7 Days in Andalusia: A Day-by-Day Road Trip Itinerary

Get ready for orange trees in palace courtyards, a forest of striped arches in Córdoba, the Alhambra glowing above Granada and a final sunset by the sea in Málaga. This seven-day road trip links Andalusia’s four headline cities in one easy line from west to east. You fly into Seville and out of Málaga, so you never have to double back.

The plan suits first-timers, couples, families and friends who want the big sights without rushing. Each day has one or two anchor visits with booked time slots, and the rest is for wandering, long lunches and late tapas. You only need a car for the middle of the trip, from Seville to Málaga. In the cities you walk.

At a glance

Day	Area	Highlights
1	Seville	Real Alcázar, Cathedral and Giralda, Santa Cruz
2	Seville	Plaza de España, María Luisa Park, Triana
3	Seville to Córdoba	Pick up car, Jewish Quarter, Bell Tower, night show
4	Córdoba to Granada	Early Mezquita-Catedral visit, Albaicín sunset
5	Granada	Alhambra and Generalife, Sacromonte evening
6	Granada to Málaga	Optional Antequera stop, old town, port promenade
7	Málaga	Alcazaba, Gibralfaro, Picasso Museum, beach sunset

Day 1: Seville’s royal palace and cathedral

Morning

Kick off your trip in style at the Real Alcázar, a royal palace that is still in use, with tiled halls and gardens full of fountains. The official site lists winter hours (1 October to 31 March) of 09:30 to 17:00 and summer hours (1 April to 30 September) of 09:30 to 19:00. The general ticket costs EUR 15.50. The reduced ticket costs EUR 8 for over-65s and students aged 14 to 30. The official site notes that reduced tickets are now open to every nationality, not just EU citizens, if you show proof.

Buy your ticket online through the official website. The ticket office in the Patio de Banderas opens at 09:00 and only accepts cards. Bonus: the official site says the general ticket also covers several municipal museums, including the Triana Ceramics Museum. That fits nicely into Day 2.

Afternoon

The Cathedral and Giralda stand right across the square from the Alcázar. Official hours are Monday to Saturday 10:45 to 19:00 and Sunday 14:30 to 19:00, and the ticket office closes at 18:00. General admission is EUR 13 online or EUR 14 at the ticket office. If you book online you enter through the Lagarto Gate. If you buy on the day, go to the Prince’s Gate.

Your visit begins with the climb up the Giralda tower, and the cathedral estimates about 75 minutes for the whole visit. Your ticket also includes the Church of El Salvador, an easy walk north through the old centre. We suggest heading there afterwards.

Evening

Get lost in the whitewashed lanes of Barrio Santa Cruz, then settle in for a slow tapas dinner. Seville comes alive late, so there’s no hurry.

Day 2: Plaza de España, Triana and the river

Morning

This is a day for sunshine, tiles and the river. Walk south to María Luisa Park and the sweeping Plaza de España, with its tiled alcoves for each Spanish province. These are public spaces, and early morning is the calmest and coolest time to visit.

Afternoon

Cross the Guadalquivir to Triana, the old potters’ and sailors’ quarter. Browse the ceramics shops and visit the Triana Ceramics Museum with your Alcázar ticket (check entry conditions on the Alcázar site). Then have a long lunch near the market.

Evening

Stroll the riverbank at sunset, then catch a flamenco performance. Book directly with the venue, and check the times and prices on its own website. If you’re in Seville on a Sunday, the cathedral offers free public visits (depending on the church calendar). Pick up tickets in person at the Prince’s Gate ticket office from 17:00. Places are limited.

Day 3: Drive to Córdoba and its Jewish Quarter

Morning

Road trip time! Pick up your hire car in Seville and head east to Córdoba. Check live journey times on a maps app before you set off rather than relying on fixed estimates. Plan to park once and explore on foot, and ask your accommodation where to park.

Afternoon

Wander the Judería (old Jewish Quarter) and its flower-filled patios, then walk across the Roman Bridge for the classic view back to the city. For a view from above, the Mezquita-Catedral’s Bell Tower costs EUR 4. Entry is in timed slots, and recent official calendars show half-hourly slots from 09:30 to 18:30. Book a slot on the official site.

Evening

The official night show, “The Soul of Córdoba”, costs EUR 25 (reduced EUR 18). The official calendar shows two sessions a night, at 21:00 and 22:30. Book online in advance. It’s a magical way to see the monument for the first time.

Day 4: Mezquita-Catedral at dawn, then Granada

Morning

Set your alarm, because this is why you stay overnight in Córdoba. The Mezquita-Catedral offers a free visit from Monday to Saturday, 08:30 to 09:30. Groups aren’t allowed in this window, and it doesn’t run on days with special celebrations. Access closes at 09:20, when staff begin moving visitors out. Arrive early.

If you’d prefer a longer, paid visit, the general ticket is EUR 15. Recent calendar days show opening hours of 10:00 to 19:00, but hours change with church events, so check your date with the official opening-hours tool. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. Tickets are sold online and at the Patio de San Eulogio information centre.

Afternoon

Drive on to Granada. Granada’s whole city is a Low Emission Zone (ZBE). According to the city council, from 1 April 2025 it applies to non-resident vehicles without an environmental label: petrol cars from before 2001 and diesel cars from before 2006. Ask your rental company to confirm that your car carries a label.

Evening

Climb into the Albaicín, the old Moorish quarter, and catch sunset at the Mirador de San Nicolás, which looks across to the Alhambra. Dinner in the Albaicín makes a perfect end to the day.

Day 5: The Alhambra, all day

Morning

Today is the big one, so save your energy for it. The Alhambra General Day Visit includes the Nasrid Palaces, the Partal, the Alcazaba and the Generalife. The official site lists it at EUR 22.27 online. The Patronato says the base general price rose to EUR 21 from 1 August 2025, and under-12s go free.

Opening hours: 15 October to 31 March, 08:30 to 18:00, and 1 April to 14 October, 08:30 to 20:00. The official FAQ suggests allowing about three hours for the general visit.

Things to know before you book:

• The Nasrid Palaces have a strict entry time printed on your ticket. The FAQ puts capacity at 300 people per half hour. If you miss your slot, you lose the palaces.
• Tickets carry your name and can’t be transferred. Bring your original passport or ID, because staff carry out ID checks.
• Purchases are final. You can’t change the date or time, and refunds only apply in limited cases.
• Ticket offices only sell same-day tickets, subject to availability. Book on the official website, which the Patronato calls the only official and guaranteed sales channel.
• Bags larger than 40 x 40 cm aren’t allowed. Free lockers are available with your ticket while they last.

Afternoon

You can only enter each area once. The FAQ confirms that you can leave the complex for lunch and come back to the areas you haven’t seen yet. After your visit, walk down into the centre and rest during the hottest hours.

Evening

Explore Sacromonte, the cave-house neighbourhood beyond the Albaicín, or enjoy a relaxed tapas crawl in the centre.

Day 6: Granada to Málaga

Morning

Hello, sea! Drive west towards the coast. If you’d like a break on the way, the historic town of Antequera sits roughly between Granada and Málaga and is home to a UNESCO-listed group of ancient dolmens. Check opening hours and booking on the official Junta de Andalucía site before you go.

Afternoon

Arrive in Málaga and return your car. You won’t need it here. If you do need parking near the old town, the Picasso Museum names Plaza de la Marina and Alcazaba as the nearest public car parks.

Evening

Walk along elegant Calle Larios, wander the old town’s lanes and finish with a seafront stroll near the port.

Day 7: Málaga’s fortress, Picasso and the sea

Morning

Make your last day count and be at the Alcazaba when it opens at 09:00. The official price list shows EUR 7 general and EUR 10 for a combined ticket with the Castillo de Gibralfaro on the hill above. Hours are 09:00 to 20:00 from 1 April to 31 October (last entry 19:00) and 09:00 to 18:00 from 1 November to 31 March (last entry 17:00). Entry is free every Sunday from 14:00.

Afternoon

The Picasso Museum Málaga is in the Palacio de Buenavista on Calle San Agustín, close to the Cathedral, the Alcazaba and the Roman Theatre. Tickets cost EUR 13 (reduced EUR 11) and include a mobile audio guide. The museum is open every day:

• November to February: 10:00 to 18:00
• March to June and September to October: 10:00 to 19:00
• July and August: 10:00 to 20:00

Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. Entry is free on Sundays for the last two hours before closing. It’s also free on a few special dates, including the museum’s anniversary on 27 October.

Evening

Head to the beach for a farewell sunset, then enjoy a final seafood dinner. You’ve earned it.

Getting there and getting around

Fly into Seville, fly out of Málaga. This open-jaw route saves you a full day of driving back.

Seville Airport to the city: TUSSAM’s EA (Especial Aeropuerto) bus connects the terminal directly with the city centre. A single costs EUR 6. A return costs EUR 8 and is valid on the day of purchase or the next day. You can buy tickets at the arrivals hall ticket office, from machines in the hall, or on board with cash or card. Check current journey times on the TUSSAM website.

Getting around Seville: TUSSAM’s rechargeable multi-trip card (from EUR 7) works on the EA bus and all TUSSAM buses and trams. Up to 30 people can share it, which is handy for families.

Hire car (Days 3 to 6): Pick up in Seville and drop off in Málaga. One-way fees vary, so compare them before booking. Check with your rental company and your home licensing authority whether you need an International Driving Permit.

Málaga to the airport: The C-1 Cercanías commuter train runs directly between the airport and Málaga Centro Alameda. The University of Málaga’s visitor guide puts the ride at about 12 minutes. Check current fares and timetables on Renfe’s official website.

Prefer trains? All four cities are linked by rail. Check timetables and fares on Renfe’s official website.

Where to stay

• Seville, Santa Cruz and the historic centre: Best for first-timers. You can walk to the Alcázar and Cathedral and back for a siesta.
• Seville, Triana: A local, lived-in feel across the river, with good tapas bars and the ceramics quarter.
• Córdoba, the Judería: Stay close to the Mezquita-Catedral so the free 08:30 visit is an easy stroll.
• Granada, Albaicín or Centro: The Albaicín has the views but steep lanes. The centre is flatter, closer to parking and better for families.
• Málaga, Centro Histórico or La Malagueta: The old town puts every sight within walking distance. La Malagueta suits travellers who want beach time.

Budget

These are full-price adult tickets taken from official sites.

Item	Typical cost
Seville airport EA bus (single)	EUR 6
Real Alcázar, general	EUR 15.50
Cathedral and Giralda, online	EUR 13
Mezquita-Catedral, general	EUR 15 (free Mon to Sat, 08:30 to 09:30)
Bell Tower, Córdoba	EUR 4
Alhambra General Day Visit, online	EUR 22.27
Alcazaba plus Gibralfaro, combined	EUR 10
Picasso Museum Málaga	EUR 13
Total of the above	about EUR 99

Not included: flights, accommodation, food and drink, car hire, fuel, parking, the Málaga airport train, the Córdoba night show and flamenco tickets. These vary a lot by season and by how you travel, so check current prices when you book. Reduced and free tickets for seniors, students and children can bring the total down a lot.

Practical tips

• Entry and visas: Spain is part of the Schengen Area, and entry rules depend on your nationality and passport. Check the EU’s official Schengen visa page or your nearest Spanish embassy or consulate. Since 10 April 2026, the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational for non-EU short-stay visitors and records biometric data at the border. Details are on the official EES site.
• Dress codes: The Mezquita-Catedral and Seville Cathedral are active places of worship, so read their visitor rules on their official sites before you go. The UK government’s travel advice warns that in some parts of Spain you can be fined for walking the streets in swimwear or bare-chested. Keep beachwear for the beach in Málaga.
• Schedules: Seville Cathedral opens only in the afternoon on Sundays. The Picasso Museum closes on 25 December, 1 January and 6 January. The Alhambra and the Real Alcázar switch to shorter winter hours in October.
• Money: Cards are widely accepted, and the Alcázar ticket office takes cards only. The UK government’s travel advice recommends using only official exchange offices or banks. You may also be asked for ID when paying by card.
• ID: The same advice says you must show photo ID if police ask for it. Hotels and car rental firms must register your passport details.
• SIM and eSIM: A travel eSIM set up before you fly gives you maps and booking apps as soon as you land. The emergency number in Spain is 112.

Heads-up

Andalusia is a joy to explore, and a few sensible habits keep it that way. These points come from the UK government’s official travel advice for Spain and from the attractions’ own websites.

• Pickpockets and distraction thefts: Thieves often work in teams. Watch your belongings closely at airports and while sorting out your car hire.
• “Highway pirates”: Some people target hire cars by flagging them down and claiming something is wrong. If you do stop, choose a well-lit public place such as a service station.
• Fake police: Real officers may ask for your ID, but they won’t ask for your wallet or purse.
• Unlicensed taxis: Only use licensed taxis or reputable firms. Passengers caught using unlicensed services can be fined up to EUR 600.
• Phones while driving: Using a phone at the wheel is illegal, even when you’ve pulled over. Only fully hands-free units are allowed. Spain has strict drink-driving laws and frequent roadside checks.
• Heat, wildfires and flash floods: Summers can be extreme. Check AEMET weather warnings, never cause a fire risk in woodland, and follow local advice.
• Street drinking: Drinking alcohol in the street is illegal in some areas and can bring an on-the-spot fine.
• Alhambra tickets: Buy only on the official website. Tickets carry your name, can’t be changed, and require your original ID.

FAQ

Do I need a car for this trip?

Not in Seville or Málaga, where walking and public transport work well. A car makes Days 3 to 6 easy, but trains also link all four cities. Check Renfe for timetables.

How early should I book the Alhambra?

Book as soon as your dates are fixed, and only on the official website. If a day shows as sold out, the Patronato says unused institutional tickets can be released later, so keep checking.

Can I visit the Mezquita-Catedral for free?

Yes. The free visit runs Monday to Saturday from 08:30 to 09:30, except on special celebration days. Groups aren’t allowed in this window, and access closes at 09:20.

What’s the best time of year to go?

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable. The UK government’s travel advice warns of extreme heat in summer, and the Alhambra and Alcázar switch to shorter winter hours from October.

Are there free-entry times in Málaga?

Yes. The Alcazaba is free every Sunday from 14:00. The Picasso Museum is free on Sundays for the last two hours before closing.

Is one night in Córdoba enough?

For this plan, yes. Staying overnight means you get both an evening in the Judería and the early free visit to the Mezquita-Catedral.