Immense Andalucia
Words by Gemma Watson
At the southern tip of mainland Spain lies Andalucia, a destination bursting with colour, vitality and brilliance. Visit it once and it will beckon you back for years to come.
Without doubt, Andalucia is one of the country’s most authentic and passionate regions. So immense and diverse is this sun-filled destination, it is impossible to ever truly have “done it” (it is, on its own, larger than countries like Denmark or Switzerland).
Stretching from south-east to south-west, Andalucia is home to a spectacular collection of eight provinces, each one named for its capital city: Cadiz, Cordoba, Jaen, Huelva, Almeria, Malaga, Granada and Seville.
Together with its 800 kilometres of coastline, Guadalquivir River valley, Tabernas desert and the snow-capped peaks of Sierra Nevada, Andalucia will deliver wonders for every traveller.
Touchtown in Malaga, the birthplace and home of Pablo Picasso, for the entrypoint to all Andalucia. From here, explore the dramatic landscape of Almeria’s Cabo de Gata-Níjar or Mars-like Rio Tinto in Huelva, visit Ronda’s Puente Nuevo bridge, head to modern Marbella and its luxurious Puerto Banús marina or the white villages of Cadiz, or visit the dreamlike olive groves of Jaén or authentic tapas bars in Granada. And for a truly authentic Flamenco experience, Seville is just the ticket. Beginning its history in the countryside, Flamenco became widely appreciated with the opening of cafés cantantes, before rising in popularity with performances being held across Spain.
Andalucia’s unique composition of history and multiculturalism can be seen through its impressive and world-famous monuments, most notably influenced by the Moors. Granada’s fortress of Alhambra (“Red Castle”), The Mezquita of Córdoba, The Alcazaba of Málaga and The Royal Alcázars of Seville, are a few that are so mesmerising, repeat visits are guaranteed. In fact, the latter captured the hearts of Hollywood so much that it inspired author George RR Martin and was later chosen as a film location in HBO’s The Game of Thrones. Co-writer David Weiss said: “There’s nowhere on earth that is more like the water gardens we pictured than this place ...It is as if [the Alcázar] was designed for us many years ago.”
A destination of hidden gems, beautiful coastlines and sun-ripened food, it is little wonder why Andalucia continues to allure Spaniards and international guests alike.