We would like to explore southern Spain's coastal regions, and rent a home base in the area for several months in early 2027. We're hoping to take day trips (or short overnights) to possibly include cities such as Seville, Jerez de la Frontera, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona, Tossa de Mar, San Sebastián, Bilboa, Madrid and Toledo. Can anyone recommend an area that would be a good home base? Hopefully an area where expats congregate that has good access to public transportation, beaches, shopping, churches, etc. Are there any areas we should definitely visit, or steer away from? Any input would be much appreciated!
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
1650 posts
I think you need to review the distances involved. Spain is a larger country than you might realize. For example, from Malaga on the South coast of Spain to Bilboa by train would take all day and likely several changes. Here is a link to information about train travel in Spain:
https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-spain.htm
I'm going to assume that if "several months" means more than 90 days, that you have a non-US passport or some other permission to remain more than 90 days in 180.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
8419 posts
If you want expats, then head to the Costa del Sol; the area from Torremolinos to Estepona is where most congregate. Few of the cities and towns on your list can be visited as day trips from it. Believe you are vastly underestimating the size of the country and how long it would take to get to the places on your list from one base location.
Posted by
Bilbao
1020 posts
Bilbao, not Bilboa (this is an extremely common misspelled city, don´t know why). The north is much cooler and rainy than the Mediterranean, it´s the rought Atlantic. So take into account your weather preferences and the months of your stay, to see if it would be too warm in the south or too cold in the north.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you all for the information. We will definitely take distance into consideration when planning side trips. We prefer the Mediterranean climate, so will spend most, if not all, of our time there. Will look at Costa del Sol. And stay 89 1/2 days ;)
Happy trails!
Posted by
Surrey, UK
835 posts
Malaga is a great base for side trips, as it is a bus, train and air hub, as well as being a great city to visit. It also has beaches (if you're not going too early).
Estepona is a pretty small town, very Spanish in character. A car would be needed here to take full advantage for trips. Driving is not a great challenge.
As others have said, you can only stay for 90 days in any rolling 180 period, unless you have EU passports.
Posted by
Washington DC
30309 posts
The top three destinations in Andalucia--Seville, Cordoba and Granada--have enough sights that they really are not good day trips from any place on the coast. Ubeda and Baeza are interesting places, too, and they are also not near the coast.