Why Southern Spain Might Be My Favourite Euro Vacay Ever
I've been lucky to travel a lot, and I don't hand out "favourite ever" lightly. But twelve days in Andalucía keep coming back to me as the trip all the others get measured against. It wasn't one big moment. It was how everything came together: the pace, the food, the wine, the views, the weather, and the people we met along the way.
Our route was a simple loop. We landed in Sevilla and headed straight into the mountains to Ronda, perched on its gorge. Then it was on to Granada and the Alhambra, a one-night pitstop in Córdoba for the Mezquita, and back to Sevilla for a lively finale. Four cities, four very different moods, and not a single wasted day.
Want to follow our loop? See the full day-by-day itinerary →
The plan that fell apart (in the best way)
We had planned to rent a car for a day trip to Gibraltar and to tour the white villages and wine country. Then our International Driver's Permits didn't arrive in time, and they're legally required in Spain.
It turned out to be the best thing that happened to us. We booked a car service from the Sevilla airport to Ronda and took the train everywhere else. We abandonned day trips and embraced long walks in the destination. We stopped trying to see everything and started actually being where we were. We cut some touring, and we didn't miss it once.
Perfect timing, perfect weather
Early April was sunny and warm, but never too hot. It was too cold to swim, so we skipped the coast and focused on inland Andalucía, where the cities heat up fast and furious come summer. In spring, they're perfect for exploring: we climbed the Albaicín without melting and walked Sevilla for hours.
Semana Santa: we avoided the crazy busy
Our trip landed on Semana Santa, Holy Week, so even outside peak season it was busy. Locals told us it's when many Spaniards travel to the South, or come home to it, for the celebrations.
Ronda and Córdoba never felt crowded and Granada was busy but never a hassle. In Sevilla, we arrived just after the Easter weekend, and our timing let us just miss the crowds. Others told us it had been so packed they struggled to find a place to eat - which is shocking given the number of places to eat in Sevilla.
If your trip overlaps with Semana Santa, book stays and key tickets early. The reward is Andalucía at its most atmospheric.
A room with a view, every single time
Every stay had a view, an unbeatable location, or both. In Ronda, our corner room at the Catalonia Reina Victoria looked over the Serranía. In Granada, a wonderful family in the Albaicín hosted us, with the Alhambra right across from their patio. In Córdoba, our studio sat steps from the Mezquita, and in Sevilla, a rooftop patio and pool made the perfect reset before tapas.
The stay matters to me a lot more than it used to - I love to end my day with some rest time - a book or some scrolling, a glass of wine and a view. Comfort, convenience and a beautiful view (or a rooftop pool) - those are my musts with anywhere I stay now. I leaned into those criteria for this trip - and it made a big difference.
To find these gems, I looked early and often, watched for deals and dug deep into the reviews (hint - I would be happy to help you with this!)
Something special in every city
Ronda had Samsara Wines: a small winery with a view of the Puente Nuevo, excellent wine, and a winemaker whose passion is contagious.
Granada had our hosts, a personal Alhambra tour with Tours de Lao a Lao that made the palaces meaningful, and evenings of free tapas down through the Albaicín.
Córdoba gave us the Mezquita in the evening, lit up and almost empty and meeting some really fun locals at a random bar who introduced us to the Cordoba special drink"Fiti-fiti".
Sevilla was the perfect finale, with a food and wine tour into local bars we'd never have found alone.
The pace
We did a lot, and it never felt rushed. One main activity planned in a day - like the Alhambra or walking tour or tapas bar hopping. There was lots of walking - ands lots of time to rest in between.
Would I do it again?
In a heartbeat, and exactly the same way. Go in spring, give it more time than you think you need, choose stays for the view, and leave room to simply be there. It might just become your favourite vacation, too.
