Tracing Andalucia’s sun-soaked southern edge – from Málaga to Mijas

In Andalucia, mornings start slowly, a quiet café con leche in a plaza framed by orange trees, perhaps. But the days linger long after the sun has slipped below the horizon. Tapas bars spilling onto cobbled streets, the bubble of chatter over the strumming of a guitar. In southern Spain, they like to squeeze every drop of joy from life.

The region’s famous friendliness makes it the perfect destination for solo travellers, where every door opens to a welcome, and every bar turns strangers into friends.

In September, most of the tourist crowds have departed, and the sun has lost its blazing intensity. It’s pleasantly warm for strolling the storied streets of Málaga, visiting Andalucia’s prettiest mountain villages, and relaxing on balmy shores.

Just You’s eight-day Treasures of Andalucia tour meanders between Málaga and Mijas, offering a slow introduction to this atmospheric region, with the freedom to explore your way, and in the company of fellow solo travellers.

Backed by 25 years of experience crafting solo trips around the world, Just You knows how to strike the right balance between exploring landmarks and enjoying lesser-known experiences, and between free time to yourself and companionship – whether it’s toasting with a glass of sherry or taking in flamenco rhythms.

Everyone has a twin or double room to themselves; there are no single supplements and your whole trip is Atol and Abta-protected. Expert Holiday Directors take care of all the details, and with a welcome get-together, as well as breakfast together every morning, everyone is included as much as they want to be.

You’ll have free time to explore at your own pace, interspersed with visits led by local guides – with a chance to get off the beaten track and meet residents as well as your fellow travellers.

Start with Spain

Short flight times, sunny weather year-round and a unique blend of cultural influences make Spain a perennial favourite among Just You travellers. There are historic hiking routes to follow and mountain villages to explore, as well as golden beaches, Golden Age history and glorious food.

Whether you want to weave together medieval coastal villages of the Costa Brava, hop on trains through the Pyrenees, or immerse yourself in the stunning majesty of Granada’s Alhambra Palace, Just You has a tour for you.

The ultimate Andalucian adventure

Just You’s most popular Spanish escape of all is the Treasures of Andalucia itinerary, an eight-day tour, taking in the white villages and beaches of southern Spain – a relaxed combination of culture and coast.

Your base will be an elegant four-star hotel in the sugar-cube town of Mijas. Set at the foot of the Sierra de Mijas mountains, you’ll enjoy splendid views right down to the coast. Each day, you’ll head out to explore your surrounds, and with dinner and breakfast included, you’ll enjoy the chance to enjoy Andalucian cuisine and dive deep into the culinary heart of the region.

In Málaga, you’ll discover 3,000 years of history and the artistic pulse of the city where Picasso was born. In clifftop Ronda, you’ll wander the cobbled streets of a town divided by a vertiginous gorge and connected by the graceful arches of the Puente Nuevo Bridge.

Join a day trip to Granada and the stunning Alhambra Palace – a rose-hued wonder of colourful tiles and intricate carvings set against the Sierra Nevada mountains.

You’ll also enjoy the chance to explore the hilltop village of Frigiliana, where whitewashed buildings are bedecked in a fuchsia fuzz of bougainvillea, and local shops sell handcrafted ceramics and lace.

Then dip down to Nerja, once a fishing village and famed for its calm, sandy coves. With plenty of built-in relaxation time, you have the chance to sink deep into Andalucian life.

With Just You, solo travellers can explore as much as they like, in the company of like-minded souls or carving out a morning of time alone to savour a special moment. Andalucia is the perfect destination for a solo tour, full of quiet spots and buzzing, friendly places to sip a glass of local wine with a new friend.

Three more Spanish escapes to try

Walking the Camino de Santiago

On an eight-day tour through Spain’s green north, you’ll start in the vineyards and villages of the Basque Country and end in the city of Santiago de Compostela. Walk in the steps of countless pilgrims, through woods and countryside, alongside rivers and canals.

Timeless Costa Brava

Explore mountaintop monasteries and pretty coastal villages on sandy beaches. Girona and Besalú are impeccably preserved medieval towns in the hills, and a day trip to Barcelona gives you the perfect introduction to Gaudi’s city.

Traditional Trains of the Pyrenees

Take the rack railways through the mountains to the sanctuary of Núria, a peaceful valley high up in the peaks. Panoramic views abound during the trip, from the lush green of Puigcerda to the Red Railway of Rivesaltes.

See our offers and book your Spain holiday at justyou.co.uk