Andalusia Road trip | campervan hire

Stop 1: Ronda

Highlights:

Puente Nuevo: Bridge over the gorge that splits Ronda.
Grazalema: Great hiking around this traditional white village.
Setenil de las Bodegas: White village with houses built into limestone cliffs.
Arcos de la Frontera: White village perched on a rocky limestone ridge.

Where to Eat:

De Locos Tapas ($$): A tapas paradise in Ronda.
Meson El Simancon ($$): Traditional local food in Grazalema.

Where to Park for the Night:

Street parking in Ronda ($$): Several private parking lots throughout town.

Ronda and the incredible White Villages

The first stop on this enchanting Andalucía road trip is one of Spain’s most spectacular villages: Ronda.

This small town with gorgeous architecture sits on a huge sandstone ridge split in two by the El Tajo Gorge, where the Guadalevín River runs about 120 m (≈394 ft) below. The views of the gorge and the surrounding countryside are breathtaking.

As your campervan enters the province of Cádiz, you begin one of the most incredible road trips in Spain: the White Villages Route. It includes 19 villages of whitewashed houses, some set in stunning natural surroundings, that might tempt you to stay for a few days (or even buy a house!).

Some of the villages lie within the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, which has several walking 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: 11th-century Moorish fortress.
Doñana Natural Park: Incredible scenery and wildlife (flamingos!).

Where to Eat:

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

Where to Park for the Night:

Plaza Arenal ($$$): Car park in the city centre.
Morada Sur Motorhome Parking ($$): Urban campervan park in the city centre.

Jerez de la Frontera and Doñana National Park

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

Visit some local wineries, catch a traditional Andalusian horse show, and round off the day with some flamenco to make the most of Jerez.

On this Andalusia road trip, it's about a 30-minute drive from Jerez to Sanlúcar de Barrameda, the nearest access point 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, deer, wild boar, badgers, mongooses and endangered species such as the Spanish imperial eagle and the Iberian lynx.

Stop 3: Cádiz

Highlights:

El Pópula: Cádiz's oldest barrio, with Roman theatre, cathedral, and more.
Torre Tavira: Great city views — don't miss the camera obscura.

Where to Eat:

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

Where to Park for the Night:

Muelle Reine Sofia ($): Right by the city centre.
Pachamama Motorhome Parking ($$): Overnight parking with facilities, between Conil and Vejer.

Cádiz, Western Europe’s oldest city

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

Set on a narrow strip 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, relax on its beach and grab some tapas at any of its traditional bars for a perfect day out.

Continue your Andalusia road trip by heading south towards Conil de la Frontera and spend the night on the coast rather than in the city. After all, what’s better than being woken 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 with 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 (€€): Lots of choices, including vegetarian options, in Vejer.
El Refugio (€€): Great local food with sea views in Zahara.

Where to park for the night:

Costa de la Luz, beaches and fishing villages

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

At the end of your Andalusian 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’s 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 unspoilt 8 km (~5 miles) long beach is a true paradise of glorious sunsets.

If you windsurf, Tarifa offers some of the best windsurfing in Europe. What a way to end this amazing Andalusian road trip!