Andalucía Travel Guide: A 10-Day Journey Through Seville, Malaga & Granada

Planning a trip to Southern Spain? Here's my personal 10-day itinerary through Seville, Malaga, and Granada, filled with tips on top sights, day trips, food spots, and where to stay. Whether you're a digital nomad, an adventure-seeker, or a culture lover, this guide will help you explore the heart of Andalucía with ease.

Why Andalucía?

Seville’s central location makes it the perfect starting point to explore the rest of Andalucía. From here, cities like Córdoba, Granada, Ronda, and Malaga are easily accessible.

On my 10-day trip in January 2024, I spent:

3 days in Seville
5 days in Malaga (with day trips)
2 days skiing in the Sierra Nevada near Granada

I traveled primarily by train and found it to be both efficient and budget-friendly.

Seville - Top Things to Do

Seville Cathedral & Giralda Tower: The largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the final resting place of Christopher Columbus.
Alcázar of Seville: A stunning Mudéjar-style palace with lush gardens.
Setas de Sevilla: A large modern wooden structure offering panoramic city views.
Parque de María Luisa & Plaza de España: A peaceful retreat with elegant fountains and tilework celebrating each Spanish province.
Triana District: Explore its history, local ceramics, and some of the best tapas bars in town.
Torre del Oro: This historic watchtower once guarded the Guadalquivir River.

Setas de Sevilla

Ticket Recommendations

I recommend booking in advance:

Where to Stay

Barrio Santa Cruz – Historic heart of the city. You’ll be steps away from the Cathedral and Real Alcázar.
Alfalfa – Central & walkable, near Las Setas, with a lively mix of cafés and nightlife.
El Arenal – Between the river and the old city, close to the Torre del Oro, and bullrings
Triana – Located across the Isabel II bridge, it’s renowned for flamenco, traditional markets like Triana Mercado, and waterfront dining on Calle Betis. Well-connected for walking into the old town (~10‑15 min).

I really enjoy staying in the Triana area, it's full of character and a has a great atmosphere both day and night, all while being just a short walk from the city center. This aparthotel is cozy and authentic with a strong local vibe.

Alcazar of Seville

Alcázar of Seville

Malaga - Top Things to Do

Historic Center: Wander through charming alleyways, lively plazas, and colourful facades. Don’t miss Calle Larios, the city’s main shopping street.
El Pimpi: A must-visit tapas bar and restaurant.
Alcazaba Fortress: An 11th-century Moorish palace with sweeping views over the city.
Hammam al Ándalus: Beautifully restored Arab bathhouse offering a serene escape in the heart of the city.

Tickets & Reservations

Getting There

Direct trains from Seville to Malaga take about 2 hours.
Book through Renfe for fares starting at €19.95.

Where to Stay

Historic Center - Right in the heart of Malaga's history. You'll be steps away from the Alcazaba, cathedral, Picasso Museum, and Roman Theatre.
Plaza de la Merced - Authentic old town feel, charming narrow streets full of restaurants and shops, boutique hotels and apartments tucked into historic buildings. A short walk from the Alcazaba.
La Malagueta - A classic Andalusian seaside atmosphere with city beaches, seafood chiringuitos, and the iconic bullring. While still being within walking distance of the historic center.
Soho - The art district of Malaga, ideal for art lovers, young travellers and those seeking a local, bohemian vibe.

La Malagueta Beach

I really enjoy staying in the Plaza de la Merced area and I've stayed at:

COEO POD: Great for solo travelers.
Apartment in Plaza de la Merced: Best location.

Day Trips from Malaga

Using Malaga as my base, I ventured out on some truly unforgettable day trips that I highly recommend taking.

Caminito del Rey – If you're up for an adventure, this iconic walking trail is a must. It winds through a dramatic gorge with breathtaking views and thrilling elevated pathways. I booked a guided hike that included round-trip transport from Malaga, which made the whole experience super convenient. You can book the same tour here.

Ronda & Setenil de las Bodegas – These two towns offer a fantastic glimpse into the heart of Andalucia. I joined a combined day tour that included guided walks through both towns. In Ronda, we visited the historic Plaza de Toros, one of Spain’s oldest bullrings, while Setenil de las Bodegas stood out for its fascinating cliffside architecture, with homes built directly into the rock. It's much less touristy, which made it feel even more special. Here's the exact tour I did.

Caminito del Rey hike from Malaga

Caminito Del Rey Hike

Granada - Top Things to Do

Visiting the Alhambra - The most visited site in Spain. Make sure your ticket includes the Nasrid Palaces. Note: Not all tickets cover this section, but it's by far the most breathtaking part of the Alhambra.
Albaicín - A charming maze of whitewashed streets with the best views from Mirador de San Nicolás. Stunning views of the Alhambra with the Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop.
Sacromonte - Known for its cave dwellings and flamenco shows (I’ve heard great things about Cueva de la Rocío). I skipped the performance here but I highly recommend sunset at Mirador de Sacromonte.
Los Diamantes - One of my favourite tapas bars known for its fried fish. Their fried bacalao was absolutely delicious—take my word for it! It’s a small place, so it gets quite busy, but the lively atmosphere only adds to its charm. Free tapas with your drinks, it's a Granada tradition!

Ticket Recommendations

Alhambra & Nasrid Palaces - Entry Ticket - Be sure to book your tickets well in advance—they sell out months ahead!
Alhambra & Nasrid Palaces Guided Tour + Entry Ticket - This is the tour I chose, and I’d absolutely recommend it.

Day Trip from Granada

In Winter, I also had the chance to spend two days skiing and snowboarding in Sierra Nevada, the Southernmost ski resort in Europe. The weather was amazing, and I couldn't believe it was my first time seeing people skiing in t-shirts! The area itself is stunning, though I would recommend avoiding it on the weekends if you're a beginner, especially after experiencing the weekend crowds myself. It can get pretty chaotic on the slopes.

Getting There

You can reach Granada from Malaga by direct train in about 1 hour and 15 minutes (with 3 trains running daily). Tickets start at €18.50 via Renfe on the Avant regional line.
Alternatively, direct ALSA buses run frequently—around 30 per day—and take about 2 hours. You can book you bus tickets online here in advance.
Both the train and bus stations in Granada are located outside the city center. Walking from the bus station takes over 45 minutes, while the train station is around 35 minutes on foot. The quickest option is a taxi, which gets you to the center in under 15 minutes.

Views of Sierra Nevada from the Alhambra

Panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains from the Alhambra

If you're visiting in the Summer, be sure to explore coastal towns like Torremolinos, Marbella, and Nerja, as well as the stunning Pueblos Blancos (white towns) such as Mijas & Frigiliana, and even Gibraltar. The options in this region are endless, and you can't go wrong with a visit to any of these charming towns.

If you loved this blog post and want to see more travel inspiration, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @journeywithme.mt and don’t forget to check out my Highlights for loads of saved stories from this trip!

Happy Travels! x

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