I am trying to put together a good plan for my fist trip to Spain. We arrive November 1-14th. I know I want to take a train to Madrid for 1 night. That is my only definite plan..everything else is up in the air. I will be staying in a condo in Marbella for the first week, and the andalucia the 2nd week. I perfer to explore the town and what locals like...not into too much history, but want to see the Alhambra! Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Jackie....are you flying into Malaga? Will you be renting a car (they're VERY cheap out of Malaga airport). Give us a few more details and we can make more solid recommendations. Not much to explore in Marbella itself, but lots of places nearby that are worth it.
Posted by
OP
Renton, WA, USA
240 posts
I am flying into Malaga and will have a car.
Posted by
dallas, tx, usa
1358 posts
I hope you know that you can take your car at a remote agency office instead of the airport and save hundreds of dollars in airport fees. I always do that because the fees apply to the total rental cost, not just a one time charge. Read the Graffiti Wall section named Driving Europe Crazy and the archives for renters other suggestions.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Jackie....first of all you will NOT save hundreds of dollars in fees if you book outside of Malaga airport and train station. The competition is so great for vacationers that they offer massive deals to grab the business. I would suggest that you spend part of your time in Marbella doing some of the sights in Andalucia. You can do Ronda and Granada (the Alhambra) as day trips, altho Granada will be a long-ish day. If you wish, you could also do Arcos de la Frontera and area for a day and Gibraltar, if you wish. Then drop the car back at Malaga, take the train to Sevilla (betw. 2 and 2/1 hours), spend a couple of days there, then spend the rest of your time in Madrid before taking the fast AVE train back to Malaga. Madrid is worth more than a day itself, never mind potential day trips to Segovia and Toledo.
Posted by
Boscombe, Dorset, UK
964 posts
I agree with Norm, I have never found any difference in car rental rates away from the airport.
I also like the itinary he has suggested. You might enjoy a day in Malaga city itself; the old part is lovely.