Independent Travel in Europe

Spain - Espana

With so many destinations to choose from in Spain, we chose to concentrate on a couple of central locations followed by visits to southern rural and urban areas. We also wanted to experience a variety of accommodations; hence, we stayed in small hotels, hostals, and self-catering apartments. We found all of our accommodations online and were pleased with all of our selections.

We stayed in each of the following cities/towns and also went on a number of day trips during our time along the southern coast:

Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba, Seville, Nerja and Entrerrios (near La Cala de Mijas). Day trips included Granada, Frigiliana, Gibraltar, Tarifa, Ronda, Mijas Pueblo, Velez-Malaga and Competa, amongst others.

Storefront window in Seville with Flamenco dancer statuettes

If you have a month:

Madrid - 4 nights
Toledo - 2 nights
Cordoba - 2 nights
Seville - 4 nights
Costa del Sol - 14 to 16 nights (with day trips)

This is the itinerary that we followed and it worked very well for us. We travelled by train from Madrid to Toledo, then Toledo to Cordoba and finally, from Cordoba to Seville. We then picked up our rental car in Seville and drove to Nerja, which is east of Malaga.

Alternate Itinerary - One Month

Barcelona - 4 nights
Madrid - 6 nights (with day trips to Toledo & Segovia)
Valencia - 3 nights
Costa del Sol - 14 to 16  nights (with day trips)

Free Activities in Madrid

Parque del Buen Retiro
Parque de la Montana
Almudena Cathedral
Plaza Mayor
Plaza de la Puerta del Sol

Grounds of the Royal Palace (Palacio Real)
Prado Museum - Free all day Sunday
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia  - Free after 2:30 pm on Saturdays and all day Sunday

Free Activities in Seville

Stroll along the Guadalquivir River
Plaza de Espana
Parque de Maria Luisa

Free Activities in Granada

Enjoy the view from the Mirador de San Nicolas