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Itinerary · Europe

Andalusia to Lisbon road trip

Málaga, Granada and Seville, then over the border to the Algarve and Lisbon

Sacromonte, Granada. Photo: Jebulon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

12 days5 stops
2 countriesSpain, Portugal
2h 45mlongest hop
Mar–Jun, Sep–Octbest time to go

Southern Spain and Portugal are made for a road trip: the motorways are quiet, the drives are short, and every stop feels different from the last. You go from the Alhambra's palaces to flamenco bars in Seville to sea caves on the Algarve in under a week.

No drive on this route is longer than three hours. Fly into Málaga, pick up a car, and drop it in Lisbon, where you won't need it.

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The route at a glance

  1. UK
  2. 2h 45m
  3. 1Málaga1 night
  4. 1h 30m
  5. 2Granada2 nights
  6. 2h 45m
  7. 3Seville3 nights
  8. 2h 30m
  9. 4The Algarve2 nights
  10. 2h 45m
  11. 5Lisbon3 nights
  12. 2h 40m
  13. UK

Day by day

1

Málaga & the Costa del Sol

Day 1 · 1 night · Spain

The Alcazaba, Málaga
The Alcazaba, Málaga. Photo: Fernando, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Land, collect the car and ease in with tapas and a sea view.

  1. Day 1The Alcazaba at golden hour, then espetos on the beach at Pedregalejo

Málaga guide Hotels Tours

Book ahead in Málaga

  1. Best seller

    Caminito del Rey Guided Tour & Welcome Pack from Málaga

    ★ 4.9 (19,379)From £50

  2. Alcazaba and Roman Theatre Guided Tour With Entry

    ★ 4.7 (7,596)From £11

  3. Museo Picasso Málaga Entry Ticket

    ★ 4.5 (14,135)From £11

Drive 1h 30m to Granada: Málaga to Granada, 125 km on the A-45 and A-92Car hire

2

Granada

Days 2–3 · 2 nights · Spain

The Alhambra, Granada
The Alhambra, Granada. Photo: Jebulon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Alhambra is the reason to come. Book it before anything else.

  1. Day 2Wander the Albaicín and watch sunset over the Alhambra from San Nicolás
  2. Day 3The Alhambra and Generalife gardens with a timed ticket, free tapas in the evening

Granada guide Hotels Tours

Book ahead in Granada

  1. Best seller

    Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces Entry Ticket

    ★ 4.6 (18,218)From £23

  2. Los Amayas Cave Flamenco Show in Sacromonte

    ★ 4.7 (1,854)From £21

  3. Historic Center Walking Tour to Lower Albaicin

    ★ 4.8 (205)From £12

Drive 2h 45m to Seville: Granada to Seville, 250 km on the A-92

3

Seville

Days 4–6 · 3 nights · Spain

Plaza de España, Seville
Plaza de España, Seville. Photo: Carlos Delgado, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Orange trees, the Real Alcázar and the best flamenco in Spain.

  1. Day 4Park up and walk: Plaza de España and Parque de María Luisa
  2. Day 5The Alcázar and the Cathedral, flamenco in Triana
  3. Day 6A day trip to Córdoba's Mezquita, 45 minutes on the fast train

Seville guide Hotels Tours

Book ahead in Seville

  1. Best seller

    Royal Alcázar Entry Ticket

    ★ 4.6 (37,148)From £17
  2. Best seller

    Cathedral and La Giralda Entry Ticket

    ★ 4.6 (30,448)From £15

  3. Setas de Sevilla Entry Ticket

    ★ 4.5 (17,357)From £13

Drive 2h 30m to The Algarve: Seville to Lagos, 270 km on the A-49 and A22

4

The Algarve

Days 7–8 · 2 nights · Portugal

Ponta da Piedade near Lagos
Ponta da Piedade near Lagos. Photo: Arne Müseler, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons

Golden cliffs, sea caves and fish grilled on the harbour.

  1. Day 7Cross the border, then the cliff walk at Ponta da Piedade near Lagos
  2. Day 8A boat to Benagil Cave in the morning, Praia da Marinha after

The Algarve guide Hotels Tours

Book ahead in The Algarve

  1. Benagil Cave

    Boat or kayak tours to the famous sea cave.

    Find tours and tickets

  2. Ponta da Piedade

    Rock arches and grottos near Lagos.

    Find tours and tickets

  3. Praia da Marinha

    One of Europe's most beautiful beaches.

    Find tours and tickets

Drive 2h 45m to Lisbon: Lagos to Lisbon, 300 km on the A2

5

Lisbon

Days 9–12 · 3 nights · Portugal

Alfama and the River Tagus
Alfama and the River Tagus. Photo: Arne Müseler, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons

Drop the car and explore by tram, ferry and on foot.

  1. Day 9Return the car, then the miradouros and fado in Alfama
  2. Day 10Belém's tower and monastery, and a custard tart where they were invented
  3. Day 11The train to Sintra's palaces, back for sunset on the river

Lisbon guide Hotels Tours

Book ahead in Lisbon

  1. Alfama

    The oldest district, with lanes, viewpoints and the castle above.

    Find tours and tickets

  2. Belém

    The Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower and the original custard tarts.

    Find tours and tickets

  3. Tram 28

    A ride through the old districts. Board early to get a seat.

    Find tours and tickets

    Photo: André Lergier / Unsplash

Best time to go

Best: Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct. March to June and September to October. July and August are hot for city sightseeing, with Seville often over 40°C.

JFMAMJJASOND
Málaga131314161821242522201614
Granada881114182326262217119
Seville91013162025292924191310
The Algarve131314161821232422201614
Lisbon131314151719202020191614

Average temperature (°C) by month, 2001–2025, NASA POWER. Underlined months are the best time for this route.

Getting around

UK → MálagaFly to Málaga, with flights from most UK airportsFlightsAirport transfer2h 45m
Málaga → GranadaMálaga to Granada, 125 km on the A-45 and A-92Car hire1h 30m
Granada → SevilleGranada to Seville, 250 km on the A-922h 45m
Seville → The AlgarveSeville to Lagos, 270 km on the A-49 and A222h 30m
The Algarve → LisbonLagos to Lisbon, 300 km on the A22h 45m
Lisbon → UKFly home from Lisbon to most UK airportsFlights2h 40m

Times are typical door-to-platform or driving times without stops. Flight times are for a direct flight.

Flights to Málaga Car hire in Málaga

Good to know

  • One-way hire across the border usually adds a drop-off fee. Compare it with dropping the car in Seville and taking the bus to the Algarve.
  • The Algarve's A22 motorway has electronic tolls only. Ask the hire company for a toll transponder when you collect the car.
  • Old-town centres in Granada and Seville have camera-controlled zones. Book a hotel with parking on the edge and walk in.
  • Alhambra tickets sell out weeks ahead in spring and autumn, so book them the day you book your flights.
  • A UK photocard licence is all you need in Spain and Portugal. You drive on the right.
Before you goDriving in SpainSpain guidePortugal guideSchengen visa rules

FAQ

Can I take a Spanish hire car into Portugal?

Usually yes, but tell the hire company when you book. Most add a cross-border fee, and a one-way return in Lisbon adds a drop-off fee.

Do I need an International Driving Permit for Spain or Portugal?

No. A UK photocard driving licence is enough for a holiday in both countries.

How long are the drives?

None is over three hours: about 1h30 from Málaga to Granada, 2h45 to Seville, 2h30 to the Algarve and 2h45 to Lisbon.

Is 12 days enough for Spain and Portugal?

For the south, yes. Add three days and the drive north to Porto if you want to see more of Portugal.

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