Two Weeks in Southern Spain
 

Hi,
We're finally going to take the trip from Valencia to Malaga (including Gibraltar) that we cancelled because of COVID in May. We had bought the airplane tickets, rented the car and reserved the hotels which were all cancelled at the beginning of the pandemic. I looked over the itinerary that I had planned and I feel that I should make some changes.
We've been to Seville and Granada so we're sticking to the coast. Starting in Valencia for 3-4 days, a road trip for 7 days (including Gibraltar and Ronda) and then 3-4 days in Malaga. I would like to get some suggestions for must see (or worthwhile) places to see on the road trip. We are an active 70+ couple but we're not into long, difficult hikes and we don't want lots of stairs (the various caves like Nerja are unfortunately out of the question). We like art, history, street art, beautiful views, quirky sites, interesting villages (like Frigiliana).
Thanks!
Nina

I would say that Granada is a must in southern Spain. Much more than Valencia or Malaga.

Roman Cartagena,
Jaen, the capital of olive oil
Ubeda,
Baeza
and, of course: Granada.

Please read the first post. They have been there.
OP A trip from Valencia to Malaga is rather boring. when compared with what over places Spain can offer.
If you do take this route look at what Cartagena and Cabo de Gata Natural Park has to offer you.
Further south along the coast maybe Estepona inland there is Casares

Hello. We were in Granada, Nerja, Valencia in 2018. I posted a trip report here that you can find by searching my name. We drove from Granada to Valencia, with a stop in Nerja, and very much enjoyed the scenery and the great Spanish roads. We LOVED Valencia and, in fact, will be spending the month of January there, in the same apartment we stayed in on our last trip. We are around your age and found plenty to do and see in each city. In Valencia, I feel like we only scratched the surface of the city and am very much looking forward to further exploration on our return.

After visiting a relative in Javea (Xabia), we were advised to return to Valencia by way of the CV-755, CV-70, the Castell de Guadalest and Alcoi. Spectacular scenery.

I want to go to Valencia and my husband wants to go to Gibraltar so a road trip is the compromise. Cartagena, Estepona, the Castell de Guadalest and Alcoi are already on our itinerary. Jaen looks interesting. I considered spending time at Cabo de Gato but I don't think we can do the hikes. If anyone has been there, I'd like to get some advice of what we can do without climbing up and down hills. Has anyone been to Althea? Almeria? The UNESCO site in Elche (the palms)?
I read your trip report, joduhl, and researched the route you took. I found some interesting castles along the way. Thanks for the tip.

We spent a little bit of time in this area. Really enjoyed our day trip to Gibraltar, using the taxi tour to get to the top of the Rock. Click on my profile and find my trip report from 2018 if you are interested in seeing my photos..

We were in Almeria Nov 2019 and at Cabo de Gato as well
You don't need to do any difficult hikes to enjoy it
The drive from Almeria to Gato will take you through "Mar de Plastico"
So far. Almeria is our favorite city in Spain.
What specifically would you like to know?

Elche is a short stop between Alicante and Murcia.
Cabo de Gata: the hiking trails to somewhat hidden beaches are excellent, but all but flat.
The small settlements (Agua Amarga, Las Negras, La Isleta, San Jose (the bigest one), Las Salinas) are nthing to write home about.
Almeria: the historic center with small lanes, white house and a citadel looks like a small North African town.
May be nice to see but nothing special, far away from the charm of cities like Tetuan or Chefchauen.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. It's getting easier to plan a route.
I'd like to get some specific suggestions of where to visit Cabo de Gata without climbing. Are there places where we can get to easily (by car or walking up to 30 minutes)? Beaches (we're not going to swim), viewpoints etc... Can anyone point me to an Internet site or blog (or vlog)? It can also be in Spanish. (I'm not totally fluent but I can get the gist of it.) We'll probably stay in Almeria but since we'll be coming from Cartagena. Could we drive to some places on the way?

https://www.degata.com/en/index.html
There is no road along the coast, but you can drive from village to village through the hinterland.
Coming by car from Cartagen, you may leave the motorway at Venta del Pobre and drive through some Cabo de Gata Park villages.
Otherwise drive from Almeria to the Faro de Cabo de Gata.

This area is a 5 minute walk from the parking lot at Faro de Gato lighhouse.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...91cb0fcf86.jpg
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We stayed at AC Hotel Almeria, walking distance to everything. The hotel has an underground parking setup where the employees bring the car up and down by elevator. They don't call it "valet" so no tipping required or expected.

Many of the scenes in Sergio Leone's movie "Duck, you Sucker" were filmed in Almeria.
Museo de la Guitara, Almeria Air Raid shelters from the Civil War the Alcazaba, and the Mercado Central are an easy walk.

A fun town, not sterilized by tourism.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...279dbe8c7a.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ee367a883b.jpg
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Wow, thanks for the pics!

We really enjoyed the gorgeous tiled, curving walkway, shaded by gigantic trees, along the water front in Alicante. The inside food market is also quite wonderful (pick up strawberries, etc) and there are great ice-cream stands along the way.
Though touristy, Mijas has fabulous views and is a great place to drive up to for lunch. We ate on the balcony or raised terrace of a restaurant that was just perfect for sitting out, relaxing and feeling incredibly blessed and lucky to have such an experience. I am sorry I do not remember the name of it, but it was on the edge of the village. We drove through town, parked and walked until we were outside all the shops and could see the views. Even with tourists and the extra drive, I would do this again if I had the opportunity.

Cadiz is lovely and interesting. If you have time and go further, Sanlucar de Barrameda is charming, especially on a Summer evening with beautiful plaza (fountain, families and food) and wide, long, beach.

https://wikipaella.org/

Downloadable 174 page guide with pretty pictures:
https://wikipaella.org/wp-content/up...aella_2022.pdf

Thanks! Love paella.

Hello, I'm from the south of Spain and I would like to recommend you to visit Andalusia, in particular Cádiz, where I am from. Now, I'm writting a blog about Cádiz, thus you can prepare you journey easier. Go to my profile and see the link

I spent about 5 days in Cadiz a few years ago, after a week or so in Sevilla. Lovely small city!!

I'd like to read the blog.

I plan to return to the area in March, mostly staying near Vejer. Great restaurants near there!!

As always, ekscrunchy, I look forward to your dining reports.