t Mountain biking in Las Alpujarras.
Discover Seville and Andalucía Itineraries
On this driving tour of Andalucía’s wild countryside, you’ll get the chance to try a variety of outdoor activities. All of the suggested pursuits are suitable for those with no prior experience and can be adapted for children.
After setting off from Seville, relish a hearty breakfast at La Mundana in Camas, just outside the city (lamundana-cafe.negocio.site). Next, drive 70 km (43 miles) west to El Rocío. This village, with its sandy streets, is situated at the edge of the Parque Nacional de Doñana, so check out the flamingos on the marshlands before having lunch at Aires de Doñana. The menu celebrates local ingredients, including white prawns. Spend the afternoon on a four-wheel drive tour of the national park, keeping your eyes peeled for the ever elusive lynx. Then, hit the sack in one of Complejo Pequeño Rocío’s cottages.
Follow the coast towards Huelva, taking a break in Mazagón, a 45-minute drive away, to feel the sand between your toes. After some beach time, journey north to Aracena, the main town in the Sierra de Aracena. Here, you can fill up on jamón iberico and other regional specialities at the Restaurante Tapas Jesús Carrión. Allow an hour to visit the stunning Gruta de las Maravillas caves and the nearby laundry station, with its old stone tubs, then wander around the pretty town centre, enveloped by chestnut trees. Spend the night at the Hotel Convento Aracena & Spa, a 17th-century convent (www.hotelconventoaracena.es).
Snake your way through mountain villages to Cazalla de la Sierra in the Sierra Norte, stopping off for picnic supplies at Embutidos y Quesos Corral. Hire bikes from Bicicletas Verde Vía (www.bicicletasverdevia.com) and then follow the 19.5-km (12-mile) route to Cerro de Hierro alongside the bubbling cascades of the Hueznar river. Find a nice spot to picnic along the way. Before heading back to Cazalla de la Sierra to return your bike, order some tapas at Bar La Plaza (Plaza de España s/n, San Nicolás del Puerto). The Sierra Norte is a UNESCO Starlight Reserve, so be sure to gaze up at the spectacularly starry sky before going to bed at family-run hotel Las Navezuelas (www.lasnavezuelas.com).
Hit the road to Córdoba, which is just two hours away. Take a stroll along the river before lunch at Casa Pepe de la Judería, located right in the heart of the city’s historic quarter. Afterwards, indulge with a “Water Journey” in the spa Hammam Al Ándalus (www.cordoba.hammamalandalus.com). Relax, you’ve earned it! Round off the evening with sundowners and an innovative meal on the terrace at painfully cool Horno San Luís (www.hornosanluis.com). Historic Hospedería del Atalia is a great hotel choice (www.hospederiadelatalia.com).
What better way to experience Córdoba’s market than taking a tour? Foodie & Experiences will guide you around the stalls, helping you to select the freshest ingredients, before teaching you how to create traditional Spanish dishes (foodieandexperiences.com). It’s all rounded off with a decadent four-course lunch, accompanied by Andalucían white wine. While away the afternoon roaming the quaint cobblestone streets of the city centre, stumbling upon lovely patios overflowing with colourful flowers, before setting off for Benameji. Savour the dining experience of Mesón Puerta del Convento, which sometimes features live entertainment (mesonpuertadelconvento.com) and then settle down for the night at Posada de Momo (laposadademomo.es).
A day full of adventure is in store so have a big breakfast at Bar Puerta del Sol before setting off (puerta-del-sol-bar-and-grill.negocio.site). Report to OcioAventura Cerro Gordo in Cuevas Bajas for your adrenaline-fuelled itinerary (www.ocioaventuracerrogordo.co.uk). Go abseiling through precipitous gorges to the river bank below, enjoy a barbecue lunch and then conquer the rapids while whitewater rafting. After drying off, head to Antequera, a 30-minute drive away. Jamonería Fuentes is the perfect place to stock up on tomorrow’s picnic provisions (Calle San Agustín 8). After such a full-on day, you’ll probably fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow at Hotel Infante Antequera (www.hotelinfanteantequera.com).
Be sure to book your ticket for today’s challenge – the Caminito del Rey – well in advance. After the hour-long drive there, you’ll skirt the edge of steep chasms over 100 m (330 ft) above the Guadalhorce river on this skyscraping boardwalk. Next, rent a kayak to explore the nearby Embalse Conde de Guadalhorce, an astonishingly blue reservoir (www.zonarecreativalaisla.com). When it’s time for dinner, Casa Abilio in Álora serves up sustainable seasonal dishes (www.restaurantecasaabilio.com). Stay at nearby B&B Casa Arroyo de la Montaña (Partido de Sabinal 5; 952 11 21 72).
After a hearty breakfast at the B&B, it’s time to hit the road. The Real Golf Club el Candado is just an hour’s drive away and gives golfers the opportunity to perfect their swing while taking in some gorgeous views of the Mediterranean (www.clubelcandado.com). Sink nine holes before ordering lunch at the club’s restaurant. After admiring it from afar, it’s time to explore the Med at close quarters on a four-hour boat tour from Puerto Deportivo El Candado, on the outskirts of Málaga. You’ll take in the coastline before heading out onto the high seas for a dip and, if you’re lucky, dolphin sightings (www.malagacharter.com). For dinner, try the innovative takes on traditional fare at Mulse Bar & Restaurante in Rincón de la Victoria (mulse.es). Then, rest your head at Balcón de La Cala in La Cala del Moral, which overlooks the beach (Calle Salvador Dalí 45; 674 73 77 75).
After a well-deserved lie-in, drive east to Nerja and make your way down to Playa Burriana, where you can rent kayaks to paddle around the local coves (nerjadiving.com). Sample some espetos (grilled sardines) at Merendero Moreno. In the evening, watch the sunset from El Balcón de Europa, before splashing out on a top-notch meal at Restaurante Jacky (Calle el Chaparil 7; 952 52 11 38). Boutique Hotel Carabeo continues the luxury vibe (www.hotelcarabeo.com).
Bubión, at the heart of Las Alpujarras, is a 75-minute drive away. This verdant mountain range is the perfect place to go horse riding. Canter over ancient bridle paths, surrounded by diverse flora and fauna. Sierra Trails will pack a lunch for you to enjoy at a picturesque spot (www.spain-horse-riding.com). Out of the saddle, head into Bubión for regional cuisine at Teide (Calle Carretera 1; 958 76 30 37). Round off your holiday at Hotel Villa de Bubión (www.villasdeandalucia.com).
Discover Seville and Andalucía Itineraries
t Mountain biking in Las Alpujarras.