Andalucia map & highlights

2 min summary When to go Map & highlights Historic Andalucia Walking the Alpujarras Walking in Grazalema Photography Painting Rural accommodation Families Tips Responsible tourism

Places to visit in Andalucia

Distinctive attractions create a wonderful kaleidoscope of places to visit in Andalucia. Beguiling cities: riverside Seville, famed for flamenco, festivals and fine food; exotic Cordoba and Granada, their past Moorish eminence reflected in ravishing architecture; rough-edged, ancient Cadiz; and Picasso's birthplace Malaga, now a modern art mecca. Roads wind up to mountain hideaways in the stunning Sierra Nevada and the Granada altiplano, from where fantastic walking, biking and horse-riding trails snake off into heart-stopping wilderness. Tempting trails cross Almeria's desert too, where rich unique flora and fauna contrasts with stark arid beauty.

Give us a call to help with your itinerary

1. Almeria
2. Aracena
3. Cabo de Gata
4. Cadiz
5. Cordoba
6. Doñana National Park
7. Granada
8. Jerez
9. Las Alpujarras
10. Malaga
11. Seville
12. Sierra de Grazalema National Park
13. Sierra Nevada

Almeria

1. Almeria

Andalucia’s easternmost province arguably has the best climate in Europe – 300 days of sunshine a year. It's ideal for winter walking and fantastic empty beaches. The Tabernas desert was setting for many “Spaghetti Westerns” – and the Nijar National Park in Cabo de Gata, a stunning land and marine park. Almeria City offers some excellent museums and a strong Arabic vibe.

Almeria

Aracena

2. Aracena

Cradled in a mountain bowl, the bustling old market town of Aracena is a whitewashed wonder overseen by a medieval church and ruined castle. Other sights include the Gruta de las Maravillas – a network of limestone caves and tunnels within the castle hill – plus a museum dedicated to the area's famous jamon (ham)! There's plenty of good places to eat too.

Cabo de Gata

3. Cabo de Gata

Its unique landscape shaped by volcanic activity, and dotted with whitewashed pueblos, the Cabo de Gata is the driest place in Europe. No surprise then, that these rugged hills and wide plains strewn with cacti often doubled for the ‘Wild West’ in a cavalcade of ‘Spaghetti Westerns’. There are some excellent day hikes hereabouts, as well as the potential for bird-watching and, of course, incredible photography.

Cabo de Gata

Cadiz

4. Cadiz

Europe's oldest continuously inhabited city is an atmospheric 4,000-year-old rough diamond, set on a sliver of land fringed by some of Europe's best city beaches. Its gaze has historically focused oceanward rather than towards Spain, bringing in Caribbean influences with Moorish. Today, Cadiz wears its history lightly amid faded buildings, alive with the sounds of hedonistic living for now.

Cordoba

5. Cordoba

Cordoba was the major city not just of Moorish Al-Andalus but the whole Iberian Peninsula, while the glorious Mezquita was once among the world's most important mosques. Marvel at it still today, alongside the Alcazar palace-fortress and its gardens, plus the Roman Bridge – then enjoy its lovely intimate vibe and windy cobbled streets. Cordoba is also famed for its flower-filled patios – which compete for the coveted “best patio” prize each May.

Cordoba

Doñana National Park

6. Doñana National Park

Western Europe's largest road-free region is a 540 sq km haunting haven of quiet and far horizons. Its wildlife is staggering: huge flocks of flamingos star in a twitchers' paradise, while deer and boar flit through woods – stalked by the rare Iberian lynx. Arrive by boat from earthy sherry-making Sanlucar on the other side of an estuary famed for its succulent langostinos.

Granada

7. Granada

Nestled in the foothills of the stunning Sierra Nevada, Granada is best known for the Alhambra – a spectacular complex of Moorish palaces, pools and patios overlooking the city. The Albaicin is arguably Spain's finest Moorish quarter, dotted with carmens - hillside houses with walled gardens. And in this city, every drink comes with a free tapa!

Granada

Jerez

8. Jerez

Properly called Jerez de la Frontera, this lively town could claim to be Andalucía's spiritual capital. It's HQ of the region's horse culture, a key point on the famed sherry making triangle – and claims to be the cradle of flamenco, whatever Seville says. Skip that argument, and just enjoy its pleasant bustle, relaxed history and beautiful back street restaurants.

Las Alpujarras

9. Las Alpujarras

The ancient terraced slopes of Las Alpujarras were made by 8th century Berbers. Today they are an unforgettable backdrop for farmstays, walking and cycling through Sierra Nevada foothills and gorges. Little museums in the lovely main village Bubion delve past lives, while nearby Trevélez claims to be Spain's highest village (1,476m) – and home to its finest jamón serrano.

Las Alpujarras

Malaga

10. Malaga

White towns, wild ravines and lovely villages like Antequera – the 'Florence of Andalucia' – backdrop a city that has reinvented itself as a cultural and foodie beacon. The Picasso Museum celebrates Malaga's most famous son, augmented by the new outpost of Paris's Pompidou Centre. Gourmands will love the beachfront seafood restaurants. Head uphill to the Gibralfaro Castle and the Alcazaba for the best views of the city – and the sunsets.

Seville

11. Seville

Seville proudly flaunts Spanish clichés – but for real. The whitewashed, Moorish buildings, streets fragranced with orange blossom, the exquisite Moorish Alcazar palace, the sounds of flamenco from shuttered rooms, superb tapas bars on narrow lanes, plus year-round sunshine. Come in spring for the solemnly beautiful Semana Santa (Holy Week) or the joyous Feria de Abril (April Fair).

Seville

Sierra de Grazalema National Park

12. Sierra de Grazalema National Park

The first natural park of Andalucia is a real stunner, with imposing limestone cliffs and deep gorges, in one of which, the Garganta Verde, a colony of griffon vultures nests. The lush landscape, amply succoured by high rainfall, is home to over 1300 species of plant, and a playground for adventurous activities including climbing and canyoning, as well as walking. Despite all this, Sierra de Grazalema remains happily little-known.

Sierra Nevada

13. Sierra Nevada

Iberia's highest peak – the 3,478m Mulhacen – is just one of many 3,000m-plus mountains in this walking, biking, horse-riding and winter skiing mecca, dotted with alpine lakes and dramatic gorges. Its magical villages are the highest in Spain, while wildlife includes Ibex and eagles in its eponymous National Park. Mountainside observatories nod to its spectacular starry skies.

Sierra Nevada

Our Andalucia Vacations

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Andalucia or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.

1-866-821-6866

Call toll free

Calling from outside the USA

rosy@responsibletravel.com

1-866-821-6866

Call toll free

Calling from outside the USA

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Travel times in Andalucía

The following times give you a rough idea of the travel times between the main attractions in Andalucía.

Seville – Cordoba: 45 mins by train Seville – Cadiz: 1 ½ hours by train Cadiz – Sanlucar: 1 ½ hours by bus Cadiz – El Puerto: 45 minutes by boat Cordoba – Granada: 2 ½ hours by bus or train Beas – Granada (Sierra Nevada): 5 hours on foot Puente Palo Loop (Las Alpujarras): 4 hours on foot

More about Andalucia

Best time to visit Andalucia

If you want to know the best time to visit Andalucía simply read our rather handy month by month guide and expert recommendations about what happens when.

Andalucia travel guide

Our Andalucía travel guide is all about traveling like a local, as you learn what we rate, what we don't, and how to travel responsibly on your Andalucía vacation.

Historic Andalucia towns to visit

Sunny, seductive and scented with orange blossom; Andalucia is one of Spain’s most appealing regions.

Walking in the Alpujarras, Spain

Walking vacations in the Alpujarras take you along ancient mule tracks and shepherds trails with plenty of historic and natural wonders to keep an eye out for along the way.

Walking in Grazalema, Andalucia

Whether or not the rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain, the wettest part of the country is actually in the mountains: the Sierra de Grazalema to be exact.

Rural accommodation in Andalucia

Seek out rural accommodation in Andalucía owned by people who know the best hiking trails, the tastiest tapas, or all the constellations in their amazing dark skies.

Photography vacations in Andalucia

Photography vacations in Andalucía are a sun-drenched blend of education, inspiration and relaxation, as fun as they are focused on helping you develop your talent.

Painting vacations in Andalucia

Andalucía has everything the aspiring painter might desire: lush scenery, peace and quiet, lovely weather and a broad palette of subject matter.

Traveling in Andalucia with kids

Traveling in Andalucia with kids is a year round option with a combination of sunshine and snow providing a tapas feast of family treats to keep everyone happy.

Andalucia travel advice

Our Andalucía travel advice page is packed with tips from our friends in Andalucía with a health & safety section, and recommendations from those who have been there.

Responsible tourism in Andalucia

If you want to know more about what you can do to help fuel responsible tourism in Andalucia then read on for our tips on how to travel better in Andalucia.

More relevant guides

Written by Norman Miller

Andalucia map & highlights