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Original poster

Anyone have travel advice for Seville, Cadiz, Ronda & Málaga?

56 replies

Espanolespie · 15/01/2023 20:38

I’m travelling between these places soon and planning to get train from Seville to Cadiz, bus from Cadiz to Ronda and then either train or bus from Ronda to Malaga.

Anyone does these routes and have any tips? Do I need to book ahead of time? Is train or bus better? Which website is best to book on?

Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
Espanolespie · 17/01/2023 22:21

SiobhanSharpe · 17/01/2023 09:37

I'm in a town called El Puerto de Santa Maria, across the bay from Cádiz. DS was with us until a few days ago and he got the train from here up to Seville without booking (same line -- although he did book his onward train from Seville to Madrid) . But I don't suppose he would mind if he didn't get a seat.
The weather here is fabulous at the moment, highs of around 18C, although it was a bit showery in Cádiz yesterday.
El Puerto is lovely, one of the three 'sherry triangle' towns with Jerez and Sanlucar. You can get a hydrofoil ferry to it from Cádiz, it takes about 35 minutes and is a great way to see the city - and El Puerto - from the water. And it has more tapas bars than you can shake a stick at. (You can see our apartment at the Puerto Sherry marina from the ferry coming into El Puerto! )
In Cádiz I can recommend El Columela tapas bar, on the street of the same name, very near the flower market, and Manteca, an old fashioned tabanca (bar) www.facebook.com/tabernamanteca -- unless bullfighting and religious iconography freak you out too much!

El Puerto de Santa Maria looks really nice and sounds doable to do as a trip. That tapas place also looks yum, I’ll try and go!

OP posts:
Original poster
Espanolespie · 17/01/2023 22:25

Has anyone been to any other stretches of the coast which are accessible by public transport near Cadiz? Or also anywhere to go in Ronda?

I was going to do a day trip to Cordoba when I’m in Seville as I’ve been to Seville before and have heard Cordoba before - can anyone recommend?

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EBearhug · 18/01/2023 02:06

I enjoyed Cordoba, although my main memory is of 42° heat, and a bride and groom walking round with a photographer in full sun, taking pics of them in front of various ancient monuments monuments.

Lucylunar · 18/01/2023 07:55

EBearhug · 18/01/2023 02:06

I enjoyed Cordoba, although my main memory is of 42° heat, and a bride and groom walking round with a photographer in full sun, taking pics of them in front of various ancient monuments monuments.

That’s annoying! Would be much cooler when I’m there and hopefully no bridal couples! Is the mosque/cathedral the main thing to do or would you try and fit in other things for a short day trip?

EBearhug · 18/01/2023 10:37

Yes, the Mosque-Cathedral is the main thing, but the gardens of the Alcazar are also lovely, and walking by the river and the Roman bridge. I also enjoyed the Museo de Bellas Artes and the Museo Julio Romero de Torres, but that might depend on how into art you are.

Original poster
Espanolespie · 18/01/2023 12:56

EBearhug · 18/01/2023 10:37

Yes, the Mosque-Cathedral is the main thing, but the gardens of the Alcazar are also lovely, and walking by the river and the Roman bridge. I also enjoyed the Museo de Bellas Artes and the Museo Julio Romero de Torres, but that might depend on how into art you are.

Thanks, I do like art so I will look those places up too

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Original poster
Espanolespie · 19/01/2023 19:25

Just bumping again to see if anyone has any recommendations of things to do in Cadiz, Ronda and Masala ! Smile

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EBearhug · 19/01/2023 21:02

Cadiz has nice beaches. I did a walking tour there. There's a lot old remains. There's a tower you can go up, a traditional old merchant's house with an observation tower so they could see which ships (and cargoes) were coming in. There's the cathedral, great food. Great place.

SiobhanSharpe · 19/01/2023 21:39

The fish market (covered) in central Cadiz is fascinating and well worth a visit, unless you're a vegetarian in which case it will probably be a bit too full-on. Surrounding the fish market are lots of other little shops selling cheeses, fruit and vegetables along with food stalls/booths doing drinks and tapas of all descriptions.
It is extremely popular at lunch times and closes around 15.30. It opens again some evenings.
A stroll along the sea front is beautiful, looking at the bay of Cadiz, the back of the cathedral (which used to be a mosque, I believe),and the scenery and architecture in general.

There are umpteen bars and restaurants to choose from in the city. The food is fantastic.

SiobhanSharpe · 19/01/2023 21:43

Cadiz sea front and bay with Cathedral dome and towers. January 2020.

Anyone have travel advice for Seville, Cadiz, Ronda & Málaga?
Original poster
Espanolespie · 19/01/2023 22:43

EBearhug · 19/01/2023 21:02

Cadiz has nice beaches. I did a walking tour there. There's a lot old remains. There's a tower you can go up, a traditional old merchant's house with an observation tower so they could see which ships (and cargoes) were coming in. There's the cathedral, great food. Great place.

Thanks! Are there particular beaches to walk around that you remember?

OP posts:
Original poster
Espanolespie · 19/01/2023 22:59

SiobhanSharpe · 19/01/2023 21:39

The fish market (covered) in central Cadiz is fascinating and well worth a visit, unless you're a vegetarian in which case it will probably be a bit too full-on. Surrounding the fish market are lots of other little shops selling cheeses, fruit and vegetables along with food stalls/booths doing drinks and tapas of all descriptions.
It is extremely popular at lunch times and closes around 15.30. It opens again some evenings.
A stroll along the sea front is beautiful, looking at the bay of Cadiz, the back of the cathedral (which used to be a mosque, I believe),and the scenery and architecture in general.

There are umpteen bars and restaurants to choose from in the city. The food is fantastic.

Thanks I’ll definitely find the fish market! The little shops and tapas sound great..

OP posts:
EBearhug · 19/01/2023 23:18

I thought I posted about Malaga, too. In the morning...

slowtomato · 19/01/2023 23:42

I did Seville > Jerez > Cadiz > Seville last year on the trains, and all three trains were over 30 minutes late with no news in the stations on when they would arrive. One was an hour late and a few passengers missed connections in Seville.

IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 19/01/2023 23:45

.

EBearhug · 20/01/2023 06:44

EBearhug · 19/01/2023 23:18

I thought I posted about Malaga, too. In the morning...

So, Malaga is great. You've got the beach and you're close to the mountains. There's the Roman amphitheatre right in the middle of town. Loads of art - Picasso's birthplace, the Pompidou centre, the modern art museum, the museo Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza - which is close to the folk museum. It's lovely just wandering round the gardens near the harbour and the main streets and squares.

ThePoshUns · 20/01/2023 06:53

Ronda is lovely but small. You have the bridge obviously and the old bull ring to visit. It's very pretty but very busy with tourists.

Justellingthetruth · 20/01/2023 07:03

@Espanolespie

go to Jerez.
see the dancing horses
go on sherry tour
see the alcazthar there

eurochick · 20/01/2023 07:20

I found Cadiz very uninspiring. I wouldn't bother with it again. I loved Seville and Jerez.

Original poster
Espanolespie · 20/01/2023 19:11

slowtomato · 19/01/2023 23:42

I did Seville > Jerez > Cadiz > Seville last year on the trains, and all three trains were over 30 minutes late with no news in the stations on when they would arrive. One was an hour late and a few passengers missed connections in Seville.

Oh no! I’m not in a particular rush so if they’re late I suppose it doesn’t matter too much Smile generally I’ve heard good things about the trains so maybe it was a one off. I was thinking about going to Jerez too if there’s time

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Original poster
Espanolespie · 20/01/2023 19:22

EBearhug · 20/01/2023 06:44

So, Malaga is great. You've got the beach and you're close to the mountains. There's the Roman amphitheatre right in the middle of town. Loads of art - Picasso's birthplace, the Pompidou centre, the modern art museum, the museo Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza - which is close to the folk museum. It's lovely just wandering round the gardens near the harbour and the main streets and squares.

Show quote history

Thanks this is good to hear. I’ll definitely be going to the Picasso gallery and the other main museums/gallery. Wandering round gardens etc sounds perfect. Are there any good day trips easily accessible by public transport?

I’ll be 2 nights in Cadiz and 2 in Ronda, I was going to try and find a few hiking routes from them if the weather is clear, though not sure how accessible to public transport that would be

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Escapefromcolditz · 21/01/2023 11:18

In Malaga you can get a normal bus up to the cuidad jardin residential district and then walk up either to the botanic gardens (great cafe, good succulent collection and generally a good walk), or head up into the montes de Malaga parque natural. Lots of walking routes, great views and just feels a million miles away from anything that’s happening in the city centre. You’ll need to take water and probably food - there used to be a couple of reasonably dire food options but i think at least one didn’t make it through covid.

Also, you can walk east along the prom to el palo and then keep going along the coast to rincon de la victoria. There is a path, and things look a bit grim between el palo and the concrete factory but it gets a lot nicer afterwards! Interesting fauna, some civil war artefacts and other old stuff that’s worth a look in passing. You can keep going and just get a bus back into the centre of Malaga from any of the villages along that stretch of coast.

Original poster
Espanolespie · 25/01/2023 08:51

Escapefromcolditz · 21/01/2023 11:18

In Malaga you can get a normal bus up to the cuidad jardin residential district and then walk up either to the botanic gardens (great cafe, good succulent collection and generally a good walk), or head up into the montes de Malaga parque natural. Lots of walking routes, great views and just feels a million miles away from anything that’s happening in the city centre. You’ll need to take water and probably food - there used to be a couple of reasonably dire food options but i think at least one didn’t make it through covid.

Also, you can walk east along the prom to el palo and then keep going along the coast to rincon de la victoria. There is a path, and things look a bit grim between el palo and the concrete factory but it gets a lot nicer afterwards! Interesting fauna, some civil war artefacts and other old stuff that’s worth a look in passing. You can keep going and just get a bus back into the centre of Malaga from any of the villages along that stretch of coast.

This is really good to know thank you! I think I’ll try and do this

OP posts:
Original poster
Espanolespie · 25/01/2023 08:52

I am in Cadiz at the moment and having a lovely time for anyone still reading Grin I’ve done a fair bit of googling but can’t seem to find any hiking routes accessible by public transport so I’m just taking long walks around up the beach etc which is still lovely in the sun

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Laska2Meryls · 25/01/2023 08:59

Have you any top tips/ dont miss for places to see/ walk/ cycle and any good cafe restaurant tips in Cadiz and surrounding area @Espanolespie ,? We are planning on heading there in our campervan in s couple of weeks