For Jan 23 to Feb 21, 2026, we have booked a month in Spain, and I am having a small problem with deciding on an itinerary. I would appreciate your help.

We have not been in Spain in winter before, but want to get away from the rainy weather where we live. Based on some suggestions in another thread, here is the current itinerary.

Sevilla 5 nights
Cordoba 3 nights
Jerez de la Frontera 5 nights- sherry, horses, and flamenco bars, side trips to Cadiz, Sanlucar maybe Arcos de la Frontera
Vejer 4 nights-- Maybe Cadiz would be more lively??
Estepona or Marbella 7 nights--rethinking this as possibly too boring.
Malaga 4 nights

Return to London

So here is what we are thinking. We will rent a car. We want a relaxed trip. Originally I wanted a week in each of 4 places, but then I realized it is Carnaval time, and we want to avoid crowds, so I did some rearranging to avoid Malaga during Carnaval.

Also, I don't want to be in a town that is so seasonal that there is no variety in restaurants/ things to do. We have been to Sevilla and Malaga a number of times but still want to spend some time there.

I did think to do an overnighter from Estepona to stay at Ronda parador for a night, We don't like apartments, but prefer hotels for full service, and the only place I see that I would like to stay in Estepona is a beach hotel, not in the center. Elba Estepona Gran Hotel and Thalasso Spa. Any thoughts on this, and the location. At least it has a spa, which we might enjoy for the down time. OR...

Another option is Marbella, which I am wondering if there might be more variety of restaurants and things to do in Marbella. We have never visited either. OR...

I am rethinking the Costa del Sol. Amsdon made me consider spending some time in Madrid. Last visit to Malaga, we talked to a chef from Madrid, and he told us the best restaurants are in Madrid. We have never visited Segovia, or anywhere around Madrid. It would be nice to visit some great museums, which focus has been missing from our recent trips.

I would appreciate any and all suggestions, thanks in advance.

Cadiz would be more lively than Vejer, but Vejer would not be at all dead at that time. I go in early March and there are plenty of people around and rmost restaurants are open. I don't think there would be any nightlife in Vejer at that time of year, though, apart from a few bars around the main plaza.
I still think it might be the best month to be there..not hot and no crowds.

Madrid is a spectacular restaurant city, no doubt one of the best in the world, at least in my opinion.

I don't know about all that time on the Costa del Sol...that would not be my choice but then, I've never been to Estepona.

Sanlucar de Barrameda????

I'm with you on the hotels vs apt rentals. I always have so much fun chatting with the staff, trying to improve my Spanish!

Firstly, we enjoyed our stay in Malaga very much some years ago. However, since you have been to Malaga, I would recommend spending some time in Madrid. We spent 4 nights in Madrid and I would love to return. As you probably know, Madrid has some outstanding art museums. We loved the Prado and the Reina Sofia. Didn't have time for the Thyssen. And there are many others. There is also the Royal Palace, markets, Temple of Debod, etc. You could also spend a couple of nights in Toledo.

If you enjoy museums, Madrid would seem a great addition to your itinerary as it is a mecca for those who enjoy art and it has an underrated archeology museum, too.

As you note, Segovia is in the area. Many people visit as a day trip; I was glad to spend a night there ... but I don't mind frequent changes of hotel. You don't mention Toledo, easy worth 2 or 3 nights, or Salamanca, easily worth 3 nights or more.

And I note that your plans for southern Spain don't include Granada. Maybe you've already been there?

Hi kja, yes we’ve been to Granada 3 times.

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I think I need to research Madrid in February, but maybe there’s opportunity in Madrid for night life we wouldn’t find in Malaga.

Cadiz will also be busy with Carnival.
We have visited the area a few times and love Costa de la Luz.
But during our last stay in January-February last year we spent about three weeks in the cities and a week on the coast (near Murcia for a change) reasoning there's plenty to do in cities even if the weather isn't excellent, and also to take advantage to spend time in Madrid and Sevilla low season.
Our week in Madrid was fantastic and I would definitely advise spending time there. We stayed right in the centre but there is a feeling of space (not like cramped and busy Sevilla with its traffic and narrow pavements) and Parque Retiro is lovely on a sunny day. This is our trip report:
Trip report Spain in winter - Madrid, Toledo, Sevilla, Cordoba and

Auditorio Nacional de Musica
Teatro Real
Teatros del Canal
Teatro de la Zarzuela
etc
Some of the many venues to enjoy in Madrid at night.

Thanks, danon, I will check those out.

Any restaurant recos in Madrid would be appreciated.

We have been to Toledo. Would it be possible to do a day trip to Salamanca or Segovia?

Just_tina, I read your Trip Report, thank you. The coastal places south of Valencia look interesting, but probably too far afield from where we will be...saving those for another trip which might include Barcelona. I wonder if the museums in Madrid were busy because you chose to go on the free days?

I am leaning toward cutting down the days in Estepona, and adding them to Madrid. Ronda might be an okay idea for an overnighter from Estepona, but maybe a bit iffy with winter roads, and I remember it being quite a climb with a lot of switchbacks to get there from the coast. Otherwise, I love waking up in Ronda, with a little fog over the gorge and the sun shining through. Makes for great photos!

Segovia is ok for a day trip, imo.
I guess one could take an early train to Salamanca and see the “ highlights “ in a very long day. The fastest train takes 1:40 hours + to and from the stations. It is one of the loveliest towns I have seen,
a couple of nights would be better. Plus, the weather may be a factor.

IMHO you would be short changing Salamanca if you only went on a day trip, and it would make for a rushed day spending almost as much transit time to/from as actual time in this gorgeous small city. I would vote for Segovia for a day trip, makes more sense. If you go by AVE (high speed train) be aware the station is a little outside Segovia so factor that in.

Another day trip if so inclined would be to San Lorenzo de El Escorial, seeing that you have been to Toledo already. Easy to do by bus from Madrid. Another option would be Aranjuez for its impressive Palacio Real and the Jardin de la Isla (18th century gardens).

Madrid Cercanias ( fast commuter trains) are also a good way to visit a few interesting places around Madrid.
If you haven’t already visit, maybe Las Ventas Bullring,. It is impressive !
So is Parque Madrid Rio.

I agree that a day trip from Madrid to Salamanca would not be preferred option.

Thanks I will check out these suggestions.

Natylou, here is some info on restaurants in Madrid:

https://www.hungryonion.org/t/four-d...rch-2023/34149

https://www.hungryonion.org/t/madrid-and-cuenca-11-24/41264



https://www.hungryonion.org/t/madrid...rch-2024/38846


For me, the best concentration of excellent restaurants at fair prices is the barrio Retiro, the blocks east of the park and south of Salamanca. You'll find far fewer tourists in this area but the restaurants I visited are very popular with locals so you should book ahead, unless you are ok with sitting, or standing, at the bar. I'd keep an eye out because more and more places are opening up around there. Also in that neighborhood is the venerable fish and seafood restaurant, MARISQUERIA RAFA, good for a celebratory meal.

https://restauranterafa.es/?lang=en

It's only been a year since I was there last, but so many new restaurants have opened since then.....the food scene in Madrid is exhilerating.



I have another favorite restaurant that I don't think I wrote about in those threads; it's more central than the ones in Retiro and it's a classic, handsome place with lovely service and lots of vegetable dishes since the owners come from Navarra, the region known for exquisite vegetables:


https://lamanducadeazagra.com

Nothing substantial to add except to say that Carnival is not a good time to be a witch in the gorgeous old hill town of Medina Sidonia.

Thanks, eks.

Gardyloo, how did you know?? lol

Hi Natylou,

Kanadijian suggested Aranjuez.Good idea!
Even though I've been to Spain multiple times we've yet to stop in Aranjuez. I am now thinking to add it.
Also the area was inspiration for some INCREDIBLE music which you may recognize. Ill link it at the end.

https://www.spain.info/en/route/one-day-trip-aranjuez/

The Adagio is just one segment of the Concierto de Aranjuez

https://youtu.be/Idsb6gk6j_U?si=JkZReqSx1OPgNasd

Miles Davis version .

https://youtu.be/2cscpJisU6k?si=JjaxnQxBdE2idQWk

Just to add to amsdon excellent post, the Palacio Real at Aranjuez is often nicknamed the « Versailles » of Spain and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I’ll just mention one more place I visited from Madrid : Zaragoza.
I wanted to see the famous ( huge) Basilica and the well known Cathedral.
I didn’t visit Aljaferia Palace or much else .
The train ride takes 1:30 minutes…I took a taxi straight to the Basilica .
Enjoyed the day and some great tapas..

This trip is getting more interesting all the time!

In Madrid, on Feb 18 at Teatro Real, there is a flamenco show featuring Sonia Miranda y Aitana Rousseau. Would anyone recommend this show?