3 potential 9 day Andalucia itineraries: comments/advice requested

I haven't been to Jaen/Bueza/Ubeda.

I can tell you that the white hill towns are beautiful when the sun is shining and Ronda (which I've used as a base) has some good sights -of course the bridge and gorge, also the bullring and its museum, and several fun, quirky museums, authentic Spanish guitar performances. BUT the second time I visited (February), I had rain and fog in the hills and it was kind of a bummer.

Antequera has a pleasant historic center and worth a stop if you are passing it. The most interesting thing there is probably the prehistoric dolmens (which I missed - don't go on Monday). There's also hiking in nearby El Torcal.

Cordoba is my favorite Spanish city. Aside from the unique and beautiful Mezquita, it has a well-preserved medieval Juderia, a few worthwhile museums, great food, and horse shows at the Royal Stables (only 2-3 nights a week). Like Malaga, it's pretty quiet and very charming in the evenings (Sevilla is bustling all the time).

The Alhambra is the top sight in Spain for a reason - it's jaw-dropping gorgeous.

How about Malaga, then train to Cordoba, then car through Jaen/Bueza/Ubeda to Granada, train to Malaga? You only need 2 nights in Granada for the Alhambra. Maybe you could keep the car and drive straight to the airport from there - saving a hotel change?

Hi Keith,

Thanks for the olive oil suggestions, much appreciated. I just included Jaen in there knowing that might be better for hotels and I had heard about an olive oil grove in the area. Definitely more about seeing Bueza and Ubeda. I accidentally omitted that I'd be renting a car for Frigiliana or Alhama de Granada if I did one of the #2 itineraries. I'm OK with them not having much to do, sometimes it's nice to just enjoy a small town and relax, especially at the end of a trip (I'd prefer 2b over 2a for that reason). Any thoughts on Seville vs. Granada and Bueza/Ubeda and Frigiliana/Alhama de Granada vs. Zahara/Grazemala/Arcos/Jerez?

Hi Chani,

It sounds like you suggest less time in the small towns if the weather is rainy? Is that because you can see less vistas? Also, it sounds like you endorse my itinerary #2 vs. #1 since you suggest the same as my #2, just without the inclusion of the white towns (which I have included on both itineraries). So Granad over Seville?

I’d pump for a hybrid, leaving Sevilla and Cordoba as easy options together in the future.

THURS: Late PM flight arrival/MALAGA
FRI: Nerja/FRIGILIANA
SAT: Granada/GRANADA
SUN: Alhambra/GRANADA
MON: Jaen/BAEZA or UBEDA
TUES: Olive grove tour/BAEZA or UBEDA
WED: Ronda/GRAZALEMA
THURS: Zahara de la sierra, Olvera/GRAZALEMA
FRI: El Chorro walk/MALAGA
SAT: Malaga (museums)/MALAGA
SUN: AM flight home

It sounds like you suggest less time in the small towns if the weather is rainy? Is that because you can see less vistas? Also, it sounds like you endorse my itinerary #2 vs. #1 since you suggest the same as my #2, just without the inclusion of the white towns (which I have included on both itineraries). So Granad over Seville?

I'll try to clarify . . .

Ronda vs Grazalema - I haven't been to Grazalema so I can't compare them. From its location, Grazalema looks to be a good place to base for 2-3 days to visit the villages. There is little to see in the villages themselves that you won't see elsewhere. I've gone through the hills by car twice. The first time I had sunny weather for 4 days (3N in Ronda). The second time I had a sunny day driving from Sevilla to Ronda (2N), but mostly clouds and light rain on my full day in Ronda, which was okay because I wanted to see places in the town that I hadn't been to on my first visit. The next morning, I had planned to tootle around the hills and see other villages but because of the poor weather, I decided I wanted sunshine so I drove to the coast - I was spending a night in Antequera. I drove all the way to the coast in fog. When the sun is shining, it's a treat to drive through the hills, the views are very scenic, there are frequent pull-outs on the roads to stop and admire the views. If you have good weather, you'll probably love it. If it's overcast, not much to see.

Of all the towns in Andalucia, Sevilla is the most bustling, so it really feels like a city. The other large towns like Granada and Cordoba are quieter and more charming in the historic center. Cordoba and Granada are comparatively low key even when you venture into the more modern, central part of town. Again, I haven't been to Jaen Bueza or Ubeda.

I went to Granada because I wanted to visit the Alhambra. More than that, seeing the Alhambra was the impetus for my first trip to Spain. If it's high on your list, you should include it. If it's low priority, skip it.

My favorite cities in order: Seville > Cordoba > Granada > Malaga

Did OP consider open jaw flights, and skipping Malaga?

I visited these towns OP mentioned, my favorites in order: Grazalema > Olvera > Zahara de la sierra > Ubeda > Ronda > Baeza

My experience visiting the Alhambra vs the Mezquita:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/spain/cordoba-or-ronda

Keith, thanks again, you've been super helpful. I have a bit to look into.

David, interesting hybrid. I appreciate the combo. Now I have 3 potentials! Do you think combining gives a more diverse overview of Andalucia? One thing I had worried about with the "golden triangle" Cordoba-Granada-Seville was too much Moorish. But I also don't want to have too little. But I'm intrigued by your suggestion!

Staynsavor, thanks for your ranking, they're helpful. At the risk of sounding glib, I looked into a ton of flight options. To be honest, from any of these cities back to Malaga is the same time or less than a train from any of them to Madrid so I'm not sure what open jaw option you'd be suggesting, but alas, I have my ticket so this is what I have. I'm actually not disappointed with flying in/out of Malaga--I'm looking forward to the spouting arts scene and it's not a place I'd go to except that I'm flying there so taking advantage of seeing it!

Do you think combining gives a more diverse overview of Andalucia?

I hadn’t really considered this, but yes, it certainly does. I was working from your preference towards smaller, interesting places, and your admission of a future trip. It is true that the "golden triangle" of Cordoba-Granada-Seville have similar Moorish features, but because they are all so wonderful, that is never a negative. Granada is the supreme highlight so it’s good to make that a definite. Seville and Cordoba have frequent high speed train services and are easily done on your next trip without needing to have a car.