A complete 7-day itinerary for exploring the alegría of Southern Spain!
What's in this guide:
- best things to do and see!
- must eat traditional foods and where are THE BEST restaurants?
- things to know before going (do's and don't's)
- my curated accommodation recs
- BONUS cities and lesser-known cities to visit
and more!
Who is this guide for?:
- solo travelers
- solo female travelers
- travelers who enjoy culture and food, but enjoy a relaxed pace
Andalucía is the Southernmost region of Spain. It is known as the most "traditional" or "stereotypical" part of Spain because of its distinct culture of tapas, flamenco, and relaxed atmosphere.
From the sun-drenched cobblestone streets lined with orange trees to the easygoing, friendly people, it's easy to see why this is the favorite part of Spain for many people.
A week in Andalucía, for me personally, was not enough. I spent 3 days in Seville (the capital), 3 days in Granada, and 1 day in Córdoba.
This highly-rated hotel is all you could want for accommodation. It has beautiful, comfortable rooms, a fitness center, free wifi, a swimming pool, and pets are allowed! Located in the center of the city.
Featuring an outdoor swimming pool, a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service and free WiFi -- this may be one of the most beautiful hotels to stay in with its gorgeous mudéjar architectural style
This is the largest gothic cathedral in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Make sure to walk around the whole thing! You may enter but it costs 14 euros.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is the oldest royal palace in Europe still used today. It is one of the most iconic symbols of Moorish rule in Spain and a must-see in Seville.
BE WARNED: tickets must be purchased in advance, or you can try to queue 1 hour before it opens.
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Night:
Check out a flamenco show! There are many options in the city; but if you're on a budget (like I was), there are free flamenco shows here twice every night:
Free flamenco shows nightly at 8:30 and 10:30.
Try to get there at least 30 minutes early for a good seat.
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Day 3-
Morning:
Explore the more local neighborhood of Triana! Once home to the gypsies who started flamenco, it is now a beloved neighborhood for flamenco shows, less touristy tapa spots, and a huge traditional market for produce and prepared foods.
This impressive architectural structure directly translates to "Mushrooms of Sevilla."
Fun fact: it is the largest wooden structure in the world.
Entry is 16 euros.
Perfect for a traditional Spanish breakfast. Your choice of bread topped with tomato sauce and olive oil (pan con tomate y aceite de oliva). Fresh orange juice and coffee options as well.
If I had to choose, Granada was my favorite city this trip.
Situated at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and home to the last of the Moorish people before the Spanish reconquest, Granada is seeped in natural and historic beauty.
The miradors (viewpoints) and old cobblestone streets of the Albaicín old center transport you to a small village in old Spain.
I definitely could have stayed longer than 3 days, but it’s enough time to see the highlights of the city.
Located right in the heart of Granada, this apartment with beautiful views is perfect for a couple. All amenities such as a microwave, private bathroom, soundproof walls, conditioning are included.
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MOSAIKO HOMES CATEDRAL GRANADA | Apartamentos Turísticos en Granada
A beautiful place to spend some time in Granada with free WiFi, and a kitchen with a microwave and fridge. It is only 400 metres from the Cathedral and has a lift. The apartment also has family rooms.
This budget-friendly hostel features free family dinner nights, an inviting common area and kitchen, and comfy beds with curtains. A short walk to all attractions!
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Day 1-
Morning:
The most beautiful part of Granada is undoubtedly the Albaicin neighborhood. Enjoy a peaceful morning wandering the cobblestone streets!
The most iconic attraction in Granada, and all of Spain. This is a citadel known as the last home of the Moorish ruler before the Christian reconquest.
Tickets MUST be reserved in advance.
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Night:
Relax from a long day of walking and enjoy one of the food options below.
Shh. This is even better than San Nicolas in my opinion! It's a bit more of a hike, but totally do-able.
It's wayy less crowded and amazing for sunset and night views.
A super cheap tetería (tea house) serving great toasts, fruit juices/smoothies, coffee and tea, and traditional North African sweets!
Indoor and outdoor seating.
A bit expensive but a good place to try Moroccan cuisine.
I would recommend just grabbing a late night mint tea with friends, if you need a place that's open until 1am.
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Córdoba
Córdoba was delightfully charming and a pleasant retreat from the previous, more touristy cities.
The highlight of Córdoba is the grand Mosque-Cathedral, located in the old center of the city.
However, it was the quiet, flower-filled streets that really captured me. Even in winter, pops of color hung outside the white-washed houses.
It is a smaller city, so 1 day is enough, but Córdoba is absolutely worth a visit!
Where to Stay:
I didn't stay the night in Córdoba, but rather arrived at 8am from Granada and stayed until 8pm to catch my train back to Madrid.
A full day was enough time for me; however, I could have stayed longer to continue enjoying the relaxed energy of the city.
If you would like to stay the night in Córdoba, here are some options:
This highly-rated hotel is a modern boutique style place in an historic building. Guests praise the welcoming staff and owners and impressive facilities. You probably won't want to leave!
As both a church and a mosque, this is one of the most emblematic sites of Islamic Spain and full of rich history that symbolizes the complicated relationship between Christians and Muslims.
Book tickets in advance.
Built in the 1300s, this place served as both a castle and a fortress for the Christian rulers during the medieval times.
An interesting place if you enjoy history.
No need to purchase tickets in advance.
If you are visiting in May, these patios are adorned with a show of flowers for the annual "El Festival de Los Patios" (patio festival).
However, this neighborhood of white-washed whouses is lovely to stroll around any time of year.
Relax and enjoy sunset over the bridge. Often there are musicians playing live music to enjoy and it a lovely place to wind down for the day before dinner
A traditional Cordobán restaurant with local specialties such as salmorejo (a cold vegetable soup originating from the city), flamenquín (fried breaded pork in the shape of a sausage), and rabo del toro (bull meat).
An old restaurant with menu highlights such as fried aubergine and potaje (a Spanish stew).
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Things to Know Before Going:
Do's:
- Bring a jacket, if you're visiting in winter. It's lovely during the day, but when the sun goes down, it gets chilly!
- Bring cash (euros)
Compared to Madrid, less places in Andalucía accepted credit card
- Bring good walking shoes.
Though there are public buses, I didn’t use them since the cities are so walkable.
- Use BlaBlarCar
This is essentially a formalized hitchhiking app that I used to get to Granada from Sevilla and Granada to Cordoba for under 14 euros one-way.
- Book your tickets for the Alhambra IN ADVANCE I REPEAT and make sure to get the one that includes the palaces and the Generalife garden. Also, BRING YOUR PASSPORT with your ticket the day of. I didn’t and I had to exit the line to get a special pass at the ticket counter…
- Try to learn the history behind Arab influence on Spain as it will deepen your appreciation for how you experience the cities. Check out these articles to start:
- Don't go in the summer (unless you like the burning sun)
- Don't assume everyone knows English
Most Spainards in my experience know at least basic English. But especially for the older generations, some don't. To be on the safe side, brush up on some Spanish 101
- Don't eat pay for tapas
In Andalucía, unlike other parts of Spain, free tapas with drinks are still very much a thing. If you're paying the meal price of a tapa dish, I guarantee you're at a restaurant for tourists. For most tapas I ate, I paid under 5 euros.
- Don't eat the oranges on the trees
They are hanging on the tree still for a reason. Yes, technically, you can pick them. But I did and it was sour and inedible.
Food Bucket List*:
*For vegetarians (I'm not a big meat or seafood eater... but if you are there are definitely more options than this list!)
- salmorejo
a cold, creamy blended vegetable soup that’s thicker than gazpacho
- risotto
a super creamy rice dish
- tostada con tomate y aceite (toast with tomato sauce and olive oil)
a classic breakfast food. super cheap and great for a quick bite
- espinaca con garbanzos (spinach with chickpeas)
i love the spices they use in this comfort food dish!
- torrijas(like custard french toast)
best dessert Spain has imo 💁🏻♀️
- tortilla española (Spanish omelette)
my all-time favorite Spanish food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner haha (i’m pretty sure it’s a universal food found throughout Spain but I actually like the runny ones they serve in Madrid)
- croquetas de espinaca (spinach croquettes)
Croquettes are an essential tapa. Most are non-vegetarian, but you can find spinach ones!
- churros con chocolate
obviously. but gotta make sure you go to a place that serves them hot and fresh!
fun fact: they call thick churros “porras” in Madrid but not in Andalucía!
If you have more than 7 days:
2 weeks would be ideal for exploring all of what Andalucía has to offer. Here are some city suggestions to add to your itinerary:
For beaches:
- Cádiz
- Málaga (you can cross the Strait of Gibraltar to go to Morocco from here!)
- Almería
- Mojacar (cute village on the sea in the Province of Almería)
- Nerja
- Frigilana (day trip from Nerja)!
- Estepona (has a gorgeous old town)
- Altea (less touristy and has beautiful white-washed houses)
For beautiful architecture:
- Ronda (famous for its stunning bridge and jumping off point to visit the white villages, "los pueblos blancos!")
Los Pueblos Blancos:
- Sentenil de Las Bodegas (a city built under a cave)
- Zahara de La Sierra (a stunning mountain village)
- Vejer de la Frontera (near Cádiz)
For culture:
- Jerez (best known for birthing sherry wine and flamenco)
- Jaén (the world capital and largest producer of olive oil)
- Cazorla (in the Province of Jaén, famous for a historic Moorish castle)
- Montefrío (home to the ruins of Moorish fortress ruins
For hiking/nature:
- Capileira (located within the Sierra Nevada National Park)
- Grazalema (surrounded by amazing hiking in the mountains, such as Grazalema Natural Park)
Conclusion:
That wraps up the ultimate comprehensive guide for a perfect week in Andalucía!
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Feel free to book a consultation call with me if you have any specific questions before your trip!
following my heart around the world 💖🌍
solo female traveler from —> Chicago 🇺🇸 —> Madrid 🇪🇸
traveling to:
✨ connect deeper with humanity
✨ experience the beauty of Mother Earth
✨ eat good food :)
my expertise traveling:
- as a solo female
- on a budget
- finding non-touristy local gems
Professional city tour guide for 2 years
with an average of 4.98 stars on Airbnb! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I hope my travel guides and recommendations help you create a more memorable trip beyond tourist highlights.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM MY GUIDES:
1. maps of the BEST local, "hole-in-the-wall" food spots in a destination (bakeries tend to be prioritized) you probably won't find on the Internet
2. the exact itineraries I used for past travels (or itineraries I wished I followed)
3. destination guides with insider advice based on my experience
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM A CONSULTATION CALL WITH ME:
let's chat about the specifics of your trip together! I'm an open book with my travel knowledge 🙌 I'm more than happy to answer ANY questions you have about your upcoming trip or just travel in general. I'm always excited to talk about all things travel :)
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