We’ve got an epic, extra-long southern Spain road trip guide planned for you here that even has the option to end up in Barcelona (yes we know that’s not strictly in the south…) if you so please. So whether you’re after taking all Madrid has to offer or you want to hit the sun-baked cities of Seville and Granada, let’s delve right in.
You can pick up your hire car here in Madrid and follow the itinerary for the three days of your trip in the city:
Magical Madrid
Paseo del Arte (the Art Walk) takes you to see some of the world’s greatest artworks all within a kilometre of each other. This includes the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofía museums as well as several other institutions and buildings. The Landscape of Light area has recently been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Prado celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2019 and holds masterpieces from the Spanish, Italian and Flemish schools. The collection is so vast it is recommended to follow one of three itineraries from 1 to 3 hours. The shortest includes El Greco, Goya, Velazquez, Rafael, Rubens, and the immaculate Bosch Garden of Earthly Delights (you might have to shade the little ‘uns’ eyes). So planning is good so as not to get overwhelmed and instead focus on individual paintings like you read a book (an audio tour is available).
So a good start for culture vultures but for those of you on the road trip with a thirst for sport Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium is simply awe-inspiring. It has hosted a whole history of championship finals, including the World Cup, UEFA, European and Spanish tournaments. It is a big reason why Real Madrid are often regarded as the premier football team in the entire world.
And if you want to get a feel for some of Spain’s fascinating history take a visit to the Royal Palace of Madrid. Unlike most official residencies of Heads of State it is open to the public to explore its 135,000 square metres and 3,148 rooms, the largest in Western Europe.
Museo Arqueologico Nacional contains works split into themed galleries: protohistory – Iberian sculpture from southern and southeastern; Roman Hispania – from excavations at specific archaeological sites as well as from those bought for posterity; Late Antiquity – Lower Roman Empire in the Iberian Peninsula, the Visigothic Kingdom of Toledo and the Byzantine Empire; Medieval World -al-Andalus including the famous Alhambra vases; Medieval World – Christian Kingdoms with some wonderful Romanesque ivory craftsmanship; Near East including pottery from Iran; Egypt and Nubia composing of amulets, mummies and steles; and Greece – from continental Greece, Ionia, Magna Graecia and Sicily.
And for some genuine flamenco take in Cafetín La Quimera in the north of the city center in the Las Ventas neighborhood. This vibrant venue hosts some of the best performers in the city, drawing a predominantly local audience.
The Trip From Madrid to Granada (260 miles, 4 hours without stop-offs)
Stop off at Toledo, an ancient city positioned on a mount above the plains of Castilla-La Mancha. The region’s capital it’s known for the medieval Arab, Jewish and Christian features in its walled old city. It boasts to be the home of painter El Greco. The Moorish Bisagra Gate and the Sol Gate, and Plaza de Zocodover make a popular meeting place.
Parque Warner Beach is a play park that will thrill both young and old. New this year are slide and water attractions Aquaman and Black Manta while The Joker has some disorienting traps and an exciting finale, a giant funnel.
Ubeda is in the Andalusian province of Jaen in between the Guadalquivir and the Guadilamar river beds. You can live as a king or queen at Forteleza de la Mota and admire the Renaissance-style palaces and churches, which are well preserved and the area is declared as a World Heritage Site.
Granada
The Alhambra is the second most visited venue in Europe: this astounding palace-city is a clever blend of medieval Islamic, Renaissance Christian and modern architectural styles.
Parque de las Ciencias is an interactive science centre and museum focusing on cultural leisure, and is both entertaining and educational. It looks at the natural world, outer space, scientific games and a journey inside the human body.
Tablao Flamenco La Alborea is a centre for pure Spanish Flamenco and is set in an idyllic spot with great acoustics. The guitarist and two dancers, one of each sex, take you through the traditional song and dance styles.
Hire a car with a debit card from Granada Airport if you want to start your journey here.
Cordoba
The first point of call has to be the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Mosque-Cathedral widely thought of as the most prestigious Islamic monument in the western world. Wonder at the golden mosaics and marvel at the red and white striped arches.
The terrible history of the Inquisition can be discovered at the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos even though its gardens are splendid. The Jewish Quarter is endearing with its narrow streets only surpassed perhaps by the beautiful Calle de las Flores. The Old Town offers tremendous views as well as many fine eateries and souvenir shops.
Seville
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site is the Real Alcázar which over five centuries of transformation from Islamic origins to Gothic and Romanesque elements. Then came the influence of the Renaissance and today we see a unique blend of styles.
The Plaza de España was designed by the great Sevillian architect Aníbal González in 1929. It is quite dazzling with its 50,000 square metre area and also has a 515-metre-long canal which makes for a romantic trip.
Founded in 1839, the Museum of Fine Arts of Seville displays an immense collection of works dating back to the medieval era and right up to the early 20th century. The Golden Age of Sevillian painting from the 17th century gets a particular focus and there is no doubt that you culture vultures will be thrilled.
If you’re thinking of setting off from sunny Seville, hire a car with a debit card at Seville Airport with us to make things easy from the offset.
Valencia
An intoxicating blend of science, nature and art can be found at Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia. There are five main themed spaces: the Hemisferic for IMAX film and digital cinema; the Umbracle giving a vista of Valencia; Principe Felipe Science Museum for interactive science; the Oceanográfico, a huge aquarium; and for opera the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía.
Bioparc Valencia gives the visitor an immersive experience with both social animals and different species seen in their natural habitat. The predatory species are kept separate but this totally gives you an idea of the function of natural ecosystems.
You may want to cool down at siesta time and the Cathedral is a good spot for this. It consists of Gothic, Romanesque and neoclassical architecture. It is a functioning religious site and houses the famous Holy Grail in a 14th century chapel.
Be sure to check out our options for car hire with a debit card at Valencia Airport if you plan to set off from here!
Optional: Valencia to Barcelona (188 miles, 4 hours without stops)
If you want to pivot north and end your trip at Barcelona then check out these must-see stops along the way.
Starting off in the 11th century AD as a form of Muslim defence the Peniscola Castle was given to James I of Aragon. This then passed down to James II who gave the site to the Knights Templars and their design has more or less remained intact.
History can be fun but nothing really beats theme parks for the kids. So a stop at PortAventura Caribe Aquatic Park is on the cards no doubt. There is a chance to have a go at rafting, some freaky slides, or just chill in a lounger to the reggae soundtrack!
Barcelona at Last!
In my student days, I visited the city expecting to stay a week; a month went by and I was still finding treasures gleaned from Robert Hughes’ excellent book on the city.
Hughes really raised my enthusiasm for seeing works by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, starting with the simply magnificent Basilica of the Sagrada Familia. Gaudi said: “[It] is made by the people and is mirrored in them. It is a work that is in the hands of God and the will of the people.” Then there is more Gaudi at Parc Guell where you can picnic amongst the incredible sculptures.
And more for culture vultures can be found at the Joan Miro Foundation. Miro’s work is set just as the artist intended and these are put in dialogue with the work of other artists from his own collection.
While no visit to the city would be complete without taking in the Museu Picasso with so 4,251 works of the master. There is an excellent overview of his early work, great selection from the Blue Period and the series Las Meninas is displayed to great success here.
Although bullfighting is now banned The Monemental has historical artifacts including matadors’ outfits, bulls ‘ heads and other paraphernalia.
Then if you are feeling sporty and in for something truly grand the FC Barcelona stadium has been the home stadium of its team since its completion in 1957. Seating 99,354 it is the largest stadium in Spain and Europe.
So it will be with sadness that you give the keys back and take the flight home but be assured this is a once-in-a-lifetime car trip with something for everyone.
If you want explore Spain further, be it road trips or driving guides in general, take a look at our other articles: