Spain/Portugal/Gibraltar - Things to do in southern Spain

I have started a list of things to do while in southern Spain, but I would greatly appreciate any feedback from this community on what I can add to this list. Thank you.:D

1. Visit the Alhambra in Granada. This moorish fortified palace is absolutely incredible. The complex is vast and occupies a large portion of the city centre, so make sure you have a whole day to explore it. If you are visiting in the summer though, you are well advised to buy tickets in advance.

2. See Frank Gehry's amazing architecture. Whether it is the amazing Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the huge copper fish on Barcelona beach or the new conference and convention centre near Malaga Airport, all of Frank Gehry's pieces are futuristic masterpieces.

3. See the spectacular views at Ronda. After driving through the Andalucian mountains, you eventually come to Ronda, perched at the top of a huge cliff, with a magnificent bridge spanning the gorge between the old and new towns. Ronda also has the oldest Bull ring in Spain, and roman baths.

How far North are you willing to go from Southern Spain...? :confused: Bilbao and Barcelona are not exactly in Southern Spain, but it sure opens up a lot more possibilities... :)

And what are your interests? Because, if you put Frank Gehry in your top 3 of things to see in Spain, you're definitely not the average visitor.

We are staying at a beach resort in Malaga, so I have option 2 on my list because it is easy for us to do.

I have rented a car and plan to drive everywhere. My family did this exact same thing in Paris last year, and we loved it. We drove all over France and had a blast. No tours, just drive until you find what you are looking for.

How far North are you willing to go from Southern Spain...? :confused: Bilbao and Barcelona are not exactly in Southern Spain, but it sure opens up a lot more possibilities... :)

And what are your interests? Because, if you put Frank Gehry in your top 3 of things to see in Spain, you're definitely not the average visitor.

Don't miss Cadiz. And if you tire of Spanish food, take a quick trip to Gibraltar. If nothing else, you will be glad to return to Spanish food!

Since you are visiting Granada, don't miss the other big two in the triangle: Seville and Córdoba. Heck, I'll show you around Seville if I'm in town.

If you are thinking of doing Barcelona and Bilbao, I would recommend making it up to Mérida to see the Roman ruins. Absolutely stunning.

PM me if you want more details, recommendations. We have a beach place outside Málaga, so I can give you information about that area as well.

Is this day trip from from Tarifa, Spain to Taniger, Morocco worth it?

You can save the drive from Malaga to Bilbao by just driving from WI to MN and visiting the Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis.

You cannot knock Gehry's green credentials, he recycled a whole art gallery complex there and duped the Spaniards with it somewhat.

If you do head to Bilbao then Santillana del Mar to Potes in Los Picos de Europa is a superb area and a complete contrast to the south of Spain.

Seville is a must must must. Beautiful city

Just completed a 5-day stopover in Tarifa; stayed at a lovely hotel outside town.

Things to do:

Visit a puebla blanca or two (this one is Vejer de la Frontera):

http://gardyloo.us/20120226_37s.JPG

Fly over the waters:

http://gardyloo.us/20120228_17s.JPG

Walk the dunes:

http://gardyloo.us/20120228_5s.JPG

Check out the babes:

http://gardyloo.us/20120227_65s.JPG

If you are staying in southern Spain, I second the advice to check out Gibraltar. It's unique, in more ways than one. You have to drive across the international airport runway to get there! (Yes they have a stoplight.)

http://www.andalucia-travelguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/gibraltarrunway.jpg

Is this day trip from from Tarifa, Spain to Taniger, Morocco worth it?

Yes! I actually spent a night in Tangiers, well worth the trip and wished I had more time there. Very easy to do from Tarifa or Malaga and well worth paying for the "fast boat" rather than the slow ferry (be sure you are booking the correct one as the port agents don't care). I would skip Girbralter unless you have loads of time - Tangiers is far more interesting particularly if you haven't spent (and don't have plans to) time in North Africa.

The Alhambra and Ronda were probably two of the biggest highlights when I visited Andalucia a decade ago. You definitely want to see the gorge and the famous bullring. I stayed in Marbella which like Tarifa is a lovely town in its own right. Also enjoyed visiting Jerez (worthwhile if you would enjoy good sherry tasting and tours).

As others have noted, you must visit Sevilla (assuming you haven't been there before). You could spend a week there. Cordoba also has some interesting sights. Car rentals are cheap and generally faster than trains, except on the intercity routes.

We are visiting for 10 days in May. We plan on going straight to Toledo (2 nights), Sevilla (2 nights), Granada (3) & and ending in Madrid (2).

We hadn't planned to rent a car, we're going to take trains...

All recommendations are welcome & we are flexible, should we fit in Gibralter & Cordoba?

TIA!

Definitely Cordoba!

Incidentally might I suggest that if you get an opportunity to visit a SHERRY PRODUCER you do so! Jerez is prime sherry territory but there are many more towns and villages. A nice chilled Fino with a plate of olives or almonds from 4 pm in the afternoon makes a nice change to a beer!

We are visiting for 10 days in May. We plan on going straight to Toledo (2 nights), Sevilla (2 nights), Granada (3) & and ending in Madrid (2).


IMO you only need 1 full day in Toledo but sounds like that is all you have as you may not have much time to explore on your arrival day. I'd re-allocate 1 night from Granada to Sevilla - much more to see, and you can easily do a day trip to Cordoba or stay overnight on your way back to Madrid. Trains should be fast and easy between the major cities.

Don't miss Cadiz. And if you tire of Spanish food, take a quick trip to Gibraltar. If nothing else, you will be glad to return to Spanish food!

What is special about Cadiz? We will be there for one day on a cruise stop on Nov. 2 from 9:00am until 8:00pm. I had thought about finding a private tour to Seville for the day as it is the closest port we stop at to Seville. Should I hang around Cadiz? What is there to do there? Our cruise does not go to Gibraltar.

What is special about Cadiz? We will be there for one day on a cruise stop on Nov. 2 from 9:00am until 8:00pm. I had thought about finding a private tour to Seville for the day as it is the closest port we stop at to Seville. Should I hang around Cadiz? What is there to do there? Our cruise does not go to Gibraltar.

Maybe this will help with Cadiz.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Cadiz

I've been to both. My recommendation is to go to Seville.

Is this day trip from from Tarifa, Spain to Taniger, Morocco worth it?

Yes but it will be a long day.

Tangier is a very interesting place to be sure. If you go, be prepared to say "no thank you" no less less than 500 times.

Yes but it will be a long day.

Tangier is a very interesting place to be sure. If you go, be prepared to say "no thank you" no less less than 500 times.

I can confirm that you will be HOUNDED to buy stuff the whole time.

Flying into Malaga next Wednesday for a week. We have an apartment in Alcaidesa and are renting a car. We can see Gibraltar from our apartment. We plan to spend a day in Tangier (never been on the African continent) and want to visit the Alhambra. We pretty much are going to relax so don't want an extremely full itinerary mostly want to chill out. Suggestions?

A week?

A day in Tangier

A day in Gibraltar. There is enough stuff there for two days easily but after a day you will know if you want to see more.

Go to Beach Hotel Dos Mares outside of Tarifa and either take a wind surfing class or go horseback riding on the beach and mountains.

Chillax.

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