South Spain Road Trip: Discovering Andalusia

Difficulty

990 km

Distance

12+

Recom. Days

Culture, Nature

Trip type

Man standing on a mountain
Carlos Peñalba

Freelance travel writer and photographer. A Spaniard who has lived in London and New York, he spent 18 months backpacking throughout Asia. His travel memoir The Year I Became a Nomad narrates his Asian adventures.

South Spain Road Trip Itinerary: Sevilla Round-Trip

South Spain Road Trip map itinerary

Andalusia, Spain’s largest region, offers an unparalleled range of options on a South Spain road trip. Its unique history makes it one of the most interesting areas to explore by van.

Not only will you discover stunning Moorish architecture, a fascinating hybrid culture, and rich gastronomy, but also diverse majestic landscapes. From mountains fit for skiing to some of the most gorgeous beaches in Europe, a road trip through Andalusia is a dream for campervan lovers.

This South Spain road trip starts in Seville, its capital, and covers a big chunk of this unique region.

You’ll feel overwhelmed by Alhambra’s beauty in Granada, at bliss exploring Almeria’s unspoiled coast, delighted by the picturesque villages of La Alpujarra, energized by the exciting city of Málaga, and mesmerized by Cádiz´s White Villages.

Paisagem no Sul de Espanha
Pick-up in
Seville Pick-up center
1

Granada and the impressive Alhambra

From Seville, drive your campervan on the A-92 motorway towards Granada. Take a break from the long drive that kicks off your South Spain road trip and stop at Antequera, one of Andalusia’s most important towns.

Admire its historical streets and buildings, and visit the area’s ancient dolmens, a UNESCO Heritage Site.

The Alhambra, the firts waypoint of this South Spain Road Trip

Resume your Seville road trip and get to Granada, one of Spain’s most beautiful cities. Its location at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and its Islamic heritage makes it one of the most visited places in the country.

The highlight is La Alhambra, the fortress and palace completed in the 14th century by Muslim rulers and one of the symbols of the kingdom of Al Andalus. Do not miss El Generalife, the garden area attached to La Alhambra, and the old narrow streets of Albaicín, Granada’s most interesting neighbourhood.

Visiting

Granada

2 - 3

Recom. Days

Main route

160 miles

from Seville pick-up center

2h40min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

La Alhambra

Magnificent Muslim fortress and palace.

El Generalife

Wonderful garden attached to La Alhambra.

Albaicín

Granada’s most popular neighbourhood.

The Cathedral and Royal Chapel

Stunning architecture.

Signal

Eat at

El Mercader

$$

Excellent food at family-run restaurant.

Chikito

$$

Traditional local food with Arabic influence.

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Parking

Granada

$$

Several private parking lots in city center.

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Stay at

Camping Reina Isabel

$$

10 km (~6 miles) south of Granada. Buses to the city.

2

Costa de Almería, a delightful unspoiled coast

Almería’s location on the Southeastern end of the Iberian Peninsula makes it one of the driest regions in Europe—it’s also one of its most unique! Several famous movies have been filmed on its arid landscape, like Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns, Lawrence of Arabia, Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and even some Game of Thrones episodes.

On a South Spain Road Trip, visit Costa de Almería

Except you haven’t come to Almería to shoot a film but to explore its wonderful coast. Sunny days are guaranteed as this area is the only region in mainland Europe with a true hot desert climate.

Head to Spain’s southeastern corner, to Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, and discover a volcanic landscape full of coves, cliffs, and sandy beaches. Do not miss Níjar, a little Moorish village of whitewashed houses and an interesting addition to your South Spain road trip.

Visiting

Costa de Almería

2

Recom. Days

Main route

105 miles

from Granada

1h50min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park

Volcanic landscape and sandy beaches.

Níjar

Moorish village of whitewashed houses.

Signal

Eat at

Oro y Luz

$$

Tradition and innovative fusion cuisine near Níjar.

Goleta

$$

Good food with great sea views at Cabo de Gata.

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Stay at

Cabo de Gata Motorhome Parking

$

Great location to explore the area.

3

La Alpujarra, terraces on the Sierra Nevada foothills

Continue your South Spain road trip driving west along the Mediterranean coast. Facing South on the foothills of Sierra Nevada, La Alpujarra is an enchanting little region of small villages boasting incredible scenery, including almond trees and vineyards grown on terraces.

The contrast of the high mountains and the views of the Mediterranean sea makes driving through La Alpujarra an unforgettable experience.

In all, La Alpujarra contains about 50 small villages. Lanjarón, the region’s gate town, and Órgiva, its capital, are both worth a stop.

White houses in La Alpujarra, a South Spain Road Trip must-visit destination

The whitewashed villages of Cañar, Soportújar, and Carataunas are called El Balcón de La Alpujarra (Alpujarra’s Balcony) for their breathtaking views. Pampaneira, Bubión, and Capileira are also worth visiting.

If you feel adventurous, drive your campervan to Trevélez, one of the highest villages in Western Europe, and savor its famous jamón serrano with a glass of wine.

Visiting

La Alpujarra

2

Recom. Days

Main route

93 miles

from Almería

2h

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Lanjarón & Órgiva

La Alpujarra´s main towns.

Balcón de La Alpujarra

Stunning scenery and views.

Trevélez

Highest village in the region. Famous for its cured ham.

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Eat at

Alcadima

$$

Restaurant at garden of Alcadima Hotel.

La Tapa

$$

Traditional local food and tapas in Capileira.

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Stay at

Camping Órgiva

$$

Great location to explore La Alpujarra.

4

Málaga, one of Spain’s most exciting cities

Leave behind the gorgeous landscapes of Almería and La Alpujarra and continue your South Spain road trip with a couple of days of urban excitement. Málaga, Spain’s sixth largest city, has transformed itself into a vibrant city by combining its long history with thriving modernity.

Alcazaba & Roman Theatre in Málaga is a must-visit on this South Spain Road Trip

Start exploring Málaga’s rich past at La Alcazaba, a Moorish fortress dating from the 11th century built next to the ancient Roman amphitheatre. Continue with the city’s Renaissance cathedral and Santiago’s church, a great showcase of Málaga’s mixed architecture.

  • Málaga also features some fantastic museums worth checking out:
  • Museo Picasso
  • Museo Carmen Thyssen
  • Museo de Málaga
  • Centre Pompidou Málaga

And don’t forget the tapas! With a bustling gastronomic scene, the city offers a fantastic range of bars and top restaurants.

Visiting

Málaga

2

Recom. Days

Main route

80 miles

from La Alpujarra

2h

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Alcazaba & Roman Theatre

Impressive Moorish fortress from 11th century.

The Cathedral

200 years took to build it on the site of former Mosque.

Museums

Several great options for art lovers.

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Eat at

Tapeo de Cervantes

$$

Terrific traditional tapas.

Mesón Mariano

$$

Traditional local food.

RV icon

Parking

Málaga

$$

Several private parking lots in city center.

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Stay at

Málaga Beach Motorhome Parking

$$

10 km (~6 miles) east of Málaga.

5

The White Villages Route, an unforgettable drive

As your campervan enters the last leg of this thrilling South Spain road trip, you start one of the most incredible itineraries you can do in Spain: the White Villages Route.

It contains a total of 19 villages of whitewashed houses, some in stunning natural settings. Like Setenil de las Bodegas, built straight into the bedrock of a narrow river gorge. Or Zahara de la Sierra, it’s ancient castle built atop a craggy rock overlooking the surrounding lake and plains.

Take your pick and you won’t be disappointed.

The White Villages are the last waypoint on this South Spain Road Trip

Some of the villages are inside Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, which contains several hiking routes of extraordinary natural beauty.

Not only will you find rolling green hills, limestone peaks, and gigantic griffon vultures on the final leg of this South Spain road trip, but Grazalema itself is one of the white villages worth checking out.

Visiting

The White Villages Route

2

Recom. Days

Main route

90 miles

from Málaga

2h

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Grazalema

Wonderful hiking options around this typical white village.

Setenil de las Bodegas

Famous for its dwellings built into rocks.

Arcos de la Frontera

Dramatically on top of a rocky limestone ridge.

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Eat at

Meson El Simancon

$$

Traditional local food in Grazalema.

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Stay at

Camping Olvera

$$

North of Setenil, one of the 19 white villages.

Drop-off in
Seville Pick-up center

75 miles

from The White Villages

1h40min

drive