Please Rate my Southern Spain Itinerary

For us, I would rate it at about a 2. This is a very odd schedule. What type of camping are you suggesting? How much camping equipment are your bring? Don't understanding the quick dart to Paris and back. Lot of one day visits. Tough on a seven year old.

Have you been to the Equestrian School in Jerez? The horses are amazing.

Re: For us, I would rate it at about a 2. This is a very odd schedule. What type of camping are you suggesting? How much camping equipment are your bring? Don't understanding the quick dart to Paris and back. Lot of one day visits. Tough on a seven year old. \

I don't have anything planned for the first four days in Spain. I'm flying into Rota, and I have to meet my mom in Sevilla. My son and I have seen the major attractions in Sevilla, so those days will be very relaxed.

I pick up a rental car on the 4th, and will drive from Sevilla-->Terifa; leave the car in Terifa and pick up on the return, then drive Terifa-->Gibraltar (1 hour drive); Gibraltar-->Malaga (< 2 hours); spend a few days in Paris, then Malaga-->Granada (<2hours)

Where would you spend more time? Except for the 3 days in Paris, my schedule is flexible.

I should have said "glamping" instead of camping. There are plenty of camp sites along the coast that offer camping sites and cabins. I have access to whatever camping equipment I need in Spain, but really not looking to go off into the woods.

Re: Have you been to the Equestrian School in Jerez? The horses are amazing

Christi, I haven't but thanks for the suggestion. I know my son would love that!

You are covering a lot of ground in two weeks. Are you driving in Spain or using public transportation? That will impact the time you can actually spend in each place versus getting to each place. Since you have been to both Rota and Cadiz, consider nearby Jerez de la Frontera as an alternative. I am one of the people that likes Málaga so I personally would add more time there to actually sitesee in the city rather than just sleep overnight. I would eliminate one of the destinations. I believe that if you do not have a car, public transportation will take a bigger chunk of your time than maybe you are anticipating. Since you have been to several of your listed stops previously maybe you should rework the list to try some newer places. If you are set on these towns I think you should rearrange the order of your destinations. As you currently have it, you start in Cadiz and head north to Sevilla and then back south to Tarifa and Gibraltar. Could you start in Sevilla and work your way south so that you do not have to backtrack? Sevilla, Jerez, Cadiz, Tarifa, Gibraltar, Málaga, (Paris), Granada.

Hi Pat, thanks for replying.

I will have a rental car.

I never considered Jerez. We drove through Jerez on our way to Sevilla last time, but I didn't know anything about the city, so I will definitely look into visiting this time.

I plan on spending at least a day in Malaga; what do you recommend there? The beach, for sure.

I fly into Rota, and I have to pick my mom up in Sevilla; Ideally, I would have started in Sevilla instead of backtracking.

After your suggestion, I may cut out spending time in Rota and Cadiz, and head straight to Jerez.

Any suggestions on flamenco?

Jen, I have been to Málaga three times. We did a lot of walking in Málaga. We did walk down to the Malagueta beach but did not swim. There we hopped on a local bus that went out past smaller beachside bnbs and hostales. We also attended a free concert at the park. We enjoyed roaming the Alcazaba and its museum and seeing the city from the top of the hill looking down on the bullring and port. There was also the ruins of a Roman ampitheater.

I have asked a Spanish friend of mine who used to live in Jerez to recommend a place to see an authentic flamenco performance. If she gets back to me with a reply I will send that info on to you.

I am someone else who really enjoys Malaga. It is a great city for relaxed wandering, some great shopping and restaurants and I also enjoy the view from the top. I did go to a restaurant very near there (sorry i cannot remember name) but it was quite rustic in a rural area and they had a little cooking class where we made paella. Walking near the water in the evening was beautiful.
I also think a child would enjoy Jerez. I spent some time in Antequerra and there were some local festivals going on. you might check that out.

1 June Jerez - 2nts
2 June Arcos de la Frontera day trip
3,4 June Sevilla - 2nts
5 June Via Vejer de la Frontera to Tarifa - 2nts
6 June Tangiers day trip
7 June Gibraltar
8 June Malaga

Before you make Jerez plans, check the Royal Equestrian School and find out when the shows are. They are definitely not every day. And make sure you can get tickets, it's very popular.

See flamenco in Sevilla at La Casa del Flamenco. It's not touristy and seating is only 2 rows around the patio, so a 7-year-old will be able to see it well - get there a little early to make sure you're in the first row. The newest sight in Sevilla (opened in February/March this year) is the Palacio de las Dueñas, well worth a visit.

The Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares (Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions) in Malaga may be interesting to your son as well as the adults.

I won't rate your itinerary, because I wouldn't waste my time going to Tangiers (not real Morocco) or Gibraltar (fake England).

thank you everyone for all the great replies!