Andalusia Spain

THE SOUTH OF SPAIN

TRIPS TO SPAIN:

Travel to Andalusia in the south of Spain

Andalusia is the Spain of the imagination, the place where a dreamy sun kisses land and where passion, poetry, and drama meet all together. Fearless matadors, fabulous festivals, and foot-stomping flamenco represent this emblematic region.

You can feel here the legacy of the past while wandering through the twisting medieval cobblestone streets, admiring the swirling Arabesque patterns in Islamic architecture or maybe listening for melancholy notes of Gypsy soul in the strumming of Spanish guitar.

We have prepared some tailor-made holidays so you can discover the traditional Andalucia

ANDALUSIA OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Andalusia is a place of contrasts: snowcapped mountains, lush green river valleys, and wild gorges. The scenery provides stunning backdrops for amazing sights. From the glorious cathedral of Seville to the gorgeous Alhambra palace in Granada and the Great Mosque of Córdoba, Andalusia has some of the most thrilling monuments in the world.

A stroll through almost any of Andalusia’s historic towns leads to delightful discoveries of fountain-adorned squares and some whitewashed houses with flower-filled patios.

WHY TAKE A TRIP TO SOUTHERN SPAIN IN ANDALUSIA

Southern Spain is a perfect road trip destination. Most locations in Andalusia are only a 2–4-hour drive apart, but you will never get bored here! The region will capture you with its beauty and pleasant weather all year round.

You will enjoy stunning Moorish architecture, and a rich history of melting cultures. In one small area you will find World Heritage Sites, white-washed villages, and deep-rooted traditions of flamenco and bullfighting.

Escullos Beach in Nijar (Almeria), the south of Spain
The south of Andalusia: El Rocio in Huelva

THINGS TO DO IN SEVILLE

Seville is one of the most important cities in Spain and also the capital of Andalusia. The city’s Roman heritage is obvious and the Muslim one is evident all over the city. During the times of the Spanish Empire when trade and wealth was abundant, the city was given impressive architecture and a beautiful atmosphere.

Must do’s in Seville:

  • Visit the amazing Real Alcazar (used to film some scenes during the 5th season of “Game of Thrones”).
  • Visit the Cathedral (the largest Cathedral in Spain and the largest Gothic church in the world).

  • Take a ride around the Cathedral on a horse-drawn carriage.

  • Walk around the narrow and romantic Santa Cruz neighbourhood.
  • Visit the famous Plaza de España and Parque de Maria Luisa from Seville. Plaza de España was used to film scenes in “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Star Wars”.

  • Enjoy a Guadalquivir River cruise and walk along the riverbanks from the Torre del Oro to the Maestranza bullring.

The Alcazar of Seville in Andalusia (Spain)
The Alcazar of Seville in Andalusia (Spain)

BEST THINGS TO DO IN GRANADA

Another jewel in the Andalusian crown is Granada. Settled within a broad, this ancient city is above all known for its association with Moorish Spain, of which the legendary Alhambra palace-fortress remains the most tangible legacy. Surrounded by fragrant gardens, the latter encompasses an entire hilltop complex.

Here you can find stylish Arab-style baths and spas, Moroccan-inspired tetería tearooms and also houses whose private gardens, courtyards and rooftop terraces recall the days when this was the last Moorish capital of Andalusia.

Granada spreads out into an elegant baroque historic center full of grand churches, imposing public buildings and beautiful monuments. In many ways a typically lively and impressive southern Spanish city, Granada is also the official birthplace of the tapa. So, expect many opportunities to enjoy this very social way of dining across the many tapas bars and small restaurants that dot one of Spain’s most visited historic centers.

Here are some ideas of what you can do in Granada:

  • Visit Alhambra
  • Treat yourself to tapas
  • Enjoy some walking tours
  • See Sacromonte
  • Visit Granada Cathedral
  • Go hiking in the Sierra Nevada
  • Savor some flamenco shows

ENJOY A SOUTHERN SPAIN ITINERARY

One way to discover the culture of Andalusia is by exploring the sites which have been awarded as UNESCO World Heritage sites. In Granada, you’ll see the Alhambra palace, the Generalife gardens and the mediaeval Albaicín neighbourhood, in Cordoba, its historic center with the great Mosque, in Seville, the cathedral and the Alcazar palace and many, many more!

You’ll find a variety of natural landscapes which range from the beaches of La Costa del Sol, Costa de la Luz and Almería to the extensive olive groves of Jaén. Moreover, you can visit the Doñana National Park –also declared a World Heritage Site–, or go skiing in the Sierra Nevada ski resort.

Most visitors center on Seville, Granada and Marbella for traditional tapas, flamenco and controversial bullfighting – but there is so much to discover beyond these magnificent cities in the south of Spain. So, creating a Southern Spain itinerary can be very challenging.

Map of Southern Spain

There are so many interesting things to see in Andalusia that it becomes hard to choose. If you want to see the place for a better decision, take a look at this map of Andalucia.

Location on the map of Andalusia Spain

ANDALUSIA IS A MUST IN THE SOUTH OF SPAIN!

Most of the popular images of Spain come from Southern Spain: flamenco dancers, bullfighters, gazpacho, sangria, and beaches of Costa del Sol. This way Andalusia represents many of the iconic cultural elements that make Spain stand out from the rest of Europe.

From whitewashed mountain villages to flamenco dancing in dive bars, and from world-famous art in Picasso’s birthplace Malaga to the scent of orange blossom in Seville, Andalusia never fails to enchant.

You can visit everything from outstanding monuments to a wide variety of different natural landscapes… and you’ll be part of several unique events and sample a range of delicious gastronomic products. Have you booked your ticket?

OUR EXPERIENCES FOR A TRIP TO ANDALUSIA REGION

Seville Cathedral, Spain

Between the orange-scented courtyards, stunning architecture, and joyful flamenco dancing in cozy plazas after dark, Seville is a dream come true. Visiting Seville is discovering a very rich architectural and historical legacy, but also diving in Spanish culture, with tapas, sangria and flamenco.

Cadiz Beach and Cathedral in Andalusia, Spain

The Costa de la Luz stretches over the entire Atlantic coast of the Andalusian coastline, from the Gulf of Cadiz to the Strait of Gibraltar. The long beaches are formed by endless dunes, sometimes colored with pine forests. The sand is gilded by considerable annual sunshine and the hotel and tourist infrastructures are well developed.

Game of Thrones Route in Spain

Cordoba is one of the most amazing and beautiful cities of Andalusia. It stands on of the Rio Guadalquivir. This southern Spanish city was one of the greatest urban centers in the world. Explore its ancient sites and medieval charms with a private guide who is ready to take you on a private Cordoba tour.

La Alhambra in Granada, Spain

Granada is a city full of history. It is the southern Spanish city which is the home of the Alhambra and here you can find a lot of things about the Nasrid dynasty or Charles V of Spain, as well as see such incredible places like the Granada Gardens, the court of lions or the lion fountain.

South of Spain: Málaga City

Malaga is a cultural city that holds art galleries, fashion boutiques and an edgy new creative quarter, all under near-constant sunshine and golden-sand beaches. If that hasn’t convinced you yet, let’s see how we can improve your experience in this city.

Ronda in Málaga. Spain

This “white village” is one of the most beautiful perched on the edge of a gorge surrounded by hills, whitewashed buildings, orange and olive groves. Ronda is in the south of Spain, about 100 kilometers from the city of Malaga. It will charm you with its narrow streets, an emblematic bridge, houses on the edge of the canyon and much more.

Mallorca cathedral

With its deep cultural roots, diverse landscapes, and dynamic cities, Spain is a top choice for travelers worldwide. From the bustling streets of Madrid to the artistic flair of Barcelona, and the historical charm of Seville, Spain can give you a lot of experiences.

St Michael's Cave. Gibraltar

The Strait of Gibraltar is a place of endless fascination and allure. This natural boundary between Europe and Africa is more than just a stretch of water. It’s an age-old meeting point of continents and cultures, a place steeped in legend and history.

Sóller. Mallorca

Welcome to Spain, a land where every region feels like a world of its own. Where each landscape, village, and coastline holds secrets as old as history itself. Spain has long captured the hearts of travelers seeking culture, beauty, and warmth, whether it’s the fiery spirit of Andalucía, the regal allure of Madrid, or the avant-garde energy of Barcelona.

Flamenco Master Class

Seeing a live flamenco show is definitely one of the best things to do in Seville. Would you like to join us? Spain is known for its history, delicious tapas and wide variety of beaches. However, this beautiful country is also home to world-class folk music and dance.

Bullfighter in a bullfight. Spain

Let us take you on a journey into the world of bullfighting. Join an exciting and fascinating trip that revolves around the art of bullfighting and gives you an in-depth understanding of this art. Come and experience the Andalusia countryside life!

Spanish cured ham: Jamon Iberico

The mighty Iberian pig is something of an icon in Spain, with ham being the king of tapas throughout the country and beyond. This tour explores the journey of Iberian ham from farm to table, offering you a fascinating insight and appreciation. On our tour of southern Spain you will discover all about Iberian acorn-fed ham.

Spanish sherry wine

Taking a Jerez de la Frontera wine tour is more than just an opportunity to taste these local wines. It is a journey into the history of Andalusia that goes back more than 3000 years and traces the centuries of the many civilizations that occupied this rich land.

Spanish flamenco dance in Seville, Spain

The southern Spanish city of Seville will steal your heart with its charming streets, glorious architecture and its traditions. Or maybe you prefer hang out at the tapas bars chatting up friendly folks. And if you have some time, why not soak in the cultural air and learn the flamenco dance? Seville is, after all, one of the greatest sources of flamenco in Spain.

Axarquia, the last Mediterranean gem

Your visit to Malaga in Andalusia wouldn’t be complete without a side trip to one of the beautiful white villages. The dazzling white villages of Spain along the coastline and in the Sierras are charming and make for a perfect day out.

Hotel Continental. Tangier

Have you ever thought about how cool it would be to visit two different continents in one day? If you’re up for a little adventure, a day trip from Tarifa, Spain, to Tangier, Morocco, is the perfect way to do it. It’s super easy, fun, and gives you a taste of both Europe and Africa.

Bike Tour Seville: Plaza de España

Cycling in Seville is the best way to cover the whole city in a few hours. Discover the charming spots along the Guadalquivir River on this eco-friendly bike tour of Seville. During the tour, follow your local guide along bike-friendly trails as you enjoy the sights and tranquility of this amazing city away from the typical tourist crowds.

Doñana National Park, UNESCO Natural site

Hiking in Andalusia is definitely worthy of your list of things to do in Spain. We recommend a hiking vacation in Spain to discover the Doñana National Park. With a variety of wonderful scenery including coastal hiking like no other, rivers, ravines, waterfalls and rugged 3,000 meter peaks, a wonderful destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Andalusian Horse

Horses are used in all facets of Andalusian life, and have been since time immemorial. Whether it is for political functions, or for pleasure days at the beach or to take the goats out or parade around town, Spanish Andalusian horses are amazing! Come see for yourself how this animal is the cornerstone of life in southern Spain.

Golf in Spain

If you’re going to spend a golf vacation in Spain, chances are it’s going to be in Andalusia. It is the region of Spain with the highest average temperature and is one of the world’s top golf destinations. Spain has more than 350 golf courses. Golf is very popular in this country, especially in the south of Spain. Golf on the Costa del Sol is one of the main sporting pastimes. The Costa del Sol is known as the Costa del Golf, and rightly so.

Las Alpujarras in Granada, Spain

The Alpujarra is a natural paradise formed by a series of picturesque villages of great beauty that extends along the southern foothills of the Sierra Nevada to the Mediterranean coast, between the provinces of Granada and Almeria. It is an area of contrasts, with a rugged terrain formed by valleys and ravines.

Zip Line between Spain and Portugal

If you’re looking for Spain itineraries, you might want to consider a visit to Portugal. But we don’t mean the typical means of transportation. You can literally zip-line down from Sanlúcar de Guadiana in Andalusia, Spain, to Alcoutim in Algarve, Portugal, via a steel cable on the world’s only zip line that will take you over an international border.

El caminito del Rey Hike in Malaga (Spain)

Spain is an excellent country for hiking, but the Caminito del Rey stands out among all others as an impressive feat. This nearly 8-kilometer trail near Malaga (Andalusia) was once considered one of the most dangerous in the world. Today the entire route has been restored, but one thing has not changed: the unique experience of walking along footbridges suspended more than 100 meters above a sheer cliff.

Private sailing tour in Mallorca (Spain)

To show you all the charm and beauty of the capital of Spain from an ecological means of transport: the Segway. Madrid is a special city to travel on a Segway because its streets have ups and downs that are much more accessible when traveling with this transportation.

Reviews about Andalusia

Thank you, thank you, thank you
Thank you, thank you, thank you, to Samuel, Paloma and the rest of the Carameltrail team for making our delayed 40th anniversary trip to Spain absolutely perfect!. We began planning a 18-day trip to Spain/Morocco in 2019 for April 2020. Then, because of the pandemic, over the next two years we worked with the Carameltrail team to postpone and rebook our trip twice, and then to redesign the itinerary six weeks before our September 2021 departure to eliminate a week in Morocco due to Covid concerns there, and extend our time in Spain by another 10 days. Throughout this process, Samuel and his team were extraordinarily patient and flexible. We had a number of tours Carameltrail had arranged with local guides. Activities ranging from historical tours (Cordoba, Granada, Sevilla and Toledo), combination history and tapas/pinxto tours (Malaga, Sevilla and San Sebastian) and hiking/winery outing (outside of San Sebastian). All of the guides were very experienced and knowledgeable, and had at least 20+ years of experience. More than that, the guides were all lovely people who had a deep respect for Samuel and Paloma, their professionalism and their attention to detail. The hotels Carameltrail recommended were fabulous, the optional driving stops (and pace) they had suggested were perfect, and their restaurant recommendations were top notch. They created a WhatsApp chat group so that we would have easy access in case of questions, and either Samuel or Paloma would answer literally within a couple of minutes. Carameltrail provided superb services, incredible flexibility, and timely responses to any questions we had throughout our planning process and our trip. Highest recommendation!!!
Michelle and Tony JohnsonBurlingame, CA. USA

More experiences in other geographical areas of Spain

Barcelona & Catalonia

Put Barcelona to your buket list in your Spain itinerary! Join us to discover the charm and history of the Gothic quarter in Barcelona, the always busy Passeig de Gràcia, the Gaudi architecture, the Jewish legacy, Girona and some of the world-famous wine regions. Immerse yourself in the heart of Catalonia and discover the gastronomy and traditions of the Catalans. All your expectations with the region will be surpassed!

Madrid & Center

Madrid is a unique city with amazing art galleries, a lovely and lively capital with a fascinating nightlife and many unforgettable sights. Come to catch the secrets and stories of this incredible city. Explore some of Madrid´s historical sites, visit the Prado Museum, find some special things in El Rastro, be amazed by the aqueduct of Segovia and enjoy a wine and tapas tour. Madrid´s glamour will surely fascinate you!

Northern Spain

If you are keen of the mountains and love to be in the nature, the Northern part of Spain is the best choice for your net trip. This side of the country is known for its Basque culture, an excellent gastronomy, elegant cities such as Bilbao or San Sebastian and also for the small charming villages and its incredible wine. Come and see some magnificent mountain landscapes, rivers and forests, all bordered by the ocean. Everyone who comes around this corner of the Earth is fascinated by its grace. Book your tickets today!

Do you want to plan your tailor-made trip, adapted to your preferences?