AD. Spain is one of the most sought-after European holiday destinations. With what seems like endless sunshine, sandy beaches and lovely cuisine to savour - Spain welcomes around 127 million visitors per year to its pristine shorelines and iconic cities. Madrid, the capital city of Spain is by far the most visited of all. With an abundance of museums and tourist attractions like the Warner Amusement Park - many tourists don’t venture further. For those that might want to see more of Spain, we recommend an idyllic road trip through some of Andalucía’s most popular destinations.
[Malaga by Tabea Schimpf on Unsplash]
Malaga
As you arrive in Malaga, collect your car rental at the airport and start enjoying the vast Mediterranean coastline as you drive along its main coastal road. Malaga itself is a beautiful city to explore along with a rich culture and plenty of traditions. Its port is modern and has plenty of bars to enjoy. Tapas is the iconic pastime in Andalucia, with many Tapas bars up and down the coast. Tapas is a selection of foods in small portions. Chorizo, Patatas Bravas, Bell peppers, etc … all designed to awaken your taste buds and to keep you craving for more. It is not uncommon to receive a small Tapas with every drink you order in Andalucia. Places to visit in Malaga are La Alcazaba, the Roman Theatre, Malaga Cathedral and the traditional old town.
Benalmadena
Drive 20-minutes south from Malaga, and you’ll come to Benalmadena - a very popular seaside town. Benalmadena has plenty of bars, restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. During the day you can enjoy its wonderful beach. Selwo Marina is located here, along with Sea Life - both providing a glimpse into our oceans. Continuing your drive eastwards along the coastal road, you’ll reach famous Marbella, with Puerto Banus close by. Both towns are smaller but very beautiful and attract some of the wealthiest in society. Marbella provides a pristine beach, lots of shopping opportunities and an old town that's a delight to wander around with the whole family. Children will especially enjoy its family-orientated lifestyle, with many restaurants being kid friendly, and with ample playgrounds around town. Park your car and jump on a horse drawn carriage to really enjoy the atmosphere in Marbella.
[Estepona by Christian Hergesell on Unsplash]
Estepona
Continue your drive eastwards towards another stunning seaside town - Estepona. Being further away from Malaga, means that Estepona doesn’t have the mass tourism as other towns. Your journey will take around 30-minutes from Marbella to Estepona. Estepona is a quiet town, with a beautiful port. The port is where many bars are located, and it comes alive in the evening. The town also has a wonderful Orchid centre, which is a must for flower lovers. Estepona is very small, so a half-day should be more than enough to explore much of what it has to offer.
Gibraltar
Once done, drive eastwards until you reach Gibraltar. Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory. It's a unique place and a melting pot of many cultures, mainly Spanish and British, but with Moroccan and Jewish influences also. Gibraltar is the region's iconic powerhouse. With a World Trade Centre, a traditional colonial old town and a vibrant harbour to explore. Gibraltar has a complicated and busy frontier with Spain, so we recommend getting there early. Alternatively, park in La Linea - the Spanish town adjacent to Gibraltar and walk across the frontier.
Jerez
From the top of Gibraltar, you can enjoy wonderful views over towards Ceuta, Morocco and mainland Spain. The rock itself has been carved into, creating what may seem like endless tunnels. These tunnels were used throughout the years as defensive fortifications. Once finished, head northeast towards Jerez de la Frontera. This drive will take you around 1-hour and a half. Jerez is a small traditional Andalucian town with a rich equestrian tradition. Often there are horse shows at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. The local wine is also very good, and we highly recommend trying some Sherry and visiting some of its vineyards.
[Seville by Tânia Mousinho on Unsplash]
Seville
Once finished, continue your drive north towards Seville where your road trip ends. Seville is Andalucía’s capital city and the largest in the autonomous region. It has many palaces to enjoy and a rich maritime history despite not being on the coast itself. Seville is a very hot city, so take care especially during the summer months. Enjoy its restaurants, bars, vibrant nightlife, museums, monuments and art galleries.
Auto Europe provides car hire across Spain. With competitive rates, regular promotions and an award-winning customer service. Through a network of trusted partner suppliers, customers can enjoy a large fleet to choose from and convenient locations to collect their car rentals. With one-way car rental options, a road trip from Malaga to Seville is a possibility and a very cost-effective way to explore Spain.
