My friend Bruce and I will be undertaking a whirlwind tour of Adalucia in a week or so, starting in Malaga, and circling up through Granada, Cordoba, Sevilla, Arcos de la Frontera, Ronda, down to Nerja for some beach time, and then back home via Malaga. On the first half of our journey (from Malaga through to Sevilla), we plan on taking buses and trains to our various destinations. However, would you recommend that we (instead of public transport) rent a car for the leg of our journey that goes from Seville down to Nerja? It seems to me that it takes quite some time via bus each trip to go from Sevilla to Arcos, from Arcos to Ronda, & from Ronda to Nerja (which involves switching buses in Malaga). On the other hand, I understand that parking in Arcos & Ronda can be tricky at best, and that it's very easy to get lost drving in Nerja. I was hoping for the advice of a seasoned Andalucian tourer in this matter--and appreciate your help in advance. Thank you!

It's always best to take a car. You're much freer to stop and go as you like. I shouldn't worry about parking in either Arcos or Ronda. You cannot get lost in Nerja - it's a blip along the N340.

we had no problem parking in ronda. i think it was in a public garage. you won't get lost in nerja. ronda was a bit tougher as far a directions are concerned but we did not get lost. parking in nerja was ok in april when we went...i suspect summer might be more difficult. a car would be better but i don't think it's as necessary as in other more rural places. in other words, you can get by but it will be a comprimise.

say "hi" to sarah and manolo at the english pub bearing their names (in nerja). they keep a nice little place.

also los barriles is nice.

finally, ice cream from the older woman selling from the cart at night on Paseo Balcón de Europa (there are a few traders but go to the older one). she is a sweetheart and the ice cream is good too.

Thanks very much for the replies. I rented a Renault Clio for 3 days from carjet.co.uk for $95 USD. Hopefully they're a reputable rental brokerage. Thanks again, everyone! Any other Andalucian travel tips?

There are some great hiking trails up into the Sierras right outside of Nerja, behind the parking lot for the caves. Get a free hiking booklet at the Nerja information office.

we took the public bus to Frigiliana from nerja. that was a nice trip...most but not all of the day if i remember correctly. then car day trips to ronda and Las Alpujarras for a bit of walking.

we stayed in a hotel in nerja but next time it will be a flat. we loved nerja. it's really comfortable and we have relaxed here like nowhere else. a common criticism is that it's very british (i.e. less "real" spanish flavour) but we did not mind this at all. the people were really friendly as well.