Andalusia Roadtrip | campervan hire

Stop 1: Ronda

Highlights:

Puente Nuevo: Bridge over the gorge dividing Ronda's town.
Grazalema: Wonderful hiking options around this typical white village.
Setenil de las Bodegas: White village with dwellings built into limestone cliffs.
Arcos de la Frontera: White village perched atop rocky limestone ridge.

Where to Eat:

De Locos Tapas ($$): A tapas paradise in Ronda.

Ronda and the incredible White Villages

The first stop of this enchanting Andalusia road trip is at one of Spain's most spectacular villages, Ronda.

This small town of wonderful architecture sits on a big sandstone hill cut in two by the El Tajo Gorge, in which the Guadalevín River runs some 120m (~120 m) below. The views of the gorge and the surrounding countryside are breathtaking.

As your campervan enters the province of Cadiz, you start one of the most incredible road trips you can do in Spain: the White Villages Route. It contains a total of 19 villages of whitewashed houses, some in stunning natural settings, that would incite you to stay there for a few days (or even buy a house!).

Some of the villages are inside Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, which contains several hiking routes of extraordinary natural beauty. Grazalema itself is one of the white villages worth checking out.

Stop 2: Jerez de la Frontera

Highlights:

Alcázar de Jerez: Moorish fortress from the 11th century.
Doñana Natural Park: Incredible scenery and wildlife (flamingoes!).

Where to Eat:

Bar Juanito ($): Get the artichokes and some pescaito frito.
La Cruz Blanca ($$): Good food with outdoor seating.

Where to Part for the Night:

Plaza Arenal ($$$): car park in the city centre.

Jerez de la Frontera and Doñana Park

Jerez de la Frontera is world-famous for its sherry, flamenco, and its horses. What a wonderful mix!

Visit some local wineries, attend a typical Andalusian horse show, and finish the day with some flamenco to make the most of Jerez.

On this Andalusia road trip, it takes about 30 minutes to get from Jerez to Sanlúcar de Barrameda, the closest point of entry to Doñana National Park, one of Europe’s most important natural reserves. Visiting the park from Sanlúcar is only possible with an organised tour.

Doñana is an area of marshes, shallow streams, and dunes whose wildlife includes migratory birds, deers, wild boars, badgers, mongooses, and endangered species such as the Spanish imperial eagle and the Iberian lynx.

Stop 3: Cadiz

Highlights:

El Pópula: Cádiz's oldest barrio, with Roman theatre, cathedral, and more.
Torre Tavira: Beautiful city views, check out the camera obscura.

Where to Eat:

Meson Cumbres Mayores ($$): Local tapas at a traditional bar.
Casa Manteca ($$): Stick to their great tapas.

Where to Park for the Night:

Muelle Reine Sofia ($): Next to the city centre.

Cadiz, Western Europe’s oldest city

Archaeological remains dating back 3,100 years make Cadiz the oldest continually inhabited city in Western Europe. Take to the port city on your Andalusia road trip and trade the mountains in for the sea.

Situated on a narrow slice of land surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, this typical Andalusian city is best explored on foot.

Wander its old quarter, visit its cathedral, shop at the central market, chill on its beach, and grab some tapas at any of its typical bars for a perfect day out.

Continue your Andalusia road trip heading south towards Conil de la Frontera and stay overnight on the coast instead of the city. After all, what’s better than being woken up by a gentle Atlantic sea breeze before the heat of the day?

Stop 4: Costa de la Luz

Highlights:

Conil de la Frontera: Coastal town with six stunning beaches.
Vejer de la Frontera: Hilltop town of beautiful Moorish architecture.
Zahara de los Atunes: Unforgettable sunsets from its unspoilt beach.

Where to Eat:

El Tascon de la Pasajera ($$): Terrific tuna in Conil.
Corredera 55 ($$): Many choices, including vegetarian, in Vejer.

Costa de la Luz, beaches and fishing villages

All of the Spanish coast west of Tarifa (Iberian peninsula’s Southern tip) is called the Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light). The numerous beaches along this stunning strip of coastline are some of the best in the whole country.

Ending your Andalusia road trip, you’re spoilt for choice. Take your pick and park your campervan at any of them and you won’t be disappointed.

On your drive back to Málaga, it is worth stopping at Conil de la Frontera and Vejer de la Frontera, two of the most beautiful villages on this part of the coast. Further south, this itinerary takes you to Zahara de los Atunes, whose unspoiled 12.9 km (~8.05 km) long beach is a true paradise of glorious sunsets.

If you windsurf, Tarifa offers some of the best windsurfing in the continent. What a way of ending this amazing Andalusia road trip!