Your guide to Adalucia in Spain |
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| The southernmost province of Spain, the history and culture of Andalusia is intimately bound up with the one-time Islamic identity of Iberia. To the north are the Spanish territories of Extremadura, Castile-La Mancha and Murcia, but to the south and east are Gibraltar, the Algarve region of Portugal, and across the sea lay North Africa. The city of Granada was the last great outpost of Islam in Europe to fall during the 15th Century Reconquista. Andalusia has also been shaped by the olive, as it is the best region in the world for cultivating olive trees and has been a major exporter of high quality olive oil since Roman times. In some parts of Andalusia, the landscape is dominated by olive trees as far as the eye can see.
Andalusia is the home of three of Spain's most well-known cities: Cordoba, Granada and Seville. Between the three of them, visitors to the region can enjoy some of the best historic architecture in Europe, most of it Islamic in origin. Cordoba is home to Mezquita, a 10th Century mosque that still ranks as the third largest in the world today. It is also home to the one-time palace of the Western Caliphate, the Medina Azahara, and many other medieval sites of both Christian and Muslim origins. Finally, there is Andalusia's capital and largest city, Seville. The city is home to the Cathedral of Seville, a 15th Century cathedral that stands as the largest church in the world when measured by internal volume. It is also home to La Giralda, the Gothic cathedral with minaret in place of a bell tower, and the gorgeous palace of Real Alcázar. The province of Marbella and its Costa del Sul is one of the most popular beach destinations in the Mediterranean, so much so that its beach towns and tourist developments are practically the archetype for what such places should look like. However, the beach is not the only resort destination in Andalusia. Deep in the interior is the Sierra Nevada, the highest mountain in Iberia, with its ski resorts. Between the two, Andalusia offers fashionable sporting destinations winter and summer. As the home of gazpacho, the most famous of Spanish soups, Andalusia has a cuisine all its own. Understanding Andalusian cooking starts by realizing that olive oil is at the heart of everything there. This is the main olive producing region of Spain, after all, so a dish of excellent olives and some heavy bread with a small bowl of high quality olive oil are fixtures at every table. The phrase "a la andaluza" means to coat something in flour and fry it in olive oil. Common to most menus in Andalusia are hefty cuts of beef or pork prepared in that same oil. Even the fish and shellfish, caught in the Bay of Cadiz and among the best seafood in Spain, are often fried in olive oil. There is also some excellent ham, and Andalusia is where the best sherry in Spain is made. Andalusia is well-connected with Europe and North Africa, and from the tourist point of view it offers a number of options. Malaga International Airport is serviced by several international airlines, while Portugal and Gibraltar is roughly a day's drive to the east. From Algeciras there are ferry connections to Morocco. |
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| Accommodation in Andalucia | Click pictures for more details | |
| Hotel | calle Felix Rodriguez de la Fuente 11, Zahara de la Sierra 11688 Cadiz |  |
| Bed & Breakfast | Casa Lagabella, Los Olivos, Sedella, Malaga 29715 Spain |  |
| Find a full list of hotels in Andalucia HERE | ||
Granada is where the renowned Alhambra is found. This medieval fortress, palace and government centre stands as a wonder of Islamic architecture, and is often ranked as one of the modern Wonders of the World. Elsewhere in Granada is El Albayzin, the ancient Arab neighbourhood that puts an exotic spin on the windy, narrow streets of an old European city centre.