Costa Tropica. The orginal coastal highway N-340 follows the hugs the coast and the newer A-7 motorway runs a few km inland along the mountainside thanks to some impressive viaducts and tunnels. If you have time take the N-340 which is more interesting.
70 km - 1 hour An interesting drive from Granada down to the Cosst at Motril. It is now motorway most of the way and takes about one hour.
Itinerary: Almeria - Tabernas - Almeria - (Day trip) Or continue to Guadix - Granada. If you're a fan of Wild West movies, or you have children in your group, then this outing is perfect for you. Take the A92 north out of Almeria, then turn off to the right on the N340 towards Mini Hollywood.
Itinerary: Almeria - Cabo de Gata - San Jose - beaches - Rodalquilar - . Leave Almeria on the N344, heading east. Then take the small road towards the town of Cabo de Gata, and carry on as far as the road goes, past the salt flats on your left. You will reach Faro de Gata, the lighthouse - enjoy the open sea views. Head back along the same road, taking the right turn to Ruescas, then right again - you're driving behind Cabo de Gata, as the cape itself is a national park.
If you want to visit a small but historic Andalucian city, then Almeria airport is where to collect your hire car. The surrounding area offers some of Spain's finest and most unusual beaches - wide sweeps of sand hemmed in by rose-coloured cliffs. This area is as yet undeveloped, so it's a perfect destination for those who prefer quiet days lazing in the sun, away from busy towns and noisy crowds. Movie-lovers will enjoy a visit to the old Hollywood film sets, where many Westerns were filmed, and where you can still see gunfights and dancing girls in a saloon bar.
Itinerary: Granada - Lanjaron - Orgiva - Trevelez - Yegen - Granada - (1 week).
From Granada, take the N-323 south, climbing up into the mountains and turning off to the left (A348) to Lanjaron.
Itinerary: Granada - Sierra Nevada - (Day trip or 2-3 days)
From Granada, take the A395 heading south east, which winds through the foothills towards Pradollano at 2712m. This town sits on Velleta, Spain's second-highest mountain. Hikers will enjoy the Sierra Nevada with its challenging peaks and beautiful senderos (paths), while winter-time visitors will want to get their skis or snowboard on in Solynieve, the ski resort.
From Granada airport, you can explore some spectacular mountain scenery nearby: choose from the Sierra Nevada, in winter Europe's southernmost ski resort, and in summer an excellent hiking destination; or the Alpujarras, unspoilt mountains with tiny, remote villages which haven't changed in centuries; the roads are narrow and tortuously windy - not for those in a hurry! This part of Andalucia offers many yoga retreats and alternative communities; it is also a haven for nature-lovers.
Jerez - Arcos de la Frontera Sierra de Grazalema - Grazalema - Ronda - San Pedro - Marbella - Malaga
Jerez - Sanlucar - Doñana - Cadiz - (Jerez) - White Villages - Medina Sidonia - Costa de la Luz - Tarifa.
Jerez de la Frontera is one of the most delightful airports in Spain - small and picturesque. The city itself is also compact and pretty, and nearby you will find the "sherry triangle", two other towns which also produce the famous fortified wine. Beach-lovers will delight in the Costa de la Luz, with its quiet, unspoilt stretches of golden sand.
Itinerary: Seville - Cordoba - Madinat Al-Zahra - Granada - (2 to 7 days)
Leave Seville heading east on the A4 to Cordoba city, you can stop off at Almodovar del Rio to see its magnificent castle, perched on a hilltop overlooking the river.
Itinerary: - Seville - Monasterio La Cartuja - Sierra de Aracena - Rio Tinto - Punta Umbria - Huelva - (2 days)
In Seville, go to the Isla Cartuja and see the Monasterio de Santa Maria de las Cuevas, with its old ceramics factory built by Charles Pickford. The factory is long out of use, but the tall brick chimneys are one of Seville's most famous landmarks, and the gardens and courtyards are shady and peaceful after the bustle of the city.
Check in at Málaga Airport takes place in both Terminal 2 (T2) and Terminal 3 (T3) which are adjoining building.
