Driving around Andalucia
Navigating Your Way Around Andalucía: Rediscover the Joy of the Open Road
GPS has transformed the way we travel. With a few taps on a screen, we can find the quickest route, avoid traffic and arrive at places we might never have discovered otherwise. It is an amazing tool, and for many travellers, an indispensable companion. Yet, in an increasingly digital world, there are still people who love the feel of a book in their hands or the simple pleasure of spreading a newspaper across the breakfast table. There is something reassuring about turning a page, taking your time and enjoying the experience without a screen demanding your attention. The same is true of maps.
The timeless appeal of a good map
GPS works well throughout Andalucia, but there is no substitute for a good road map when it comes to planning out a journey or ensuring you can find alternative routes when construction blocks off the access seen on a GPS screen.
Paper maps are far from a thing of the past. They remain a wonderfully practical way to explore Andalucía, offering something that a GPS screen often cannot: the bigger picture.
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A wide variety of road maps flood the market. However, the most highly recommended is the Michelin 446 of Southern Spain.
For making your way around towns and cities, it is often useful to consult maps online and even to print out satellite maps in order to orient yourself before entering a maze of streets, especially when entering older sections of a city where a less than logical layout and a lack of good street signs can get you lost faster than you can say “labrynth”!
Printed Motoring Maps
Michelin publishes the best motoring maps of Spain.
A motoring map of the whole of Spain at a scale of 1:1.000.000 or 10 kilometres per centimetre is the "Michelin Map 990: Spain".
Michelin also publishes more detailed motoring maps of individual areas of Spain at a scale of 1:400.000 or 2.5 kilometres per centimetre as follows:
- Michelin Map 571 Spain: Northwest, Galicia - Buy
- Michelin Map 572 Spain: Northwest, Asturias, Cantabria - Buy
- Michelin Map 573 Spain: North, Basque Country, Navarra, La Rioja - Buy
- Michelin Map 574 Spain: Northeast Catalonia, Aragon, Andorra - Buy
- Michelin Map 576 Spain: Central and West: Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, Madrid - Buy
- Michelin Map 577 Spain: Centre/East Murcia Valencia - Buy
- Michelin Map 578 Spain: South Andalucia - Buy
Here is an example of the detail of these maps:
 | Buy this map from Amazon |
The magic of a map
Unfold a map of southern Spain and you can see the winding roads crossing the mountains, the white villages scattered across the hillsides and the coastline stretching from the Costa del Sol towards Cádiz. You can spot a detour that looks interesting, discover a village you have never heard of or simply change direction because the road ahead looks inviting.
With a traditional map, the journey becomes part of the adventure. There is no voice telling you to turn left in 200 metres, no pressure to follow the fastest route and no need to worry about losing a mobile signal in the mountains. Instead, you can take your time, stop when something catches your eye and discover Andalucía at your own pace. Maps are also lovely souvenirs. A well-used road map, marked with the places you have visited, can become a lasting reminder of a memorable holiday.
A map and a GPS: the perfect combination
There is no need to abandon modern technology altogether. GPS is invaluable for finding accommodation, navigating busy city streets and getting back on track when you take a wrong turn. A paper map, meanwhile, helps you understand the landscape and see the possibilities beyond your immediate destination.
Use both, and you get the best of both worlds. Plan your general route with a map, then turn to your satnav when you need precise directions. Keep a map in the glove compartment, especially if you intend to explore remote areas where mobile coverage may be patchy. Before setting off, check local driving regulations, parking arrangements and road conditions. If you are hiring a convertible, make sure you understand the rental terms and insurance cover, too.
Discover Andalucía at your own pace
Perhaps the real pleasure of exploring Andalucía by car is the freedom it offers. You can travel from the coast to the mountains in a morning, stop for lunch in a historic town and finish the day watching the sun set over the countryside. So, next time you visit, put the phone away for a while, unfold a map and choose a road that appeals to you. Hire a car, take the scenic route and allow yourself the luxury of getting a little lost. After all, the best journeys are not always about reaching your destination. Sometimes, they are about everything you discover along the way.
Hiring a car is best way to tour Andalucia. Travel with ease, stop where you want and enjoy the beautiful views!. We have a page about every village including things to see. Consult our general Car Hire page for car hire tips and advice on rental groups, insurance excess, young drivers, DVLA code, fuel policy and security, plus links to a range of car hire companies. Check out our specific car hire pages in each of our airport and main train station pages. Malaga Airport Car hire, Gibraltar Airport Car Hire.
CAR HIRE
Hiring a car is best way to tour Andalucia. Travel with ease, stop where you want and enjoy the beautiful views!. We have a page about every village including things to see. Consult our general Car Hire page for car hire tips and advice on rental groups, insurance excess, young drivers, DVLA code, fuel policy and security, plus links to a range of car hire companies. Check out our specific car hire pages in each of our airport and main train station pages. Malaga Airport Car hire, Gibraltar Airport Car Hire.