I will be staying at the Crown Resort in Marbella in May. My four friends and I plan on doing day trips from that location. The resort offers tours and I am planning on booking tours through them to Tangier and Gibraltar, although I am a little concerned as most of the reviews say they aren't worth going to.
I also want to go to Granada, but am unsure if I should book a tour through the resort or if it is better to drive up myself and book a 3 hour small group tour of Alhambra/Generalife. Is there anything I shouldn't miss while in Granada that wouldn't be offered on a tour? Should I drive and stop at any small towns on my way back to Marbella. I would love to stop at Nerja, but am not sure there is enough time to do both locations in one day.
There are so many other towns I want to visit such as Ronda and Cordoba and will probably drive to them rather than book tours. Is this too ambitious for a week branching out from Marbella?
I am then leaving for two days in Madrid. Anything special I should see there besides the Prado?
Thanks for any and all advice.