An Exhilarating Southern Spain Road Trip
A rental car in Spain is the perfect solution for your road trip thru Spain which boasts everything from expansive beaches to diverse mountain landscape, each region is incredibly varied, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find an itinerary that doesn’t leave you feeling inspired to hit the road. In our other Drive to Discover Spain guides, we've explored the best places to visit in Spain including must-see UNESCO sites, the best cultural activities in Catalonia, and the tastiest culinary experiences in Northern Spain. Here we've scoured travel guides, spoke with experts and done some serious Instagram stalking to create this itinerary of the most breathtaking locations in southern Spain. In this road trip guide, you'll begin your 300-mile journey at the Malaga airport.
Jump down to discover why these 5 made the itinerary for the best places to visit in Spain.
1. The expansive views in Frigiliana
2. The historic Alhambra & Generalife of Granada
3. The dramatic canyons below the King's Little Pathway
4. The panoramic beauty of the mountaintop city of Ronda
5. The stunning coast of Marbella
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Driving Itinerary |
Distance |
Driving Time |
Malaga Airport to Frigiliana |
36 miles |
50 minutes |
Frigiliana to Granada |
61 miles |
1 hour 9 minutes |
Granada to El Chorro |
91 miles |
1 hour 55 minutes |
El Chorro to Ronda |
37 miles |
1 hour |
Ronda to Marbella |
38 miles |
1 hour 10 minutes |
Marbella to Malaga Airport |
37 miles |
50 minutes |
Totals: |
305 miles |
6h 54m |
Read on to Drive to Discover 5 Breathtaking Locations of Southern Spain
1. Expansive Vista in Frigiliana
"One of the most beautiful villages in Andalusia, Frigiliana cannot be skipped. Stroll the cobblestone streets and journey up to castle ruins that remain at the top of the village. From this spot, travelers can soak up spectacular panoramic views of the Mediterranean sea and surrounding valleys. It's easy to convince yourself that there's no place better in the world."
Next stop: 1 hours & 9 minutes
2. The Historic Alhambra & Generalife of Granada
"The Alhambra is one of those places that really lives up to the hype. Located in the pretty town of Granada, this Moorish palace is a spectacular sight by day or by night!"
Contributor: Suze is the
Luxury Columnist one of the leading luxury lifestyle blogs. Her aim is to help everyone experience a little luxury in their lives!
Website: Plan your trip to the
Alhambra & Generalife.
Next stop: 1 hour & 9 minutes
3. The Dramatic Canyons below the King's Little Pathway
"The now revamped King's Little Pathway (El Caminito del Rey) in Ardales, Andalucia was once known as the most dangerous walkway in the world. With dizzying heights and sheer drops this stunning walk, partly on the ground and partly suspended on the cliff face, is a must-do if you like nature and don't mind heights!"
Contributor: Rachel moved from England to rural Andalusia in 1996, she loves exploring her adopted homeland and writes about both as a freelancer and on her blog Andalucia Explorer.
Next stop: 1 hour
4. The Mountaintop City of Ronda
“Ronda is a stunning village perched dramatically above the El Tajo gorge overlooking the surrounding Andalusian countryside. Visitors from near and far come to enjoy the views from the town’s three bridges that are impressive architectural feats in their own right, the town’s bull ring (which is the oldest in Spain), and the Arab baths which are some of the best preserved in Europe. A visit would not be complete without dining at one of the town’s many restaurants with a view and enjoying a local meal of tapas or paella.”
Contributor: Kirsten Maxwell is a wife and mom to 3 over-scheduled kids & a rambunctious pup. She loves sharing her family’s travel adventures and tips, including the challenges of traveling with a child with food allergies. Find inspiration for your next family trip on her blog
Kids Are A Trip.
Website: Start planning your trip to
Ronda.
Next stop: 1 hours & 10 minutes
5. Stunning Coast of Marbella
"Marbella is a beautiful resort by the Mediterranean sea, a perfect place to chill, soak up the sun and sample a variety of cuisines. Marbella offers travelers is a must-visit for surfers too."
Contributor: Omar is a frequent traveler from Egypt. He loves exploring new destinations. Follow his adventures on his
Instagram account. Marbella is also the perfect home base for day trips.
Rent a car in Marbella and explore the sparkling coast by day and party in one of the exclusive Marbella clubs by night!
Next stop: 1 hours & 17 minutes back to Malaga.
Drive to Discover The Best Places to Visit in Spain

The best way to explore these stops in one trip is to rent a car and travel at your own pace. Let us help plan your next road trip adventure in Europe. With 60 years of experience, we can find you the
best car rental rates, luxury or economy, and
incredible hotel accommodations, to help you enjoy the perfect vacation abroad. Give us a call, toll-free at
1-888-223-5555 to speak to one of our experienced reservations agents, and prepare for the trip of a lifetime.
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