Southern Spain ideas

[Greenvelvetdress]

Hellooo, found cheap flights to Malaga in June for me and my mum.

Got a week, plan to hire a car and want to do a few days by the sea and then a few days in land (maybe Seville).

We aren't big going out people, would like somewhere with some nice restaurants and not too rowdy/busy.

Any suggestions please?

Torrox is lovely, my parents have a place there. There’s a nice paseo with lots of restaurants, it’s not too busy and there’s a nice market on Mondays.

Nerja is about €10 and 10 minutes away if you did fancy a bigger night out and the Balcon de Europa is beautiful.

Stay in Malaga and then get the train over to Seville for that bit. Get the airport bus into Malaga as well, it's dead easy.

Honestly, have a look at what's on offer in Malaga itself, it's a really underated place in my view.

Malaga is one of our fav Spanish cities but you can get a bus over to Granada for one of the most amazing places In The world! The Alhambra.

https://www.entradasdelaalhambra.es/en?gclid=CjwKCAjw586hBhBrEiwAQYEnHeT2iH-N1gobWAlSQqylTY7mkMDd99ZuLNYUfupawF-a8t2NIjfOIhoCa8IQAvD_BwE

Ooh interesting. Can I hijack and ask for high quality hotels with pools and a lively enough vibe for teenagers near Malaga too? Walking distance to shops etc essential.

Another suggesting using the train and staying in Malaga.

You can travel to Torreblanca and Benadena for the beach.

Train to Seville.

You can catch the ferry to Melilla (Spanish town on north African coast)

You could also hire a car for a few days If you wanted and visit inland to the LOs Romanes area. Nothing to stop you booking various hotels around the area and travelling the whole time

I too was also going to suggest staying in Malaga city itself (not a 'city' like in Britain though). I found it a mix of locals and tourists- not just Brits but French, German, and I think some Russians. Lots to see and do, easy to walk around, nice restaurants and not the same 'Brits Abroad' that many of the resorts along the coast feel like. Picasso museum, amazing fruit/veg market, castle, cathedral to name just a few.

I last went pre-covid, but there was a direct bus from the airport to the 'city' with several stops along the way. It used to be 3euro each, direct and safe. There is a beach nearby and a promenade if you like walking along the seafront.

We got the train to Ronda one day to see the town and bridge. I absolutely loved it!

We had a friend living there, and he used to leave when it was the fiesta time- as just SO busy and chaotic- so check what is on when you plan to go.

Do you want a hotel, B&B or self catering? The last time we stayed, we went to this apartment. They have various sized rooms, some with a little balcony too. We are out alot, but having the kitchen meant we could bring food back and re-heat, or just have breakfast in our room if we wanted.

https://www.santacruz-apartments.com/index.php?lng=en

We loved puerto banus, and Mijas.

Thanks for all the suggestions! Malaga does look great but just not sure it's the vibe we want for that half of the holiday.

Will have a look into everywhere everyone has said, it's so tricky because I'd like to go everywhere!!

@Mumstheword2022
I'm thinking if one of those guided tours at the Alhambra this summer. I'm wondering if it's suitable for an 8 year old and 2 teens? And if a guide is really worth it as we'd have to keep pace with the whole group? Is it possible to book tickets for the entrance and just get an audio guide and if we did that should we do it in advance? We'd likely be going by bus from Malaga. Any advice would be wonderful! X

Seeing as you say you'll be hiring a car, recommend a trip to Tarifa, in particular the old town.
It has a very laid back vibe as attracts a lot of kite surfers due to the coastal winds.
You can get day trips to Tangiers if that appeals. (35 mins away.)
Gibraltar is worth a visit as well, if you go, remember passports! Also park in La Linea and walk over to Gibraltar to save the long queues.

Benahavis, lovely wee village and in close reach of Marbella, Puerto Banus, Fuengirola, Gibraltar, Rhonda, Seville etc.

Arcos de la Frontera. Very spanish, good restaurants, excellent Parador to stay in and very scenic. Google it.

Hey @Just2MoreSeasons

we got a pretty early bus and booked tickets in advance. To be honest, we didn’t go with a guide and did it in or own time - suited us better

my mum lived in Rhonda, nerja and frigliana - to bake but a few- and all worth a look!

Almunecar is on the coast, plenty of restaurants etc. but not a party resort.

If you have car hire Castilla Castellan is magical.
Get away from the Costa del sol it’s a shithole.

Have a look at Estepona. Lovely old town and beach

We’ve just returned from a Malaga - Seville - Cordoba - Malaga holiday. Wonderful. flew in to Malaga and then took the train everywhere. Prebooked on trainline app for best travel duration and prices.

Do spend at least a day in Cordoba and visit the cathedral mesquita. The gardens of the palace there are also gorgeous. wonderful restaurant “salon de thé”in Cordoba serving Moorish food.

Seville is a wonderful place and you should visit the cathedral and the Alcazar there - book your entrance for both ahead online to save time.
Nerja is a good choice for a chill by the sea.

make sure you get a flamenco performance in too. The Placa Espagna in Seville has busking flamenco artists but there are also evening performances in special bars.

Think we will stay in either Nerja or Frigiliana and then go up to Granada as well and into the mountains. Then save Seville for another time. Thanks everyone!