now that summer has arrived in Europe, numerous people are trying to decide where they’ll opt for their next Euro trip. While the north end of the continent is still seeing lows of 12°C, the southern parts are enjoying a balmy 30°C throughout the day.
Spain is one of the most affordable countries in the world to check out and it’s also on our list of our preferred countries for food, and the south has some of the best value and best dishes, so don’t miss it!
After our recent trip through Eastern & central Europe in the winter, we know that this warm weather is a welcome relief to the region and it makes us think back to our time in the South of Spain.
In this short article I’m going to discuss how we spent our 6 days in the south, so you can follow in our footsteps (or hoof prints) and have an equally amazing vacation.
First, getting There
Coming from North America, it’s not so low-cost to get to Spain. From the us it’s usually around $850 at this time of year for a return trip from the east coast (particularly new York).
While from the west coast of Canada it’s around $1,100 USD return.
Of course, us in the far west are never as lucky as our European pals who can usually fly to Madrid for the weekend for a little over $100 with Ryan Air.
None of these flights are overly expensive, especially considering the fact that Spain offers some real value for money. A single traveller can afford hotels, food and home entertainment in this part of the world for less than $75 / day.
This implies that a six-day holiday here – including flights – doesn’t have to cost much more than $1,330 when coming from new York, $1,565 from Vancouver, or a steal of a deal at $567 from London.
Where To Stay
There are numerous options for accommodation in Spain, from economical but comfortable hostels to luxury resorts, guest houses and apartments. I highly recommend staying in Malaga because it’s the ideal place to base yourself while exploring the stunning area around southern Spain.
Hostel Malaga City
Hostel Malaga City is a beautiful hostel set best in the heart of Malaga. With double rooms getting as low as $55 / night, it’s a bargain for the price. From here you can easily walk to the main sights of the city and you can easily get out of town and check out the surrounding areas.
book Hostel Malaga City on Booking.com
Hotel Sur
The rooms here are a little bit much more dated but you really can’t beat the location of this hotel and it gets terrific reviews on Booking.com. You also get a few much more luxuries here than at the hostels, like satellite TV and private bathrooms.
book hotel Sur on Booking.com
Apartamentos Nono
The highest rated apartments in Malaga, these modern flats are best in the heart of the action and while the nightly rate is higher than the other ones noted in this post (around $125 / night), you’ll save some money by cooking meals for yourself in the full kitchen.
book Apartamentos Nono on Booking.com
Getting Around
When we were in Malaga and the surrounding areas in 2012, we got around by bus. The cities are well-connected and wait times aren’t too long. Alternatively, you can rent a automobile for around $21 / day and have a lot much more freedom to see the places we’ll list in this post.
Driving in the south of Spain is straight forward, the highways are outstanding and the towns and major sights are well sign posted.
Where To Go & What To See
Finally we get into the fun stuff. The south of Spain is one of Europe’s many beautiful destinations and you’ll fall in love with the food, the coastline and the architecture. I’m going to list a few of our favourite towns that you can easily see in a 6 day trip, as well as some major things not to miss in each.
Malaga
Seeing as you’re based in this town, you’d be crazy not to explore it. The capital of the province with the same name, Malaga is the second many populous city in Andalusia and the 6th largest city center in Spain (over 500,000 people).
Image through WikiCommons
The city itself has a history that spans over 2,800 years, making it one of the oldest cities in the world. A center of culture and arts for centuries, this is the birth place of the internationally acclaimed painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso, well-known Hollywood actor Antonio Banderas and Hebrew poet and Jewish philosopher Solomon Ibn Gabirol.
Alcazaba is a Moorish castle from the 11th century and it commands a hill best in the center of town. From the ramparts of the fort, you’ll find outstanding views of the city and the lush gardens around the property. This is one of the best-preserved castles of its kind in Spain, so don’t miss it. entrance is €2.10 but totally free on Sundays.
Picasso Museum should be another place that’s set firmly on your Malaga itinerary. seeing as the man was born here, it’s no surprise that you find Spain’s best exclusive paintings and exhibitions here. entrance is €9.
The Roman Theater is situated best under Alcazaba and is open anytime. Entrance here is totally free and you can enter the attached building and view a short film and check out some artifacts as well.
Estepona
Probably our preferred city in the area, Estepona is absolutely stunning. spend some time exploring the narrow alleyways and stopping in at one of the numerous restaurants for some tapas and wine. There’s not a ton of stuff to do here, but you can make a stop here as part of a check out to the next town as well.
The Orchid house is at the center of some beautiful botanical gardens which were recently developed best in the middle of Estepona. The centerpiece of the garden is a substantial glass dome which is home to the Orchid house itself. The entire area is a terrific place to walk around and delight in nature complete with a small lake and waterfalls.
The Paseo is another great place for a walk, but this one is along the sea and caters well for families, couples and solo travellers alike. There are a few climbing areas on the beach, floating play areas, huge chess sets, and pedal boats available in the Summer.
Ronda
Probably the most dramatic looking town in Andalucia, Ronda is set on a enormous gorge, overlooking a cliff and the Andalusian countryside. The gorge makes for an outstanding walk, but check the river height before committing to going all the way down to the bottom as it can smell of sewage during dry seasons.
Puente Nuevo is the large bridge that crosses the gorge and you really can’t miss it. It’s pretty much the jewel of this photogenic town. When you’re on the bridge, check out the small museum and don’t forget to look down, it’s 100 meters to the gorge floor below!
Plaza de Toros is the oldest and one of the most well-known bull rings in Spain. In a country with over 100 of these stadiums, that says a lot. You can check out inside of the ring for €6.
The oldest bullfighting ring in Spain, the Plaza de toros de Ronda.
Banos Arabes is one of the best preserved Roman-style baths in Spain and it’s a place of “purification” for travellers entering the city. These baths are arguably a bigger claim to Ronda’s fame than Puente Nuevo or Plaza de Toros and certainly shouldn’t be missed by visitors. The name implies “Arab Baths” as the Moors of Spain were Muslim and there used to be a mosque next to Banos Arabes.
Granada
No not the Caribbean Grenada where we spend half of the year, this Granada is a city at the base of the spectacular Sierra Nevada Mountains and has been inhabited for over 2500 years. While the mountains themselves are home to Spain’s best ski resort in winter, during the summer this area is a mecca for hiking, rock climbing and adventure.
Alhambra is the most well-known attraction here. A fortress complex that housed the Moorish palace for the emirs when the city was under Islamic rule.
Image through WikiCommons
The Muslim neighbourhood is a terrific area to walk around and explore various cathedrals and castles. Don’t miss the numerous tapas bars and flamenco shows which are some of the tastiest and many entertaining in the region.
Make It Happen
With economical flights, stunning accommodation and rental automobiles for a little over $20 / day, you can make a trip to the south of Spain happen without breaking the bank. delight in a little sand, sea, mountain, culture and cuisine in this famed region of Europe.
We loved the south of Spain but we certainly didn’t see it all. let us know what you would add to this list if you were to spend a week in the south of Spain.
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