Headed to Malaga (Spain) early spring, 2025. Where else should we go?

[stmartinfan]

Barcelona was one of our favorite European destinations…I'm not usually interested in architecture but seeing all the Gaudi buildings was fascinating. We also enjoyed Granada for the Alhambra, Seville, Rondo and Gibraltar, just because of its unusual status. We started in Madrid because of flights, but I would have been OK with skipping it.

 

[bobpark56]

Don't bite off more than you can chew. We have been to Spain more than a dozen times, sometimes for as long a 5 weeks...focusing primarily on the Costa del Sol and neighboring hill towns, principally Gaucín, Jimenna de la Frontera, and Antequerra, though we have also stayed in Cádiz, Córdova, Sevilla, Granada, Barcelona, and Madrid (twice). We have yet to see all that we would like to see. Our advice is to take it slow and easy...and enjoy. Do not try to do too much on any one trip. It's all enjoyable, so just pick a few things to see and do and relax. You can always return for another try. Málaga itself can be a very pleasant stay, as can Fuengirola. Gibraltar is worth one visit, but we have no urge to return. We recommend avoiding the heavily touristy areas during tourist season (mid/late March - Sept). Otherwise the food, wine, car rentals, and property rentals are better than in the US.

 

[klpca]

Malaga is a fairly large city. Get out of there. The Pueblas Blancas, 'White towns' along the Med coast are memorable. Be sure to see the Alhambra in Granada. You can go to Morocco (Tangier) easily, but the interior of Morocco is worth visiting, Gibraltar is worth a visit, but is a Brit junket destination. If traveling, try to stay in (pick any number of nights) in Paradores. They are historic and cultural places brought up to modern standards by the Gov't of Spain. https://paradores.es/en Similar places exist in Portugal, called Posadas.

I have told my wife for years that if I simply disappear, the first place to look is the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Alas, that ship has sailed without me.

Jim

By the way, I love the suggestion of the Paradores. They are right up our alley. We may drop the week in Malaga and eplus into something else here in the US, then just do a slow road trip in Spain. I found this site that has itineraries that are heavy on the paradores. I thought you might find it interesting too.

 

[Passepartout]

By the way, I love the suggestion of the Paradores. They are right up our alley. We may drop the week in Malaga and eplus into something else here in the US, then just do a slow road trip in Spain. I found this site that has itineraries that are heavy on the paradores. I thought you might find it interesting too.

Thanks! We have discovered the Paradores in Spain and Pousadas in Portugal. They often borrow items from national and regional museums to give the places 'character'. There is little to compare with them.

Enjoy your trip!

Jim

 

[chunkygal]

Thumbs up to Marbella and Ronda. One of best MVC IN MARBELLA AND THE OLD TOWn in the evening is so fun.

 

[PcflEZFlng]

Now that the thread's been resurrected and I've been reminded of it, @klpca did you take your trip? If so, how was it?

 

[klpca]

Now that the thread's been resurrected and I've been reminded of it, @klpca did you take your trip? If so, how was it?

Sadly, we couldn't go. They changed the flights to the point that they were unworkable for us and I took the opportunity to cancel the trip. It is still on the short list and we'll probably try for next spring. We were set to go in early -mid March. It turned out to be a rainy March so it was probably for the best anyway. I am planning on booking either April or May.

 

[PcflEZFlng]

Sadly, we couldn't go. They changed the flights to the point that they were unworkable for us and I took the opportunity to cancel the trip. It is still on the short list and we'll probably try for next spring. We were set to go in early -mid March. It turned out to be a rainy March so it was probably for the best anyway. I am planning on booking either April or May.

Sorry it didn't turn out, but it looks like you'll have another shot at it. As it happens, this thread came back just as I learned of a trip opportunity to Spain at just the same time (April-May). So I pored back over the posts and looked at all the suggestions again!

 

[4TimeAway]

Sadly, we couldn't go. They changed the flights to the point that they were unworkable for us and I took the opportunity to cancel the trip. It is still on the short list and we'll probably try for next spring. We were set to go in early -mid March. It turned out to be a rainy March so it was probably for the best anyway. I am planning on booking either April or May.

To me the dream and planning are the best parts..

If you have points/miles seats.aero can still search for great flight options.
Flying into London, Paris, etc. can be done very reasonable even Premium Economy or Business (flat option). Getting flights over Europe is not costly.

That said we are wheels up tomorrow for LHR/CDG, Lisbon, Porto, London... Almost had the trip you were planning but the family wanted Euro Disney, Belgian Fries, and see Portugal again.

"Traveling is one way of lengthening life, at least in appearance." Ben Franklin

 

[klpca]

To me the dream and planning are the best parts..

If you have points/miles seats.aero can still search for great flight options.
Flying into London, Paris, etc. can be done very reasonable even Premium Economy or Business (flat option). Getting flights over Europe is not costly.

That said we are wheels up tomorrow for LHR/CDG, Lisbon, Porto, London... Almost had the trip you were planning but the family wanted Euro Disney, Belgian Fries, and see Portugal again.

"Traveling is one way of lengthening life, at least in appearance." Ben Franklin

We were booking using Alaska points/cash on Aer Lingus. All of the sudden a one hour domestic layover turned into a 9 hour layover in Vegas with a 6am departure time from San Diego - we could have driven in less time but that was not allowed. Then a 3 hour Dublin layover dropped to two hours (probably doable, but I hate being pressed for time). We tried to change to anything else that worked, but every other itinerary was even worse. There were better options available on Aer Lingus, but they weren't available as a partner booking. If we changed airlines, the prices were substantially more. I took it as a sign that it just wasn't meant to be and canceled the trip. We'll get there soon.

Our replacement trip for late March/early April was a driving trip to Death Valley, Truckee, and Yosemite. Even though it wasn't Spain, we still managed to have a fabulous time. We even stumbled upon a vintage car rally through 20 Mule Team Canyon in Death Valley. All of the cars were very early vintage - including a Rolls Royce. It was the highlight of our trip. Any trip is a good trip.

 

[PcflEZFlng]

To me the dream and planning are the best parts..

If you have points/miles seats.aero can still search for great flight options.
Flying into London, Paris, etc. can be done very reasonable even Premium Economy or Business (flat option). Getting flights over Europe is not costly.

That said we are wheels up tomorrow for LHR/CDG, Lisbon, Porto, London... Almost had the trip you were planning but the family wanted Euro Disney, Belgian Fries, and see Portugal again.

"Traveling is one way of lengthening life, at least in appearance." Ben Franklin

Completely agree. With next year's Spain opportunity becoming much more likely, I used miles to quickly grab cheap international business class flights for the dates I need. Securing the flights I want are usually my first priority when planning a trip. Now I look forward to planning all the in-betweens (excursions, trains, cars, hotels, etc.) which I enjoy doing.