Southern Spain—Andalusia—layers Phoenician ports, Roman roads, Umayyad courtyards, and Renaissance splendor under a sun that seems to gild every tile. In this 45‑day itinerary, you’ll settle in Seville, Granada, and Málaga, with enough time to savor siestas, repeat favorite tapas bars, and wander art-filled neighborhoods at an unhurried pace.

Expect flamenco in intimate caves, citrus-scented patios, and markets where fishmongers call out the catch of the day. Highlights include Seville’s Alcázar and Cathedral, Granada’s Alhambra and the Albaicín, and Málaga’s Mediterranean museums, beaches, and day trips to whitewashed villages. We’ve built in day trips to Córdoba, Cádiz, Ronda, Frigiliana, Antequera, and more to keep the rhythm varied.

Practical notes: summers are hot (afternoons best for siestas and museums), spring and fall are glorious, and winter is mild on the coast. Book the Alhambra and Caminito del Rey in advance. Trains are fast, reliable, and affordable; tapas remain the best-value culinary tour you can give yourself.

Seville

Seville is Andalusia’s grande dame—orange trees perfuming labyrinthine lanes, Triana’s ceramics glowing by the river, and flamenco that feels carved from the city’s soul. It’s a superb base for Córdoba, Jerez, and Cádiz, with evenings made for hopping between historic tabancos and modern tapas counters.

Stay in Santa Cruz for postcard lanes and patio hotels, Arenal for easy walking to monuments, or across the bridge in Triana for local life and late-night bars. Search stays on VRBO Seville and Hotels.com Seville.

Getting in and around: Fly into Seville (SVQ) or connect via Madrid/Barcelona; compare options on Omio (flights in Europe). High‑speed trains link Seville to Madrid (~2h30) and Córdoba (~45 min); check schedules and prices on Omio (trains in Europe) and buses on Omio (buses in Europe).

Days 1–4: Gothic spires, Moorish patios, and the river’s flamenco beat

• Seville Cathedral & La Giralda: Climb the ramped minaret-turned-bell-tower for views over tiled roofs. Inside, the world’s largest Gothic cathedral glows with gold leaf and history.
• Royal Alcázar: A masterpiece of Mudéjar art. Book ahead or join this combined skip-the-line tour for context and time savings:
  Alcazar and Cathedral of Seville Tour with Skip the Line Tickets

  

• Barrio Santa Cruz & Triana: Lose yourself in Jewish Quarter lanes, then cross Puente de Triana to pottery shops and intimate tablaos.
• Eats & sips: Start at La Campana (since 1885) for coffee and pastries; brunch at La Cacharrería for toasts with crushed tomato. Tapas crawl: El Rinconcillo (founded 1670), Casa Morales (sherry casks), and Eslava (signature honeyed pork ribs). Specialty coffee at Virgin Coffee (tiny but excellent) and Torch Coffee Roasters in Triana.

Days 5–7: Plazas, palaces, and a deep dive into tapas

• Plaza de España & María Luisa Park: Horse-shoe bridges, painted-tile alcoves, and shade-draped avenues ideal for a slow morning.
• Casa de Pilatos & Metropol Parasol: From Renaissance patios to the “Setas” rooftop walkway for sunset.
• Seville tapas tour: Learn the culture behind small plates and local wines while discovering bars you might miss alone:
  Sevilla Food Tour: Tapas, Wine, History & Traditions

  

• Dinner short list: La Azotea (seasonal plates), Cañabota (seafood temple; reserve), and Bodega dos de Mayo (classic Andalusian mains).

Days 8–11: Day trips—Córdoba, Jerez, and Cádiz

• Córdoba (45 min by AVE/Avant, ~€18–30 each way): The Mezquita is a forest of arches; stroll the Roman Bridge and patios of San Basilio. Lunch at Bodegas Campos or Casa Pepe de la Judería (salmorejo, oxtail).
• Jerez de la Frontera (1h10 by train, ~€12–18): Tour a sherry bodega, then catch impromptu cante at Tabanco El Pasaje. Pair fino with tapa-sized hot dishes.
• Cádiz (1h45 by train, ~€15–25): Oldest city in Western Europe—walk the sea walls to La Caleta, then feast on fried seafood at Freiduría Las Flores or dine at El Faro de Cádiz.
• Plan transport on Omio (trains) or Omio (buses).

Days 12–15: Nature, ruins, rooftops—and your favorite repeats

• Doñana National Park: Birding and dunes on a guided 4x4 from El Rocío (full day; prime for migratory seasons).
• Itálica (Santiponce): Roman amphitheater used in film shoots; an easy half-day by local bus/taxi.
• River time: Kayak the Guadalquivir or cruise at sunset, then rooftop drinks at Hotel Doña María or Las Setas.
• Splurge dinner: Abantal (Michelin-star modern Andalusian) or seafood tasting at Cañabota.

Travel to Granada (Morning of Day 16)

• Seville → Granada: High-speed/Avant trains in ~2h30 (from ~€25–45). Compare departures on Omio (trains). Buses take ~3h (often cheaper) via Omio (buses).

Granada

Granada is poetry in stone: water whispering in palace channels, cypress silhouettes over the Generalife, and neighborhoods where Moorish and Christian histories intermingle. It’s compact, walkable, and famous for generous free tapas with each drink.

Base in the Albaicín for views, Centro for easy access to everything, or Realejo for street art and cafés. Browse stays on VRBO Granada and Hotels.com Granada.

Days 16–18: Alhambra, Generalife, and the Albaicín

• Alhambra: Book a morning slot; allow 3–4 hours. The Nasrid Palaces are timed—arrive early. The Generalife gardens climb toward mountain views.
• Albaicín: Whitewashed lanes to Mirador de San Nicolás for the classic Alhambra-at-sunset panorama; circle back via Paseo de los Tristes.
• Food & coffee: Breakfast at Café 4 Gatos (tostadas, Andalusian tomato), specialty coffee at Dulcimena Coffee & Go. Tapas at Los Diamantes (fried fish), Bodegas Castañeda (boards and vermouth), and wine at La Tana.

Days 19–22: Royal tombs, baths, and Sacromonte flamenco

• Cathedral & Royal Chapel: Burial place of the Catholic Monarchs; impressive gilt altarpieces and a powerful sense of statecraft.
• Arab baths: Soak and massage at a traditional hammam after cobblestone climbs.
• Sacromonte: Cave district with zambra flamenco; intimate venues for dance, guitar, and song.
• Tables to book: Mirador de Morayma (Alhambra views), Damasqueros (tasting menu), and ice cream from Los Italianos on Gran Vía.

Days 23–25: Sierra Nevada, Monachil, and the Alpujarras

• Monachil’s Los Cahorros: Swing bridges and canyon walls on a 2–3 hour loop; go early for shade.
• Alpujarras white villages: Lanjarón (springs), Pampaneira–Bubión–Capileira (loom-woven textiles, mountain ham). Buses ~2 hours; plan via Omio (buses).
• Sierra Nevada: Seasonal hikes or skiing; bring layers, even in shoulder seasons.

Days 26–30: Markets, makers, and your favorite repeats

• Mercado de San Agustín: Shop cheese, olives, and seafood; have a market lunch at a stand-up bar.
• Realejo street art: Pieces by local artist “El Niño de las Pinturas” make a vivid open-air gallery.
• Tea houses on Calderería Nueva: Mint tea, baklava, and mosaic interiors bring North Africa a heartbeat closer.
• Tapas return tour: Build your own crawl—repeat favorites or try La Sitarilla for hearty raciones and Restaurante Chikito for Granada classics.

Travel to Málaga (Morning of Day 31)

• Granada → Málaga: Avant/Media Distancia trains in ~1h15–1h30 (from ~€15–25) via Omio (trains); buses ~1h45 (often ~€10–15) via Omio (buses).

Málaga

Málaga has reinvented itself as a culture-forward coastal city—Picasso’s birthplace with a walkable old town, a palm-lined port, and easy access to beaches and white villages. It’s an ideal place to slow down at the end of your journey.

Stay in the Centro Histórico for museums and tapas, La Malagueta for beach days, or Pedregalejo for seafront strolls and espeto (sardines on skewers). Search stays on VRBO Málaga and Hotels.com Málaga.

Days 31–34: Alcazaba to the port—history, art, and easy evenings

• Alcazaba & Gibralfaro: A double dose of Moorish fortifications; walk down through jasmine-scented paths to the Roman Theatre.
• Museums: Picasso Museum and Carmen Thyssen Málaga anchor a strong art scene; finish at the waterfront Centre Pompidou Málaga (the colorful “Cube”).
• Cafés & bites: Breakfast churros at Casa Aranda (since 1932), specialty coffee at Mia Coffee Shop, and a market lunch at Mercado de Atarazanas (grilled skewers, fried anchovies).
• Dinner shortlist: El Pimpi (bodega with local wines and views), La Cosmopolita (updated Andalusian plates), and Mesón Mariano (artichokes when in season).

Days 35–38: Beach days, Caminito del Rey, and Ronda

• Pedregalejo & El Palo: Walk the promenade and order espetos at a chiringuito like El Balneario or El Cachalote; go late afternoon for golden light.
• Caminito del Rey: Cliff-hugging walkway above the Gaitanes Gorge (7–8 km; 2–3 hours). Book timed tickets in advance; train to El Chorro ~45–60 min, then shuttle to the trailhead. Entry typically ~€12–18 plus shuttle.
• Ronda day trip: Dramatic gorge spanned by Puente Nuevo, historic bullring, and leafy parks. Bus ~1h45–2h; train ~2h. Lunch at Tragatá or tapas at De Locos Tapas (tiny—arrive early).
• Plan transport with Omio (trains) and Omio (buses).

Days 39–42: White villages, caves, and dolmens

• Frigiliana & Nerja: Sugar-cube lanes and Moorish patterns in Frigiliana; Nerja for beaches and the dramatic Caves (book onsite or early morning). Bus to Nerja ~1h, then local bus/taxi ~15 min to Frigiliana.
• Antequera & El Torcal: UNESCO-listed prehistoric dolmens and a surreal karst landscape; trains to Antequera ~40 min, then taxi/bus up to El Torcal.
• Food notes: Try Antequera’s porra (a thicker cousin of salmorejo) and local mollete bread. Back in Málaga, end the day with ice cream at Casa Mira on Calle Larios.

Days 43–45: Slow finish by the sea

• SOHO & Muelle Uno: Street art stroll and harbor lounging; sunset from the Molina Lario rooftop or the port’s breakwater.
• Markets & last bites: Return to Atarazanas for seafood and olives; book a farewell dinner at Los Mellizos (paella/seafood) or go casual and fun at El Tintero, where waiters “auction” dishes by shout.
• Departure: Fly out of Málaga (AGP) or return by train to Seville/Madrid; compare on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains).

Optional add-ons or swaps

• Jerez revisited: Deep-dive sherry styles (fino, manzanilla, amontillado) paired with local bluefin tuna in season.
• Cádiz beach day: If Cádiz stole your heart, go back for a lazy day at Victoria Beach and seafood rice at a beachfront chiringuito.
• Granada repeats: Night visit to the Alhambra (limited slots; magical lighting) or a second Albaicín sunset.

Two essential, bookable experiences for Seville that fit perfectly into your first week:

• Alcazar and Cathedral of Seville Tour with Skip the Line Tickets

  

• Sevilla Food Tour: Tapas, Wine, History & Traditions

  

Across 45 days, you’ll live Andalusia’s cadences rather than just checking boxes—cathedral bells at noon, guitars after dark, and sea breezes to close the chapter. From Seville’s patios to Granada’s palaces and Málaga’s sands, this long stay balances depth, variety, and delicious repetition.