Although Spain’s touristic highlights are rich and varied throughout the country, from the buzz of Barcelona to the party island of Ibiza, the coastline of Andalucia has become the heartlands of British tourists and expats over the years. Whilst so many head straight from the airport to the sun soaked shores of Malaga and the Costa del Sol, no visit to Andalucia is complete without a trip to explore the cultural heritage of the region. Seek out some of our favourite spots from white washed towns to buzzing Spanish cities and sherry towns to coastal foodie homelands.
Keep an eye out for: Tapas – naturally this famous style of eating out is found easily across the region. It’s virtually ingrained in local culture, so you will definitely find many wonderful bars offering up their versions!
Ronda
Well known for the iconic bridge, Puente Nuevo, that spans the deep gorge, Ronda is often visited as a day trip from other Andalucian towns. Day trippers are however missing out on a great place to stay a while, full of epic viewpoints, quaint winding streets and one of the oldest and prettiest bullrings in Southern Spain.
Arrive
Easiest visited by car, Ronda is 1-2 hours from Seville, Cordoba and Malaga, and the drive, especially from Malaga, is pretty spectacular winding through the Serrania de Ronda mountains. An added bonus of driving means you can take the lazy way to one of the best views of Puente Nuevo and save yourself a sweaty hike up and down the gorge.
Stay
If you’re after a room with a view, there’s only one place to stay in Ronda – Hotel Catalonia. With views from their premium rooms, the rooftop bar and pool looking down into the bullring and across to the gorge beyond you can’t get any better. Located literally across the road from Ronda’s bullring and a few minutes’ walk from amazing views of Puente Nuevo this centrally located hotel is a popular choice for good reason.
Devour
If you can’t get enough of those views Abades Ronda has got you covered with sublime fine dining complete with a view across the fields and olive groves to the mountains beyond. However if you’ve only got one night in Ronda it would be a crime not to visit Tragata. A favourite of locals and visitors alike Tragata offers unique tapas blending Asian and Spanish flavours and an insane collection of aged steaks (yum!).
Explore
If you hadn’t noticed by now, Puente Nuevo is the star of Ronda and the reason most people visit this quaint town. For the best views of this iconic bridge head to Jardines de Cuenca or take a precarious drive down the narrow trail towards the bottom of the gorge (trust us the stress of squeezing down the track is worth it). Aside from the legendary bridge spend some time visiting Ronda’s historic bullring and exploring the many winding streets of the old town.
Seville
Capital of Andalucia, Seville was ranked number one of the Top Cities to visit in 2018 by Lonely Planet. Well known for both it’s stunning architecture spanning several centuries and lively culture Seville is a great place to experience Andalucian life. Wander around gothic cathedrals, devour fresh churros and enjoy flamenco dancing as you soak up the charm of Seville.
Arrive
Although we combined Seville with our Andalucian road trip, there is an airport just outside of Seville city centre. Many low cost European airlines service Seville regularly from other major European cities. If you’re heading from other cities within Spain consider jumping on the high speed train from Madrid or Barcelona to be in the centre within a matter of hours.
Stay
In Seville there are numerous hotels and B&Bs ready to welcome every type of traveller. If we had to pick one place to stay we’d recommend Casa del Poeta, a superbly restored Spanish mansion just minutes away from Seville’s main sites. With a gorgeous central patio, private roof terrace with killer views and live music every night you’ll soon see why many famous people have picked this as their Seville base.
Devour
There are two things you must eat whilst in Seville – freshly made churros and many many different tapas dishes. For churros head to Calenteria near the Alcazar and remember to add the delicious pot of hot chocolate for dipping. And for tapas you really can’t go wrong at any of the traditional bodegas, however to experience tapas like a local book onto one of Devour’s foodie tours to get a real taste of Seville.
Drinks in Seville tend to be best served on a rooftop, with EME Hotel securing the best views in the city looking across to the cathedral. For a more languid affair to catch some of Seville’s sunshine you can’t beat Sojo for its riverside chill out lounge although we’ve heard it might get a little rowdier in the evenings!
Explore
Home to three spectacular architectural sites, the Gothic style immense cathedral and bell tower, Plaza de Espana lined with intricate ceramic tiles and the Royal Alcazar there’s plenty to see around Seville. The most popular, especially since Games of Thrones was filmed here, the Royal Alcazar is somewhere you should put aside a morning to explore the beautiful tiled courtyards and manicured gardens. Watch the sun go down at the fourth, slightly rogue, addition to Seville’s iconic architecture Las Setas, the mushrooms – you’ll know why once you see them!
Cadiz
Cadiz is one of Spain’s major port cities, perched on the very southern coastline of Andalucia. Its impressive position has given it an important role in many of Spain’s historical conflicts, with its city walls and fortifications still standing today. Explore its narrow winding streets or follow the edge of the old town and enjoy the views across the Strait of Gibraltar.
Arrive
Cadiz does not have an airport of its own, instead fly into Jerez and you’re only a 30 minute drive from Cadiz. Majority of the visitors to Cadiz however tend to arrive into the port as part of a cruise around southern Europe.
Stay
Stay in a piece of Cadiz’s history at Casa de las Cuatro Torres, a boutique hotel that pays homage to the sailors of the 18th century. Rooms are named after famous sailors with wood from sunken ships used across the hotel. Head to the rooftop for views from the watchtower across the rooftops and out into the bay.
Devour
Options of where to eat and drink in Cadiz are endless and you honestly can’t go wrong, Cadiz is foodie heaven! Our two top picks are Sopranis, awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand for excellent value haute cuisine and an innovative approach to Spanish cuisine, and La Candela, a very popular contemporary tapas bar where you can sit at the bar and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the open kitchen.
Explore
The easiest, and most fun, way to see Cadiz is by Segway! Hop on board for a guided tour of the old town of Cadiz to whizz past the cathedral, along the water’s edge and through the botanical gardens. Dotted along the coastline of Cadiz are several lovely beaches where you can join the locals topping up their tan. Our top pick is La Caleta, close to the city although very popular.
Vejer
Arrive
Sadly, this ancient town’s transport links are fairly limited compared to elsewhere in Spain, with no airport and no train station.If you are driving around Andalucia on a road trip, this is the best way to get to Vejer, although be wary of the narrow streets and limited parking! There is a bus service on offer from Cadiz to Vejer and multiple companies host day trips to Vejer and the other white washed towns from many Andalucian cities.
Stay
Whilst the town of Vejer itself does have some delightful guesthouses and B&Bs, why not take advantage of the magnificent rolling countryside that surrounds it and indulge in some luxury at Casa La Siesta. A beautifully converted old farmhouse, with exquisitely decorated rooms and immaculately presented gardens. Sharing with only 6 other rooms, your stay here will be an ultimate rural escape from reality.
Check out our full review of Casa la Siesta here!
Devour
Whilst you can spend hours exploring the cafes and restaurants tucked away in Vejer’s narrow streets, don’t miss La Vera Cruz, with its super cute and cosy setting. Expect a mix of classic and modern twists on Spanish cuisine, including a Heston Blumenthal-esq false tomato, made from mascarpone and yoghurt!
Explore
You can easily spend hours simply losing yourself among the criss-crossed streets of Vejer, taking in all the charm, sights and smells that this old-worldly part of Spain. After you’ve spent time exploring the town, take a drive out into the rolling countryside and down to the dramatic coastline, with its jagged dunes and windswept beaches.
Cordoba
Cordoba is one of Spain’s most ancient cities, with a striking blend of histories from its Muslim and Roman influences. Within its city walls you can find some incredible sights, like the Mezquita (or mosque / cathedral), the alcazar (palace and gardens) or the Roman Bridge – during your visit you will truly be immersed in the city’s rich heritage.
Arrive
Although Cordoba does have an airport this is restricted to private flights, so unless you’re feeling super flush your only way is in by land. If you are stopping by as part of a road trip around southern Spain, Cordoba is only a few hours drive away from Malaga and Seville. Equally the efficient Spanish rail network has routes to both Seville and Malaga with journeys taking under two hours.
Stay
Tucked down one of the many narrow alleyways in the old town, just around the corner from the Mezquita lies Balcon de Cordoba, the best boutique hotel in Cordoba. With only ten rooms, it offers an oasis of tranquility with a private courtyard, a delicious hotel restaurant and the piece de resistance, a rooftop terrace with one of the best views of the old town and beyond.
Devour
As in every Spanish city on this list the best food in Cordoba comes in the form of tapas! Tucked inside the edge of the old city walls is a wonderful tapas bar, Casa Rubio. More formal and ‘white tablecloth’ than some other tapas bars you will come across, they serve up some delicious local classic including, of course, Salmorejo and fluffy melt-in-the-mouth croquettes! For something a little different head to Casa Mazal for a taste of Sephardic cuisine accompanied by traditional music and recitals.
Explore
There’s only one time to come to Cordoba and that’s during the world famous ‘Fiesta de los Patios’ or Patio Festival, where a number of private homeowners open up their patios for the public to see as part of an annual competition. Usually hosted around May you can combine your sight-seeing of the Mezquita and Alcazar with visits to these colourful and fragrant patios that are awash with colourful flowers.
Jerez
You may well have heard of Jerez from the back of a sherry bottle (we’ll come back to it’s fame for this local wine in a second!), but be sure not to miss out on this gem in the south of the region for a wonderful exploration of culture, food and wine!
Arrive
Jerez does have a small international airport, which services multiple European destinations including London and Hamburg. Alternatively only being half an hour from Cadiz, it is an easy option to access from there, or even Seville. If you come on a cruise docking in Cadiz, you can be sure to get a day trip to Jerez as well!
Stay
There are several wonderful boutique hotels and B&Bs which you can take your pick from. Hotel Casa Grande is a great spot in the centre of town located in an old mansion, with only 15 classically decorated rooms. The roof terrace is an impressive spot to sit with a glass of wine and watch the sun set over the city.
Devour
Being in the home town of sherry, which is a particularly good pairing for Spanish food, you can be sure to find some top options. One not too far from the Equestrian school is Restaurante Albala, which serves delicious modern tapas, including oxtail croquettes and tempura asparagus!
Explore
Jerez is most famous for two things: horses and wine. The former originates from the Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art, where you can visit and enjoy a performance showcasing the mesmerizing abilities of the horses and their handlers. Jerez is also one of only three towns which can legally produce sherry, a fortified wine. During your time in Jerez you can visit some of the local producers to try the broad variety of sherries on offer from fino (dry) to pedro ximinez (sweet).
Essential Info about Andalucia
Is there a good itinerary to visit Andalucia?
Most cities in Andalucia are accessible by air and are worthy of a visit in their own right. However, if you really want to get a feel for the region, we would highly recommend hiring a car and going on a road trip for a week! Malaga is probably the best place to start and end your route, heading west first via Ronda, Cordoba and Seville before circling south through Cadiz, Jerez and Vejer. You can see the changing landscape of the region and different vibes of each city with a couple of days in each!
When is the best time to visit Andalucia?
Andalucia is one of the Brits favourite holiday destinations for the main reason that it enjoys over 300 days of sun each year. That means you can be sure to get good weather any time you go, but be wary that Seville and Cordoba are two of Europe’s hottest cities, so if you plan on coming in Summer, expect temperatures north of 40c! You may also want to plan your travels around some of the regions famous ‘ferias’ (basically massive parties!), so be sure to know when they are on so you can time it right!
Can I visit the beach in Andalucia?
Absolutely! The Costa del Sol speaks for itself as one of Europe’s most popular beach destinations, from glitzy Marbella to the affordable resorts dotted along the Med. If you are looking for something less commercialised and perhaps more rugged, head for Costa de la Luz on the Atlantic side – with some dramatic dunes and beaches, this is often windsurfing paradise!
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