SEPT18Andalusia Travel Guide 2026: Itinerary & Budget
Andalusia packs eight provinces, 300 days of sun and three of Spain's great Moorish cities into a region you can cross in half a day. This guide uses Marbella and the Costa del Sol as a base, then rings out to Ronda, Granada, Seville and Gibraltar — with what each day costs and what is actually on while you are here.
A 7-day Andalusia itinerary from Marbella
Land at Málaga airport, base yourself on the coast, and take the inland cities as day trips. Nothing below needs more than a two-hour drive.
Day 1
Málaga & the coast road
Land, pick up a car and settle into Marbella. Sunset on Playa de la Fontanilla and tapas in the Old Town.
Day 2
Marbella Old Town & beaches
Plaza de los Naranjos in the morning, a chiringuito lunch, then a beach club or the Paseo Marítimo.
Day 3
Puerto Banús & Nueva Andalucía
Superyacht marina, boutique shopping, Saturday market, and a round in the Golf Valley.
Day 4
Ronda
One hour inland: the Puente Nuevo, the oldest bullring in Spain, and the Serranía wine bodegas.
Day 5
Granada
Early start for the Alhambra — book months ahead — then tapas in the Albaicín with Sierra Nevada behind you.
Day 6
Seville or Córdoba
The Alcázar and Triana, or Córdoba's Mezquita and patios. Both are easy by train from Málaga.
Day 7
Gibraltar or a slow beach day
The Rock and its macaques in 75 minutes, or Cabopino dunes and a last paella before the flight.
What a week in Andalusia costs
Per person, per day, in 2026 euros, excluding flights. Marbella sits at the expensive end of Andalusia; Granada and Córdoba cost noticeably less.
| Budget | Shoestring | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €45 hostel or inland apartment | €120 3–4* hotel on the coast | €400+ Golden Mile resort |
| Food & drink | €25 menú del día and tapas | €60 chiringuito lunch + dinner | €180 beach club and fine dining |
| Transport | €8 buses and local trains | €35 hire car, fuel and tolls | €90 private driver and transfers |
| Activities | €10 museums and free viewpoints | €45 Alhambra, caves, boat trip | €200 golf, spa, private tours |
| Daily total | €88 | €260 | €870 |
A week for two on the mid-range line works out at roughly €2,200 including a hire car, before flights.
What's on while you visit
Verified dates from official Andalusian sources, refreshed daily.
What's on in Marbella
Verified listings for the month ahead
Use the left and right arrow keys to browse the events.
SEPT18
SEPT17Entrada libreEvery guide in this collection
The detailed research behind the itinerary above.
Practical infoMarbella in October: Weather, Events and What's Open
October in Marbella: a warm sea, fewer crowds, open chiringuitos and autumn events across the Costa del Sol and wider Andalusia.
Read more about Marbella in October: Weather, Events and What's Open
Things to doMarbella at Christmas: Markets, Lights and Events
Christmas in Marbella: light switch-on dates, markets, the Three Kings parade and festive things to do on Andalusia's Costa del Sol.
Read more about Marbella at Christmas: Markets, Lights and Events
NightlifeThe Golden Mile bar list: where a coffee costs more than a beach day
What a coffee, cocktail or bottle costs in Marbella's Golden Mile bars, from Nobu to Olivia Valere: luxury nightlife on the Costa del Sol.
Read more about The Golden Mile bar list: where a coffee costs more than a beach day
Practical infoHow to Get from Marbella to Gibraltar
How to get from Marbella to Gibraltar: driving, buses, parking in La Linea and border queues, an easy day trip from the Costa del Sol.
Read more about How to Get from Marbella to Gibraltar
Practical infoIs Marbella Expensive? A Realistic 2026 Budget Guide
Real daily costs in Marbella: hotels, meals, beach clubs and transport, with budget tips for travelling the Costa del Sol and Andalusia.
Read more about Is Marbella Expensive? A Realistic 2026 Budget Guide
Things to doGolf in Marbella: Courses and Green Fees Compared
Compare green fees and tee times across Marbella's Golf Valley, Benahavis and East Marbella, the best golf on Andalusia's Costa del Sol.
Read more about Golf in Marbella: Courses and Green Fees Compared
Things to doTen Great Day Trips from Marbella: A Local Guide
Ronda, Granada, Seville, Gibraltar and Malaga: the best day trips from Marbella, with driving times, trains and tips for touring Andalusia.
Read more about Ten Great Day Trips from Marbella: A Local Guide
BeachesThe Best Family Beaches in Marbella: A Local Parent's Guide
Shallow, sandy and safe: Marbella's best family beaches with playgrounds, parking and chiringuitos along Andalusia's Costa del Sol.
Read more about The Best Family Beaches in Marbella: A Local Parent's Guide
Eat & drinkWhere to Eat the Best Paella in Marbella
Where to eat the best paella in Marbella, from rustic chiringuitos to Golden Mile arrocerias, authentic rice dishes on the Costa del Sol.
Read more about Where to Eat the Best Paella in Marbella
Practical infoGetting to Marbella from Málaga Airport
Getting from Malaga airport to Marbella: bus, taxi, private transfer and car hire compared, with 2026 prices and journey times in Andalusia.
Read more about Getting to Marbella from Málaga Airport
StayMarbella or Puerto Banús: Which Should You Stay In?
Marbella Old Town vs Puerto Banus: atmosphere, dining, nightlife and beaches compared to pick your base on the Costa del Sol, Andalusia.
Read more about Marbella or Puerto Banús: Which Should You Stay In?
Things to doWhat's On in Marbella in May
May in Marbella: warm weather, quiet beaches, ferias and events across the Costa del Sol, the ideal month to explore Andalusia.
Read more about What's On in Marbella in May
Things to doPuerto Banús: The Complete Guide
Puerto Banus explained: the superyacht marina, luxury shopping, beach clubs and nightlife in Marbella on Andalusia's Costa del Sol.
Read more about Puerto Banús: The Complete Guide
Things to doMarbella with Kids: A Family Guide
Family holidays in Marbella: kid-friendly beaches, water parks, playgrounds and easy day trips across Andalusia's Costa del Sol.
Read more about Marbella with Kids: A Family Guide
Eat & drinkWhere to Eat in Marbella: Our Local Favourites
Local favourite restaurants in Marbella, from Old Town tapas to chiringuito seafood and fine dining on Andalusia's Costa del Sol.
Read more about Where to Eat in Marbella: Our Local Favourites
StayWhere to Stay in Marbella: Areas Explained
Marbella's areas compared, from the Old Town and Golden Mile to Puerto Banus, Elviria and Nueva Andalucia, to choose your Costa del Sol base.
Read more about Where to Stay in Marbella: Areas Explained
BeachesBest Beach Clubs in Marbella
The best beach clubs in Marbella, from Nikki Beach to family chiringuitos: prices, sunbeds, music and booking tips on the Costa del Sol.
Read more about Best Beach Clubs in Marbella
NightlifeMarbella Nightlife: Where to Go After Dark
Where to go after dark in Marbella: Old Town tapas, Puerto Banus clubs and beach parties in the nightlife capital of the Costa del Sol.
Read more about Marbella Nightlife: Where to Go After Dark
Things to doTop 10 Things to Do in Marbella
The best things to do in Marbella: the Old Town, beaches, golf, hiking La Concha and day trips into Andalusia, chosen by locals.
Read more about Top 10 Things to Do in Marbella
BeachesThe Best Beaches in Marbella
Marbella's best beaches from Fontanilla to Cabopino: sand, facilities, parking and chiringuitos along Andalusia's Costa del Sol coastline.
Read more about The Best Beaches in Marbella







