Southern Spain Recommendations

Posted by Ann (Bratislava, Slovakia) on 01/07/09 08:43 PM

A group of us are going to Southern Spain in February. We have 7 days.

We'll be flying into Barcelona (SkyEurope) and renting a car to drive south. We are interested in renting an apartment along the coast and then driving to see various sites. I know it won't be terribly warm, but it will be warmer than Bratislava!

Does anyone have any recommendations on where to stay along the coast? I found a cheap apartment in Malaga - is this a good place to stay?

We are planning to go to Sevilla, Granada, and Gibraltar with a possible day trip to Morocco. Any other recommendations for must-see sites in the area?

This will be our last trip to Spain before we move to the US. I've been to Spain 2 other times and have spent a lot of time around Barcelona.

Thanks much,
Ann

Posted by Maggie

Boscombe, Dorset, UK

01/08/09 01:29 AM

964 posts

I personally LOVE Malaga, but it's not a big tourist destination. It's a good place to stay if you're using public transport (it's a hub)to get to the places you want to visit. But I would consider staying for a couple of nights in each place, and then moving on.

There's a great website, ww.andalusia.com i think it is (might be andalusia.esp) that has lots of info about public transport.

That time of year (February) you should be able to find cheap accomodation quite easily wherever you decide to stay.

Hope you have a great trip!

Posted by Liz

Malaga, Malaga, Spain

01/08/09 03:31 AM

410 posts

That is quite a bit of Spain to cover in 7 days. Basing yourself in one place will necessitate a lot of driving.

Going to Gibraltar and Morocco will take more time out of Spain. I am guessing you have particular reasons for wanting to go to both - I have only been to Gibraltar and thought it was ghastly. I live not too far from Malaga and wouldn´t recommend it as a place to stay, especially in February.

My personal favourite of the places you mention is Seville and it will be the warmest but Granada is also lovely.

Posted by Norm

Ottawa, Canada

01/08/09 02:27 PM

4555 posts

The first thing I would do is book a cheap air flight from Barcelona to Malaga. The drive from Barcelona to Malaga is about 650 miles....one entire day gone just driving! Check out clickair, vueling, and Spanair. Secondly, I'd rent a car out of Malaga....far cheaper than anywhere else in Spain, and ALL CDW is included. I actually like Malaga....the old part of the city is interesting, with its Roman ruins, Alcazaba, massive cathedral, and narrow old-city streets. But if you're looking for an apartment, and you're looking to range as far as Tarifa (for the ferry to Tangiers), I'd range farther west towards Marbella. There are literally thousands of resorts along the shoreline that should have apartments available for cheap. The Dona Lola, a nice place right on the sea in Mijas Costa, has one bedroom self-catering places (includes kitchen) for $475-$775 per week depending on when you go (the later in February, the more expensive.) That'll put you within range of Gibraltar, Tangiers, Ronda, and Granada for day trips. Sevilla might be a little far for a day...but you could always plan to overnight there.

Posted by Bonnie

Pendleton, SC, USA

01/11/09 03:43 PM

41 posts

Dear Ann,
Norm had some good suggestions. I lived in Spain for over a year....
Malaga can take a miss....Cordoba, Granada and Seville are musts. Rhonda was fabulous. The train from Malaga to Rhonda is wonderful...you go thru a spectacular gorge.
The Mosque in Cordoba is incredible.
The Alhambra in Granada is beautiful.
Gibralter was horrible, just horrible.

I think a day in Morocco would be a waste of time. I think it is just a slightly colorful border town...too many hucksters one needs to ward off.
Best to return and visit Fez, etc.
I loved Cadeques, Spain, a small village on the sea.
Nerja is worth a stop, the Balcon is beautiful and the old town interesting. Many foreigners live there but nontheless, if you have time.
Have a good time!