Camping Alua Iznajar

The port area in Málaga (1 hour 10 minutes’ drive) is fringed by the Palmeral de Las Sorpresas, a long, covered, paved path dotted with benches. Buy an ice cream and watch the cruise ships pull into port, before heading to the Centre Pompidou Malaga, with its exterior of colourful glass panels. Granada (1 hour 10 minutes) is home to the Alhambra, an exquisite Moorish palace with intricately carved ceilings and doorways, plus the luxuriant Generalife Gardens. The best overall views of the entire complex are from the Albaicín district, across the river Darro. The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba (1 hour 15 mins) is a riot of pillars and multicoloured arches, while its gardens, the Patio de los Naranjos, are dotted with orange trees and overlooked by an elegant bell tower. A Roman bridge spanning the river Guadalquivir takes you to the Torre de Calahorra tower, with views of the city.