Andalucia Highlights
Andalucia, or Andalusia, is the southernmost region of Spain and it encompasses eight separate provinces - Almeria, Granada, Jaen, Huelva, Cordoba, Malaga, Sevilla and Cadiz. It borders with the regions of Murcia, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura and the country of Portugal. Andalucia is a vast region with something to offer every holiday maker:-
- Sun - after all it has the “sunshine coast”, the Costa del Sol.
- Sea - Andalucia is on both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
- Beaches - Some of the finest beaches in Spain are in the region.
- History - Incredible Moorish remains.
- Culture - Flamenco.
- Food - Tapas and the regional dishes of Gazpacho and Paella.
- Drink - Sherry.
- Fiestas - Semana Santa and many others.
- Wildlife - Andalucia is the region with the most protected areas in Spain - the Sierra Nevada, the Cabo de Gata, the Coto Doana and many others.
- Vast choice of accommodation - apartments, bed and breakfast establishments, hotels and villas to rent.
- White Pueblos - Inland pretty, white, mountain villages.
Andalucia is a truly beautiful region but it’s impossible to see the whole region when you rent villas in Andalucia. Here are some highlights that you won’t want to miss when you are checking out villas in Andalucia:-
Beaches
Costa de la Luz, Cadiz - Tarifa is known for its wonderful beaches of white sands and its windsurfing facilities.
Costa del Sol - This coastline is known for its stretches of beautifully sandy beaches, year round sun and calm Mediterranean waters. Fine beaches include those at Marbella and Sotogrande, Nerja, Torremolinos, Benalmedena, Fuengirola, Calahonda and Estepona.
Costa Tropical - This is the coastline of the Granada province and includes the beaches of Almunecar, Salobrena and Motril.
Costa de Almeria - The Almeria coastline has the beautiful beaches of Vera, Carboneras and Mojacar.
History and Culture
The Alhambra, Granada - The hilltop Moorish castle with its beautiful Generalife gardens, Nasrid Palaces, Palace of Emperor Charles V and the Alcazaba.
The Mezquita, Cordoba - One of the most exquisite Moorish mosques ever built and still standing after over 1200 years.
Sevilla - Sevilla, or Seville, is the regional capital of Andalucia and is “A pleasant city, famous for oranges and women” - Lord Byron. This lively city is renowned for its fiestas, especially those of Semana Santa (Holy Week) and also for its monuments and historic buildings. Visit its wonderful Gothic Cathedral, Renaissance Alcazar and Moorish Mudejar.
Flamenco - Andalucia is known for its Flamenco and you should seize any opportunity you have to see Flamenco singing, guitar or dancing.
Food and Drink
Sherry - Andalucia’s well known beverage comes from the towns of Jerez, Sanlucar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa Maria. Make sure you visit the local Bodegas.
Tapas - The Andalucia region is famous for its tapas bars. Enjoy the local Jamon Serrano, a cured ham, pinchos (kebabs) and the various seafood tapas dishes.
Paella - Paella is a rice dish which in coastal areas included seafood and in inland areas usually contains meat such as rabbit. Many village fiestas involve paella being cooked over an open fire by the men of the village.
