Just hearing Andalucía mentioned makes you wish your days off would magically multiply so you could explore the whole region. It’s impossible to choose just one destination. And you don’t have to, when you can get behind the wheel and set off to explore. Seville, Córdoba and Granada make it easy. They’re no more than three hours apart, the roads between them are lined with tempting places that are well worth a detour, and the cities themselves will win you over with everything they have to offer. Fasten your seatbelt: your five-day Andalusian road trip starts here.

These handful of things to do in Seville, even in hot weather, prove that the capital of Andalucía is always a great place to visit. Your morning could start with a look at the Giralda, imposing and grand. The Real Alcázar de Sevilla is nearby, and the famous Plaza de España is just a short walk away. Afternoons are for getting lost in the streets of Triana, going from one bar to the next and, of course, sampling tapa after tapa. And if you’re travelling with little ones, look for things to enjoy as a family. There are plenty of things to do in Seville with children.

With so many things to do in Seville, it’s easy to overlook the surrounding area. That would be a big mistake, given how beautiful the villages in the province are. So make the most of the drive to Córdoba by stopping off in one of them. As a suggestion, you’re sure to be enchanted by Carmona, with its maze of whitewashed streets and the architectural and archaeological sites found there.

You could explore Córdoba by wandering from one courtyard to the next—not just in May, when the city holds its festival, but all year round. Its houses filled with flowers and colour will leave your phone’s memory card packed with photos. Take your time, until you come across its Mosque-Cathedral and its beautiful, colourful arches; or keep going until your feet take you across the city’s Roman bridge, which you’ve seen in so many photographs. Some say it’s best visited at sunset; we think it’s one of Córdoba’s must-sees after dark.

Before hitting the road and continuing your road trip to Granada, stop off to explore the architectural complex of Medina Azahara. Then it’s time to drive to the city of Granada. On the way, you’ll get a taste of Málaga’s charms. Make a detour to Antequera, even if only briefly. The town is well worth a visit, but if you love nature and the wonders it can create, you’ll be even more impressed by its Dolmens Archaeological Site or El Torcal.

It’s the last leg of your trip, so you can spend as long as you like in Granada. We should warn you: it could be a while. This is the city of the Alhambra, the San Nicolás viewpoint, with one of the most spectacular sunsets you’ll ever see; of the winding, steep little streets of the Albaicín; of student life, which means there’s plenty for young people to do in Granada; of the flamenco singing in the caves of Sacromonte; and of generous tapas that will keep you going until it’s time to head home.