Andalucia is the perfect destination for your first trip to Spain. It has a little bit of everything: gorgeous beaches, amazing heritage and culture, historical palaces and gardens, the highest mountains in Spain and, over 300 days of sunshine a year.
There are so many beautiful cities to see in Andalucia! Here are our favourites:
Granada
Granada is home to the Alhambra, the most visited monument in Spain. Each year, over 3 million people choose to come to Granada to visit the Alhambra and enjoy the Moorish architecture of the city. But Granada is so much more than just the Alhambra! Here is where the different cultures which ruled over the area at different times in history blend together, creating a unique city.
Granada is a city much loved by young adults, who come here either to study Spanish or to teach English, and enjoy the laid back Spanish lifestyle. The city is cheap and, its tapas culture makes it easy to dine in town every single day. In order to have more time to enjoy the city more, some students are sometimes looking through the best essay writing service reviews for help with their homework.
And no wonder, as there are so many fantastic things to do in Granada or in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, at the outskirts of the city.
Seville
Seville is not only the heart of Andalucia but also the capital of the region. It is the city in which flamenco was invested, which makes attending a show here a special experience.
Sevilla is also home to one of the most impressive Moorish Royal Palaces in Spain, the Alcazar. Its architecture and gardens are so beautiful that Game of Thrones chose it as the filming location for the Water Gardens of Dorne, in the 5th and 6th seasons of the popular series.
Sevilla is an extremely vibrant city, with plenty of entertainment, restaurants and night life. If you are a foodie but also want to experience the local way of life, go to Triana neighbourhood. For a one-of-a-kind experience, rent a boat and row around Plaza Espana, a fantastic example of Regionalism Architecture that mixes several different architectural elements in one.
Cadiz
Cadiz is one of those cities that is often overlooked by tourists because of its location, quite far from everything else. Because of it though, you will find here some of the most authentic experiences.
Cadiz is thought to be the oldest city in Europe, with its first inhabitants, the Phoenicians, establishing it in the 8th century BC. The city is famous for the “Cathedral of the Americas”, known under this name because it was built with the revenue for the trade with the new world. The cathedral is unique as it faces the sea, and its crypt is under the sea level.
Click here to find out how to spend two days in Cadiz.
Ronda
Whilst most people visit Ronda as a day trip from Malaga or Sevilla, the town is definitely worth spending at least one night in. The most famous site in Ronda is the mighty Puente Nuevo, rising 98 meters over El Tajo Canyon. The views over the canyon, from the different miradors around the town, are spectacular.
But Ronda is so much more than just the bridge. This white town has a lot of history, which you will find along the old Moorish walls of the now in ruins Alcazaba. Many places in Andalucia have Arab Baths, but in Ronda, the original ones have been preserved extremely well and can be visited for a small fee.
Click here to read more about Ronda.
Malaga
Malaga is not just the region’s never sleeping city, but it’s also the gateway to Andalucia. Malaga has one of the largest and most popular airports in Andalucia. There are plenty of things to see in Malaga, starting with the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro, its mighty fortress overlooking the city below, from its highest hill. Climb here to see the most beautiful panoramic views over the harbour and the surrounding areas.
Malaga is also the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and has two museums dedicated to the famous painter. If you are interested in art, you should visit the Centre Pompidou – the only abroad branch of the famous Parisian modern art exhibition.
We wrote an article about what to do in two days in Malaga, check it out here.
Jerez de la Frontera
Jerez is another underrated touristic destination in Andalucia. Located close to Cadiz, this city is part of the sherry making triangle, together with Sanlúcar de Barrameda, and El Puerto de Santa María. Sherry is only produced in this small area.
When you visit the city, you can enjoy a sherry tasting tour at one of the numerous bodegas around the centre. The most famous ones are Bodega Tio Pepe and Bodega González Byass.
Jerez is also home to the Andalucian Equestrian School of Arts, which you can visit. They are running daily shows where you can see the horses dance.
For more information about what to do in Jerez de la Frontera, check out our article here.
Nerja
Nerja makes a popular day trip from Malaga. It is famous for the Nerja Cave, which are the main attraction why tourists come here. If you want to visit the caves, it is highly recommended to arrive in the morning and to book your ticket in advance.
Nerja is also known for its beautiful beaches, many of them award winners. If you are looking for a remote experience, check out Playa de Maro, which you can reach by kayak. Nerja is a great place to try water sports such as kayaking or snorkelling.
If you are interested in more things to do in Nerja, check out our article about this town by clicking here.
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Please note this is a collaborative article that was written by an external collaborator.
