Self-Launched Walking in Andalucia: Sierra de Grazalema, Seville & the Pueblos Blancos

Fly into Málaga (the most convenient hub) and make your way to the Algamitas area, roughly 100km north. The easiest option is to hire a car from Málaga Airport (recommended for the week — roads are quiet and you'll want flexibility for trailheads). Alternatively, take a bus from Málaga to Osuna (~£10, ~2hrs via Alsa) and arrange a local taxi for the final leg (~£20). Check into your casa rural, get your bearings, and enjoy dinner at a village bar in Algamitas. Supermarkets in nearby Osuna stock trail snacks and picnic supplies.

🚌Car hire from Málaga Airport (~£30–40/day including insurance, split between travel companions) or Alsa bus Málaga–Osuna ~£10 + taxi ~£20

🛏Casa Rural near Algamitas or Osuna — search Ruralia.com or Booking.com for options such as Cortijo-style guesthouses. Expect ~£35–50/night for a private room with breakfast.

• →Arrive Málaga Airport and collect hire car or take Alsa bus to Osuna
• →Drive or taxi to Algamitas (~100km from Málaga, ~1hr 20min by car)
• →Check into casa rural accommodation
• →Explore Algamitas village on foot
• →Dinner at a local bar — look out for rabo de toro (oxtail stew) and local wines

Follow the same route the guided tour takes: a circular trail from Algamitas through olive groves and farmland towards the village of Villanueva de San Juan (~12km, ~330m ascent). The path is signposted as part of the GR249 and local PR trails. Download the route on AllTrails or Wikiloc before you go. Stop for tapas lunch in Villanueva — a menú del día (two courses + drink) will cost around £10–12. Return to your casa rural in the afternoon. Spend the evening on the terrace with local wine.

🚌Walk from accommodation — no transport needed

🛏Casa rural near Algamitas (same as Day 1)

• →Walk the Algamitas–Villanueva trail (~12km, ~330m ascent/descent, ~6hrs inc. stops)
• →Download route on AllTrails or Wikiloc before departure
• →Tapas or menú del día lunch in Villanueva de San Juan (~£10–12)
• →Free afternoon — rest, read, explore the village

Drive your hire car (~45min) over the Puerto de las Palomas (Pass of the Doves) into the Sierra de Grazalema, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Andalucia's first natural park. Park near the village of Grazalema and follow the PR-A 10 trail down into Benaocaz (~9km, ~272m ascent, ~545m descent). Note: some trails in the park (e.g. Pinsapar) require free permits from the park office in Grazalema — check ahead at juntadeandalucia.es. Have lunch in Benaocaz and arrange to be collected by car (drive round), or retrace the route. Explore Grazalema village before heading back.

🚌Self-drive hire car from Algamitas to Grazalema (~45min, ~35km)

🛏Casa rural near Algamitas (same as Day 1)

• →Drive over Puerto de las Palomas into the Sierra de Grazalema (~45min)
• →Check trail permit requirements at Grazalema Natural Park visitor centre
• →Walk from Grazalema toward Benaocaz (~9km, ~4–5hrs inc. stops)
• →Lunch in Benaocaz — try local goat's cheese and cured meats
• →Explore Grazalema village and its famous wool shop

Walk from your accommodation through Algamitas farmland to the abandoned Caños Santos Monastery (~12km, ~275m ascent/descent). Pack a picnic lunch to eat at the monastery ruins. In the afternoon, drive (~30min) to the extraordinary cave-village of Setenil de las Bodegas, where bars and houses are literally built into the overhanging rock of a gorge. Walk the Ruta de los Molinos along the river, then browse the ceramics shops and tapas bars. Setenil is genuinely one of Spain's most photogenic villages — allow 2–3hrs to explore.

🚌Walk from accommodation in the morning; self-drive to Setenil (~30min) in the afternoon

🛏Casa rural near Algamitas (same as Day 1)

• →Morning walk: Algamitas to Caños Santos Monastery and back (~12km, ~5–6hrs)
• →Picnic lunch at the abandoned monastery ruins
• →Drive to Setenil de las Bodegas (~30min from Algamitas)
• →Walk the Ruta de los Molinos along the river gorge
• →Explore Setenil's cave-street bars and ceramics shops
• →Tapas dinner in Setenil before returning to accommodation

Drive your hire car to Seville (~1hr 40min from Algamitas, ~130km). Park at a peripheral car park (e.g. near Prado de San Sebastián, ~£8/day) and walk or take the tram into the centre. Book your Royal Alcázar tickets online in advance at alcazarsevilla.org (~£14.50) — timed entry slots sell out weeks ahead, so pre-book. Visit the Cathedral and climb the Giralda tower (~£11 online). Enjoy a tapas lunch in the Barrio Santa Cruz. For evening entertainment, book a flamenco show at Casa de la Memoria or La Casa de Flamenco directly online (~£18–22). Drive back to Algamitas by 9pm — or stay an extra night in Seville if budget allows.

🚌Self-drive to Seville (~1hr 40min, ~130km); park at Prado de San Sebastián or similar (~£8). Alternatively, take a bus from Osuna to Seville (~£8 return with Alsa) if you'd rather not drive.

🛏Casa rural near Algamitas (same as Day 1)

• →Drive to Seville from Algamitas (~1hr 40min)
• →Royal Alcázar palace & gardens — pre-book at alcazarsevilla.org (~£14.50)
• →Seville Cathedral & Giralda tower — book online (~£11)
• →Tapas lunch in Barrio Santa Cruz
• →Metropol Parasol (Las Setas) — rooftop walkway (~£3)
• →Optional: flamenco show at Casa de la Memoria or La Casa de Flamenco (~£18–22)
• →Drive back to Algamitas (~1hr 40min)

Drive south to El Chorro (~1hr 15min from Algamitas, ~80km). Book your Caminito del Rey ticket well in advance at caminitodelrey.info — tickets cost ~£10 and include a shuttle bus from the exit point back to the start. The 7.7km route (with a ~3km access path) takes 3–4hrs and follows a spectacular cliffside boardwalk 100m above the Guadalhorce river. Arrive early (tickets are for timed entry from 8am). After the walk, relax by the Guadalhorce reservoir before driving back to Algamitas. The Caminito sells out months ahead in peak season — book as soon as you confirm your dates.

🚌Self-drive to El Chorro (~1hr 15min, ~80km); shuttle bus included with Caminito ticket

🛏Casa rural near Algamitas (same as Day 1)

• →Drive to El Chorro (~1hr 15min from Algamitas)
• →Walk Caminito del Rey (~7.7km cliffside boardwalk, ~3–4hrs) — pre-book at caminitodelrey.info (~£10)
• →Shuttle bus from exit back to start (included in ticket)
• →Afternoon swim or relax at Guadalhorce reservoir
• →Drive back to Algamitas

Today's highlight: a circular walk from Algamitas to the summit of El Peñón (1,130m), the highest point in the province of Seville (~14km, ~470m ascent/descent, ~5hrs). The panoramic views across the Andalucian countryside are exceptional on a clear day. The trail is accessible directly from the village — download the route on Wikiloc or AllTrails. Wear layers as the summit can be windy even when it's warm below. On the descent, stop at a mirador bar (panoramic terrace) for a cold beer and tostada. This evening, treat yourself to a proper farewell dinner at a restaurant in nearby Osuna — the town has several excellent options.

🚌Walk from accommodation; short drive (~20min) to Osuna for dinner

🛏Casa rural near Algamitas (same as Day 1)

• →Walk to El Peñón summit (1,130m) from Algamitas (~14km, ~470m ascent, ~5hrs)
• →Summit views across Seville province, Grazalema mountains and surrounding villages
• →Descend via mirador terrace bar for refreshments
• →Farewell dinner at a restaurant in Osuna (~20min drive)

Enjoy a final breakfast at your casa rural, then check out and drive back to Málaga Airport (~1hr 20min, ~95km). If you have time before your flight, stop in Antequera (~40min from Algamitas) to visit the Dolmens (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, free entry) or the impressive Alcazaba. Return your hire car and depart. Alternatively, extend your trip with a night or two in Granada (~1hr 30min from Algamitas) — the Alhambra is unmissable and should be booked months in advance at alhambra.org (~£15).

🚌Self-drive to Málaga Airport (~1hr 20min, ~95km)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Final breakfast at casa rural
• →Optional detour: Antequera Dolmens UNESCO site (free, ~40min from Algamitas)
• →Drive to Málaga Airport (~1hr 20min, ~95km) and return hire car
• →Optional extension: Granada & the Alhambra (~1hr 30min from Algamitas)