Explore Andalusia’s Unique Appeal
Andalusia truly is the best of southern Spain and is different from other Spanish regions. This vast area offers beaches, snowy mountains, and Europe’s only desert. You’ll also find lively cities and small cliff-top towns with white buildings.
Uncover Spain’s Rich History and Culture
The region’s past mixes Islamic and Spanish influences. This blend shows in the stunning buildings. Cathedrals and fortresses combine Moorish, Gothic, and Baroque styles uniquely, showcasing the best of southern Spain’s architectural heritage.
Taste Local Spanish Foods
Andalusian dishes stand out. Chefs use fresh fish from the long coast. Moreover, they create cool meals for hot days, offering visitors a taste of the best of southern Spain’s culinary traditions. These culinary traditions can be enjoyed year-round, making Andalusia a great destination in any season.
See also: Spain during winter, best places to visit
Start Your Andalucian Trip
Begin in Seville or Malaga. These cities have good airports. Our circular route works from either place, allowing you to experience the best of southern Spain’s diverse landscapes and cultures.
Seville merits a double mention and undoubtedly represents the best of southern Spain.
A two-day visit to Seville is essential to fully appreciate its charms. Consequently, this section is divided into two parts.
This approach allows for a comprehensive exploration of Seville’s rich cultural heritage and stunning attractions. Moreover, it ensures visitors can experience the city’s vibrant atmosphere at a leisurely pace, truly immersing themselves in the best of southern Spain’s largest city.
1. Seville Part i
Seville, Andalusia’s largest city, swelters even in October. After an hour exploring food markets, tapas bars, and palacios, you’ll feel the heat.
Luckily, older landmarks like the Royal Alcazar offer relief. Built on a Muslim fortress site, Pedro I created this luxurious residence using Moorish architecture. The Salon de Embajadores amazes with intricate carvings and a golden dome ceiling.
Extensive gardens and a café await in the palace grounds. Peacocks roam freely as you snack. Book tickets early to avoid long queues in the scorching sun.
Next door stands Seville’s Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See. This sprawling structure blends mosque elements like La Giralda with Gothic features. Its many entrances showcase detailed carvings.
Exploring both sites can be tiring. Afterward, retreat to Barrio de Santa Cruz for tapas and tinto de verano. This local drink mixes red wine and lemon soda, originating from nearby Cordoba.
Best of Southern Spain Hotels:
H10 Corregidor Boutique Hotel
2. Seville Part ii
Slow down on your second day in Seville. Start with a relaxing walk through Maria Luisa Park’s 30 hectares of greenery. Here, you’ll find the grand Plaza de Espana.
Built in 1929, this impressive structure showcases bright azulejo tiles. Its pavilions depict various Spanish provinces. Check the calendar for events like festivals or food fairs often held here.
Next, stroll north along the Guadalquivir River. You’ll pass two notable buildings. the Palacio de San Telmo and the 13th-century Torre de Oro. Though you can’t enter, their exteriors are worth seeing.
After a short walk, you will reach Plaza de Toros, Seville’s main bullfighting ring. This impressive arena may challenge your views on the sport’s brutality.
Continue north and east to find Setas de Sevilla (Mushrooms of Seville). While striking from afar, it looks worn up close. Nevertheless, the views from its aerial bridges are worth the fee.
Below, you’ll find a produce market. However, for a more authentic experience, try the markets in Feria and Triana. There, you will rub shoulders with locals buying ham and cheese.
End your day with a flamenco show. Seville offers many options. To save time, book through a trusted tour company for a quality performance. While Seville is a highlight of Andalusia, Spain has many other exciting cities, Like Barcelona, to explore.
See also: 7 cool things to do in Barcelona
3. Jerez
Just an hour from Seville, Jerez de la Frontera beckons with its famous sherry. The city brims with tabancos where you can sample this fortified wine. Tabanco el Pasaje stands out, offering flamenco shows alongside drinks.
New to sherry? Start at Bodegas Fundador, the oldest local sherry maker. They provide tours and tastings. Moreover, Bodegas Tradicion pairs sherry with Spanish masterpieces by Velasquez and Goya.
Jerez can also boasts the Royal-Andalusian-School of Equestrian Art. This grand complex offers a full day’s entertainment. Explore the Palacio del Recreo de las Cadenas and a museum on horse breeding. Subsequently, watch horses train. For a special treat, catch an equine ballet show held several nights weekly.
Whenever time allows, visit the imposing 11th-century alcazar, Jerez’s oldest building. Nearby stands the city’s cathedral, featuring an impressive façade while not ranking among Andalusia’s top religious structures.
Best of Southern Spain Hotels:
esZentrico Suites Jerez
4. Arcos De La Frontera
Jerez serves as an ideal base for day trips. One standout destination is Arcos de la Frontera, a stunning pueblo blanco (white town).
This picturesque spot perches dramatically atop a cliff. From some angles, the Church of San Pedro seems to teeter on the edge.
Following our busy first days, we savoured Arcos’ tranquillity. We wandered quiet streets, visited compact basilicas, and admired pastoral views below. Although tourists frequent this small town, locals remain friendly and talkative. Likewise, charming restaurants offer al fresco dining.
Chiefly, don’t miss the cakes made by nuns at the Convent of Mercedarias Descalzas. They sell these treats through a small hatch, maintaining their seclusion. This adds a hint of mystery to the delightful flavours.
Best of Southern Spain Hotels:
Boutique Suites
5. Cadiz
After exploring Andalusia’s interior, we craved coastal breezes. Cadiz, another easy day trip from Jerez, offered just that, presenting yet another facet of the best of southern Spain.
This narrow peninsula, encircled by sea, boasts 3,000 years of history. The Museum of Cadiz showcases Phoenician and Roman artefacts.
Initially, head to Tavira Tower for the best city views. You will spot the cathedral’s distinctive golden domes from here.
Thereafter, stroll along La Caleta beach, nestled between two castles. It’s smaller than Playa de la Victoria but closer to the town centre.
Lastly, visit Mercado Central. Buy fresh produce or savour tortillitas de camarones (shrimp fritters) with albarino wine, as we did.
Best of Southern Spain Hotels:
Parador de Cádiz
6. Malaga
Malaga offers another chance for beach time. The 1.2-kilometre Malagueta lies just 15 minutes from down town. Enjoy the sun and local chiringuitos between sightseeing trips.
Besides beaches, Malaga is Picasso’s birthplace. A museum showcases his life and art. Skip the underwhelming Casa Natal. Instead, explore his childhood neighbourhood, including Plaza de la Merced. Here, sample local specialities like fried fish and sardine skewers.
Malaga also boasts impressive defensive structures. The Alcazaba, a well-preserved Moorish fortress, towers above an Ancient Roman theatre. Meanwhile, Castillo de Gibralfaro’s ramparts overlook the bullring and cathedral.
Besides beaches and Picasso’s legacy, Malaga serves as a gateway to other charming coastal towns like Nerja.
See also: Travel Guide to Nerja, Spain
Best of Southern Spain Hotels:
Luxury B&B Villa Tauro
7. Caminito del Rey
Malaga serves as a gateway to one of Andalusia’s most unique experiences: the Caminito del Rey. This suspended wooden trail hugs cliffs around Gaitanes Gorge.
Additionally, the current 8-kilometre path opened in 2015. It replaced the original route built in the early 1900s for dam construction. Nonetheless, remnants of the old, unsafe path remain visible today.
Furthermore, consider taking a guided tour. This simplifies transport and provides expert commentary on the walkway’s history. The 3-4 hour trek is mostly flat, suitable for novice hikers.
Upon returning to Malaga, explore more of the city. Alternatively, catch the high-speed train to Granada. Launched in 2022, this line cuts travel time to just 1 hour and 12 minutes.
8. Granada
Granada stands out as our favourite Andalusian city. The Alhambra complex offers an unparalleled Spanish experience and epitomizes the best of southern Spain’s Moorish influence.
The Nasrid Palaces showcase intricate Islamic architecture. Admire the Hall of the Abencerrajes’ honeycomb vaulting and the Courtyard of the Myrtles’ reflective pool.
Beyond palaces, explore the Kasbah fortress ramparts for city views. Additionally, wander the Generalife gardens and Carlos V’s Renaissance palace.
Afterward, visit Albaicin, Granada’s old Moorish quarter. White houses line winding streets, echoing medieval times. Discover hidden cafes and churches. Don’t miss Mirador de San Nicolas for the best Alhambra view.
Rest your feet at Jardines de Zoraya. Also this restaurant offers a beautiful courtyard, delicious octopus salad, and evening flamenco shows. Granada’s Moorish influence contrasts interestingly with other Spanish cities, such as Madrid, each offering its own unique appeal.
See also: Is Madrid worth visiting?
Best of Southern Spain Hotels:
Porcel Alixares
9. Jaen
Jaen offers two must-see attractions. its cathedral and castle. Although not a top Andalusian destination, Jaen serves as a convenient stopover between Granada and Cordoba.
The box-like Jaen Cathedral stands out for several reasons. Its intricately sculpted facade and intimidating solidity impress visitors. Moreover, it dominates the cityscape unlike any other cathedral we’ve seen in the region.
For a striking view, climb to Castillo de Santa Catalina. This picturesque ruin offers a panoramic vista of the city, showcasing the cathedral’s commanding presence.
Jaen also serves as a base for day trips to Ubeda and Baeza, adding value to your stay.
Best of Southern Spain Hotels:
Parador de Jaen
We chose to escape the city centre. and treat ourselves to the Parador de Jaen. This well-appointed hotel is housed within the Castle of Santa Catalina itself.
10. Cordoba
Cordoba’s Mezquita stands out as a unique fusion of Christian and Islamic architecture. This extraordinary structure began as a mosque in the late 8th century.
Following Ferdinand III’s reconquest in 1236, the mosque became a cathedral. Christian chapels were integrated into the original Moorish design, creating an incongruous masterpiece.
Inside, rows of double-tiered arches from its mosque era dominate. Christian saint chapels line the sides. The mihrab, covered in golden mosaics, points to Mecca. Furthermore, the main chapel boasts ostentatious marble and wood carvings.
Outside, relax in the Patio de los Naranjos. Admire the minaret-turned-bell-tower piercing the sky.
Additionally, explore the Roman Bridge and Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos. The latter offers a peaceful garden retreat.
End your day at Plaza de la Corredera. Sample croquetas and salmorejo while observing local life.
While Andalusia offers a rich tapestry of experiences, Spain’s diversity extends to its islands and northern regions as well. The volcanic landscapes of Tenerife and the culinary delights of San Sebastian showcase the country’s varied attractions.
See also: Places to visit in Tenerife and San Sebastian itinerary
Best of Southern Spain Hotels:
Eurostars Conquistador
Featured Posts for Spain
Travel Planning Guide for the Best of Southern Spain
Travel Insurance for Your Trip to Spain
Buying insurance is always valuable when travelling abroad. Therefore, enjoy your holiday in Spain stress-free with one of my favourite providers, Visitors Coverage Insurance.
Renting a Car in Spain
Indeed, renting a car in Southern Spain is easy and is a great way to explore Southern Spain freely. Consequently, I recommend booking yours with Rentalcars.com – they offer a variety of operators for all budgets.
Finding the Perfect Accommodation
The best way to book your accommodation in Spain is with Booking.com. In fact, it’s my go to site to compare and reserve places to stay each night, from affordable guesthouses to luxury hotels.
Booking Flights to Spain
Lastly, for air travel, I recommend booking your flight with Omio. Moreover, it has been my favourite platform for years, as it allows me to book the cheapest flights to visit the best of Southern Spain.
