Seville, Cordoba and Granada: when you think of Andalusia, you cannot help but mention these three beautiful cities which, together and each with its own identity, give the traveller the opportunity to get to know the rich and varied cultural heritage of southern Spain, and the privilege of experiencing first-hand the authentic and vital spirit of this region. Anyone who finds themselves having to organise an itinerary in Andalusia knows full well that, more than likely, the route will revolve around these three indispensable cornerstones, the wonderful triangle that acts as the beating heart of the region.
But, since planning a journey is rather like solving a geometry problem, after establishing the vertices of the triangle, we also want to dwell on the sides: in other words, what are the unmissable stops we need to make on the journey that takes us from one city to another? How can we create an unforgettable itinerary, the tour of Andalusia we dreamed of?
Here is a proposed itinerary we have put together: in addition to the three main cities already mentioned, we have added a few destinations that are easy to reach on the on the road route between one city and the next, which will enrich your trip beyond measure.
Contents
- Seville, the majestic queen of Andalusia
- Córdoba, the small great city where you can breathe Andalusia
- Granada, the perfect setting for *One Thousand and One Nights*
- The triangle becomes a square: direction Ronda!
- Ronda, the magical town that defies the abyss
- Interactive route map
- How many days in Seville Cordoba and Granada
Seville, the majestic queen of Andalusia
Right in the shadow of the Giralda our tour of Andalusia begins: walking through the streets of the Barrio Santa Cruz, visiting the Cathedral and the Alcazar, you will start to breathe in the crisp air of southern Spain. As we told you in our article on what to see in Seville: this city is the undisputed queen of the whole region, and as such it claims its right to take precedence over the other cities of Andalusia.
Besides her queenly whims, however, Seville has one of the best airports in the region, alongside Malaga (as we mentioned in our article on flights to Malaga), and is therefore ideal for starting an on the road tour of Andalusia. You can stay in this city for as long as you like, enjoy it at your leisure or make a flying visit: we recommend allowing yourselves at least two full days before arranging the car hire and setting off for Cordoba.
Advice on choosing flights to Seville
Advice on where to stay in Seville
Tips for hiring a car in Seville
Carmona, Moorish gem rich in beautiful churches
The first stop on the way from Seville to Cordoba is called Carmona, which will win you over with its understated charm as an Andalusian town of narrow, uphill streets. Perched on top of a small hill, Carmona is a perfect stop on your itinerary: the centre, small and clustered around the walls, can be visited in a couple of hours. You can easily do this by following our tips in the article on Carmona in Spain. Do make sure you do not miss the wonderful Iglesia de Santa María de la Asunción and the Alcázar, now a parador.
All available accommodation in Carmona
Almodóvar del Río, a castle overlooking the Guadalquivir valley
Before arriving in Cordoba, while you travel smoothly along the road lined with olive trees, you should also consider a detour to Almodóvar del Río, a fairly popular stop especially because of the Moorish castle (now extensively restored) that overlooks it, reachable by a lovely walking path: from the top of the hill on which it stands, there is a spectacular view of the valley and the Guadalquivir river.
All available accommodation in Almodóvar del Río
Córdoba, the small great city where you can breathe Andalusia
Finally, you’re almost in Cordoba! But beware… don’t forget to visit the beautiful archaeological site of Madinat al-Zahra’, which is just over 5 km (3 miles) before the city centre; it is the final stop on your itinerary before you reach the city home to the Mezquita. We have already told you about this and much more in our Cordoba travel guide, to which we will direct you: we recommend spending at least a full day (though perhaps a two-day stay would be better!) to enjoy the beauty of this city to the full, before setting off again for Granada, the next stop on your splendid self-drive tour of Andalusia.
Tips on where to stay in Cordoba
Zuheros, a little village clinging to the cliff
Travelling along the road that will take you from Cordoba to Granada, after about an hour’s drive, head to Zuheros, an enchanting little village perched in the mountains of the Sierra Subbética. Nestled within a deep gorge, Zuheros is a cluster of white houses overlooked by a massive castle clinging to the rock, from which you can enjoy a breath-taking view: don’t miss it!
All available accommodation in Zuheros
Priego de Córdoba, a treasure chest of Baroque gems
At the foot of La Tiñosa, the highest peak in the Sierra Subbética, lies Priego de Córdoba, an enchanting whitewashed town which, along its steep streets, gathers together some beautiful Baroque churches, a stern Moorish castle and a famous fountain. From Zuheros, it takes about 50 minutes by road: before setting off again by car, you could make the most of this stop to eat in one of the town’s restaurants, or take the opportunity to find accommodation for the night.
All available accommodation in Priego de Córdoba
Montefrío, the town defended by a natural helmet
Along the Cordoba-Granada route, south of Priego de Córdoba, there is another place that would be well worth a stop-off visit: Montefrío. This striking little town has rightly entered the collective imagination of Andalusian travellers for its distinctive and fortunate location: its white houses lie in the shadow of a church perched on a crag, on whose wooded ridge (which looks almost like the crest of a helmet!) a castle climbs (and can be visited). In the centre of town, in diametrically opposite position, stands the Iglesia de la Encarnación, Montefrío’s other point of interest.
The best view of the city can be enjoyed from the Mirador del Paseo, also known as the National Geographic viewpoint: in fact, there is also a frame on the panoramic terrace bearing the magazine’s famous cover. The reason lies in the fact that Montefrío was included by National Geographic in the ranking of the 10 villages with the best view in the world.
All available accommodation in Montefrío
Granada, the perfect setting for *One Thousand and One Nights*
These approach stages, with their rugged, mountainous elegance, seemed almost to herald it: Granada, a wonderful city at a moderate altitude framed by the Sierra Nevada, is the precious pearl of Andalusia.
Browsing our site, you will find a detailed Granada guide, packed with information and tips for visiting the city: not only the arabesque spectacle of the Alhambra, but also the characteristic neighbourhoods (Granada’s Albayzín, Sacromonte, Realejo), Granada Cathedral and Granada’s lesser-known places of interest (the Madraza, the Arab baths, etc…): a profusion of attractions of inestimable value, which require at least 2/3 days to visit and fully enjoy.
Tips on where to stay in Granada
From Seville to Granada: distance from one vertex to the next of the triangle
350 km (217 miles), for a total of around 6 hours of actual travel: this is the distance – including all the intermediate stops – from Seville to Granada, the two ends of the itinerary we have in mind. As we have already told you, distances in Andalusia are never worrying: everything is fairly close, which usually makes it very tempting to include extra stops between one journey and the next: the important thing is not to overdo it, but we are reckless, so we do overdo it, adding a bonus stop to the Seville-Cordoba-Granada triangle: Ronda.
The triangle becomes a square: direction Ronda!
After our visit to Granada, where our itinerary in Andalusia perhaps reaches its most beautiful climax, we therefore decide to turn back, heading west, towards the beautiful city of Ronda, which is already a fixed point on our 5-day Andalusia tour. So, we will not close the Seville Córdoba Granada triangle, but turn it into a square that will bring our journey to an end in search of the most beautiful places in the heart of Andalusia.
Antequera, prehistoric pit stop en route to Ronda
Puntiamo il nostro navigatore sulla città di Antequera, a town that represents a strategic midway point to stop at on our journey to Ronda: as well as visiting the town, we invite you at least to consider a stop at the three cuevas (caves) that are found in the immediate vicinity of the town: there you will find some impressive prehistoric-era dolmens.
The dolmens are not the only attraction in town: here is what to see in Antequera, the town which, thanks to its geographical position, is considered the true heart of Andalusia!
All available accommodation in Antequera
Olvera, when beauty can be seen from afar…
Without even noticing it, we have entered another province: Olvera is one of the most scenic pueblos blancos of Cádiz, and you will spot it from afar when, driving along the winding roads that cut through the olive-covered hills typical of this region, you catch sight of its striking silhouette.
The white houses of this little town spread out like a veil at the foot of the imposing church of La Encarnación, set on a cliff that dominates it. On another hill, not far away, stands a fine Moorish castle.
All available accommodation in Olvera
Setenil de las Bodegas, the unsettling fusion of nature and civilisation
Before arriving in Ronda, a stop in the incredible Setenil de las Bodegas is a must, a town that is truly difficult to describe in words. The feature that has made this small settlement so well known is the unprecedented and unsettling blending of nature and civilisation: some of Setenil’s houses have been carved into the rock of a cliff, which has become their load-bearing structure, roof and wall.
Set off in your car through the steep, very narrow lanes that climb and plunge down to the town centre: you’ll pass under a rock tunnel linking two houses together, and with a shiver you’ll find yourself praying that the whole lot doesn’t come crashing down on your head! If you want to find out more, read my article on what to see in Setenil de Las Bodegas.
All accommodation available in Setenil de las Bodegas
Ronda, the magical town that defies the abyss
Setenil de las Bodegas was just a taste of what, among the smaller towns, is considered one of the most emblematic and fascinating places in all Andalusia: we’re talking about the ancient Ronda, whose magical and dazzling allure poets have written about.
This is the final major stop on our itinerary through the heart of Andalusia and, as we wrote in our article on what to see in Ronda, it will certainly require a full day (at the very least) for the visit. Ronda is a city that scorns danger: in effect, it defies the abyss, as it stands on the edge of a very deep gorge, whose sides are joined by a massive bridge that links the new town to the old town, where you can find many traces of its prosperous Arab past (the Mina del Rey Moro, the Arab baths…). On the other side, there is a plaza de toros among the largest and most important in all Spain.
All available accommodation in Ronda
Arcos de la Frontera, to finish in style
After such an intense itinerary, you’ll feel a little tired, but at the same time you’ll experience a strange sense of restlessness in your bones, which turns into an urge to seek out yet another city, another view, the umpteenth stop on your itinerary, aware that there is always something more beautiful to see, even as the end of the journey draws near.
And so, after having travelled the roads of Ronda far and wide, head to Arcos de la Frontera, the only town in the area that could feel entitled to snatch the queen’s crown from Ronda. This town too is perched on a rocky spur and, seen from afar, with its appearance as a charming and remote pueblo blanco at the mercy of the mountains, it only heightens the anticipation, which will be amply rewarded during the visit along the narrow streets of the upper town.
- Here is our article on what to see in Arcos de la Frontera: happy reading!
All available accommodation in Arcos de la Frontera
Interactive route map
How many days in Seville Cordoba and Granada
To do an itinerary like this (Seville Cordoba Granada + Ronda), you’ll need between 10 and 14 days, depending on how long you decide to stay in each city: the intermediate stops we’ve recommended can also be done quite quickly in a day, but if you find yourself enjoying one of the destinations, you could also decide to stop there overnight, so you can do everything more leisurely and explore the route in greater depth, perhaps even reaching other interesting places nearby. If, on the other hand, you do not visit Ronda, you could get by with just 7 days. You might be wondering, how is that possible? Well, take a look at our “7-day Andalusia tour” model!
Back home… or perhaps not?
After Arcos de la Frontera, our advice is to head north, towards Seville, to close the triangle/square and catch a plane back home. But who is stopping you from continuing your itinerary in Andalusia? From here, you could carry on travelling in search of the most beautiful pueblos blancos of Malaga, or go as far as Cádiz and Jerez de la Frontera, and then keep following the coast, going from beach to beach, all the way to Gibraltar, Marbella and beyond… just make sure you tell us how it went!
