We want to include some exploration of the hill-top towns at the end of our Spain trip, the first week in November. Is that bad timing? Will they be closed up? Cold? Rainy? We haven't decided yet if we will be renting a car or taking trains/busses for this part of our trip.
The use of 'hill-top' is bemusing. Where do you have in mind? I wonder what you expect from them.
There are hundreds of villages and towns which would think themselves or people think of as pueblos blancos, including the one which is now blue. They are normal villages and towns where people live, work and sleep unless a lot of ex-pats have bought in and then there may be an element of 'closed-up'.
You are not going to link anymore than three, perhaps four together in a day using public transport as the bus services are not scheduled around the tourist.
Who knows what the weather will be like, there has been an extraordinary and unexpected heatwave since April.
Neil,
Well I feel stupid. I meant white hill towns as referred to (as you might guess, since this is a Rick Steves site) in my Rick Steves Spain book, and also here: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/andalucias-white-hill-towns
Rick's description of the towns in that article piqued my interest. I'm simply wondering if visiting them in November would yield the same experience as his description. (One of the hotels referred to in Rick's book mentioned that it closes in November for the winter.)
Renting a car in Sevilla for Arcos de la Frontera => Grazalema => Zahara => Ronda => Granada or Malaga is a great way to see these very atmospheric towns. Sure November will be cooler, and rain, who knows?? It may actually be preferable to see them outside the main tourist season when they play host to more visitors. Keep in mind they are functioning towns where people live and work 24/7/365. Enjoy.
I visited twice, both times in February, both times by car. The first trip was mostly sunny, no rain. The second time I had a mix of sun, cloud and a little rain. It was never really cold. A fleece jacket and gloves was all I needed. Andalucia is the warmest driest part of Europe.
The driving was easy on the roads, tricky in the towns - steep, narrow streets with sharp (often blind) corners. Loved it all, though I had a few white-knuckle moments. The roads are scenic and there are pullouts where you can admire the view.
If you just want a day trip to Arcos or Ronda, that's easy by bus or train, but if you want to explore, you need a car. There weren't many tourists in Arcos (went once) but most of the sights Rick mentions were open. Park at the bottom and walk or take the bus up. Ronda was full of tourists both visits. I used Ronda as a base.
Thanks, David. We are considering a car.
Chanie, the info about the roads and weather is helpful. Thank you.
I am planning to rent a car in Sevilla in early October to tour the pubelas blancas. Any tips on car rental in Sevilla and/or lodging in any of the villages? Thanks in advance.