A Coastal Road Trip Through Southern Spain

Seville → Valencia

From the Atlantic shores of Cádiz to the Mediterranean glow of Valencia — 8 stops, 7 days, 1 unforgettable journey along Spain's most storied coastline.

~1,070km
Total Distance
~12h
Drive Time
8
Stops
7
Recommended Days

The Route

Eight stops along the Costa de la Luz and Costa Blanca → Costa del Azahar
🔗 Interactive Google Maps — route with driving directions, zoom and pan

Costa de la Luz (Seville, Cádiz)
Costa del Sol (Málaga, Nerja)
Costa Blanca (Alicante, Altea, Calpe)
Costa del Azahar (Valencia)

Stop by Stop

Detailed itinerary with attractions, restaurants & driving info

📍
1
Starting Point
Seville (Sevilla)
Departure — Andalusia's Fiery Capital
Spain's most romantic city — Moorish palaces, flamenco in Triana, and tapas bars that don't open till midnight. The starting point of your coastal adventure.
Must-See Before You Leave
🏛️ Attractions
Real Alcázar & Cathedral
Moorish-Renaissance royal palace and the largest Gothic cathedral in the world.
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet 📍 Maps
Barrio de Triana
Cross the Guadalquivir to Seville's flamenco soul — ceramic studios, riverside tapas, late-night bars.
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet 📍 Maps
🍽️ Restaurants & Markets
Ático Sevilla
Rooftop terrace bar with 360º views of the Cathedral, Giralda, and Guadalquivir River. Craft cocktails, sunset vibes, right in the city center atop Hotel Lobby.
aticosevilla.com ↗ Ático Sevilla 📍 Maps
📍
2
1 Day
Cádiz
Europe's Oldest City · Atlantic Peninsula
🚗 126 km from Seville
⏱️ 1h 26m drive
📍 Cumulative: 126 km
A silver city on a narrow peninsula, washed by the Atlantic on three sides. Phoenician roots, Moorish walls, and the best fried fish in Andalusia. La Caleta beach is a postcard.
Explore Cádiz
🏛️ Attractions
Torre Tavira & Old Town
Climb Cádiz's tallest watchtower for a camera obscura view, then wander the whitewashed barrios.
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet 📍 Maps
La Caleta Beach
The iconic urban beach flanked by castles — featured in Bond film "Die Another Day."
andalucia365.com ↗ Andalucía 365 📍 Maps
🍽️ Restaurants & Markets
Restaurante El Faro
Legendary Cádiz institution — tortillitas de camarones, fresh fried fish, sherry pairing.
cosasdecome.es ↗ Cosasdecome 📍 Maps
Mare (Michelin Guide)
Modern Andalusian cuisine on Plaza de la Candelaria — elevated local seafood.
guide.michelin.com ↗ Michelin Guide 📍 Maps
📍
3
2 Days
Málaga
Birthplace of Picasso · Costa del Sol's Cultural Capital
🚗 223 km from Cádiz
⏱️ 2h 30m drive
📍 Cumulative: 349 km
Far more than an airport gateway — Málaga is a city of Moorish fortresses, a world-class Picasso museum, a stunning cathedral, and a booming food scene. The Soho district has become Europe's street art hotspot.
Explore Málaga
🏛️ Attractions
Museo Picasso Málaga
"This unmissable museum in the city of Picasso's birth" — Lonely Planet's Top Choice.
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet 📍 Maps
Alcazaba & Roman Theatre
Moorish hilltop fortress with lush gardens — "a taster of Granada's Alhambra" (Lonely Planet).
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet 📍 Maps
Málaga Travel Guide
Full Lonely Planet guide — cathedral, Soho district, tapas bars, beach clubs.
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet 📍 Maps
9 Best Things to Do in Málaga
Lonely Planet editor picks: from Mercado Atarazanas to Pedregalejo beach.
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet 📍 Maps
📍
4
1 Day
Nerja
Balcón de Europa · Caves & Hidden Coves
🚗 55 km from Málaga
⏱️ 50 min drive
📍 Cumulative: 404 km
The eastern edge of Costa del Sol — rugged cliffs, crystalline coves, and a spectacular cave system with the world's largest stalagmite. The Balcón de Europa promenade juts over the Mediterranean with panoramic views.
Explore Nerja
🏛️ Attractions
Cuevas de Nerja
Spectacular cave system — "one of the most spectacular caves in Spain." Huge galleries, ancient paintings.
cuevadenerja.es ↗ Cueva de Nerja 📍 Maps
Balcón de Europa
Iconic clifftop mirador — "I lean over the railings, let the Mediterranean breeze hit my face" (TravelCousin).
tripadvisor.co.uk ↗ Tripadvisor 📍 Maps
🏖️ Beaches
Playa de Burriana
Nerja's premier beach — "crystal clear waters and fine golden sand" (Visit Costa del Sol). Chiringuitos & kayaks.
visitcostadelsol.com ↗ Visit Costa del Sol 📍 Maps
🍽️ Restaurants & Markets
El Lagar Restaurant
4.7★ on Sluurpy — presa ibérica, revuelto, pan con alioli. Plaza Balcon de Europa location.
sluurpy.com ↗ Sluurpy/Tripadvisor 📍 Maps
📍
5
1-2 Days
Alicante
Castillo de Santa Bárbara · Costa Blanca Gateway
🚗 350 km from Nerja
⏱️ 3h 30m drive
📍 Cumulative: 754 km
The longest drive leg follows the ancient Roman Via Augusta. Alicante is "a dynamic, attractive Spanish city with a castle, old quarter and long seafront" (Lonely Planet). The Castillo de Santa Bárbara crowns Mount Benacantil with sweeping views.
Explore Alicante
🏛️ Attractions
Castillo de Santa Bárbara
16th-century castle atop Mount Benacantil — "sweeping views over the city from the ramparts" (Lonely Planet).
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet 📍 Maps
Alicante Old Town (El Barrio)
Cobblestone streets, colorful houses, tapas bars, and the Santa María basilica.
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet 📍 Maps
Palmeral of Elche (UNESCO)
"UNESCO World Heritage Site: vast date palm plantation with over 200,000 trees" — 15 min from Alicante.
blog.wayro.ai ↗ Wayro Blog 📍 Maps
📍
6
1 Day
Altea
White Town · Blue-Domed Church · Costa Blanca Jewel
🚗 50 km from Alicante
⏱️ 45 min drive
📍 Cumulative: 804 km
"One of the most beautiful coastal villages on the Costa Blanca, known for its whitewashed old town, blue-domed church" (Elle Blonde). Climb the cobbled streets to the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Consuelo for panoramic sea views.
Explore Altea
🏛️ Attractions
Old Town (Casco Antiguo)
Whitewashed houses, craft shops, blue-domed church — "Mediterranean charm in its purest form."
costablanca.digital ↗ Costa Blanca Digital 📍 Maps
🏖️ Beaches
La Olla Beach & Cap Blanc Cove
Dog-friendly beach and crystal-clear cove between the marina and Playa del Albir.
comunitatvalenciana.com ↗ Comunitat Valenciana 📍 Maps
🍽️ Restaurants & Markets
La Naya by El Xato (Michelin Guide)
Michelin-listed restaurant in Altea — creative Mediterranean cuisine by the sea.
guide.michelin.com ↗ Michelin Guide 📍 Maps
Olla Beach Restaurant
"Mediterranean cuisine, cocktails, and live music" — right on the beach in Altea.
ollabeach.es ↗ Olla Beach 📍 Maps
📍
7
1 Day
Calpe (Calp)
Peñón de Ifach · 332m Limestone Icon
🚗 12 km from Altea
⏱️ 15 min drive
📍 Cumulative: 816 km
"One of the most photogenic destinations on the Costa Blanca — famous for the giant Peñón de Ifach" (SpainRoam). A 332m limestone rock connected by an isthmus, natural park, hiking trails, and bird colonies. Every beach has a view of the rock.
Explore Calpe
🏛️ Attractions
Peñón de Ifach Natural Park
"A symbol of the Costa Blanca — 50,000 m² limestone rock rising 332m above the sea." Hike the isthmus trail.
calpe.es ↗ Calpe Tourism 📍 Maps
Calpe Beaches Guide
"Many long, sandy beaches make up Calpe, and every beach has a unique and stunning view of the mighty Peñón."
explorecostablanca.com ↗ Explore Costa Blanca 📍 Maps
Calpe Travel Guide 2026
Complete guide — old town, gastronomy, Ifach hike, summer fiestas.
spainroam.com ↗ SpainRoam 📍 Maps
🍽️ Restaurants & Markets
Restaurante Atenea (Beachfront)
"A culinary gem nestled along the beach" — Mediterranean dining with sea views in Calpe.
grubbio.com ↗ Restaurante Atenea 📍 Maps
📍
8
2 Days
Valencia
Final Destination · City of Arts, Beaches & Paella
🚗 100 km from Calpe
⏱️ 1h 15m drive
📍 Cumulative: 916 km
"Spain's third-largest city is a magnificent place, content for Madrid and Barcelona to grab the headlines while it gets on with being a wonderfully liveable city" (Lonely Planet). Birthplace of paella, home of the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, and miles of urban beaches.
Explore Valencia
🏛️ Attractions
Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
Lonely Planet Top Choice — Santiago Calatrava's architectural masterpiece. Oceanogràfic, planetarium, science museum.
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet 📍 Maps
🏖️ Beaches
Playa de la Malvarrosa & Arenas
"Stretching north from the marina, the beginning of Valencia's long beach" (Lonely Planet). Promenade, joggers, paella restaurants.
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet 📍 Maps
Cabanyal Beach
"Immortalized by Joaquín Sorolla" — Valencia's most authentic urban beach. Explore the old fishing district.
visitvalencia.com ↗ Visit Valencia 📍 Maps
🍽️ Restaurants & Markets
La Pepica (Since 1898)
"The Picassos of paella are the cooks in La Pepica's sprawling kitchens" (Frommer's). Beachfront paella since 1898.
lapepica.com ↗ La Pepica 📍 Maps
La Pérgola
Historic family-run kiosk bar on Paseo de la Alameda. Tapas, sandwiches and Mediterranean classics near the old riverbed gardens. 4.2★ on Sluurpy.
sluurpy.com ↗ Sluurpy/Tripadvisor 📍 Maps
🎵 Music & Entertainment
Splendini Bar i Discos
Tapas, craft beers & vintage vinyl records. Jazz, soul, funk, hip-hop and Latin grooves — DJ sessions and live events near Estación del Norte.
instagram.com ↗ Instagram 📍 Maps
HIFI Valencia
Valencia's first audiophile club — hi-end Admire Audio speakers, Technics SL-1200 turntables, rotary mixer. Vinyl-led DJ sets, live acts, cocktails and craft beer in the barrio de Jesús.
hifivalencia.com ↗ HIFI Valencia 📍 Maps

Trip Summary

All stops at a glance — distances, times, and recommended stays

# Stop From Previous Cumulative Drive Time Recommended Stay Highlights
1 Seville 0 km 2 days (pre-trip) Alcázar, Cathedral, Triana
2 Cádiz 126 km 126 km 1h 26m 1 day La Caleta, Torre Tavira, El Faro
3 Málaga 223 km 349 km 2h 30m 2 days Picasso Museum, Alcazaba, Soho
4 Nerja 55 km 404 km 50 min 1 day Caves, Balcón de Europa, Burriana
5 Alicante 350 km 754 km 3h 30m 1–2 days Castillo Santa Bárbara, Old Town, Elche palms
6 Altea 50 km 804 km 45 min 1 day White old town, blue dome, La Olla beach
7 Calpe 12 km 816 km 15 min 1 day Peñón de Ifach, beaches, Atenea
8 Valencia 100 km 916 km 1h 15m 2 days City of Arts, Malvarrosa, La Pepica paella
TOTAL ~916 km ~11h driving 7–9 days 8 stops · 4 coastal regions

All References

Sources cited throughout this itinerary

[4] Mare — Cádiz (Michelin Guide)— Michelin Guide
[6] A guide to Málaga, Spain— Lonely Planet
[7] Museo Picasso Málaga— Lonely Planet
[8] Alcazaba, Málaga— Lonely Planet
[10] Cueva de Nerja — Official Site— Cueva de Nerja
[11] Balcón de Europa — Reviews— Tripadvisor
[12] Playa de Burriana, Nerja— Visit Costa del Sol
[13] El Lagar Restaurant, Nerja— Sluurpy/Tripadvisor
[17] Alicante Travel Guide— Lonely Planet
[18] Old Town Altea Guide 2026— Costa Blanca Digital
[19] La Olla Beach, Altea— Comunitat Valenciana
[21] Olla Beach Restaurant, Altea— Olla Beach
[22] Peñón de Ifach, Calpe— Calpe Tourism
[23] Calpe Beaches: A Complete Guide— Explore Costa Blanca
[24] Calpe Travel Guide 2026— SpainRoam
[26] Valencia Travel Guide— Lonely Planet
[28] Playa de las Arenas, Valencia— Lonely Planet
[29] La Pepica — Since 1898— La Pepica
[30] Cabanyal Beach, Valencia— Visit Valencia
[32] Seville Travel Guide— Lonely Planet