11th Century Moorish castle lush with Arabic influence. Walkable from the old town, highly recommend visiting unless you plan on venturing to the Alhambra Castle in Granada.

The museum is home to 285 works donated by members of Picasso's family. You can also visit Picasso’s childhood home at the “Museo Casa Natal de Picasso”.

So far, Carol and Jeff’s favorite place in Spain that serves garlic shrimp. Imagine sizzling shrimp roasted in garlic and paprika oil, comes out bubbling, smelling like garlic heaven.

Recommend trying: “Gambas al pil pil” (garlic shrimp) and seafood paella

Located at: C. Molina Lario, 4, Distrito Centro, 29015 Málaga, Spain

A small and crowded tapas place serving delicious food and a true Spanish experience. Recommend going when it opens at 1pm or 8pm, or else wait times can be long.

Recommend trying: artichoke dishes, and Gazpachuelo (with a little bit of vinegar)

Located at: C. Granados, 2, Distrito Centro, 29008 Málaga, Spain

A must visit in Southern Spain, elected as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984.

The official website’s general ticket includes access to all gardens and palaces. If buying from a third party, be sure to confirm ticket includes the main “Nasrid Palace” with a specific entry time. We recommend visiting in the morning, but time slots run out fast, so it’s best to purchase tickets a few weeks in advance. Expect to spend 2 - 4 hours here.

An Andalusian music and dance tradition. Although also percussive in nature, unlike tap dancers, Flamenco dancers wear shoes with nails hammered into the heels and toes.

There are many shows around Granada — some recommend visiting the Sacromonte caves for the most authentic experience.

Seafood-focused tapas place that gives you the traditional Granadian tapas experience. Beware of ordering too much, since they will give you a free random dish with each drink you order.

Located at: Pl. Nueva, 13, Centro, 18009 Granada, Spain

Where Carol and Jeff fell in love with their favorite drinks: the “Tinto de Verano” and “Clara” beer. A perfect pit stop for some drinks and gazpacho on a hot summer day. We recommend stopping by, but not if the wait is long. The dishes are homey and large portioned, but not particularly special.

Located at: C. San Miguel Alta, 7, Centro, 18002 Granada, Spain

This harbor is home to superyachts and is the epicenter of luxury shopping in Marbella, where you will find many high-end fashion houses like Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci, and Dolce & Gabbana.

Located at: Calle Ribera, Nueva Andalucía, 29660 Marbella, Málaga, Spain

The old town, Casco Antiguo, is a labyrinth of pedestrian-only streets that preserves the charm of a traditional Andalusian village. It features pristine whitewashed houses draped in vibrant bougainvillea and adorned with hand-painted ceramic flower pots.

Marbella is home to many beautiful beaches and resorts.

Consider checking out the Fontanilla beach, located right below the city center promenade or the Dunes de Artola in east Marbella with wild sand dunes and crystal clear waters.

Some luxury beach resorts in the area include Marbella Club Hotel, Anantara Villa Padierna Palace, and the Puerto Romano.

To complete the experience, consider checking out some Michelin Restaurants in the city.

Although not on the Michelin list, Dani García famously closed his 3-star restaurant to make food more accessible. His current hotspots include Leña (a steakhouse) and Lobito de Mar (a "chiringuito without the beach").