7-Day Road-Trip Across Barcelona & Southern Spain
Curated By
Maya Wistar
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International Travel
Spain
Beaches
Couples Travel
Road Trip Travel
Sightseeing
Relaxation
Local Culture
Curator’s statement
Spain is my favorite destination and I'm excited to share this itinerary with you from a trip I took with my then-boyfriend in February 2020 (yes - we went just in time!). Expore a great variety of Spain destinations with this 7-8 night itinerary and partial road-trip. You'll hit Barcelona, Costa del Sol (Malaga/Estepona), Gibraltar, Jerez, Sevilla and Ronda. I promise there will also be a lot of down time to relax! Try the best food and wine and personalize this experience to your interests. It can be very active with several hiking areas along the way, or more focused on relaxation along the way - it's up to you!
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Day 1: Arrive in Barcelona
You're likely to land in Barcelona in the morning. Take the train or bus downtown and check into your hotel. If your room is ready you may want a nap, if not, I recommend wandering over to a tapas bar in Barrio Gotico - Tosca Tapas y Vino or Zona d'Ombra are both excellent. Make sure to try pan con tomate (tomato bread) and torta espanola (like a potato quiche). If you have time, check out the Barceloneta beach or a Gaudi attraction (Casa Mila, Casa Battlo or Parque Guell).
Day 2: Enjoy the beach or explore the city
Depending on your preferences, enjoy a beach day, wander around Parque de la Ciutadella or head to the Sagrada Familia. It's a great city for walking, but also has an extensive bus and metro system. At sunset, head to a favorite spot for locals, MUHBA Turó de la Rovira for an amazing panoramic view (it is a bit of a hike). Alternatively, head to Blai Street for pintxos, a small snack typically consisting of a delightful topping on bread.
Day 3: Fly to Malaga
Either spend an extra day in Barcelona or fly to Malaga on this day. In Malaga, you'll rent a car and drive along the Costa del Sol to Estepona, a quieter beach resort town. Check into your hotel and lounge by the pool. For a late afternoon drink and bite to eat, head to Chiringuito Lolailo.
Day 4: Spend the in Estepona
Spend a relaxing day on the beach, or wandering around the small town of Estepona.
Day 5: Travel to Gibraltar
Say goodbye to Estepona and head to Gibraltar. Spend the afternoon taking the tram to the top of the rock and saying hello to the monkeys! Get some fish and chips in an English pub. Look out and see Africa across the sea. Then make the scenic drive to Jerez with an optional stop in Tarifa to check out the southernmost point of Continental Europe.
Day 6: Day trip from Jerez to Sevilla
On day 6, take a day trip from Jerez to Sevilla. Do a cooking class at Taller Andaluz de Cocina and make paella. This was a highlight for us! Explore the city and stop by Plaza de Espana. Head back to Jerez for the evening.
Day 7: Road trip back to Malaga
On your last day, take a road trip from Jerez back to Malaga, stopping at Arcos de la Frontera and Ronda on the way. Ronda is a top small town in Europe to visit with a dramatic gorge and historic bridge! Return the rental car in Malaga and fly back home via Barcelona on an overnight flight.
Need to Know
For more Barcelona travel tips, check out this guide by Fora Advisor Arlette Diederiks: City Guide to Barcelona, Spain.
Travel Advisor
Maya Wistar
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