We have reservations for a week on Ibiza and a week in Malaga in October. We have 6 days between and we're looking for a little itinerary advice. Trying to decide between Mallorca or heading to the Mainland - Valencia, renting a car and leisurely exploring the area before arriving in Malaga. Would like to incorporate 1-2 nights in Granada visiting the Alhambra which I understand it quite doable from Malaga.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Did you get any response to this question? I thought I had already seen responses, but now I don't find them.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I would suggest ferry to Palma de Mallorca for 2 nights.
Then another ferry to Valenica on the mainland for 2 nights.
Finally train onto Granada for 2 nights.
Malaga is a bus ride from Granada.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Rick doesn't cover Ibiza, Malaga, Mallorca, or Valencia in his book and I have not visited any of those, nor most of the coastline in between. You already have one island and more beach time covered, so the mainland might provide more variety than a second island.
We do have staff who have enjoyed Valencia, which is so integral to your route that you might as well visit. If you want to pick up a car there and just poke around smaller towns at your own pace, then look for route suggestions at www.viamichelin.com or in their Green Guide books.
If you consider taking a train inland, the 8:15 train from Valencia runs direct to Cordoba in 3 hours or to Sevilla in 4 hours; later departures are not as attractive. From Sevilla back to Malaga, you have several choices of train that take 2-2.5 hours.