How To A Plan 7-day Andalucia Itinerary On A Budget

Planning a 7-day Andalucia itinerary and worried about the budget? Wondering if seven days is enough to experience the best of southern Spain? I’ve done it: trains, tapas, hilltop views, and all.

This guide is exactly how my trip went down, step by step, with practical tips and exact prices. Perfect if you’re traveling independently, want to avoid guesswork, and don’t mind walking a bit for jaw-dropping views.

📌Planning to explore southern Spain without renting a car? Here’s a quick visual overview of how to spend one unforgettable week in Andalucía.

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📍Day 1: From Malaga to Granada — Straight Off the Plane

• ✈️ 8:50 AM: Landed at Malaga Airport
• 🚌 10:15 AM: Caught the Alsa Bus from right outside the terminal to Granada (€15). Super easy. Book your bus tickets here.
• 🕧 12:30 PM: Arrived at Granada’s bus station. Took Metro Line 1 to the hotel (€1.30 + €0.30 ticket).

🛏️ Stay: DWO Urban Granada Hotel (bed only, no breakfast) — modern, central, great value.

🎒 Afternoon walk through historic Granada:

• Plaza Bib-Rambla
• Granada Cathedral (€7)
• Royal Chapel of Granada (€7)
• La Madraza, Alcaicería market, and Corral del Carbón

🎟️ No need to book in advance for the Cathedral or the Royal Chapel. Just show up and pay at the entrance. Chech out my blog post on all the best things to do in Granada.

🌅 Sunset spot not to miss:

I walked up to Mirador de San Nicolas (it’s a bit steep but beautiful), but you can also take bus C31 or C32 if you prefer to skip the climb. Once there, enjoy the most iconic sunset view of the Alhambra.

Afterward, I wandered through the Albaicín, strolled down Cuesta del Chapiz, and along the romantic Paseo de los Tristes with the Alhambra glowing above me.

You will find many free things to do in Granada. Find them here on a map.

🕌 Day 2: Inside the Alhambra (Book Early!)

This morning I strolled past:

• Plaza Nueva
• Royal Chancellery
• Church of Santa Ana
• Carrera del Darro’s ancient bridges
• El Bañuelo (Arab baths, €7)
• Casa de Zafra (free with your Bañuelo ticket)

El Bañuelo and Casa de Zafra are some of Granada’s hidden gems. Do not miss them!

🥗 Lunch with a view? Head to Paseo de los Tristes. That view of the Alhambra never gets old.

🏰 Afternoon: The Alhambra Experience

Walked up Cuesta del Rey Chico (steep but scenic) around 30 minutes. I entered the Alhambra complex around 2:00 PM, visiting in this order:

• Generalife
• Palace of Charles V
• Alcazaba
• Nasrid Palaces at 4:30 PM (you must be on time!)

🎟️ Pro tip: Buy tickets in advance from the official site (€19). Entry to the Nasrid Palaces is timed and strictly enforced. Bring your passport or ID! Check out my detailed guide on how to visit the Alhambra.

🧴 Optional: I had time for a custom perfume-making workshop at Patio Parfum — really fun and unique. Check availability and book it here.

🚆 Day 3: Granada to Córdoba by Train

• 11:13 AM–12:44 PM: Direct train to Córdoba (book early to save: Omio). Alternatively, you can take the bus. Buses travel 1 hour longer, but are cheaper.
• Short walk or bus to the hotel.

🛏️ Stay: Hotel Maciá Alfaros (BO – no breakfast)

🏛️ Explore Córdoba’s history:

• Roman Temple
• Posada del Potro
• Mezquita & Patio de los Naranjos (€13)
• Calleja de las Flores
• Synagogue & Casa de Sefarad
• Chapel of San Bartolomé
• Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos (€7.50)
• Puerta del Puente & Roman Bridge

🥘 Optional dinner: Mercado Victoria

🍷 For authentic tapas, I loved Taberna La Fuenseca in Córdoba (C. Juan Rufo, 20, Centro). It is tiny and local. Get there early, as it has only a couple of tables and gets crowded later.

🏰 Day 4: Córdoba to Seville

• 11:50 AM–12:44 PM: Train to Seville (book early to save: Omio). Check out the buses too, though they travel 1 hour longer, and are not always cheaper.
• 1 km walk from the station (no city bus)

🛏️ Stay: Virgen de los Reyes Hotel (BO – no breakfast)

Top Seville attractions:

• Casa de Pilatos (€12–18)
• Setas de Sevilla (Las Setas, €16 – go at night for the lights!)
• Seville Cathedral & La Giralda (€21).
• Archivo General de Indias

🎟️ Important: Pre-book Seville Cathedral (and especially Giralda) and Alcázar tickets online.

🌅 Day 5: Sunrise + Alcázar Tour + Back to Malaga

🌄 Early start at Plaza de España — totally worth it for sunrise photos.

• 8:30–10:00 AM: Joined the “Alone in the Alcazar” Early Access Tour – absolutely recommend it! (€89, sometimes discounted at €79). It was the only splurge in my itinerary, but worth every cent. No crowds, just our small group of 15–20 people having the whole palace to ourselves. No waiting around for others to move so I could take a photo. A true VIP experience – total peace, quiet, and just the sound of birdsong in the early morning air.
• Quick stop at Torre del Oro (free)
• 3:00–5:45 PM: Bus to Malaga. Visit Omio and check trains too. They are faster and sometimes even cheaper than buses. Not in my case, though.
• Check-in: ILUNION Málaga (2 nights, BO – no breakfast. Better rates if booked from a mobile device.)

🏞️ Day 6: Ronda & Setenil de las Bodegas (Day Trip)

• 8:00 AM–6:00 PM: Joined a full-day tour from Malaga. Secure your spot here as early as possible, as this tour fills up quickly (€22).
• The cliff views, white houses, and Setenil’s cave bars? Unreal.

🏖️ Day 7: Chill Day in Malaga

Slow stroll through:

• Malaga Cathedral (€10)
• Roman Theatre
• Alcazaba (€3.50)
• Castillo de Gibralfaro (€3.50)

🚆 To the airport: easy bus or train (€3–4). Flew out in the evening.

💶 Total Cost of My 7-Day Andalucia Itinerary (For 2 People)

Here’s exactly what we spent for two people traveling independently through Granada, Córdoba, Seville, and Malaga, staying in comfortable, well-rated hotels (all bed only, no breakfast):

• 🚌 Transport (buses + trains): €264
  • Includes all intercity trains (Granada–Córdoba, Córdoba–Seville, Seville–Malaga), Alsa bus from Malaga Airport to Granada, and local connections.
• 🏨 Hotels (6 nights in 4 cities): €584
  • DWO Urban Granada Hotel (2 nights, BO)
  • Hotel Maciá Alfaros in Córdoba (1 night, BO)
  • Virgen de los Reyes Hotel in Seville (1 night, BO)
  • ILUNION Málaga (2 nights, BO)
• 🏛️ Entrances + guided tours: €415
  • Includes the Alhambra, Mezquita, Alcázar Early Access Tour, Casa de Pilatos, Seville Cathedral & La Giralda, Setas de Sevilla, and more.

✅ Grand Total for 2 People: €1,263

That’s €631 per person for an unforgettable week across southern Spain. No backpacking, no hostels, no skipping must-sees.

🧳 Just add your flights and you’re good to go.
👉 €631 per person – all in, except international flights.

📌Wondering if you can experience the magic of Andalucía on a modest budget? Save or share this pin as proof that you absolutely can!

Ready to Plan Your Own Andalucia Adventure?

This 7-day Andalucia itinerary gave me a perfect balance of Moorish palaces, whitewashed villages, and unforgettable sunsets, all without rushing. If you found this helpful, please consider sharing it with your travel buddies, saving it for later, or pinning it to your Spain or Europe travel boards.

📌 Need it offline? Grab the printable Andalucia itinerary, perfect for planning on the go.

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