://www.flickr.com/photos/trondjs/3735908317/

For example Boutique Hotel Carabeo with swimming pool and in the absolute best location: http://www.hotelcarabeo.com/boutique...el_carabeo.asp

Updated and great info about Nerja: http://www.nerjatoday.com/

And delicious free tapas to choose with every drink of whatever in tapas bars and restaurants all around Nerja

Thank you so much for your detailed reply will start going through the links now and get booking!!