Have 6 nights in Southern Spain with the kids next February. We are flying into Seville and out of Malaga (and then 2 night stopover in Paris…did you know AF has free stopovers on award tickets? Now you do).
I assume we will spend the first three nights in Seville to get situated, recover from jet lag, etc.
After that, we have 3 nights. The only “must” is the Alhambra, and good food.
Basing in Marbella seems like an ok option with a long day trip to the Alhambra. Could also do 3 nights in Granada, but is it worth spending that long there? Alternatively are there any nice towns to call home for a few days between Malaga and Almeria? Would prefer to stay in one spot, but perhaps one night in Granada plus two nights in Marbella (or the parador in Ronda) is the best option?
We loved our time in Ronda. (Our kids were 12, 15, and 17.) It is a smaller city, but still plenty of things to do. My wife and I had a terrific dinner at Bardal, a 2-star Michelin restaurant, while the kids went to McDonald’s. Everyone was happy. Bardal also has a tapas place called Tragata.
Our highlights were: an easy family cooking class at El Golimbreo, off roading with Top Buggy ATVs, wandering around the old city, and the bullfighting museum, etc. I think there are cave paintings nearby as well.
My info is old.
Love Sevilla- could spend a week there easy- and February will be much nicer than the heat of August. Lots to do.
I didn’t spend much time in Granada other than the Alhambra- I missed the charm I know it must have, but compared to Sevilla it felt a bit to bustling and “big city”. Reminded me of the difference of Aix vs. other smaller towns in Provence. I would go again and ask @Nola_Palomar for advice to do it right.
I really liked Nerja- - Stayed at the Balcon de Europa-- but only stayed a day. Liked the coastal town feel, pace.
Marbella is great- but admittedly that was the sit on the beach in a in the sun portion of my trip- Taking the ferry to Morocco would be great but essentially a whole day in itself.
Been way to long to offer any specific info on food, etc.
We tried to take the ferry from Tarifa to Tangier, but the seas were too rough at and our ferry was cancelled. We learned this was a regular occurrence at that time of year (December). I’m not sure what the seas are like in February, but do have a contingency plan. In our case, we hiked the rock of Gibraltar again.
Yeah I was thinking if we did only one night in Granada to visit the palace in the afternoon when we arrive and the grounds the next morning (or vice versa?).
It’s funny how a decaying memory works. It may be due to where we stayed in Granada was less than ideal, or how the city is built around road arterials, but my memory is of a very busy road being ever present close to city center
Malaga would be the town I’d consider after Seville. It’s large enough to have something that may be fun for all, plus walking is the best and most fun way to get around. I’m obviously biased. Oh, fresh seafood.
Ronda is a must visit. It’s a 45 minute picturesque drive from Marbella. Stunning gorge and some great restaurants. Restaurant ‘Bardal’ was best meal I ate. Suggest Robert Dentice which I sparred with over CTBF tries it
Lots to do.