A 5 day winter getaway in Spain: Andalusia

My friend and I just touched down from our whirlwind winter getaway in Spain, and honestly? My heart is still somewhere between a cobblestone alley in Granada and a sun-drenched fortress in Málaga. We traded our sleep for tapas and our errands for siestas and it was the best decision we ever made- swapping a cold Serbian winter for a Spring in Southern Spain. Even though the weather was chilly (around 15 degrees celsius), the sun shone everyday and it was an excellent place to spend a winter getaway. 

Andalusia is widely considered the “quintessential” Spain. It is the birthplace of many traditions that people globally associate with Spanish culture—from flamenco and gazpacho to the dramatic architecture of the Moors.

Note: The flights, tours, accommodation and activities mentioned in this post were NOT sponsored/discounted/gifted. 

Is it Safe?

I didn’t fear for my life when walking around Spain but I definitely would advise holding on to your phones and other possessions. Pickpockets are rife in tourist spots.

Visa

South African passport holders require a Schengen visa to enter Spain. I have a guide about applying for one on my Instagram.

What to do about money?

Places in Spain took cards, even at small markets. 

Here’s exactly how we tackled our winter getaway in Spain:

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Royal Palaces and Sunset Dreams in Granada (2 nights)

We started our winter getaway in Spain, in Barcelona and flew to Granada, a city that felt less like a tourist stop and more like a time machine. There are also options to take a train- if you have more time. 

Things I enjoyed in Granada:

• The Albaicín: We took an afternoon, and crossed the valley to the old Moorish quarter. The streets were a dizzying maze of whitewashed walls and jasmine vines. We followed the scent of incense and spices until we hit the Mirador de San Nicolás. In my opinion this isn’t the best viewpoint. It would be much better to walk to Mezquita Mayor de Granada– its the mosque next to the viewpoint. It has a pretty garden and is quieter. Another recommendation I have for a viewpoint is Cuesta de Carvajales. Don’t forget to stop for a delicious escalivada sandwich at Cafe4Gatos (you will need cash). 

• The Alhambra: We were very fortunate to get tickets (thank goodness!), and walking into the Nasrid Palaces felt like stepping into a dream. The geometric tilework and the reflection of the arches in the still pools were so perfect they didn’t look real. We spent hours getting lost in the Generalife Gardens, pretending we were 14th-century royalty hiding from our responsibilities. If you’re a morning person, I recommend booking the 08:30am entry slot or tour (see tip below). This way, it’s less busy and you get some pretty morning light. 

Tip: If you aren’t able to buy the tickets on the official website, check Getyourguide or Viator. Tour companies usually buy the general admission tickets and then add it to the cost of tours. I found this tour on GetYourGuide and was extremely happy with the service I received. The guide was knowledgeable about the history and knew the best photo spots.

• The Sunset: We grabbed a spot on a stone just as the sun began to dip. Seeing the Alhambra turn a deep, glowing red against the backdrop of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains was the absolute highlight. San Miguel Alto viewpoint  is the best sunset spot. You can climb as high as you want to- depending on your fitness level- and the area is large enough that you’re not scrambling to share a tiny space with tons of people. 

• Flamenco: Watching the footwork fly at Tablao Jardines de Zoraya is less of a performance and more of a sensory takeover. Tucked away in the winding, whitewashed streets of Granada’s Albaicín neighborhood, this spot manages to balance a cozy, intimate atmosphere with the raw, explosive energy of authentic flamenco. We enjoyed a delicious meal before settling in for the show. You can book directly through their website here. 

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Fairytales and Málaga Heights (2 nights)

We soon headed toward the coast, ready to dive into the vibrant rhythm of Málaga. We took the Alsa Bus which took 2 hours and dropped us off in the middle of the city centre. I suggest booking tickets in advance.

• Málaga Arrival: We rolled into Málaga by early afternoon with the bus. The city had such a cool, beachy energy that instantly made us want to trade our sneakers for flip-flops.

• Sunset at Castillo de Gibralfaro: For sunset, we hiked up to the Castillo de Gibralfaro. The climb was a bit of a workout, but the view from the top? Unbeatable. We watched the sun sink behind the mountains while the Mediterranean glowed gold and the port lights started to flicker on. Seeing the entire city and the bullring from that height was the perfect introduction to Málaga. Most people opt for this popular spot but if you walk a little further, you can have a very quiet spot all to yourself. 

• Caminito del Rey: This was the main reason we travelled to Malaga. To save ourself hassle, we joined an organised tour early in the morning and drove into the mountains to hike the “King’s Little Path.” Walking on a boardwalk pinned 100 meters up the side of a limestone gorge was terrifying and exhilarating all at once. Looking down through the gaps in the boards at the turquoise Guadalhorce River made my knees wobble, but the views were worth every heartbeat. This is a very gentle walk (very little stairs) but its around 7km long so you need to have stamina to manage that. 

• We arrived back in Malaga city centre around 4pm and were starving! We went to an amazing restaurant called Tasca Laska which I highly recommend. Their tapas and paella were delicious (we ate here two nights in a row).

• The next day we grabbed a delicious breakfast at Pastry Ñanduti and then grabbed an Uber to to head to our next stop. We wouldve taken the bus but it was going a long circuitous route. 

• Castillo de Colomares: We pulled up to this monument near Benalmádena and felt like we’d walked onto a movie set. It’s a castle dedicated to Christopher Columbus, but it looks like a stone fantasy ship. We spent an hour pointing out all the tiny, intricate carvings of dragons and towers—it was honestly some of the most “extra” architecture I’ve ever seen. But honestly I would not recommend it. Visiting the Castillo de Colomares is as problematic because it functions as an uncritical, grand-scale tribute to Christopher Columbus, a figure whose legacy remains deeply polarizing due to his role in colonial violence and the displacement of Indigenous peoples. I felt conflicted between appreciating a quirky feat of human imagination and questioning its narrative intent.

• We ended our last afternoon enjoying some tapas at Illari Vinos y Tapas (strongly recommend their tapas!).  In the evening we flew back to Barcelona and prepared to depart Spain.

Andalusia serves as the soulful heart of Spain, offering a dense concentration of the country’s most iconic cultural hallmarks—from the raw, percussive passion of flamenco to the stunning Mudéjar architecture of the Alhambra. It is a region defined by dramatic contrasts, where you can explore the rugged “white villages” perched on limestone cliffs, ski the Sierra Nevada mountains, or relax on the sun-drenched Mediterranean coast all within a single trip. Beyond the sights, the allure lies in the sensory lifestyle; it is a place where tapas culture remains a social pillar, the scent of oranges fills the air, and world-class olive oil is celebrated as a local art form. Spain was the kind of trip that leaves your camera roll full and your soul refreshed.

Spain, you were a literal dream.

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in my other European content:

Planning a 5 day trip to Montenegro

Tetovo Mosque and Duf Waterfall (Macedonia)

5 myths about visiting the Dutch Tulip Fields

Unmasking Malta’s Overrated Sites

Unique Experiences worth having in Iceland

Hiking in Pirin National Park (Bulgaria)

Visit Paros, Greece with no car

Tips for Visiting Gostilje Waterfall (Serbia)

Unforgettable Viewpoints in Southern Italy

Lastly, I have a wealth of information on my Instagram especially in the Spain highlight, and on my feed. Do have a look. If you enjoyed this post about a winter getaway in Spain, please pin it using the pins below:

Have you visited Spain before? Or have I inspired you to plan a winter getaway in Spain? Let me know in the comments below!