14 Day Southern Spain & Portugal Itinerary: Andalusia & the Algarve

Start in Seville, a sun-drenched city famous for its cathedral, historic old town, and Plaza de España. From here, tour a few famous Andalusian cities, visiting the Mosque-Cathedral in Córdoba, touring the Alhambra in Granada, and photographing Ronda’s bridges and canyon. Those who are adventurous and active have the option to add on the Caminito del Rey, one of Spain’s most thrilling walks.

End with a few days in the Algarve, Portugal. This region of Portugal is famous for its golden beaches and dramatic coastal cliffs.

Complete the loop by returning to Seville, where you can fly home or continue your travels.

This itinerary is written as a 14-day trip with the option to add on 3 more days to extend your trip in Portugal.

We have many wonderful places to share with you, so let’s get started.

Places You Will Visit on this Itinerary:

• Seville
• Córdoba
• Granada
• Ronda
• Caminito del Rey
• The Algarve

About this Southern Spain & Portugal Itinerary

This itinerary is done as a loop, starting and ending in Seville. That makes it easy to book flights and a rental car. However, at the end of this itinerary, we have a 3-day add on, which includes Lisbon and Sintra, making it a point-to-point itinerary.

For this itinerary, a rental car is ideal since it gives you more flexibility when traveling from city to city and it makes it much easier to add on the Caminito del Rey and to get around the Algarve. However, you can use public transportation instead and we provide details on how to do this as well.

The Alhambra, Granada

Best Time to Visit Southern Spain and Portugal

This itinerary can be done all year. However, the best time to do it is from April through early June and mid-September through October, when the weather is warm and sunny.

Here is an overview of the weather in southern Spain and Portugal.

WINTER: December, January, and February remain relatively mild, at least compared with the rest of Europe. The average high temperature is 17°C (62°F) with the average low getting down to 6°C (43°F). Winter is the wettest time to visit southern Spain and Portugal.

SPRING: Southern Spain and Portugal warm up quickly in the spring. In April, expect high temperatures between 20 to 24°C (68 to 75°F) and these climb to 33°C (91°F) by June. As summer approaches, rainfall chances diminish.

SUMMER: Andalusia, and in particular the cities of Seville and Córdoba, is one of the hottest places to visit in Europe. The average daily high hovers just below 37°C (100°F) but can easily soar well beyond this during a heat wave. Rainfall is almost nonexistent. The Algarve stays a little cooler, with highs averaging 30°C (85°F) but heat waves can push the temperatures as high as 44°C (110°F).

FALL: Fall brings a return to cooler temperatures but also an increase in rainfall.

VERDICT: Spring and fall are the best times to visit this part of Europe, to avoid the extremely hot summer weather.

WHAT WE DID: We visited southern Spain and southern Portugal on two separate trips.

Our visit to the Algarve was in October, a gorgeous time to be here. In October, the average high is 26°C (80°F) at the beginning of the month and 23°C (73°F) at the end of the month. Typically, most days are very sunny and rain is relatively rare.

Our visit to southern Spain was from late April to early May, and again, the weather was just about perfect. We spent two weeks exploring southern Spain and temperatures ranged from 24°C/75°F to 26°C/80°F for most it. We did have a few days of rain which affected our travel plans (we had to reschedule our walk through the Caminito del Rey), but to have warm weather and to see the patios in bloom in Córdoba was wonderful.

14 Day Southern Spain & Portugal Itinerary

Spain and Portugal Itinerary Day 1

Arrive in Seville

Arrive in Seville, ideally as early in the day as possible. This gives you almost two full days to explore the city.

If you plan to travel by rental car for this itinerary, we recommend picking up your car at the airport when you arrive. You won’t need it on day 2 (it is much easier and convenient to get around Seville on foot than with a car), but it will save you some time on day 3, when you drive to Córdoba.

There are three big sights to see in Seville: the Seville Cathedral, the Royal Alcazar of Seville, and Plaza de España. Both the Seville Cathedral and the Royal Alcazar require a timed entry ticket purchased in advance.

If you are arriving from the USA, Canada, Oceania, or another location outside of Europe, I recommend saving these for your second day in Seville, just in case you have travel delays or a bad case of jet lag.

However, if you know that you will have two full days in Seville, follow our 2 Day Seville Itinerary. It’s the best way to see the highlights plus a few hidden gems.

If you are arriving from outside Europe, I recommend keeping this first day relatively light. Spend the afternoon visiting the amazing Plaza de España, an iconic square that is lined with beautifully tiled benches. It’s free to visit and open 24 hours. Depending on how much time you have in the afternoon, you could also visit one of Seville’s historic palaces (we loved Palacio de las Dueñas), gaze across the city from a rooftop bar, or walk the series of walkways on Setas de Sevilla.

Plaza de España

Tiled benches of Plaza de España

Where to Stay in Seville

We stayed at the Radisson Collection Hotel in Magdalena Plaza. This is a 5-star hotel and we had an excellent experience here. We picked this hotel because it is located just outside of the city center and located near a parking garage.

For mid-range travelers, we recommend Puerta Catedral Suites (check out the view of the Seville Cathedral…it’s amazing!), Joya del Casco Boutique Hotel (great location with rooftop views of Seville), and Casa Alhaja (excellent location plus a pool with rooftop views of Seville).

If you are traveling on a budget, we recommend La Banda Rooftop Hostel and Toc Hostel. Both get fantastic review scores and are located in the city center.

A few more notable properties include Hotel Casa Palacio Don Ramón (a 5-star hotel located inside a historic house), Apartamento Living By Cathedral (a great pick for families who want a central location in Seville), and Torre Homenaje Historical Suites (beautifully decorated rooms located next to the Royal Alcazar and Cathedral).

Spain and Portugal Itinerary Day 2

Seville

If you have a full 2 days in Seville, follow day 2 of our 2 Day Seville Itinerary.

However, if you arrived from outside of Europe, today I recommend following our One Day in Seville Itinerary, with one exception. This itinerary starts with Plaza de España, but since you saw it yesterday, skip it. That allows you some extra time to sleep in or you can use that extra time to add on another site, such as a historic home, Setas de Sevilla, or Torre del Oro.

Here’s a brief overview of this itinerary:

10:30 am: Royal Alcazar of Seville
12:30 pm: Lunch
2:00 pm: Seville Cathedral
3:30 pm: Explore the city center
Evening: Dinner & optional Flamenco show

The gardens of the Royal Alcazar

Seville Cathedral

Palacio de las Duenas

The Royal Alcazar opens at 9:30 am. You could shift this itinerary earlier by one hour, but keep in mind that most restaurants do not open for lunch until 12:00 pm, so you will have to visit the cathedral right after the Alcazar, and then have lunch at around 1:30 pm. That would give you most of the afternoon, which is plenty of time to visit the city center, visit Palacio de las Dueńas and/or Setas de Sevilla, and also have time for a rooftop bar before dinner.

In the evening, have dinner and you have the option to watch a flamenco show. Córdoba and Granada are also great places to watch a flamenco show, so keep this in mind when deciding what to do tonight. We watched a flamenco show in Córdoba and had a great experience.

We cover the full details on how to do this, plus many restaurant recommendations, in our One Day Seville Itinerary.

You will have to make reservations online in advance for the Seville Cathedral and the Royal Alcazar of Seville.

Spain and Portugal Itinerary Day 3

Travel to Córdoba

Córdoba is packed with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the most famous being the Mosque-Cathedral, with its columns and archways and blend of Muslim and Christian architecture.

But first, we have two sites you can add on to your drive between Seville and Córdoba (this is best done with a rental car).

Morning: Castle of Almodóvar del Río and/or Medina Azahara

The Castle of Almodóvar del Río

This hilltop castle, which dates back to the Arab Umayyad dynasty, is a joy to visit. Walk the castle walls, climb the towers for a view over the castle and surrounding countryside, and tour the rooms of the castle.

This is one of the coolest castles we have visited and if you are traveling with kids, it is a must-have experience.

It was also a filming site for season 7 of the Game of Thrones.

Castle of Almodóvar del Río

The Castle of Almodóvar is located about 30 km outside of Córdoba. On the drive from Seville to Córdoba you’ll drive right past it. From Seville, it takes an hour and a half to drive the 110 km to the castle.

Park at the bottom of the hill the castle sits on. You can walk up to the castle (15 to 20 minutes) or ride the shuttle that runs all day. A visit here lasts 1 to 2 hours. Get hours and pricing on the official website.

Medina Azahara

This site, also called Madinat al-Zahra, sits just outside of the Córdoba city center. This fortified palace-city is one of the most important archaeological sites in Spain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This small city was built in the 10th century during the Umayyad dynasty. It was the capital of the Caliphate of Cordoba and considered to be the Versailles of the Middle Ages.

If you plan to visit the Castle of Almodóvar del Río, it is a 25-minute drive to get to Medina Azahara.

Medina Azahara

There are two parts to a visit: the museum and the archaeological site. The archaeological site is located several kilometers from the museum, and you can only get here by shuttle (you are not allowed to drive and park at the site).

In total, a visit to Medina Azahara takes 2 to 3 hours, which includes time for the bus rides to and from the museum. Get hours and pricing on the official website. This is also the perfect place to take a guided tour, to learn more about the site’s important history.

WHAT WE DID: We visited both the castle and Medina Azahara on the drive between Seville and Córdoba, arriving in Córdoba in the early afternoon. That doesn’t give you much time in Córdoba on this first day, but you have a full day tomorrow, which is plenty of time to see the most important sites.

Afternoon: Córdoba

Córdoba is famous for its patios, which are small courtyards decorated with potted flowers. You can tour several patios or see them at Palacio de Viana.

Patios of Córdoba (Ruta de Patios)

Palacio de Viana

Palacio de Viana is a historic palace and a great place to see patios in Córdoba. It is one of Córdoba’s most popular places to visit. A visit here lasts about an hour. It is closed on Monday so keep that in mind when planning your time. Get hours and pricing on the official website.

Ruta de Patios has five patios to see in the San Basilio neighborhood. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the ticket office (which is located at C/San Basilio 14).

It takes between 1 to 2 hours to visit all of the patios on Ruta de Patios. A visit to each patio is rather quick, taking about 5 minutes, although lines can be long to enter. These are small spaces so only a few people are permitted to enter at a time.

On the official website, you can get pricing, hours of operation, and a route map to see the location of all five patios. I also recommend checking the official website to see if the patios will be open during your visit. The best time to visit the patios is from April through June, when the flowers are in bloom, but patios can be open outside of this time frame.

If the patios are not open during your visit, it is still a very nice experience to walk around the San Basilio neighborhood.

Evening: Dinner

For dinner, we recommend Bodegas Mezquita, a highly rated restaurant that serves traditional Andalusian cuisine.

Where to Stay in Córdoba

Highly rated mid-range hotels in the city center include Eurostars Maimonides (some rooms have a view of the Mosque-Cathedral), La Trinidad Cordoba (a boutique hotel that gets exceptional reviews), Hotel Pasado de Vallina (a gorgeous hotel with an unbeatable location next to the Mosque-Cathedral…click the link to see photos!), and Casa Turística Patio Cordobes (a great option for families or small groups who want an apartment in the city center).

La Ermita Suites is a budget hotel with a fantastic location near the Mosque-Cathedral.

Casa del Cardenal is a 4-star hotel that gets near perfect reviews. The hotel is a historic building that offers several room types.

For the ultimate in luxury, stay at Hospes Palacio del Bailio. This 5-star hotel is located inside of a 16th century palace in the city center of Cordoba. The service is impeccable and onsite is a pool, a spa, and a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Spain and Portugal Itinerary Day 4

Córdoba

With a full day in Cordoba, spend the day in the city center. We have a detailed One Day Córdoba Itinerary that you can follow, with one alteration. On that itinerary, two hours of the afternoon are dedicated to visiting the patios. Since you did that yesterday, visit the Jewish Quarter today.

Here is an overview of the itinerary:

9:00 am: Historic City Center: See the Roman Temple and photograph the Mosque-Cathedral’s bell tower from Calleja de los Flores.

10:00 am: Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba. This awe-inspiring building is must-see in Cordoba. Purchase your ticket online in advance on the official website.

Inside the Mosque-Cathedral

11:30 am: Climb the Bell Tower of the Mosque-Cathedral. From the top of the bell tower, you get a stunning view of Córdoba. It is on a separate ticket from the Mosque-Cathedral.

The view from the bell tower

12:00 pm: Lunch

1:30 pm: Explore the Jewish Quarter. Spend an hour or two exploring this picturesque part of Cordoba.

3:30 pm: The Alcazar of the Christian Kings. Visit palace, walk the walls, and stroll through the gardens at one of the primary residences of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand.

4:30 pm: Roman Bridge and Calahorra Tower

The view of Cordoba and the Roman Bridge from Calahorra Tower

5:30 pm: Rooftop Bar. Enjoy the amazing view of Cordoba from the Rooftop Terrace at Hotel Hesperia.

7:00 pm: Dinner & Optional Flamenco Show

In the evening, have dinner. You also have the option to watch a flamenco show.

We watched a Flamenco show at Baños Árabes de Santa María. Located in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, the performance is held inside ancient Arab baths, which adds a very unique element to the overall experience. Tickets include dinner, which is typical Andalusia cuisine.

Spain and Portugal Itinerary Day 5

Travel to Granada

By car, it takes about two and a half hours to drive to Granada. If you are traveling by public transportation, it takes just under 2 hours by train. Once in Granada, check in to your hotel, have lunch, and spend the afternoon visiting a few important places in Granada.

The Granada Cathedral. This is Granada’s largest, grandest cathedral. It is best to purchase your ticket online in advance, which you can do on the official website.

Granada Cathedral

The Royal Chapel of Granada. This chapel is the burial place of Spanish monarchs, with Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand being the famous. It is located next to the cathedral. Again, purchase your ticket in advance.

La Alcaicería. Called the Grand Bazaar of Granada, this touristy street has shops selling souvenirs, fabrics, and clothing. It’s right around the corner from the Granada Cathedral.

Corral de Carbón. This 14th century warehouse and inn is located next to the Alcaicería, free to visit, and takes just a few minutes of your time.

Calle Calderería Nueva. Called “Little Morocco,” this narrow street is famous for its teahouse and shops selling souvenirs, lanterns, clothing, and pottery.

Viewpoints of the Alhambra. Climb the hilly streets into the Albaicín neighborhood, a Moorish neighborhood that sits on the hillside across the Darro River from the Alhambra. From here, you get amazing views of the Alhambra, especially from Mirador de San Nicolás.

The view from Mirador de San Nicolás

In the evening, have dinner. In the Albaicín neighborhood we recommend Carmen Mirador de Aixa or Carmen El Agua, two restaurants that have breathtaking views of the Alhambra.

Where to Stay in Granada

For hotel recommendations, refer to our article Best Things to Do in Granada, which also lists restaurants and cocktail bars in Granada.

Spain and Portugal Itinerary Day 6

The Alhambra & Granada

Morning: The Alhambra

Today you get to visit the Alhambra, one of the most important historical sites in Europe. The Alhambra is one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Court of the Lions

El Partal Gardens

Court of the Myrtles

A visit here takes 3 to 4 hours. Spend the first half of your day at the Alhambra and the afternoon visiting more sights in Granada.

We have a detailed Guide to the Alhambra, which covers ticket options, the best things to do, how to get to the Alhambra, and an ideal walking route. This is a big site to visit, so expect to do some walking.

It is also important to know that tickets sell out weeks, sometimes even months in advance, so make purchase your tickets as soon as possible.

Afternoon: Granada

Here are a few more places to visit in Granada. Pick two or three of them.

Carrera del Darro. This shopping street runs along the Darro River. El Bañuelo, a historic hammam, is located on this street.

Sacromonte and the Cave Museum. Sacromonte is another hillside neighborhood. It is home to Granada’s gypsy community and is one of the best places in Granada to watch a flamenco show. Visit the Cave Museum and enjoy some more spectacular views of the Alhambra from these hilly streets.

The view from Sacromonte

Watch a flamenco show. One of the best places to watch flamenco in Granada is the Sacromonte district, at Cueva La Rocio or Cueva Maria la Canastera.

Basilica de San Juan de Dios. This basilica is worth the quick visit to see one of the most elaborately gilded naves in Europe. Combine a visit here with the Royal Monastery of St. Jerome, a monastery founded by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, which is located near the Basilica.

Basilica de San Juan de Dios

Spain and Portugal Itinerary Day 7

Travel to Ronda

From Granada, it takes two and a half hours to drive to the lovely city of Ronda. By train, it takes the same amount of time. There are a few direct trains traveling from Granada to Ronda each day.

Ronda is a smaller city than Granada or Cordoba. Even so, it is worth planning your arrival midday, to have the full afternoon in Ronda.

Ronda is famous for its bridges that span the Tajo canyon, the most well-known being Puente Nuevo, the “New Bridge.” With its hilltop location, charming cobblestoned streets, and breathtaking views over the surrounding countryside, this is a fun city to explore.

Spend the afternoon visiting the viewpoints of the bridge and strolling through Jardines de Cuenca and the historic old town. The afternoon is the perfect time to walk the Caminito del Desifiladero del Tajo for views of Puente Nuevo and visiting the viewpoints to the west of the bridge.

For a full list of things to do and a walking tour of the city, take a look at our article One Day in Ronda.

In the evening, have dinner. We recommend Arrabal Restaurante, a wonderful restaurant with a tiny outdoor terrace that has a view of the New Bridge.

For more restaurant recommendations and hotel recommendations, refer to our article One Day in Ronda.

Spain and Portugal Itinerary Day 8

Ronda & the Caminito del Rey

Morning: Caminito del Rey

El Caminito del Rey (The King’s Little Path) is a walkway that runs through the Gaitanes Gorge. Boardwalk trails run through this gorge, creating one of the most thrilling, scenic walks in Spain.

The Caminito del Rey is located about an hour drive northeast of Ronda. The entire experience takes 4 to 5 hours, which includes time to do the walk plus time to ride the shuttles. It is best to do this early in the day, especially if you are visiting Spain during the hotter months.

We cover everything you need to know in our Guide to the Caminito del Rey. It is best to purchase your tickets online in advance (they sell out fast) or through GetYourGuide.

Afternoon: Ronda

Spend the remainder of the day in Ronda, visiting more viewpoints and historical sites. We really liked walking on the rooftop of the Church of Santa María la Mayor and walking the old city walls. The Moorish Baths are also interesting to visit.

For dinner, we recommend Sensur Gastrobar or Restaurante Tropicana. Having a cocktail at Restaurante Panoramico is also very nice, with its view over the bullring.

Spain and Portugal Itinerary Day 9

Travel to the Algarve

Today is the biggest driving day of this Spain and Portugal road trip. It takes approximately 4 hours to drive to the Algarve, although this does vary a little bit depending on where you stay in the Algarve. Even so, you can be in the Algarve midday, which gives you the afternoon to start exploring or get in some rest and relaxation.

Towns we recommend staying in include Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira, or Carvoeiro. We cover your options in our article Where to Stay in the Algarve, which lists the top towns to consider and the best hotels for all budgets.

The Algarve

Spain and Portugal Itinerary Days 10, 11 & 12

The Algarve

With three full days in the Algarve, you have just enough time to visit this region’s most famous beaches, take a boat tour of the coastline, hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, and visit a few coastal towns.

Carvoeiro

Marinha Beach

Bordeiras Beach

Spain & Portugal Itinerary Day 13

Travel to Seville

Today, return to Seville, completing the loop. By car, this takes just over 2 hours. By train, it takes roughly two and a half hours.

You can spend the day in the Algarve and return to Seville in the evening, or make the journey earlier in the day, if you prefer to have more time in Seville.

The advantage of returning to Seville is cost. If you have a rental car, returning it to Seville avoids the drop fee, which can be quite expensive. It can also be cheaper in some cases to book your flights in and out of the same city.

However, another option is to fly out of Faro, which is located in the Algarve. This saves you the travel time to Seville, which may be worth it for some people.

Finally, one more option to consider is flying out of Lisbon, Portugal. From the Algarve, it takes 2.5 hours to drive to Lisbon (3 hours by train), which is very similar to traveling to Seville. The Lisbon airport may have more direct flights than Seville or Faro, so it is also an option to consider, especially for those flying to a location outside of Europe.

When deciding which option is best for you, we recommend researching flights in and out of Seville versus into Seville and out of Faro or Lisbon (both cost and convenience…if one option has a direct flight, versus a layover, this could be a better option), and rental car fees, if you plan to rent a car. If you are traveling by train, flying out of Faro saves you the train fare to Seville or Lisbon.

Spain and Portugal Itinerary Day 14

Fly home or Continue your Travels

Today, fly home or continue your travels to your next destination. If you have more travel time, adding on a road trip through Portugal works perfectly. Check out our 10-day Portugal Itineraries for ideas.

Modifying this Southern Spain & Portugal Itinerary

With More Time

Once in the Algarve, rather than returning to Seville, stay in Portugal. If you have 3 to 4 additional days, add on Lisbon and Sintra. With even more time, add on Porto and the Douro Valley.

If you prefer to see more of Spain, from Seville you can travel to Madrid or Barcelona, spending 3 to 4 days in each of these cities.We also really enjoyed our time in Rioja, a beautiful wine region in northern Spain.

Gibraltar and Tangier make good add-ons to this southern Spain and Portugal itinerary. From Ronda, drive to Tarifa and use this as a home base, visiting Gibraltar on one day and Tangier, Morocco on the second day (to do this, it takes 3 full days). Then resume this itinerary as it is written, traveling to the Algarve.

Gibraltar

With Less Time

It is possible to turn this into a 10-day southern Spain and Portugal itinerary, but you will have to move quickly and give up the Caminito del Rey and most of your time in the Algarve. Flying out of Faro also helps to save some time.

Day 1: Arrive in Seville
Day 2: Seville
Day 3: Travel to Córdoba
Day 4: Córdoba
Day 5: Travel to Granada
Day 6: The Alhambra & Granada
Day 7: Travel to Ronda in the morning, afternoon in Ronda
Day 8: Travel to the Algarve
Day 9: The Algarve, travel to Seville or Lisbon in the evening
Day 10: Fly home

Average Trip Costs

Here are some estimated costs per person (all prices are in USD during peak travel times).

Hotel Costs:

Budget Hotel, double room with two people: $50 – $150
Mid-Range Hotel, double room with two people: $150 – $300
Luxury Hotel, double room with two people: $350+

These are the prices for standard double rooms for each hotel class. Many hotels offer suites, rooms with a view, or apartments, and these will be more expensive than the price for a double room.

More Trip Costs

Train Travel: To travel from city to city, train fares range from $25 to $150, depending on the distance traveled and the speed of the train. Regional trains can take twice the length of time to cover the same distance as a high-speed train, and cost half as much, but you will be sacrificing sightseeing time.

Rental Car: Rental car fees can range from $60 to $150 per day, depending on demand. If you pick the rental car up from one location (for example, Seville) and drop it in a different location (for example, Faro), then there will be an additional drop fee, which could be several hundred more dollars.

Meals: Meals cost $8 to $25 per dish, depending on the restaurant. To save money, stay in a hotel that offers breakfast, put together picnic lunches, and skip the drinks at dinner.

Miscellaneous: Factor in approximately $50 USD per day per person for miscellaneous fees, such as a short taxi ride, souvenirs, etc.

Designing Your Own Itinerary?

This southern Spain and Portugal itinerary is a great starting point for designing your own custom itinerary. For more tips and tricks to help you plan the perfect trip, consider reading this article:

7 Things to Know When Planning Your First Trip to Europe

You can see all of our articles about Spain in our Spain Travel Guide and all of our articles about Portugal in our Portugal Travel Guide. For more great itineraries in Europe and around the world, visit our Travel Itineraries page.

If you have any questions about how to plan a southern Spain and Portugal itinerary, let us know in the comment section below.

More Spain & Portugal Travel Guides

BARCELONA: 3 Days in Barcelona: How to Plan an Amazing Trip to Barcelona
MADRID: Madrid Bucket List: Best Things to Do in Madrid
TOLEDO: One Day in Toledo: How to Plan a Day Trip from Madrid
BEST OF PORTUGAL:  Portugal Bucket List: 25 Best Things to Do in Portugal
PORTUGAL ITINERARY: 10 Days in Portugal: 5 Amazing Ideas for Your Trip to Portugal

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