I am traveling to Andalucia with my husband in early October and we are trying to decide where to spend 2 nights between Seville and Granada. While I would like to spend at least one full day in Ronda, I am wondering if 2 days and 2 nights there is too much. I initially planned to spend both days in Malaga city but I've been researching the area and am now quite interested in visiting Ronda. Because we are traveling quite a bit on the trip, I'd rather spend both nights in one town to avoid the constant moving. Is Ronda worth cutting out Malaga completely? Could I visit Malaga as a day trip from Ronda? My husband would like to visit a beach on our trip but I'm not as convinced that visiting the coast is the best way to spend our time, especially in October. We are not renting a car and thus will have to take buses or trains throughout the trip. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Ronda i a fairly small town and one day - or a day trip to - is plenty of time there.

Southern Spain is very hot and Oct should still be fine for the beach (we got temps of high 80s at end of April). I would spend both days on the coast and do Ronda as a day trip from there. (There are other things - interesting caves etc in the area - but you really need a car to get to them - the only reason I see to spend overnight).

We did a day trip from near Marbella and that was fine.

I would NEVER go to a Andalucian beach in October. Even the second half of September is way too cold for me. But people are different. May be you will like it.

Count half a day for the visit of Ronda and half a day for the famous Pileta Cave http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cueva_de_la_Pileta
You could use another day for the visit of the famous white villages around Ronda http://www.andalusia-web.com/route_1.htm

Malaga is just between Ronda and Granada. It wouldn't be a good idea to backtrack to Ronda for the night only and to do the same route for the 3rd time the following morning.

Malaga is a charming town with number of attractions in addition to the beach.

I recently spent two nights in Ronda - and it was much too long, imho.
The place closes up at 9:30 pm. We could hardly find a place open to eat, even tapas, at 10 pm. It was much too quiet for us after we'd spent a week in Sevilla staying up late!
You can also see most of the sights in the old town in one day, including walking down into the gorge.

I've never been to Malaga, except to fly in and out of the airport and take the train there to Seville - but if I had to do it over, I would have based myself in Malaga the last couple days of our trip and taken the bus or a tour to Ronda for the day.

I love Malaga-don't understand why it is so under appreciated!I always find something new when I visit.
The historic part is fascinating,lots of interesting places to visit-from the cathedral,Roman and Arab ruins, Picasso museum to the view from top of the hill where the parador is located. Then the beach!
To me, Ronda is no big deal!

Ronda is a look-and-leave place, good for a stop and lunch and a photo or two off the bridge down the cliffs.
Malaga, as has been noted, has lots to offer.
I suggest you don't follow the E15 main highway from Ronda to Malaga but take A366 via El Burgo to Coin and A355 to the last stretch on A357 into Malaga. A great ride on good roads over mountains, no traffic, great views - fabulous!
Check it out on Google maps or on www.viamichelin.com

bookmarking.

I like both Ronda and Malaga. Ronda is a quirky town worth a visit and Malaga has many charms. What I will never understand is the fasciantion with pueblos blancos. One or two are fine but a tour is like singing the same song for two days straight.

Aleinstein:
I prefer the Cueva de Pileta to the pueblos blancos too.

Cueva de Pileta seems most interesting. We are not planning a trip to the south, any time in the near future, but will certainly bear it mind.

We were fortunate enough to visit the original Altamira before they closed it to the general public.

Malaga, spend an afternoon in Ronda on your way there. There will be plenty of Northern europeans on the beach in Malaga province in October. I would swim there in October but I'm used to swimming on Cape Cod into October.

Listen to what Chapla says, Málaga is a fabulous and highly underrated city. One of my absolute favourites in the country after decades of intensive travelling in Spain.

A couple of quite recent articles about wonderful Málaga:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalis...pleasures.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/200...el?INTCMP=SRCH

Very much beach time down here in early October, normally air temperatures in the 80's, glowing sun and sea temperatures at some 72-74+. Perfect time of year to visit Andalucía. Great beaches in Pedregalejo just east of Málaga city center. Very popular with locals and also many superb seaside restaurants here.

And make sure to taste Conchas finas while in Málaga, they taste a mix of heaven and pure sea: https://www.google.no/search?q=Conch...w=1600&bih=783

Thanks for all the advice! Malaga certainly sounds like the better choice and we'll likely stay there.

It's true that southern spain is not tropical - but unless you only swim in heated pools the water there is plenty warm enough for swimming in Oct - and the average highs are in the 70s.

We spent about two weeks in Andalucia last October and it was quite cool and rainy....there is no way you could have spent any time on the beach!

WEather varies each year and there is no way to predict. I've had hot weather at that time on other visits.

Here is a report I wrote that covers a few of your proposed destinations....Malaga and Ronda. I agree that a few hours in enough for Ronda, although if you had more time I am sure it would be well spent there. Try to get away from the tourist track if you have an extra hour or so..and I would prefer to have lunch in a country restaurant and not in Ronda...if you have a car.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...and-malaga.cfm

sorry..see are not renting a car. Kind of a shame as there are many lovely drives in the mountains near Ronda.

If you're not renting a car I'd choose Malaga. If you add a night to Sevilla you could always visit nearby Arcos by bus to get a feel for the white village area. Or do a daytrip to Ronda from Malaga.

Weather statistics for first half of October in Málaga based on data from past 16 years:
Daily highs 73-81F, average 8 hours sun/day and one day with rainfall pr/week. In other words, normally definitely beach weather.

Hi, Malaga sounds like a better place to stay though it sounds like heard Ronda is not to be missed either.
What would be a good area to stay in Malaga? Is the beach area an option? Thanks!