A Coastal Road Trip Through Southern Spain

Seville → Valencia

From the Atlantic shores of Cádiz to the Mediterranean glow of Valencia — 9 stops, 8 days, 1 unforgettable journey along Spain's most storied coastline.

~1,070km
Total Distance
~13h
Drive Time
9
Stops
8
Recommended Days

The Route

Nine stops along the Costa de la Luz and Costa Blanca → Costa del Azahar
🔗 Click any map pin to open the blog review for that stop

1 Seville 2 Cádiz 3 Tarifa 4 Málaga 5 Nerja 6 Alicante 7 Altea 8 Calpe 9 Valencia Costa de la Luz Costa del Sol Costa Blanca Costa del Azahar Med. Atlantic N Costa de la Luz Costa del Sol Costa Blanca

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
Real Alcázar & Cathedral
Moorish-Renaissance royal palace and the largest Gothic cathedral in the world.
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet
Barrio de Triana
Cross the Guadalquivir to Seville's flamenco soul — ceramic studios, riverside tapas, late-night bars.
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet
📍
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.
Attractions & Restaurants
Torre Tavira & Old Town
Climb Cádiz's tallest watchtower for a camera obscura view, then wander the whitewashed barrios.
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet
La Caleta Beach
The iconic urban beach flanked by castles — featured in Bond film "Die Another Day."
andalucia365.com ↗ Andalucía 365
Restaurante El Faro
Legendary Cádiz institution — tortillitas de camarones, fresh fried fish, sherry pairing.
cosasdecome.es ↗ Cosasdecome
Mare (Michelin Guide)
Modern Andalusian cuisine on Plaza de la Candelaria — elevated local seafood.
guide.michelin.com ↗ Michelin Guide
📍
3
1-2 Days
Tarifa
Where Two Oceans Meet · Kitesurf Capital of Europe
🚗 105 km from Cádiz
⏱️ 1h 15m drive
📍 Cumulative: 231 km
Europe's southernmost point — where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean and Morocco is visible across the strait. Wild beaches, constant wind, bohemian surf culture, and the freshest red tuna (atún rojo de almadraba) in Spain.
Attractions & Restaurants
Playa de Los Lances & Valdevaqueros
Vast dune-backed beaches — kitesurfers, crystal-clear water, chiringuitos. Blue Flag.
tarifamax.com ↗ Tarifa Max
14 Things to Do in Tarifa
From the Guzmán castle to whale-watching in the Strait — comprehensive travel guide.
anywhereweroam.com ↗ Anywhere We Roam
La Pescadería — Red Tuna Temple
Atún rojo de almadraba (traditional tuna trap method), straight from the dock. "Del mar a tu mesa."
lapescaderiatarifa.com ↗ La Pescadería
Balneario Beach Club & Chiringuito Los Troncos
Kilómetro cero dining — local ingredients, beachside vibes, sunset cocktails.
balneariobeachclubtarifa.com ↗ Balneario BC
📍
4
2 Days
Málaga
Birthplace of Picasso · Costa del Sol's Cultural Capital
🚗 168 km from Tarifa
⏱️ 1h 54m drive
📍 Cumulative: 399 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.
Attractions & Restaurants
Museo Picasso Málaga
"This unmissable museum in the city of Picasso's birth" — Lonely Planet's Top Choice.
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet
Alcazaba & Roman Theatre
Moorish hilltop fortress with lush gardens — "a taster of Granada's Alhambra" (Lonely Planet).
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet
Málaga Travel Guide
Full Lonely Planet guide — cathedral, Soho district, tapas bars, beach clubs.
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet
9 Best Things to Do in Málaga
Lonely Planet editor picks: from Mercado Atarazanas to Pedregalejo beach.
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet
📍
5
1 Day
Nerja
Balcón de Europa · Caves & Hidden Coves
🚗 55 km from Málaga
⏱️ 50 min drive
📍 Cumulative: 454 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.
Attractions & Restaurants
Cuevas de Nerja
Spectacular cave system — "one of the most spectacular caves in Spain." Huge galleries, ancient paintings.
cuevadenerja.es ↗ Cueva de Nerja
Balcón de Europa
Iconic clifftop mirador — "I lean over the railings, let the Mediterranean breeze hit my face" (TravelCousin).
tripadvisor.co.uk ↗ Tripadvisor
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
El Lagar Restaurant
4.7★ on Sluurpy — presa ibérica, revuelto, pan con alioli. Plaza Balcon de Europa location.
sluurpy.com ↗ Sluurpy/Tripadvisor
📍
6
1-2 Days
Alicante
Castillo de Santa Bárbara · Costa Blanca Gateway
🚗 350 km from Nerja
⏱️ 3h 30m drive
📍 Cumulative: 804 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.
Attractions & Restaurants
Castillo de Santa Bárbara
16th-century castle atop Mount Benacantil — "sweeping views over the city from the ramparts" (Lonely Planet).
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet
Alicante Old Town (El Barrio)
Cobblestone streets, colorful houses, tapas bars, and the Santa María basilica.
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet
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
📍
7
1 Day
Altea
White Town · Blue-Domed Church · Costa Blanca Jewel
🚗 50 km from Alicante
⏱️ 45 min drive
📍 Cumulative: 854 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.
Attractions & Restaurants
Old Town (Casco Antiguo)
Whitewashed houses, craft shops, blue-domed church — "Mediterranean charm in its purest form."
costablanca.digital ↗ Costa Blanca Digital
La Olla Beach & Cap Blanc Cove
Dog-friendly beach and crystal-clear cove between the marina and Playa del Albir.
comunitatvalenciana.com ↗ Comunitat Valenciana
La Naya by El Xato (Michelin Guide)
Michelin-listed restaurant in Altea — creative Mediterranean cuisine by the sea.
guide.michelin.com ↗ Michelin Guide
Olla Beach Restaurant
"Mediterranean cuisine, cocktails, and live music" — right on the beach in Altea.
ollabeach.es ↗ Olla Beach
📍
8
1 Day
Calpe (Calp)
Peñón de Ifach · 332m Limestone Icon
🚗 12 km from Altea
⏱️ 15 min drive
📍 Cumulative: 866 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.
Attractions & Restaurants
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
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
Restaurante Atenea (Beachfront)
"A culinary gem nestled along the beach" — Mediterranean dining with sea views in Calpe.
grubbio.com ↗ Restaurante Atenea
Calpe Travel Guide 2026
Complete guide — old town, gastronomy, Ifach hike, summer fiestas.
spainroam.com ↗ SpainRoam
📍
9
2 Days
Valencia
Final Destination · City of Arts, Beaches & Paella
🚗 100 km from Calpe
⏱️ 1h 15m drive
📍 Cumulative: 966 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.
Attractions & Restaurants
Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
Lonely Planet Top Choice — Santiago Calatrava's architectural masterpiece. Oceanogràfic, planetarium, science museum.
lonelyplanet.com ↗ Lonely Planet
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
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
Cabanyal Beach & Valencia Guide
"Immortalized by Joaquín Sorolla" — Valencia's most authentic urban beach. Explore the old fishing district.
visitvalencia.com ↗ Visit Valencia

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 Tarifa 105 km 231 km 1h 15m 1–2 days Kitesurf, Playa Los Lances, red tuna
4 Málaga 168 km 399 km 1h 54m 2 days Picasso Museum, Alcazaba, Soho
5 Nerja 55 km 454 km 50 min 1 day Caves, Balcón de Europa, Burriana
6 Alicante 350 km 804 km 3h 30m 1–2 days Castillo Santa Bárbara, Old Town, Elche palms
7 Altea 50 km 854 km 45 min 1 day White old town, blue dome, La Olla beach
8 Calpe 12 km 866 km 15 min 1 day Peñón de Ifach, beaches, Atenea
9 Valencia 100 km 966 km 1h 15m 2 days City of Arts, Malvarrosa, La Pepica paella
TOTAL ~966 km ~11h driving 8–10 days 9 stops · 4 coastal regions

All References

Sources cited throughout this itinerary

[4] Mare — Cádiz (Michelin Guide)— Michelin Guide
[8] La Pescadería, Tarifa— La Pescadería
[9] Balneario Beach Club Tarifa— Balneario BC
[10] A guide to Málaga, Spain— Lonely Planet
[11] Museo Picasso Málaga— Lonely Planet
[12] Alcazaba, Málaga— Lonely Planet
[14] Cueva de Nerja — Official Site— Cueva de Nerja
[15] Balcón de Europa — Reviews— Tripadvisor
[16] Playa de Burriana, Nerja— Visit Costa del Sol
[17] El Lagar Restaurant, Nerja— Sluurpy/Tripadvisor
[21] Alicante Travel Guide— Lonely Planet
[22] Old Town Altea Guide 2026— Costa Blanca Digital
[23] La Olla Beach, Altea— Comunitat Valenciana
[25] Olla Beach Restaurant, Altea— Olla Beach
[26] Peñón de Ifach, Calpe— Calpe Tourism
[27] Calpe Beaches: A Complete Guide— Explore Costa Blanca
[28] Calpe Travel Guide 2026— SpainRoam
[30] Valencia Travel Guide— Lonely Planet
[32] Playa de las Arenas, Valencia— Lonely Planet
[33] La Pepica — Since 1898— La Pepica
[34] Cabanyal Beach, Valencia— Visit Valencia
[36] Seville Travel Guide— Lonely Planet