Why Andalusia Is Worth a Visit

View of Alhambra in Granada with Sierra Nevada as the backdrop

Andalusia is with its 87,600 km² Spain's second largest autonomous community and the most populous one. Politically, the capital for the autonomous community is Seville, and Andalusia is furthermore subdivided into eight provinces with each province named after its provincial capital. Andalusia spans across the western mountain range of Sierra Moreno, the Guadalquivir Valley, and the  eastern mountain range of which Sierra Nevada is a prominent part. Here you can find the highest peak in the Iberian Peninsula, Mulhacén, whose snowcapped peak towers 3,479 metres over sea level. The mountain's name comes from Arabic, mawlay hasan, meaning Prince Hassan, after the penultimate Muslim ruler of Granada, who was buried on its summit. 

 

Mulhacén, Sierra Nevada

Mulhacén is far from the only Arabic proper name in southern Spain. As a matter of fact, Andalusia has a distinct cultural feel as a result of its Arab influence. For over 700 years, Andalusia was under rule by Berbers from the Maghreb, known as Moors. This period spanned from the invasion in 711 AD until the pivotal year in Spanish history, 1492, when the Moors were expelled from the Iberian Peninsula. 

This influence is evident in the fact that the very name Andalusia comes from Arabic Al-Andalus, a term used by historians today to denote the era of Islamic Iberia. The Arab influence can be witnessed first-hand in three of Andalusia's most prominent architectural monuments and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

Mesquita-Catedral de Córdoba

Nowhere is the blend of Islamic and Catholic influences as evident in Andalusian architecture as in the peculiar Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba. Built in 785 CE by the Moors, this mosque was built on top of  a Visigoth church. At that time Córdoba served as capital of Al-Andalus. In 1236 when Christian forced regained control of Córdoba, it was turned into a Cathedral. To this day, it still serves as Córdoba's Cathedral and mass is held regularly inside. However, much of the interior decoration from the Islamic era has been preserved and is a prime example of Andalusia's cultural blend.   

Real Alcázar de Sevilla

The word alcázar comes from the Arabic word al-qasr, which again is a derivative of the Latin word castrum, meaning castle. The Royal Alcázar was also built on top of a Visigoth cathedral at the time of the Moorish reign in the year 913 CE. However, little in the Alcázar is visibly left from this era, as Christians the Christian king Pedro I built the palace visible today on the site of the Moorish castle between 1364-66. Interestingly, the palace was built in Mudéjar style. Mudéjar was the term used for the Moors who stayed behind in the Iberian Peninsula after the Christian reconquest, yet without converting to Christianity. In terms of architecture, Mudéjar refers to the decorative Islamic motifs applied to Christian architecture. Pedro I's Mudéjar Palace is one of the best preserved examples of this style in Andalusia.  

Generalife, Alhambra

Alhambra is a testament to the period of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada, the last Muslim kingdom in Europe. Its current structure dates back to the mid-13th century, built by Muhammed I, the first sultan of the Nasrid Kingdom. As the Moorish control of the Iberian Peninsula diminished, it became the last stronghold of Muslim rulers in Spain. The adjoining Generalife Palace was built in the beginning of the 14th century to house the Nasrid rulers. After the Christian reconquest in 1492, Alhambra became the site of the Royal Court of Spain. It was here Christopher Columbus was granted the endorsement of his proposed journey westward to the Orient by Queen Isabel I and her husband Fernando II. 

The aforementioned UNESCO World Heritage Sites built by the Moors are far from the only example of Arabic influence on Andalusia. Arabic influence on Andalusia’s cultural identity is also evident in its cuisine. The Arabs brought many of the ingredients used in modern Spanish cuisine, such as chickpeas, rice, and olives. They also brought sugar cane to the Iberian Peninsula, and many of the desserts you can still find in Andalusia date back to the time of Al-Andalus.

Tablao Arte y Sabores, Córdoba

Another cultural attraction particular to Andalusia is flamenco. No other art form epitomizes Andalusia's cultural blend as well as flamenco. Whereas the sung poetry and music are believed to come from Arabic influence, the lyrics are distinctly Roma. Of Spain's 750,000 Roma, half of them are believed to live in Andalusia. Often carving out an existence on the fringe of societal acceptance, the discriminated Andalusian Roma resorted to Flamenco as an emotive catharsis. The place where you can see flamenco song, dance, and music is traditionally called a tablao, a colloquial pronunciation of the Spanish word for floorboard, tablado. Andalusia exudes passion, not only in its tablaos. Whereas flamenco is a solo dance, the sevillana, another popular Andalusian dance, is a couple's dance. Sevillanas can be best observed during the Seville Fair, Feria de Abril, one of the city’s annual festival. 

Festivals are held in most cities and towns throughout Andalusia, in particular for Easter, Semana Santa, or in commemoration of patron saints. No matter which of Andalusia's eight provinces you choose to visit, there is an abundance of cultural experiences to relish. 

Seville

The Province of Seville comprises an area of 14,042 km2 and a population of about two million. Most of them live in or near the Andalusian capital, the city of Seville. 

Avenida de la Constitución, Sevilla

Seville is also the largest city of Andalusia with its metropolitan area comprising a population of about 1.5 million. What Seville is famous for is its relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle, cultural attractions, tapas bars, and historical city center of Arabesque and Baroque style. There is a huge variety of flamenco tablaos in the city. Seville is also home to two very popular football teams playing in the top-flight of the Spanish first division, LaLiga. In short, a trip to Andalusia is not complete without visiting this bustling metropolis of the south. 

Huelva

Flamingos in Doñana 

To the west of Seville is the smaller and lesser known Province of Huelva. The province borders with Portugal and comprises an area of 10,128km2. This rural province is sparsely populated with  little over half a million inhabitants. Huelva is worth visiting to see the Doñana Natural Park, a veritable bird sanctuary for more than 500 threatened species. It is also worth going to Huelva for the Pilgrimage of El Rocío. On the second day of Pentecost (fifty days after Easter Sunday) up to a million Andalusian pilgrims, many clad in traditional costumes and on horseback, flock to bring the village of El Rocío alive in celebration of the Holy Mary. 

Cádiz

To the South of Seville are the two provinces of Cádiz and Málaga. The former consists of an area of 7,385km2. Over 1.2 million people live in this province. The largest city is Jeréz de la Frontera. Jerez has a population of about 210,000 people, whereas roughly 130,000 people live in the capital Cádiz. Algeciras is another city worth mentioning with its population of about 115,000. 

Catedral de la Santa Cruz, Cádiz

The city of Cádiz is a laid-back beach town known for its many bars serving fresh seafood tapas. Sites worth seeing in Cádiz include the many watchtowers along the coastline, especially the iconic Torre Tavira, as well as the gold-domed cathedral. Jerez is mainly famous for being the world's sherry capital and the city has many sherry bodegas worth visiting. While there, it is also worth seeing the 11th century Alcazar, as well as the cathedral. Algeciras has one of the busiest ports in Spain. From there ferries cross the Strait of Gibraltar frequently for destinations to Morocco and Ceuta.

 

Arcos de la Frontera, Cádiz

However, one of the most interesting excursions to go on in the Cádiz region is to visit the, Pueblos Blancos, or White Villages. The white villages are whitewashed, historical villages tucked away in the mountainous hinterland of these two southern provinces. Inside Cádiz province, they are mainly situated within the Grazalema National Park, where it is recommended to follow the Arcos de la Frontera White Village Route to visit them.  

Málaga

Teatro Cervantes and Puerto de Málaga

The province of Málaga is one of the most popular destinations for foreign tourists and residents, who are drawn to the pleasant climate and beaches of the Costa Del Sol in summer. The province spans over 7,308 km2 and with close to 1.7 million inhabitants, it has the highest population density in Andalusia. The many beautiful beaches of the Costa del Sol are well worth a visit albeit they tend to be overcrowded in summer. Inside the city of Málaga itself, the Picasso Museum has a collection of more than 200 paintings by one of Málaga's most famous sons. 

Ronda, Málaga

Inland, the province of Málaga also boasts The Ronda Route through some of the iconic Pueblos Blancos. In summer, the route will be a welcome respite from the overcrowded coastal areas of the province, but not necessarily from the heat. Nonetheless, the trip is well worth it as it would invariably take you on the path to discover the true Spain of Andalusia. 

 

Córdoba

To the east of Seville is the Province of Córdoba, whose total area of 13,769km2 has a population of close to 800,000. 

 

Calle Zapateria Vieja, Córdoba

The city of Córdoba is with its population of 325,000 much smaller and less bustling than Seville. However, in the 10th and 11th centuries Córdoba was one of the most advanced cities in the world. Serving as capital for the Caliphate of Al-Andalus, Córdoba had a population of 400,000. What makes Córdoba worth visiting is the cultural and archaeological legacy of its glorious past as well as the quaint and genuine Andalusian feel it renders today. 

Granada

The Province of Granada spans over 12,531km2 with close to one million inhabitants. About a quarter of them live in the provincial capital. 

Albaicín, Granada

The city of Granada's ancient neighborhood of Albaicín and its majestic palace Alhambra became the last Moorish citadel on the Iberian Peninsula. Admired from the Mirador San Nicólas, this impressively preserved combined UNESCO World Heritage Site can be seen with the scenic Sierra Nevada as backdrop. Apart from being a flamboyant, vibrant town with excellent tapas bars, another reason why you should visit Granada is because the town is the gateway to Spain's largest national park. 

Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada

Located within the provinces of Granada and Almería is Spain's largest national park, Sierra Nevada. Within the park is the highest mountain peak of mainland Spain, Mulhacén, and myriads of hiking options at different levels and altitudes. Overlooking Granada, the park is easily accessible from most Andalusian coastal towns, yet still surprisingly unexplored by foreign tourists. The enormity of its size makes it a perfect getaway from the crowded touristy beaches on the Costa del Sol and a welcome respite from the heat when visiting the park in summer. Apart from hiking, there are many other things to do in Sierra Nevada. In winter, it is one of Spain's primary ski resorts.

Almería

Isleta del Moro, Cabo de Gata

On the other side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, to the east of Granada live 700,000 people in the province of Almería on an area of 8,774km2. Almería is one of the least explored parts of the coastal Andalusia. Most of the coastline is far from as scenic as the Costa del Sol; Almeria is farming country containing the largest concentration of greenhouses in the world. This discourages most tourists coming from Costa del Sol from venturing deeper into Almería. However, the ones who make it as far as Cabo de Gata will find an almost undisturbed protected coastal area. Cabo de Gata is also a UNESCO Bisosphere Reserve teeming with wildlife amongst its volcanic rock formations and reefs. 

Jaén

Baños Arabes de Jaén

North of Granada is the Province of Jaén. It covers an area of 13,484km2 and has about 635,000 inhabitants. One sixth of the province's inhabitants live in the capital city Jaén. Jaén is known as the World Capital of Olive Oil, which the people of Jaén refer to as liquid gold. The finest virgin olive oil is used in Jaén's cuisine, some of Andalusia's most authentic food. As the least known provincial capital in Andalusia, Jaén has an aire of authenticity rarely found elsewhere. There are also some interesting sights such as the enormous Jáen Cathedral, one of the most renaissance-style cathedrals in Spain. It has served as an architectural model for many renaissance churches and cathedrals in Spain and throughout  Latin America's churches. Jaén is also known for its Arab Baths, one of the most extensive bath houses from the Moorish period.  

Castillo de Santa Catalina

The province boasts two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the rennaisance cities Úbeda and Baeza. Moreover, due to the Jaén´s strategic importance during the Christian reconquest, the province has the highest concentration of hilltop castles and fortresses anywhere in Europe. One of the most iconic, the Santa Catalina Castle is situated on a hilltop overlooking the provincial capital.