Dreaming of travelling the South of Spain and discovering its treasures? Enjoy the charm of the place, its gastronomy and its most beautiful landscapes aboard a camper van or compact motorhome. Book your next holiday and enjoy an extraordinary 10-days Andalusia road trip. Follow the guide and take advantage of our suggestions, good plans, favourites places.
Day 1: Malaga, starting point of your 10-days Andalusia road trip
Once you have picked up you campervan or compact motorhome, Malaga is an excellent place to start your road trip.
Malaga : The queen of the Costa del Sol
Where to park in Malaga?
To make parking easier, opt for the car park of the port “Muelle Uno” to get to the city centre – under the Pompidou centre- The promenade along the marina and its high summer activity shows how dynamic this city is. Cross the “Parque de Málaga” to reach the heart of the town from Calle Larios, admire Constitución square and cross the very typical bar El Pimpi, admire the famous Roman Theatre. Then, head for the “Terraza de la Alcazaba”, the most beautiful roof top in the city, where you will have an unobstructed view of the fortress of Alcazaba, with a cocktail in your hands. The Alcazaba can be visited in more or less 2 hours for 2€, a mini Alhambra. You will have a splendid high view of the whole city. Malaga also has 2 interesting cultural places: The Picasso Museum (painter’s home city) and the Pompidou Centre.
Where to spend the night in Malaga with camper van?
For the first night’s stay, we suggest the beach of la Herradura next to the restaurant La Gaviota, which is situated east of Malaga, just after Nerja. It is around 1h15 ride from Malaga. This is a spot you have to opt for out of season. In July and August, you have to choose more isolated spots or in land, the white village of Frigiliana is a perfect example (a typical Andalusian village North of Nerja).
Favourites
In Malaga, drinking a cocktail on the roof top of the San Juan hotel in the middle of the historical centre, or enjoy a selection of locally brewed artisanal beers with a world cheese plate in “La Fabrica“. Taking a walk in the exotic garden “el paseo del parque”. Savour some grilled sardines (espetos) in the “chiringuitos” (beach bars) of la Malagueta.
Day 2: Natural park of Cabo de Gata
Breakfast on the beach before leaving for the natural park of Cabo de Gata in the east point of Andalusia. Cabo de Gata is probably the only coast area of the Mediterranean remaining completely virgin. The park is, by the way, protected and declared reserve of the biosphere by the UNESCO since 1997.
Cabo de Gata: Nature, Beach and Desert
This area of Spain is really fabulous, the setting is arid, and you simply feel like you are on the other side of the world. There is even a famous desert, the one of Tabernas where many Spaghetti Westerns have been filmed… A good place to spend the night? The playa of la Fabriquilla. It is also a good starting point for nice trips in Kayak if this interests you: http://www.happykayak.com/
Our favourite: A “Happy Kayak” excursion for an unforgettable trip in kayak + snorkelling to discover many fish species that populate this natural park.
The most beautiful beaches of Andalusia
This natural park is composed of many splendid beaches. Here you have some examples: Playa de Mónsul, Playa de los Genoveses, Playa de la Media Luna. Attention, to reach these 3 wonderful beaches, there is a fee of 5€ for entry to the car park and it is not possible to stay overnight. Therefore, we suggest you two nice spots to stay the night without any problem and in front of the sea in your California Campervan: Playa del Arco and Playa el Playazo de Rodalquilar which is really perfect. Moreover, you can practice activities like snorkelling, paddle surf and bathing.
Our favourite: the small village of la Isleta del Moro.
Days 3: Granada
We recommend parking in a covered car park in the outskirts of the city centre because the streets of Granada are very narrow, maybe the narrowest of Andalusia. This way, you can walk around in the streets, discover many squares, each one more charming than the one before, and enjoy this particular atmosphere that reigns in the city.
The majestic Alhambra
Things to do in Granada
We recommend, of course, visiting the majestic Alhambra on the heights of the city. It is the most visited site of Spain before the Sagrada Familia of Barcelona, that’s why you must anticipate the ticket purchase online on the website “www.ticketmaster.es”. Plan for a visit of around 3 hours. Because of its mix of cultures, the architecture is simply extraordinary. Depending on the season of your visit, you will see the snowed summits of Sierra Nevada bordering the city. A viewpoint you cannot miss is the “balcon de San Nicolas”. The gypsy district of Albaicin is also very enjoyable. In many bars of the city, if you order a beer, you will receive a tapa for free, an old tradition unique and proper to the city of Granada. You can stay the night in a camping close to the city centre: camping Motel Sierra Nevada.
Where to spend the night in Granada with camper van or motorhome?
We recommend spending 2 days in Granada to have enough time to enjoy quietly the Alhambra and have one day to visit the city.
Favourites: the Nazaries palaces and the Gardens of the Alhambra. The district of Albaicin, paseo de los Tristes and the plaza Nueva. Listening to Flamenco in Sacromonte. Where to eat: warm and authentic setting: Bodegas Castañeda.
Days 4/5: Sevilla, unmissable visit of your 15-days Andalusia road trip
Seville is the capital of Andalusia, there are many guides that can help you in its little streets. You can not miss: Plaza de España, the Cathedral & the wonderful gardens of the Alcazar.
Sevilla: Andalusian Capital
The cathedral is really gorgeous and still conserves the Giralda of the old mosque, an amazing mix of cultures. You can also rent some bikes to make your visit easier in this quite extended city; it might be tiring to do everything on foot. Furthermore, it will be the perfect occasion to take a small ride along the Guadalquivir, pass in front of the Torre de Oro and find some very pleasant bars at the riverbank to refresh. In fact, summers are very hot in Seville. To stay the night close to Seville (30 min from the centre), we suggest the camping Dehesa Nueva. This camping is situated in the middle of the nature between El Rocío and Sevilla, an ideal location. Seville is a rich city and you have to take your time to discover it. Having a drink in the terrace of the EME Hotel will offer you an unobstructed view of the cathedral during sunset.
Favourites: the Metropol Parasol, parque de Maria Luisa, theme park “la Isla Mágica“, the riverbanks of the Guadalquivir.
Day 6: Cadiz
Departure for the visit of Cadiz. Cadiz is one of the oldest cities in Spain, it was built on a rock, like a peninsula. After the transatlantic cross of Christopher Columbus in 1492, the Spanish ships that brought the treasures of América, choose Cadiz as their home port and the city became one of the richest of Europe.
The beautiful Cadiz
Its cobbled streets are very narrow and there is less space to park. The best option is to leave your van in a covered car park and visit the city peacefully on foot. The cathedral is surprising and it’s worth going out of your way to see it. The walk on the ramparts of the city is also very pleasant. To discover the city, you have to let yourself discover its small streets to feel how good it is lo live here. Departure for the Puerto de Santa María and the camping Playa las Dunas to spend the night in peace.
Favourite: restaurant La Casa del Farero in Sancti Petri (delicious tapas in a wonderful setting), beach of la Caleta in Cadiz.
Day 7 / 8: Costa de la Luz ( Sancti Petri, El Palmar, Caños de Meca, Bolonia)
In the morning, departure for a kayak trip with our partner “Sancti-Petri Kayak”. Several excursion options are possible as the discovery of the Castle of Sancti Petri (an unusual place in the middle of the sea, full of history) or visit the marsh, a real natural labyrinth only reachable by kayak where you can observe many bird species.
Sancti Petri : a forgotten city
Direction Vejer de la Frontera, a wonderful white village that will immerse you in the heart of Andalusia with very typical landscapes. This city, perched on a rock, offers exceptional viewpoints, many streets to stroll as well as some good addresses (La Casa del Califa).
El Palmar: Surf trip in Andalusia
Where to spend the night in camper van in El Palmar?
Get back to the Atlantic coast in direction of the surf spot of El Palmar, where you could can spend the night rocked by the sound of the waves. In summer, there is an animated and party atmosphere with many bars and restaurants in front of the beach; you can smell a perfume of California: ocean, surf, skateboard & party.
Things to do in El Palmar
Energetic wake up in front of the ocean. We propose you a surfing initiation (2h) with our partner “9 pies” who installed its school in El Palmar. Starting your day on a mythical spot with board sports professionals. Guaranteed sensations!
Enjoy this wonderful beach, stage of leisure and relax… We suggest you the restaurants La Torre and Casa Francisco
Caños de Meca: The Trafalgar’s lighthouse
At the end of the day, you can go to Caños de Meca and discover the bar “La Jaima”, constructed like a real traditional Jaima (tent used by the nomadic population in the desert). The roof is formed by an enormous fabric and the ground is covered in carpets with coffee tables and ottomans. An idyllic place to enjoy the sunset, almost magical… You should also stop at Trafalgar’s lighthouse during your 10-days Andalusia road trip. It offers you a unique panorama. It is also the historical site of the famous Trafalgar’s battle (1805).
Bolonia: One of the most beautiful beaches in Spain
Go back on the road in direction Barbate. In the middle of the nature park, take the direction of the Hotel El Palomar de la Brena to refresh yourself. You will discover, in the middle of the pines, one of the biggest dovecote in the world and its secrets… Get back behind the wheel of your campervan in direction to Bolonia, on your way you can stop in Zahara de los Atunes, a fisherman’s locality with excellent restaurants (El Refugio) to savour the best tuna of Europe and enjoy its sublime beach.
Once you arrived in Bolonia, enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches of Spain. Don’t hesitate to climb to the top of the white sand dune from where the view is splendid and go back down to refresh yourself in one of the chirringuitos (beach restaurant). You can park easily in front of the beach.
Our favourites
Excursion in kayak departing from the port of Sancti Petri and discovery of the marsh or trip in the sea around the military fort: http://www.sanctipetrikayak.net/. Italian restaurant Dolce Vita (El Palmar), Restaurant Casa Francisco el de Siempre and its delicious seafood (El Palmar), the Trafalgar’s lighthouse with its bars next to the beach, Restaurant La Cabaña in Bolonia and its car park on the seaside to park your campervan.
Day 09/10: Tarifa, Europe’s wind capital
Tarifa is the meeting place between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, facing the Moroccan coast and the Strait of Gibraltar. It is a city full of charm, unmissable during your 10-days Andalusia road trip. Thanks to its particular geographic situation in the Strait, the very windy city has experienced a strong economic growth around the practice of nautical sports (windsurfing and kitesurfing). Finally, Tarifa is situated at only 32,5 km from Tanger and 14 km from the Moroccan coasts, that’s why you can catch sight of the African continent without any problem!
Tarifa: The Kitesurfing paradise
To pass the night after visiting Tarifa, we suggest you get back on the road in direction Bolonia, take the Punta Paloma exit (10min from Tarifa in Van) and turn at the camping on your left to get to the chiringuito (beach bar) Volare. It is a very quiet spot with a view of the beach of Valdevaqueros. Another spot, but better visiting out of season, is the beach of Bolonia. If you wish to take some kite lessons, you can call on our partner Free Ride. Olivier & Vanessa, kitesurfing fans, will be pleased to intriduce you to this water sport.
Our favourites in Tarifa
the restaurants in Tarifa=> Casa Lola, Vaca Loca (for the meet), El Lobo (typical French dishes Raclette, Tartiflette, run by a Belgian), Azul Bar Café for a good brunch. Walk on the seawall to the Isla de Las Palomas between sea and ocean. The night life is quite animated, enjoy the several small bars in the historic centre.
Check Out: end of your 10-days Andalusia road trip
Once you arrive to Alhaurín de la Torre, you can clean your campervan, refuel and empty waste water in the petrol station situated in front of our parking: http://hidrocarburosalhaurin.com/
Find the right road trip in a van!
Planning a longer stay in Spain? Discover our 15-day itinerary to discover even more Andalusian wonders.
On the contrary, you plan to stay a few days in Andalusia? Discover our Andalusian Mediterranean coast road trip (7 days) or our road trip on the Costa de la Luz (7 days on the Atlantic coast).
Have you already visited every corner of Andalusia? Opt for a getaway to the south of Portugal!
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