Please help with itinerary. After 2 nights in Seville we will have 5 nights in Andalucia before flying out of Malaga to Barcelona. We do not want to do 5 one nighters. What 2 towns provide best access for day trips? We also want to spend a day along the coast/beach and would appreciate input on a less touristy beach town. THANKS!

We stayed at the Parador in Arcos for one night between Seville and Malaga, it's a wonderful "white" town, there's also Ronda which is worth a stop. We liked Malaga a lot, stayed at the Parador Gibralfo, which I would have liked to have stayed more than one night, you have a lot of options with 5 days.

Are you traveling by car, rail or bus? If traveling by car, or even by bus, you have an almost endless possibility of places to stay throughout Andalusia. If traveling by rail then you're limited as to where you can go from point to point. What day trips are you looking to take?

What do you mean by a "less touristy beach town" along the Costa del Sol? There are only larger and small villages and cities along the coast and the most popular attract the most visitors (tourist) and the number of tourist will depend on the time of year you are planning on visiting the area.

Thank you for the replies. I'm sorry I wasn't more clear. We will be visiting mid-Oct 05 and will have a car upon leaving Seville. We want to visit Granada. Our tenative plan is 2 nights Arcos, maybe 2 nights Ronda and last night in Granada. We have a 11am flight out of Malaga to BCN following the night in Granada. We wanted to fit in a little beach time, possibly Nerja. Please advise of what we should change or offer any suggestions. Thanks !!!

We did the opposite - I would stay just one night in Arcos, have lunch in Rhonda the next day, continue to Granada, spend 2 nights in Granada, giving yourself one day for the Alhambra) then head to Malaga (or Nerja) for the last 2 nights to give yourself some beachtime.

Thank you for your help. Do you think you had enough time in the "white hill towns"? Thanks

Yes, Arcos and Rhonda are not that big. We left Malaga, went to Rhonda, got there, walked around, had a late lunch, probably left around 4:00, got to Arcos 5ish (they're very close), walked around, had dinner....left the next day for Seville. Stay at the Paradour in Arcos, it's on top of the old city and a real trip to drive up to!

Just out of curiosity owlwoman, what did you see and do in the few minutes you where in Ronda and Arcos? It doesn't sound like you where overly impressed by either one.

Did you visit the bullfighting museum, and the bullring, the oldest and most beautiful in all of Spain? Did you walk through the old quarter, steeped in history? It also has a great nightlife and is always is at least worth a day's visit.

Arcos de la Frontera, considered Spain’s premier "Pueblo Blanco", is worth at least one nights stay to explore.

I appreciate your input. I think we will do 2 nights in Arcos, 2 nights Grenada and 1 night in Nerja then catch the flight from Malaga to Barcelona. Sound reasonable? We want to enjoy what we see and not just see a lot.

FYI there's a darling little white village just about 10 miles north of Nerja called Frigiliana that would be nearby for you and certainly worth the time. Also, the caves in Nerja are fantastic.

If you're a Picasso fan, don't miss Museo Picasso in Malaga, and also the Gibralfaro is very worthwhile, especially with its fabulous view.

Thank you for the reply. winding down to choosing lodging in Granada and Nerja. Still would appreciate any itinerary improvements since plans can be still changed.
What is the most enjoyable time of to reserve for the Alhambra? Thanks again!

My husband and I will be going to Granada for one night and then onto Nerja for 2 before flying out of Malaga to Barcelona. We have decided on Hotel Guadalupe in Granada and Hostal Miguel in Nerja after reading numerous reviews. Hope that helps!

Robert,
We spent about 4 hours in Rhonda, walked around the old town (did not tour the bullring), but did go into a couple of museums in the old town. We had a nice lunch in Rhonda (late), then continued on. So, in all, we were there for four hours or so. In Arcos (which we loved), we also walked around town, had a nice dinner and then found a fun bar where we met locals and partied with them until 2:00 am. I really liked Rhonda and Arcos very much and would return to both if we take another trip to Spain. Due to "pittiitaly's" limited time, I think one night in Arcos, then stop in Rhonda on the way to Granada and spend two nights there with one full day for the Alhambra (get there early), then two days to unwind at the beach (actually one day, two nights with travelling time) would work well.

Hi pittitaly. I hope you will like Nerja; we go there for two weeks every year (we're Americans).

I recommend the hotel Paraiso del Mar. Here is a website with good photos:

http://www.jpmoser.com/paraisodelmar.html

We have never stayed there as we always rent an apartment but I have seen it it is pretty with a good location near the town center and on the beach.

We will be in Nerja from 13-27 October. Will you be there during that time?

Happy travels!

Thank you all very much! You have been very heplful. Pariso del Mar is booked. We will look into Hostal Nerja.
Thanks artlover for the Frigiliana suggestion. One last thought, if Nerja is hard to book, what is a good alternative for a town not too built up for 1-2 days at the beach?

Nerja, and Rhonda!

Nerja is beautiful, but maybe i'm biased!