Best Road Trips in Europe Over 50: Southern Spain 10-Day Itinerary

Have you ever imagined hopping in the car on a whim and spending 10 days driving through Southern Spain? Waking up somewhere new every day, discovering historic towns, and still being able to check in with work from a sunny terrace or cozy café?

That’s exactly what we did in early February. We packed a bag, rented a car, and set off less than a week after the idea first came up. It’s exactly the kind of lifestyle we moved to Europe for.

When you unretire abroad—and build flexible income streams that let you work from anywhere—you give yourself the freedom to say yes to adventures like this.

This wasn’t a "quit everything and backpack forever" kind of trip. It was 10 beautiful days exploring Andalusia’s most stunning cities and hidden gems. We worked from the road, took our time, and planned each day as we went.

If you're dreaming of a road trip through Spain—or want a taste of what flexible freedom can actually feel like—this itinerary is for you.

*Don’t miss our full video recap of this trip!

Southern Spain Road Trip Overview

We started from our home on Portugal’s Silver Coast and stayed overnight in Faro in the Algarve—a detour so Matt could order a new driver from the golf pro shop. The next morning, we drove to Seville. It was an easy and scenic drive that reminded us how effortlessly you can expand a Southern Spain itinerary to include the Algarve—especially if you're already starting your trip from Portugal or want to add an extra dose of charm and sunshine to your journey.

Here’s where we went:

• Seville
• Cordoba
• Granada
• Setenil de las Bodegas
• Ronda
• Marbella
• Caminito del Rey
• Cadiz

This itinerary works as a loop from Seville or Malaga. We didn’t make it to Malaga this time—but if we had to do it over again, we’d choose Malaga over Marbella. It’s a vibrant, culture-rich city that would have made a great final stop. But every stop offered something uniquely special, and we’re so glad we got to experience them all.

Day 1–2: Seville

Drive time: ~2 hours from Faro

Seville is a vibrant, elegant city filled with color and music. In February, the orange trees were bursting with fruit, adding even more life to the streets.

What we loved:

• Wandering the Santa Cruz neighborhood’s narrow lanes
• Soaking up the history and beauty of the Plaza de España
• Tapas at tiny neighborhood bars
• The architecture—a blend of Moorish and Gothic influence
• Catching a flamenco show in an intimate venue
• Cocktails at the hotel piano bar

We didn’t tour the Alcázar of Seville this time, but if you're a Game of Thrones fan, it's a must-see filming location.

Hotel: Hotel Las Casas de la Judería

Day 3: Cordoba

Drive time: 1.5 hours from Seville

Cordoba blends Roman, Moorish, Jewish, and Christian history into a compact, walkable city.

What we loved:

• The Mezquita-Catedral, a stunning architectural blend of mosque and cathedral
• The Roman Bridge and surrounding views
• Wandering the Jewish Quarter and discovering hidden courtyards

Hotel: Eurostars Conquistador

Restaurant: Casa Rubio (traditional tapas – one of the best meals of our trip, highly recommend!)

Day 4–5: Granada

Drive time: 2.5 hours from Cordoba

Granada sits at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The blend of Islamic and Christian history is woven into everything, especially in its iconic architecture.

What we experienced:

• Touring the Alhambra, one of the most stunning palaces in Europe
• Exploring the Cathedral of Granada and nearby streets
• Cozying up indoors with coffee—it was rainy and colder here than any other stop
  Even with the weather, the city’s charm was undeniable.

Hotel: Aurea Catedral (very nice hotel)

Day 6: Setenil de las Bodegas + Ronda

Drive time: 2 hours from Granada to Setenil, 25 minutes to Ronda

This was one of the most scenic days of the trip.

Setenil de las Bodegas

A tiny town famous for homes and cafes built into the cliffs. Unique, peaceful, and worth a short stop.

Pro Tip: Park at the edge of town and walk in.

Ronda

Dramatic cliffs and unforgettable views.

What we loved:

• The iconic Puente Nuevo bridge spanning the gorge
• Wandering through Ronda’s historic old town
• Incredible views and layered history

We didn’t stay overnight—but we wish we had. Ronda’s dramatic setting is especially stunning in the early morning and golden hour, and staying overnight would’ve let us experience the magical golden hour and early morning light in this dramatic setting.

If you can, we highly recommend spending the night to fully take in the town’s beauty at its most breathtaking.

Day 7: Marbella (or Malaga!)

Drive time: 1.5 hours from Ronda

Marbella has Mediterranean glamour, but it was one of the trickier spots to navigate. Even in February, traffic was heavy and parking was difficult. That said, we stayed in a peaceful neighborhood and loved the quiet contrast.

What we enjoyed:

• Walking along the seaside promenade
• Wandering Marbella’s Old Town

If we had to do it again: We’d choose Malaga over Marbella—more culture, better food, and easier to explore.

Hotel: The Pearl – charming and quiet neighborhood stay 

Restaurant: Timonel – incredibly charming with amazing paella—one of our absolute favorite meals of the trip

Day 8: Caminito del Rey

Drive time: 1.5 hours from Marbella, or 1 hour from Malaga

Once known as the most dangerous path in the world, Caminito del Rey is now a stunning, safe walkway suspended along a cliffside. We were among the first on the trail that morning. No crowds, gorgeous morning light, and total peace. It was the highlight of our trip and we highly recommend it.

Pro Tip: Book ahead. The walk is one-way with a shuttle back. Not strenuous, but thrilling.

Day 9–10: Cadiz

Drive time: 1.5 hours from Marbella

Cadiz absolutely stole our hearts. It's charming, unique, and steeped in history.

Often called "Little Havana" (though founded much earlier), Cadiz is surrounded by sea and delightfully walkable. While we didn’t catch any live music during our visit, the city was buzzing with energy as locals prepared for Carnival. We loved the unique shops, relaxed atmosphere, and late dining culture—many restaurants didn’t open until 9pm!

What we loved:

• Wandering the old streets and sea walls
• Exploring more of the old streets and soaking up the coastal views
• Enjoying great food, plazas, and relaxed energy

We didn’t make it to the Torre Tavira, but it’s known for its panoramic views and would be a great stop if you're exploring Cadiz.

Hotel: Áurea Casa Palacio Sagasta – Truly stunning—this hotel wowed us with its breathtaking architecture and beautifully restored interiors. Tucked right in the heart of the old town, it was a design lover’s dream and easily one of the highlights of our entire trip.

Restaurants: Malvón (a chain empanadas place with locations throughout Spain and Portugal) and Santa Catrina (Mexican) – We love finding great local spots that serve up seriously delicious cheap eats, and both of these places absolutely delivered. Amazing meals, full of flavor and charm—two of our favorite bites from the entire trip.

Optional: Malaga

We didn’t visit this time—but we wish we had. Malaga is lively, cultural, and full of great food. It’s an excellent place to start or end your Southern Spain road trip.

Travel Tips for Your Southern Spain Road Trip

• Drive times are short: Most legs are 1–2 hours. Roads are excellent.
• Off-season is ideal: February was sunny, cool, and crowd-free.
• Book key sites early: Alhambra and Caminito need advance tickets.
• Parking: Choose hotels with parking or call ahead and ask about public poarking. Small towns can be tricky.
• Pack light: Some towns have narrow, cobbled streets and stairs.

The Joy of Unretiring Abroad

This trip was possible because we’ve built flexible income streams that let us work from anywhere. We didn’t stop working. We just brought it with us.

That’s the power of unretirement abroad: more choices, more freedom, more chances to say yes to adventure.

Whether you dream of life abroad or just want to take better trips on your own terms, it starts with designing a life that supports it.

Want to know more about building flexible income streams after 50? Download our free Freedom Skills Workbook and discover how to turn your know-how into online income for more freedom after 50. 

All photos © The Unretirees