South West Spain Road Trip: The Culinary Side of Andalusia

Vanskelighetsgrad

435 km

Distanse

6+

Anbefalte dager

Food

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Cora Harrison

Freelance writer for Indie Campers, currently trying to find herself in Indonesia but without much luck. Enjoys exploring weird and wonderful world cuisine — the less identifiable, the better.

South West Spain Road Trip: Itinerary: Málaga do Seville

South West Spain Road Trip map itinerary

For those seeking sun, sand, sea, and a dash of swank, this South West Spain road trip is a no-brainer. But Andalusia is more than that. Spain’s southerly region is also making a name for itself as a culinary destination to rival the likes of gastronomic superstars, the Basque Country and Catalonia.

With its white-stone villages and sun-bleached beaches, the sound of flamenco, and the scent of orange trees, Andalusia already has a lot going for it. But for foodies eager to sample delicious, distinct, and culture-crossing cuisine, this region has extra allure.

On this Andalusia itinerary that takes in the region’s most enticing and exciting culinary hotspots, you’ll have the chance to savour flavours just as unforgettable as the setting in which you enjoy them.

The market in Seville has fresh groceries, eateries and cooking classes so visit suring your South West Spain road trip
Pick-up in
Málaga depot
1

Explore unmissable Málaga

First stop on your culinary South West Spain road trip is a city with its finger firmly on the gastronomic pulse. Málaga, once a bit down on its luck, is reinventing itself as a true foodie getaway with gastropubs and hip cafes popping up all over.

With its hilltop citadels and contemporary art, Picasso’s birthplace is a vibrant and dynamic city where you can enjoy delicious seafood and, when night falls, a bar scene that just refuses to go to bed.

Grilled fish is delicious in Málaga on this South West Spain road trip itinerary for campervans

Refuel on boquerones fritos — or fried anchovies. These are so popular in Andalusia that the word now also refers to the locals themselves. Pay a visit to the cathedral before enjoying lunch at Atarazanas market.

Head to an ultramarino to stock up on Iberian jamón and cheese to enjoy back at the campervan campsite. Savour the sunset on one of the many rooftop terraces.

For dinner, speciality must-tries include ajoblanco, a garlic soup, followed by a coffee with some tarta Malagueña. For beachside dinner, try espetos, fish skewers roasted over a sizzling fire.

Besøk

Málaga

1

Anbefalte dager

Hovedvei

6 miles

from our Malaga pick-up center

20 min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Alcazaba

Iconic Arabic citadel

Pedregalejo

Best beach for fresh fish

Museo Picasso

Showcasing work by the legendary artist

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Eat at

Antigua Casa de Guardia

$

Oldest tavern in Málaga

Gorki Selección

$$$

Gourmet tapas and Spanish wine

El Pimpi

$$$

Iconic venue with terrace and flamenco nights

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Parking

Estación María Zambrano

$$$$

Covered parking by train station

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Stay at

Málaga Monte Parc

$$$

30-min drive from Málaga, fully facilitated

2

Mouth-watering Marbella

Well-rested and well-fed, head on to the next destination on your South West Spain road trip: the flashy, sassy queen of the Costa del Sol, Marbella.

The city isn’t all swanky clubs, supercars, and private yachts. All that cash to splash also entails some pretty spectacular restaurants. An abundance of local produce is transformed by the best in the business into mouth-watering dishes, and, in Marbella, eating well is basically inevitable.

Fried prawns in Marbella are a must-try on your South West Spain road trip of Andalusia

First up should be gambas al pil pil: prawns fried with garlic and chilli, served with enough bread to feed a village. Or, if you’re hoping to slip into something tight later on, opt for the ensalada Malagueña.

Then explore the fancy and oh-so-fabulous Puerto Banús, or venture out to the surrounding vineyards for some eno-tourism, or wine tasting.

After sunset, engage in some tapeo— hopping from bar to bar for drinks and tapas. This is how the locals while away a leisurely evening — and they probably know best.

Besøk

Marbella

1

Anbefalte dager

Hovedvei

40 miles

from Málaga

1h

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Paseo Marítimo

Beachside promenade

Alameda Park

Escape the heat in this peaceful refuge

Avenida del Mar

Collection of Dali sculptures

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Eat at

Dani García

$$$$

Two Michelin-starred restaurant

Farm

$$$

Farm-fresh food in old town

Garum

$$$

International cuisine on the Golden Mile

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Parking

Public Car Park Benabola

$$$$

Pricey but close to the center

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Stay at

Camping Cabopino

$$$

Family-run campsite 15 min from Marbella

3

Onwards to the gastronomic wonders of Ronda

One of Andalusia’s best-known pueblos blancos teeters above a 150-metre gorge. Ronda is the emblematic white-stone town and a truly gorgeous stop on your South West Spain road trip.

There’s plenty to satisfy cultural needs here, such as the bullfighting arena of Plaza de Toros. But even more to fulfil gastronomic requirements, from traditional tapas to Argentinian steaks. Plus the rugged Serranía de Ronda produces delicious red wines just waiting to be sampled.

The most famous peublo blanco on this South West Spain road trip is Ronda

Work up an appetite with a hike down into the gorge and back again. Reward yourself at the Ronda Sweet Bakery, which also runs baking workshops. Enjoy the dizzying views from El Balcon del Coño or learn about Ronda’s riotous history of rebels and outlaws at the Museum of Bandits. 

If the gory tales don’t put you off, take afternoon tea at the Victorian Hotel, whose gardens inspired German poet Rilke. And before you leave, make sure to try some serranitos and stock up on yemas de Ronda.

Besøk

Ronda

1

Anbefalte dager

Hovedvei

40 miles

from Marbella

1h10min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Plaza de Toros

18th-century bullfighting ring

Puente Nuevo

Historic bridge over 120-metre (~394 feet) gorge

Arab Baths

Among best preserved in Spain

Júzcar

Known as the Smurf town

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Eat at

Casa María

$$$

No menu, creative and cosy

De Locos Tapas

$$$

Quirky and full of character

Meson El Sacristan

$$$

Wood-fired meats

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Parking

Estación de Tren Ronda

$$$

Parking by train station

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Stay at

Camping El Sur

$$$

Olive grove, mountain views

4

The culinary delights of Cádiz

Surrounded by mountains, pine forests, vast skies, and boundless beaches, Cádiz feels more far-flung, more exotic, and more untamed than the other Andalusian cities.

With its Arabic forts, palaces, and crumbling sea walls where Atlantic waves crash, it’s certainly romantic. Incidentally, it’s also a paradise for foodies.

Try this local dish in Cádiz on this foody itinerary of South West Spain

Cádiz is the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in Europe and we suspect it was those chicharrones de Cádiz that did it. Wander the old town to discover hidden corners crammed with history. Marvel at the golden dome of the cathedral.

Refuel on tortillitas de camarones. Or, for something more substantial to power your South West Spain road trip, try pollo a la canilla — chicken marinated in sherry. Cádiz is, after all, an important point on the Sherry Triangle. 

Stroll by the sea, and, when night falls, head to a neon-lit, napkin-strewn freideria for mounds of delicious salty fish, and, before heading to bed, catch some flamenco in a local peña.

Besøk

Cádiz

2

Anbefalte dager

Hovedvei

112 miles

from Ronda

2h

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Torre Tavira

18th-century lookout tower

La Caleta

Beach with views of castle

Mercado Central

Fresh fish and cold beer

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Eat at

El Faro

$$$$

Elegant fish restaurant

Casa Manteca

$$

Flamenco and bullfighting paraphernalia

La Marmita

$$$

Sophisticated and minimalist

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Parking

Cádiz Train Station

$$$

Within walking distance of center

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Stay at

Camping Playa Las Dunas

$$$

Beachside campsite, 30 min from Cádiz

5

The sherry capital of Jerez de la Frontera

Jerez: tapas, flamenco, and sherry. Oh, and horses. Jerez is where some of the finest horses in the world are trained and bred. So if you fancy some equestrian ballet, you’re in the right place.

You’re also in the right place for exceptional gastronomy. You can enjoy some of the best of Andalusian cuisine in Jerez, also the birthplace of sherry. So read up on this most underrated tipple and continue on to the next destination of this Andalusia itinerary

Jerez de la Fronter enroute the Spanish Coast Road Trip

Your stay in Jerez is going to be heavy on the drinking, that’s for certain (don't drink and drive!). And no better place to start than a traditional tabanco — of which the best-known is Tabanco el Pasaje.

Alongside, enjoy traditional fare of stew, meatballs, tortilla, and clams. Then wander streets of palms and orange trees, soft pink buildings and Baroque churches. Relax in the stately Plaza del Arenal.

If you time your South West Spain road trip right, you might catch the Feria de Caballo, a centuries-old celebration with the city’s famous horses as a centrepiece.

Besøk

Jerez de la Frontera

1

Anbefalte dager

Hovedvei

25 miles

from Cádiz

35 min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Alcázar de Jerez

Moorish fortress from the 11th century

Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art

Spectacular horse-riding show

Bodegas Díez Mérito

Family-run winery for sherry tours and tastings

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Eat at

Tabanco San Pablo

$$

Traditional old-school tapas

Cruz Blanca

$$$

Upmarket regional fare

Albares

$$$

Creative concoctions using local produce

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Parking

Motorhome parking, Avenida Tío Pepe

$$$

(Overnight) parking 4 km (~3 miles) from city center

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Stay at

Camping Medina Sidonia

$$$

Quiet camping 30 min from Jerez

6

Savour the flavours of Seville

Seville — with its palaces, churches, flamenco clubs, and 14,000 orange trees — is immediately seductive. Intense and fiery, it’s an ideal finale to your culinary South West Spain road trip.

Seville does nothing by halves and the passion that flows into its flamenco songs and dances is met with equal fervour in the kitchens of its acclaimed restaurants. So continue to your itinerary’s last foodie haven: a Moorish capital that is totally—excuse us—moreish.

Oranges and architecture in Seville

First, head to the magnificent cathedral. The Metropol Parasol or the Alcázar are also worth your time. Escape the sun in the Palacio de las Dueñas or consider a cooking class at the Mercado de la Triana.

For lunch, there’s carrillada de cerdo or a serranito de Lomo — the city’s signature sandwich. Climb the Giralda for spectacular views.

As night falls, bar-crawl along La Macarena’s Calle Feria and be sure to try the solomillo al whiskey. How did whiskey get involved? We’re not sure, but it’s delicious.

Besøk

Seville

1-2

Anbefalte dager

Hovedvei

59 miles

from Jerez

1h10min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

The Alcázar

Tranquil courtyards, beautiful garden

Mercado Lonja del Barranco

19th-century market hall

Museum of Flamenco

Costumes and a performance at 7pm

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Eat at

Abantal

$$$$

Imaginative takes on Andalusian cuisine

Milonga’s Restaurante Argentino

$$$

Lively and popular, Argentinian cuisine

La Azotea

$$$

Purportedly best tapas in Seville

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Parking

Area de Autocaravanas de Seville

$$$$

(Overnight) parking, short bus ride from city center

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Stay at

Camping Dehesa Nueva

$$$

Green campsite at 40 min from Seville

Drop-off in
Seville depot

10 km

Seville city

16 minutes

drive