Andalusia Grand Loop Road Trip
Starting from Málaga, loop through the eastern desert coast, three historic cities, the southwest coast and Ronda, covering the whole region.
This route strings together Andalusia's main highlights into one big loop with no backtracking. You head east to Cabo de Gata first, cross the desert into Granada, go west to Córdoba and Seville, follow the coast to Tarifa, and finally return to Málaga via Ronda. The total distance is long, but most days involve only two or three hours of driving. Ideal for travelers with plenty of time who want to see everything in one trip.
Avoid the scorching heat of July–August. During Holy Week and the April Fair, book Seville accommodation well in advance.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Málaga and Climb to the Castle
Málaga & Ronda（Alcazaba of Málaga、Gibralfaro Castle、Roman Theatre of Málaga）
The suburban train into the city takes about 15 minutes. Explore the city on foot and pick up your rental car in town the next morning.
Stay: Málaga Historic Centre
Day 2 · Nerja Coast East to Almería
Málaga & Ronda（Balcón de Europa、Frigiliana） → Almería & Cabo de Gata（Plaza Vieja (Plaza de la Constitución)）
About 220 km for the day, roughly 3 hours of driving, along the A-7 coastal motorway, with stops in Nerja and the white village of Frigiliana.
Frigiliana gets busy with tour groups, so arrive before 10 a.m. for a quieter visit.
Stay: Almería City Center
Day 3 · Almería Alcazaba to Cabo de Gata
Almería & Cabo de Gata（Alcazaba of Almería、Salinas de Cabo de Gata、Cabo de Gata Lighthouse & Arrecife de las Sirenas）
Visit the Alcazaba in the morning, then drive about 1 hour to the lighthouse and about 30 minutes more to San José.
Stay: San José
Day 4 · Cabo de Gata Bays and Volcanic Coast
Almería & Cabo de Gata（Playa de Mónsul、Playa de los Genoveses、La Isleta del Moro、Rodalquilar Gold Mines）
Base yourself in San José. Take dirt tracks to the beaches in the morning, then head north along the coast in the afternoon and return the same way.
From late June to late September, vehicle access around Mónsul is restricted.
Stay: San José
Day 5 · Desert and Cave Town on to Granada
Almería & Cabo de Gata（Tabernas Desert） → Granada（Guadix Cave Quarter）
About 230 km for the day. Drive via Tabernas along the A-92 to Guadix, then about 55 minutes more to Granada.
Stay: Plaza Nueva Centre
Day 6 · Alhambra and Albaicín
Granada（Alhambra, Granada、Carrera del Darro & Paseo de los Tristes、Albaicín、Mirador de San Nicolás、Sacromonte）
On foot all day: head up the hill to the Alhambra in the morning, wander the Albaicín in the afternoon, and have tapas nearby in the evening.
Alhambra tickets often sell out weeks ahead, so book as early as possible.
Stay: Plaza Nueva Centre
Day 7 · Day Trip to the Alpujarras Mountain Villages
About 210 km round trip from Granada, roughly 1.5 hours each way on winding mountain roads. Allow at least 6 hours for the day.
It is crowded in August, and parking in Pampaneira is difficult in the morning, so set out early.
Stay: Plaza Nueva Centre
Day 8 · Cathedral, Then a White Village to Córdoba
Granada（Royal Chapel of Granada、Granada Cathedral） → Córdoba（Zuheros）
Visit the cathedral on foot in the morning, then drive about 2 hours to Zuheros and about 1 hour more to Córdoba.
Stay: Jewish Quarter and Mosque-Cathedral Area
Day 9 · Mezquita and the Jewish Quarter
Córdoba（Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba、Jewish Quarter of Córdoba、Calleja de las Flores、Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs、Roman Bridge of Córdoba）
On foot in the old town all day. Leave the car in a car park outside the center, as vehicle access to the old town is restricted.
The castle is closed on Mondays. Book a morning entry for the Mezquita.
Stay: Jewish Quarter and Mosque-Cathedral Area
Day 10 · Medina Azahara to Seville
Córdoba（Medina Azahara） → Seville（Metropol Parasol (Las Setas)、Triana）
Córdoba to Medina Azahara is about 20 minutes, then about 1.5 hours to Seville. Park the car in a car park on arrival.
The site is closed on Mondays, and you must transfer to a shuttle bus at the visitor center to reach the ruins.
Stay: Santa Cruz
Day 11 · Seville's Royal Alcázar and Cathedral
Seville（Real Alcázar of Seville、Seville Cathedral & La Giralda、Barrio de Santa Cruz、Plaza de España, Seville）
On foot all day. The walk from Santa Cruz to Plaza de España takes about 20 minutes, and the car stays parked.
Book timed tickets for both the Alcázar and the cathedral.
Stay: Santa Cruz
Day 12 · Jerez Bodegas to Cádiz
Tarifa（Jerez de la Frontera、Cádiz）
Seville to Jerez takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. In the afternoon, drive about 40 minutes to Cádiz's old town.
Stay: Cádiz Old Town
Day 13 · Vejer and Bolonia to Tarifa
Tarifa（Vejer de la Frontera、Baelo Claudia、Bolonia Beach & Dune、Tarifa Old Town & Puerta de Jerez）
Drive south along the coast for about 1.5 hours, stopping in stages at Vejer and Bolonia, and arrive in Tarifa in the evening.
Stay: Tarifa Old Town
Day 14 · The Strait's Southern Tip, Then North to Ronda
Tarifa（Punta de Tarifa & Isla de las Palomas） → Málaga & Ronda（Puente Nuevo, Ronda、Casa del Rey Moro）
Spend the morning in Tarifa, then drive about 2.5 hours to Ronda in the afternoon. Finish the mountain roads before dark.
Stay: Ronda Old Town
Day 15 · Setenil and the Caminito del Rey
Tarifa（Setenil de las Bodegas） → Málaga & Ronda（Caminito del Rey）
Ronda to Setenil takes about 25 minutes, then about 1 hour to the Caminito del Rey entrance. After the walk, drive about 1 hour to Málaga.
The Caminito del Rey is usually closed on Mondays. Book in advance on the official website, as no tickets are sold on site.
Stay: Málaga Historic Centre
Day 16 · Picasso Museum, Then Departure
Málaga & Ronda（Museo Picasso Málaga、Málaga Cathedral、Mercado Central de Atarazanas）
Return the car in the morning and walk around the old town, then take the suburban train to the airport (about 15 minutes).