Marbella to seville, which towns to stop by in?

Posted by rahmis4ri on 06/06/18 10:28 AM

We've planned a one day road trip from marbella to seville. We can start very early in the morning but have to arrive in seville Santa justa station by 8pm.

So far I have :
Ronda
Grazalema (for the woolens and leather goods, since I had decided to drop ubrique)
Zahara de la sierra (conveniently on the way to seville)

But now I've discovered Setenil DE LA bodegas which looked really amazing to me.

They problem is four towns in a day just sounds to much. Which one of these towns should we drop?

We plan to hike down the gorge in Ronda so that would take few hours at least.

Would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!

Posted by jaimeelsabio

Mid-Atlantic area

06/06/18 05:51 PM

6539 posts

Based on the locations alone and where you’re going, the logical choices to drop are either Grazalema or Sentenil. Sentenil is about 12 miles (20km) north of Ronda, It’s not a place you’ll be spending a long time at. I enjoyed Zahara and climbing to the top of the tower. To me, Grazalema is worth little more than a drive by, but that’s just my opinion.

If you decide to drop Sentenil, the road between Grazalema and Zahara, while only about 6 miles between the two, will take you about 30 minutes to drive. It has some hairpin turns along it. All the roads in the white towns area are two lane, no center line, no shoulder, so you won’t be driving that fast.

In Ronda, there is somewhat of a path on the side of the gorge opposite the Parador. It doesn’t take a long time to walk down it, so unless you’re walking the gorge itself, you probably won’t need more than an hour. One could spend the better part of a day in Ronda alone.

Posted by David in Brisbane

Brisbane, Australia

06/06/18 09:32 PM

7175 posts

A realistic timetable reveals 3 stops (in addition to Ronda) as quite impossible. Even 2 is a stretch.

07:00 Depart Marbella
09:00 Ronda
13:00 Depart Ronda
13:30 Grazalema for lunch
15:30 Depart Grazalema
16:00 Zahara
17:30 Depart Zahara
19:00 Arrive Sevilla

Posted by rahmis4ri OP

06/07/18 07:45 AM

38 posts

Thanks!

For now it seems like we will drop grazalema, which is a pity as I've read it as the prettiest drive from ronda.

Would the route Ronda - setenil- Zahara be similar in scenery?

Posted by jaimeelsabio

Mid-Atlantic area

06/07/18 06:46 PM

6539 posts

The road to Grazalema goes primarily through the (small) mountains, so there are more hills, trees, and greenery. From Ronda to Sentenil, then over to Zahara is mostly rolling hills. You will pass olive groves on that route. Coming from Sentenil, once you get to Montecorto you’ll travel along alngside a lake and the edge of the mountains. The roads between Sentenil and Zahara are wider and better condition, and you’ll make pretty good time getting to your destination.