Place of passion and dance
With more than 300 sunny days each year life in Andalusia tends to be quite pleasant and warm. Therefore it is not surprising that visitors to Andalusia have one destination in mind: The bays and beaches of Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz. Places such as Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola or Estepona are lined along the coast and are renowned as being popular with tourists. Typical for this region are holiday apartments in complexes which are close to the sea.
The south of Spain has much more to offer. The heartland provides a spectacular towns and beautiful countryside which invite you to explore on a longer or short day trip. Vacationers can experience the original spirit of Spain here and get to know the unique attitude of Andalusians which is full of passion and energy.
Cityscape Seville
Like the diverse landscape and culture in Andalusia their expressions of passion for life is equally multifaceted. Whether a flamenco dance in Granada, carneval in Cádiz, devotional Easter procession in Sevilla or colourful town festival in Málaga – in Andalucía there is a fiesta all year round. Most of the festivities have a religous origin but at the same time are open to all. The focal point of Andalusia’s culture and heritage is Seville. From Seville the legendary "Don Juan" started on his quest to conquer the heart of women across the world. But the modern Seville is very much far away from this romantic past. The capital of Andalusia is a pulsating place. In the colourful quarter and bars one can see the hustle and bustle of this town, the continuous rattling of two stroke engines, clattering of horses and rhythms of flamencos accompany this unique atmosphere. Furthermore the city is host of two major festivals. Die Semana Santa (Easter week) is one of the most well known and important celebrations in Spain. Two weeks later Feria de Abril is celebrated. The more than thousand stalls are then for this period the second home of many inhabitants of Sevilla. Here they meet up and party together until dawn.
Andalusian heartland
The contrast to pulsating Seville is Córdoba which radiates a special grandeur and invites you to unwind. The life of this town is confined to the walled courtyards which often have been turned into heavenly oasis. Here one can actually find tropical vegetation with date palms, banana trees as well as orange and citrus trees. The main attraction for many tourists though is the mosque cathedral Mezquita with it unique architecture.
The countryside of the Province Córdoba is shaped by white villages in the midst of green olive groves and rough mountain landscape. Away from tourism at a small reservoir there is this typical small Andalusian village of Iznájar. How about this lovely apartment which is situated at the highest point of this village?
The coast of the Province Granada has developed at a slower pace in respect to tourism. Those seeking relaxation and tranquillity, untouched landscapes and the special magic of Andalusia will feel at ease here. As an insider’s tip we would like to introduce you to the small town of Orgiva which is located between two massive mountain ranges. On the one side is the Sierra Lujar and on the other side lies the snow covered Sierra Nevada with an average height of 3,500 metres. In Orgiva you can experience some of original Andalusia. In contrast to the coastal region there are a lot of rustic holiday houses which are in the midst of beautiful nature. The prices are comparatively cheap and the climate is pleasant. Just 35 minutes by car you can reach the sea and the lovely town of Granada.
Sierra Nevada
Many Spain vacationers associate Andalusia with sun, sand and sea. Only a few actually know that in the Sierra Nevada from October you can enjoy more than 100 kilometres of ski slopes. If you plan a holiday in Andalusia around late summer then you can also pack your skis. The ski region Sierra Nevada is the highest located ski region in Europe. From the 3,396 metre high Veleta summit you have a view towards the Mediterranean Sea and all the way to Africa. For example from this holiday house both the ski slopes of Sierra Nevada as well as the beach are just a 60 minute drive by car.
Spanish tapas
Andalusians love their food in large portions and tend to eat late. They are not that keen on diets and even less on lavish breakfasts. Here a café con leche with a croissant will suffice. For that though lunch and dinner are celebrated. Right at the top of the menu are of course the traditional tapas. These are delicious little snacks that are usually served in bars and eaten whilst you are standing. Seldom does an Andalusian just stop off in one bar as de tapeo means for them to pass on from one to the other bar. The tapas are accompanied with a glass of sherry, red wine or beer. In the coastal regions of the Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz the menus are dominated by fish and sea food whilst in the inner part of the region traditional dishes with rabbit, lamb and also stews are served. Andalusia is known around the world for jamón iberico. This air dryed ham is produced from black Iberian pigs which run freely around cork oak forests and mainly eat acorns.
The airport in Málaga is the starting point for many tourists who head off towards the famous Costa del Sol. If you decide to stay in the hinterland are recommended to hire a rental car from Málaga. So you can explore Andalusia on wonderful trips.