Please help with southern Spain itinerary

Looks pretty well perfect. Don't forget to prebook Alhambre for the 13th in Granada. Hasta la Vista!!!

I agree with Bob...looks pretty good! Be aware that the "direct" route from Grazalema to Zahara (CA-9104) is VERY twisty and very narrow, and, in its early stages, very rough. As well, when you come in to Zahara on that road, do NOT take the "back" entrance into town. Otherwise, you will find yourself with some very tight corners, and downward slopes that will make you think your tires won't hold their grip. Instead, bear to the right and come into town from the "front," off the A-2300. When you get into the center of town, keep going....up one last slope and through an impossibly-narrow opening, to the overlook...easy parking on your left. You can hike up to the Moorish castle from there, and back down into the center of town for restaurants, etc. When you leave, you will continue on this one-way street around towards the back of the town, then out to Ronda....that road is much nicer.

I, too, think the itinerary looks great. One tip: when we were in Zahara last year, the girl manning the small TI in town was also selling handmade olive wood handicrafts (bowls, pencil holder-type-things, etc.). If you like them, buy them. I was feeling particularly cheapskate-ish that day and didn't. Never saw anything like it again and have seriously regretted not purchasing that bowl to this day!

I personally would skip Cadiz and add one day in Nerja...it is like stepping back in time along the Costa Del Sol. I would also want to spend a night in Jerez, then drive to Arcos for 1/2 day and on to Ronda for the rest of the day and that night (Arcos and Ronda are both small towns with significant similarities). Happy travels. Bill

Thanks everyone. Two driving questions - How long (excluding the time for stops) would you say the drive is from Jerez to Ronda? And how long from Ronda to Granada via Malaga/Nerja (again, without including time for stops). Thanks.

Jen, you can get drive times from www.viamichelin.com

We are currently in Spain and just made the drive from Ronda through Grazelema and Zahara and then to Arcos for the night. We actually started from Gaucin (where we are spending the week)which is about 30-40 minutes from Ronda. The previous information about the roads is extremely true. After you get off the main road to Zahara and Grazelema, plan a significant amount of extra time due to the twists, turns and sometimes conditions of the roads. From Zahara to Grazelema especially, I thought I was going to have a panic attack a few times - but it is gorgeous.... We spent the entire day from Gaucin to Arcos, visiting Grazelema, eating lunch in Zahara and made it to Arcos about 3:30 pm. After visiting Ronda, Zahara, Grazelema, Arcos and staying in Gaucin, I have enough of the Pueblos Blancos. Especially since most (except Arcos) include challenging drives. It is a very easy drive from Nerja to Granada. We stayed 3 nights in Granada and could have stayed more. But we enjoy staying long enough in one place to really get a feel for it. We are off to Sevilla and Cordoba tomorrow. Southern Spain is wonderful!

I am also planning a similar trip. Instead of taking the train back to Madrid we are thinking of flying out of Granada. I don't see any downside to this. It saves a day of travel. I will happily listen to anybody who disagrees.

Has anyone tried basing themselves in southern Spain and making a series of daytrips by car? If so, what is a good base?

We just returned from a month in Spain and Portugal. Granada was our last stop. (And unfortunately for the first time in history the Alhambra closed it doors for a national strike!). Anyway, be aware that there is no AVE train (fast train) from Granada to Madrid. It takes 5 hours to arrive in Madrid. We took the 6 pm train and arrived in Madrid just before 11 pm then up early to catch a flight home--exhausting!

Is there much to see out the window on the train ride from Granada to Madrid? We were thinking of taking the morning train to be able to see the countryside.

Kathryn, did you spend any time in Ronda? Is it worth spending the day or an afternoon? Thanks.