South of Spain in 3 full days?

I don't know about the Gibraltar part, but Day 3 looks a little problematic. Not impossible, but an extremely long day. The drive from Seville to Granada is upwards of three hours. The drive from Granada to Malaga is two or more. That means you will spend over five hours just getting there and back. And if you spend most of the day before in Ronda, when are you going to have time to see Seville? Or Malaga? While I love Granada, you just don't have time to do it justice on this trip.

With so little time I would list Rock of Gibraltar as a no-go. I also need to mention that you will have little time in Malaga (which we loved...just a city to wander around, shop and eat) All the other sites you have listed are great, but also don't forget that there is the time checking in and out of hotels. The Alhambra was beautiful but I could have enjoyed it in a few hours, not the whole day as some people do. The white towns were a highlight for me, as was simply driving around the countryside of Southern Spain.

Are you flying to Spain for 4 nights from the states or is this part of a much bigger plan? I can't seem to justify a 4 night trip to Europe from the states when there is just so much moving around. I mean 4 nights in one city or town, I could partially understand, but you are doing way too much moving around that makes for an unpleasant adventure, in my opinion, which may mean that I am just getting old and cranky. Look, I just got back from Spain 2 days ago; I will let you know what my itinerary was and will tell you that I felt like I was moving around way too much which made for a lot of fatigue and dragging around of luggage. -Flew into Madrid for El Prado, took AVE to Seville -Seville 3 nights -Ronda 2 nights -off to Malaga to be picked up for a 5 night mountain bike adventure in Berchules (Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains known as the Alpujarras) -Granada 2 nights -Barcelona 4 nights
I felt like we moved around way too much and the next trip we take wont involve much moving around because I am still exhausted from all the walking, biking, and especially the transit from city to city, from transportation into accommodation. With only 4 nights, I would stick to one city and side trip to 1-2 cities and plan the others for a time when you have adequate time to enjoy. I am sure you could find flamenco in Malaga that would be entertaining. I am sorry I can't be anymore helpful than this. there is just not enough time to do what you would like to do.

Erika, you will be overwhelmed with this schedule! I do not think it is doable. You'll be spending so much of your limited time traveling back and forth. I think I would stay stay and see Malaga since that is where you fly into. For me personally, I would use Malaga as my base for all 3 nights with a daytrip to Granada. I did that several years ago. We took the train over to Granada for the day. The Alhambra is spectacular. I have also stayed in Granada overnight because there is lots to see there and it would be very hard to do in just a few short hours. Malaga is a great city with lots to see and do and makes a good base. It also has a beautiful alcazaba with wonderful views of the city and port down below. I would choose between Granada and Sevilla and limit this short trip to just two destinations. Both Granada and Sevilla are worthy destinations - just do your research and see which appeals to you the most.

I am sorry, this is another 'more is less' itinerary. 'we also don't want to be too overwhelmed.' - do the driving maths. plus dealing with cities' traffic plus arriving and departing your acccommodation plus parking - what time have you left? And - What is there in Gibraltar that could possibly occupy a day compared to so much else? Why are you backtracking to Malaga instead of going directly to Ronda or nearby for the night?
When do you see Seville, a city for many, which could occupy the three days (or more)?

Hi Ericka, Its a lot of time you will spend in the car! Im not sure where in Malaga you will be staying but from Mijas Costa you are looking at over an hour to get to Gibraltar. Then you will have to take into consideration that que you will have to wait in so that you can enter in Gib. Depending on what time of day you go you could be waiting well over an hour and not only that there are ques to get back out of Gib. So it could be that 4 hours of your day is spent in the car. You can always call the border control before embarking on your journey to Gib to ask them what the wait time is to enter. In regards to getting to Ronda there are now 2 routes to get there from Malaga you can go on the AP-7 which is much quicker or if you have more time you could always go on the A-397 which is basically going up the side of the mountain. It is one lane traffic for each side so if you stuck behind a lorry it could take awhile but the views are nice! I also agree that day 3 looks a bit cramped. It will take you at least 2 hours to get to Granada and then you will have to drive back to Malaga which is another 2 hours. I would also suggest if you are going to the Alhambra that you prebook your tickets.
If anything I would skip out on Gib. There isnt much there but the monkeys and that will cost you 14GBP per person in the car or you could take a tour and have someone drive you up the mountain for 25£ to see them. But to be honest other then that there really isnt much in Gib. Lots of english pubs and clothing stores! the rock is small with very little to see. I am sure that Ronda, Gibraltar and Seville could offer you far more!

Thank you all so much for your advice. We have decided to eliminate Gibraltar from our itinerary and split up the third day. We are actually going to be in Spain from February 17-23 and are spending 3 days in Barcelona before taking the train down to Malaga. Our train gets in at 10 pm and our flight leaves at 9 am, so we're staying in Malaga those nights. That said, it will be Day 1: Leave early from Malaga to Granada and back to Malaga at night. Day 2: Leave early from Malaga to Seville and stay the night in Seville. Day 3: Leave Seville and head to Ronda. Stay a few hours in Ronda before heading back to Malaga to enjoy the nightlife in Malaga. Day 4: Leave Malaga for the US at 9 am. From your posts, it seems day 3 will pretty hectic, but we want to at least see one white town, even if it's just to drive through and see the beauty. Thanks again!

Your revised itinerary is better, but still seems that you will spend most of your time in a car. A few thoughts: Why take a train from Barcelona to Malaga? You'll spend an entire day on the train. Consider flying instead, leaving a half day for sightseeing Malaga. Flights within Spain can be had for pretty cheap. Trying to see Granada in one day is really tough. The Alhambra alone is 2-4 hours, including getting there and back (it's not in the city central). And be sure to make a reservation well in advance - the slots fill up and you'll need to pick the best time for your schedule. Where will you stay in Sevilla? I would not drive in the old town, so that leaves a hotel outside the center. Factor in transit time to and from your hotel to the old town. Dropping Gibralter is a good idea. I get why people want to see it, but really it is just a rock covered with monkeys and filled with pubs and trinket shops. I love both Granada and Sevilla, but if it were me, I'd pick one or the other and include the hill towns.

if you decide to fly which will be much quicker look on www.vueling.com as the flights on feb 20 from Barcelona to Malaga are only 24 Euros. The flight leaves at 715 and gets in at 845 in the morning. that would be far better then taking the train. the train will cost you far more and take a heck of a lot longer!