Andalusia—Spain’s sultry south—was shaped by Romans, Visigoths, and nearly eight centuries of Al-Andalus. The legacy lives in lacework palaces, orange-fringed plazas, and a kitchen that exalts olive oil, sherry, and the sea. Winter here feels like a gift: crisp mornings, sun-warmed afternoons, and an easy rhythm for long stays.

From January to March, expect 55–70°F days on the coast and slightly cooler inland. It’s low season for crowds, high season for value, and prime time for golf; fairways are quieter and green fees friendlier. Book the Alhambra, Caminito del Rey, and top golf tee times ahead—popular even in winter.

Use three bases—Seville, Málaga, and Granada—to explore the region at leisure. We’ve woven in golf days, essential monuments, and an inspiring circuit of white villages (pueblos blancos). Trains and buses are frequent, but a car unlocks the small villages with ease. For trains, buses, and flights in Europe, compare routes and prices on Omio (trains), Omio (buses), and Omio (flights).

Seville

Graceful and grand, Seville is flamenco’s beating heart and the stage for Gothic and Mudéjar masterpieces. The city rewards slow mornings under citrus trees, tapas crawls through timeless taverns, and golden-hour strolls along the Guadalquivir.

• Stay (long-stay friendly): Browse apartments on VRBO Seville or hotels on Hotels.com Seville.
• Arrival options: Fly into SVQ or train from Madrid (≈2h40) or Barcelona (≈5h30). Compare times and fares on Omio trains or Omio flights. Typical AVE/Alvia fares Madrid–Seville run ~€25–€65 if booked in advance.

Days 1–5: Settle into Seville’s historic core

• Alcázar, Cathedral, Giralda: Prioritize Seville’s greatest hits with a skip-the-line guided tour for context and access. Skip The Line Seville Alcázar, Cathedral & Giralda Guided Tour

  

• Santa Cruz & Triana: Wander alleys scented with orange blossom, then cross the Isabel II Bridge to Triana for ceramics workshops and tile-lined tapas bars.
• Tapas crawl (classic to contemporary): El Rinconcillo (since 1670) for spinach with chickpeas; Eslava for honeyed pork ribs; La Azotea for razor clams; Bodeguita Romero for pringá montaditos; La Brunilda for modern plates.
• Café/breakfast: Virgin Coffee (micro-roaster espresso), La Cacharrería (toasties and cakes), La Fábrica (Triana) for specialty coffee and pastries.

Days 6–10: Easy day trips north and east

• Carmona: Roman necropolis, Moorish gate, and hilltop views; lunch on partridge pâté and salmorejo on the Plaza San Fernando.
• Écija & Osuna: Baroque towers and palaces; Osuna’s Colegiata houses Ribera paintings. Film buffs: Game of Thrones shot here.
• Itálica: Roman amphitheater and mosaics in Santiponce—one of Hispania’s earliest Roman cities.
• Golf near Seville: Real Club Sevilla Golf (hosted Spanish Open; book early), Club Zaudín Golf (Olazábal design), and Hato Verde (value-friendly). Winter green fees ~€45–€120; look for twilight deals and multi-round passes.

Days 11–15: Atlantic light—Cádiz, Jerez, Doñana

• Cádiz: One of Europe’s oldest cities; stroll La Viña and the sea walls, then feast on tortillitas de camarones. Try Casa Manteca for a classic Cádiz tavern vibe.
• Jerez de la Frontera: Tour a sherry bodega, then explore the Alcázar. If timing aligns, the Festival de Jerez (late Feb–early Mar) is flamenco heaven.
• Doñana & El Rocío: Marshlands teeming with winter birdlife; El Rocío is a surreal sand-street pilgrimage town.

Days 16–20: Sierra de Aracena and Huelva ham country

• Aracena, Jabugo, Alájar: Oak-studded hills, Iberian pigs, and cave systems (Gruta de las Maravillas). Eat ibérico de bellota at source.
• Minas de Riotinto: Rust-red Martian landscapes and mining heritage railway.
• Huelva coast: Punta Umbría boardwalks and seafood grills if you crave sea breezes.

Days 21–25: Deep Seville living

• Museums & modern Seville: Plaza de España and María Luisa Park, Setas de Sevilla for skyline views, and the Fine Arts Museum (second in Spain after the Prado).
• Flamenco night: Book a peña in Triana for a raw, intimate show. Pair with dinner at conTenedor (market-driven kitchen) or Cañabota (seafood).
• Lunch favorites: Bodega Dos de Mayo (daily specials), Bar Alfalfa (small plates), Perro Viejo (andaluz comfort with a twist).

Málaga (Costa del Sol)

Málaga blends a revitalized port city, serious art pedigree, and the Mediterranean’s bright winter light. It’s also your golf base: from value tracks to European Tour legends within an hour’s drive.

• Stay: Compare long-stay apartments on VRBO Málaga or hotels on Hotels.com Málaga.
• Seville → Málaga (morning travel): Train ~2h, €20–€40; bus ~2h45, €13–€25. Check Omio trains and Omio buses. Afternoon to unpack and stroll the historic center.

Days 26–30: City essentials and seaside appetite

• Alcazaba & Gibralfaro: Hilltop fortress and citadel with bay views. Pair with the Roman Theatre below.
• Picasso Museum & Birthplace: Trace Málaga’s most famous son; then consider the Carmen Thyssen or Centre Pompidou out at Muelle Uno.
• Food stops: El Pimpi (bodega vibes, local wines), La Cosmopolita (Dani Carnero’s soulful dishes), Los Mellizos (fried fish), Mesón Mariano (artichokes when in season), El Balneario Baños del Carmen (sunset by the sea), El Tintero (El Palo—fish auction style).
• Coffee/brunch: Mia Coffee Roasters, Next Level Specialty Coffee, Santa Coffee Soho; pastries at La Canasta.

Days 31–40: Golf hub + white villages east

• Golf rotation (value to premium): Parador de Málaga Golf (seaside classic), Añoreta Resort (great winter rates), Lauro Golf (27 holes inland), Chaparral (shot-maker’s course), Calanova (good practice facilities), La Cala Resort’s Asia/America/Europa (excellent resort value). Green fees ~€45–€110 in winter; add buggies for hilly layouts.
• Mijas Pueblo: Whitewashed lanes, donkey-free viewpoints, and the tiny oval bullring.
• Frigiliana & Nerja: Frigiliana’s Moorish quarter is among Andalucia’s prettiest; nearby Nerja Caves reveal cathedral-like chambers and prehistoric art.
• Caminito del Rey: Cliff-hugging walkway in El Chorro; book timed slots well in advance. Bring layers; the gorge can be breezy in winter.

Days 41–50: Ronda, Serranía, and Sotogrande coast

• Ronda: The Puente Nuevo cleaves a dramatic gorge; visit the Mondragón Palace and the historic bullring museum. Nearby Setenil de las Bodegas hides under rock overhangs.
• Grazalema & Zahara de la Sierra: Mountain villages, turquoise reservoir, and scenic miradores.
• Tarifa & Bolonia: Daytrip for Atlantic dunes, Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia, and (on calm days) crystalline water. Consider late start to catch golden hour.
• Golf, west side (premium): La Hacienda Links (formerly Alcaidesa—sea views), Atalaya Old, El Paraíso, Los Naranjos, Río Real, Santa Clara Marbella. Splurge courses: Finca Cortesín, La Reserva, Real Valderrama (strict booking rules; enquire far ahead). Premium green fees €150–€350; look for afternoon slots.

Granada

Granada is poetry in stone—cypress-framed views, the snow-dusted Sierra, and the Alhambra’s filigreed palaces. The city hums with student energy and tapas that still arrive free with your drink.

• Stay: Search long-stay apartments near the Cathedral or Realejo on VRBO Granada or compare hotels on Hotels.com Granada.
• Málaga → Granada (morning travel): Train ~1h10–1h30, €15–€31, or bus ~1h45. See Omio trains and Omio buses. Afternoon walk through the Albaicín to Mirador de San Nicolás.

Days 51–55: Alhambra, Albaicín, and Realejo

• Alhambra & Generalife: Reserve early. Choose a small-group or private guided visit for the Nasrid Palaces context and time-saving entry. Two excellent options:
• Alhambra & Generalife Skip the line Small Group including Nasrid Palaces

  

• Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces: Skip-the-line Ticket and Local Guide

  

• Tapas & tea houses: Bodegas Castañeda (vermut and montaditos), Los Diamantes (pescaito frito), Bar Poë (skewers), Om-Kalsoum (tetería vibes). Coffee at La Finca or Dulcimena.

Days 56–60: Las Alpujarras and Sierra Nevada foothills

• Pampaneira–Bubión–Capileira: Berber-influenced villages with slate roofs and chimneys; buy artisanal rugs and taste local cheeses and miel de caña.
• Trevélez: One of Spain’s highest villages; sample air-cured jamón.
• Monachil’s Los Cahorros: Suspension bridges and river gorge walk; go on a clear day for Sierra views.

Days 61–65: Tropical Coast and golf by the sea

• Salobreña & Almuñécar: Sugarcane history, castle-topped hill, and subtropical gardens.
• La Herradura: Horseshoe bay, coastal hiking, and seafood chiringuitos.
• Golf (Granada area): Los Moriscos Golf (seaside fairways), Santa Clara Golf Granada (Otura; mountain backdrops), Granada Club de Golf. Winter green fees ~€40–€80.

Days 66–70: Culture days in the city

• Cathedral & Royal Chapel: Tombs of the Catholic Monarchs and a fine art collection.
• Science Park (Parque de las Ciencias): Excellent interactive museum for a change of pace.
• Evenings: Mirador de San Miguel Alto for sweeping night views; dinner at Mirador de Morayma or El Trillo for Alhambra panoramas.

Days 71–75: Jaén and Córdoba provinces—stone, oil, and sierras

• Úbeda & Baeza: Twin Renaissance jewels in an ocean of olive groves (UNESCO-listed).
• Priego de Córdoba & Zuheros: Baroque fountains, pristine village streets, and Zuheros’ photogenic cliffside setting (near the Subbética Natural Park).
• Antequera & El Torcal: Karst landscapes, dolmens (UNESCO), and a handsome historic town—easy if you missed it from Málaga.

Villages and places not to miss (by base)

• From Seville: Carmona, Écija, Osuna, Itálica (Santiponce), Jerez, Cádiz, Doñana & El Rocío, Aracena & Jabugo, Minas de Riotinto.
• From Málaga: Ronda, Setenil de las Bodegas, Mijas Pueblo, Frigiliana, Nerja (and Caves), Casares, Antequera & El Torcal, Caminito del Rey, Tarifa & Bolonia (Baelo Claudia), Vejer de la Frontera.
• From Granada: Las Alpujarras (Pampaneira–Bubión–Capileira), Trevélez, Guadix cave district, Salobreña, La Herradura, Almuñécar, Priego de Córdoba, Zuheros, Úbeda & Baeza.

Golf planning tips (Jan–Mar)

• When to book: Reserve prized tee times (Fri–Sun mornings) 1–3 weeks out; shoulder slots midweek are easier and cheaper.
• Value vs. icons: For top-tier splurges, aim at Finca Cortesín, La Reserva, Real Valderrama (Sotogrande); for excellent value and variety, look to La Cala’s three courses, Parador de Málaga Golf, Lauro, Añoreta, Chaparral, Calanova, Río Real, Atalaya, and Los Moriscos (Granada coast).
• Budgeting: Winter green fees typically €45–€120; elite venues €150–€350. Add €15–€45 for a buggy on hilly courses. Twilight often saves 15–30%.
• Logistics: A car is best for course-hopping and village day trips. Many clubs require soft spikes; some request handicap proof for championship layouts.

Getting between bases

• Seville → Málaga: Train ~2h, €20–€40. Check trains on Omio.
• Málaga → Granada: Train ~1h10–1h30, €15–€31; bus ~1h45. Trains or buses.
• Granada → Seville (if you loop back): Train ~2h30–3h, €20–€45; bus ~3h. See Omio.

Extra eats you’ll love

• Seville sweets & sips: Churros at Bar El Comercio; orange wine at Taberna Peregil; craft beer at Hops & Dreams.
• Málaga markets: At Mercado de Atarazanas, snack at the shellfish stalls, then grab a cone of jamón and local goat cheese.
• Granada traditions: Piononos (syrup-soaked sponge) from Santa Fe; herbal teas and pastries in the Alcaicería’s teterías.

Optional tours to pre-book

• Alhambra & Generalife Skip the line Small Group including Nasrid Palaces

  

• Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces: Skip-the-line Ticket and Local Guide

  

• Skip The Line Seville Alcázar, Cathedral & Giralda Guided Tour

  

In three unhurried months, you’ll play celebrated fairways, unspool Andalusia’s Moorish and Roman layers, and fill your days with white villages, sea air, and generous tapas. Keep this guide handy for routing, tee time ideas, and village inspiration, and let winter’s soft light do the rest.