Driving from Granada to El Puerto - best route/things to see, etc.

In your case I would take the route along the coast to Gibraltar, Tarifa -> Playa Bolonia with the archeological site Baleo Claudia and for example Conil and Vejer. Arcos de la Frontera and Medina Sidonia you can visit in a daytrip from El Puerto de Santa Maria (30 - 45 minutes driving). Nevertheless, if you want to explore the province of Cadiz, Medina Sidonia would be the most central point to explore. From there you can reach Sevilla, El Puerto de Santa Maria, Cadiz, Jerez, San Fernando, Chiclana with Playa Barrosa, Conil, Vejer, El Palmar, Tarifa, Gibraltar and the Sierra de Grazalema with Setenil de las Bodegas, Zahara de la Sierra, El Bosque, Grazalema easily. Medina itself is a authentic white village with 3000 years of history, which can be found in many monuments and museums. lt is also called the balcony of Cadiz for its amazing view to the coast and on clear days to Africa.

Thanks! We'll keep these tips in mind!

Hi, I agree with posada alegria.

We live in Benalup so know both routes quite well. The A381 is a good fast route, very nice views of mountains,  but nothing new if you have been to Granada and Ronda. The coast route is slower and longer with good views back to Gibraltar and across to Africa. There is good viewpoint with a venta just as you start the descent to Tarifa. Bologna beach is a bit of a detour, but a lovely beach and extensive roman ruins. From Vejer it is a motorway standard road on to Cádiz and your destination. 

Last September, we drove from Chiclana to Granada with a lunch stop in Ronda.  It was well worth the stop and hope to go back there on our next trip to Spain.