Are you planning a trip to Southern Spain but don’t know what to see and do? With so many options it may be difficult to decide where to go. You have a choice between Moorish-built fortresses and white hillside towns. Maybe you would prefer the beach or a hike in the mountains. To help plan the best vacation for you, we’ve developed a list of what we think are the best places to visit in Andalucía, Spain.
We’ve listed suggestions in our order of preference, but if you have other interests, you may have a different order. There’s a map at the bottom of the post with all of these towns marked.
1. Cádiz
Often overshadowed by Spain’s more famous cities, Cádiz may just be that shining jewel you’ve been seeking. Its connection to Spain’s Age of Discovery brought vast wealth to the port city. Today, that wealth can be seen in the grand heritage buildings that line its narrow streets. It is because of this beauty that Cádiz is our number one recommended city to visit in Andalucía.
For more information please visit our post What To See In Beautiful Cadiz.
2. Córdoba
Woven through the streets of Córdoba’s historic centre are the legends of its past. Captured inside its old city walls are fabulous buildings that tell these tales. The most impressive is the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba. The stunning Moorish mosque, is beyond comparison and should be at the top of your must-see list for Spain. In addition to this iconic building, there are many more treasures to find when you explore the city’s historic streets.
You can find out more about the sites in Córdoba in our posts Visit The Mosque-Cathedral In Córdoba, and Explore The Historic Streets of Córdoba.
3. Setenil de las Bodegas
A rocky cliff band above Trejo River provides the setting for one of the most unique towns in Spain. Homes were built inside caves and under overhanging roofs, creating a scene begging to be photographed. In addition to the most famous streets, the rest of the community has many more fabulous sites to discover.
You can read more about this charming town in our post Best Day Trips From Ronda – Setenil de las Bodegas & Olvera
4. Seville
Seville is famous for its many lavish buildings, the designs of which were influenced by the city’s varied inhabitants. In addition to the most well known ones, such as the cathedral and alcázar, its historic downtown is filled with many more. Plan to spend a few days in the city so you can fully explore its beautiful historic sites.
To find out more about the sites in Seville, please visit our post Explore Seville’s Architectural Wonders.
5. Estepona
Our favourite thing to do in Estepona was explore the old streets without a plan. Flowerpots are strung from the sides of pretty whitewashed homes. Wrought iron balconies hang over clean streets. Even the street signs are adorable. All of this made it easy to be enchanted by Estepona.
You can read more about the city of Estepona in our post Spain’s Costa del Sol – Estapona, Marbella & Casarás.
6. Ronda
The star attraction on a visit to Ronda is the photogenic Puente Nuevo (New Bridge). It is part of an awe-inspiring scene that combines natural and human-made elements. Built to connect the new and old parts of the city, it is more than a functional connector, the bridge is quite beautiful. In addition to the iconic bridge, the city’s historic centre is filled with many charming scenes.
For more information on visiting Ronda, please visit our post Visiting Ronda’s Iconic Bridge.
7. Frigiliana
Frigiliana is the quintessential historic town and has more than earned its place on Spain’s list of Pueblo Blancos. Homes have filled in the steep slope below a Moorish castle. During the Battle of Frigiliana, the castle was destroyed, but thankfully, the village was left intact. As you walk up and down the tiled lanes, it will feel as though not much has changed since the early 1400s. Its location, 15 km from Costa del Sol, has made it a favourite spot for travellers.
You can read more about Frigiliana in our post Costa del Sol – Frigiliana & Nerja.
8. Granada
Granada’s famous Alhambra has made the city a popular tourist destination, but there is so much more to see than this one complex. You will find Granada’s rich history in many of its neighbourhoods. From the picturesque streets that climb the hills to the lively plazas surrounded by historic buildings, Granada is a great spot to spend a couple of days, even if you don’t see the Alhambra.
Find out about the sites in Granada in our post What To See In Granada – Other Than The Alhambra.
9. Casarás
Strung between two rocky hilltops, the whitewashed buildings of this heritage town have a spectacular setting. This adorable community is cute from afar, but it gets even better close-up. Seemingly untouched by the modern world, its medieval lanes are decorated with old lanterns as they climb up and down the slopes of the hilly terrain.
You can read more about Casarás in our post Spain’s Costa del Sol – Estapona, Marbella & Casarás.
10. Olvera
We first saw Olvera from a distance and couldn’t believe our eyes. It looked like a scene from a fairytale with Olvera Castle (Castillo de Olvera) perched atop a rocky point and its white homes tumbling down the hill below. From this first view to the last, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Olvera.
For more information on Olvera read our post Day Trips From Ronda – Setenil de las Bodgeas & Olvera.
You can find all of these places and more on our map of Andalucía, Spain. Click on the map for an expanded view.
To read more of our adventures in Spain, click here.
Coming Next – Our Favourite X-C Mountain Biking In Calgary And Area
For pictures from other blogs go to Gallery at monkeystale.ca
To read about more of our adventures go to Destinations.
If you like what you read, please comment or share (with credit) using the links below.
We'd love to hear from you, please leave a comment.