20 best cities of Andalusia – photo, description, map
Beautiful Andalusia invariably attracts tourists. The mild climate, warm sea and beaches stretching for many kilometers attract those who want to sunbathe and swim in the warm season. But it is worth coming here at any time of the year. The cities of Andalusia – large and small – are full of attractions. Few places on our planet can boast such a rich history. The remains of the first settlements, the ruins of the times of Ancient Rome, ancient towers and fortresses, majestic mosques and temples – you will see all this with your own eyes. And here is a developed service, a lot of entertainment and delicious cuisine. So let's go to Andalusia!
Granada
It is located in the south of the country and is one of the oldest cities in the country, formerly the capital of the Mauritanian kingdom was located here. Locals call Granada “the soul of Andalusia”. More than 230 thousand people live here now. You can come here throughout the year, and yet the best time to visit is spring and autumn: warm, but not hot. These lands were once inhabited by the Phoenicians, then the ancient Romans, after the Moors.
When the Christians defeated the latter, the architectural appearance of the city changed somewhat, the mosques were rebuilt into churches. People come here to try delicious local cuisine, go shopping, but first of all, of course, to see the sights. The most famous of them is the Alhambra. This is a whole medieval complex, which is located on a hilltop. Looking around the former Moorish fortress, you can admire the architecture, take a walk in the majestic gardens, take pictures of the fountains. And, of course, there is a breathtaking view of the city from here.
The oldest building of the complex is the Alcazaba. From this fortress, only towers and separate fragments remained. Tourists are greatly impressed by the Nasrid palaces with stunning carvings, fabulously beautiful ceramic tiles, and complex decoration elements. Also, while in Granada, it is worth seeing the palace of Charles the Fifth, the former country residence of the emirs of the Generalife, the historic Arab quarter, ancient churches.
Seville
Is it possible to come to Andalusia and not visit its capital? Seville is one of the most colorful Spanish cities. He deserves to be seen. European culture here is mixed with Eastern. You will be enchanted by the old pavements, horse-drawn carriages, gothic-style churches and Moorish buildings.
In total, more than 700 thousand people live in the city. The history of Seville is traditional for Andalusia – at first the Phoenicians lived here, then the Romans founded their city, they were forced out by the Moors.
Eventually, Seville became one of the important cultural centers of Europe. As a souvenir, you should buy ceramics here – it literally glorified the city. See the cathedral, which was built in the 15th and 16th centuries, it is only slightly inferior in size to St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It is believed that the body of Columbus is buried here. The bell tower of the cathedral, the Giralda, deserves special attention. Scientists suggest that this is the oldest building in the city, which was once a minaret.
Alcazar – the royal palace – a real symbol of Andalusia, an example of the Mudéjar style. There was an Arab fortress here, which was rebuilt into a palace in the 13th-14th centuries. The ancient church of St. Salvador is very beautiful. The Golden Tower of Torre del Oro now houses an interesting maritime museum. Be sure to visit the Plaza de España with its stunning fountain, canal and Renaissance building.
Cordova
An ancient city that still has a Moorish atmosphere. You can wander with pleasure along its streets for a long time, admire the flowers (smart pots are fixed right on the white walls), and look at the old buildings. The Romans founded this city. When the Arabs came to the Iberian Peninsula in the 8th century, Cordoba began to play the role of the capital of the caliphate. In the 10th century it was one of the largest cities in Europe, a center of science and culture.
In the 13th century, the city became part of the Castilian kingdom. The most convenient way to get here is by train or bus. It is better to spend a few days exploring unique sights. Mesquita is a real masterpiece of architecture. The construction of this mosque began in the 8th century, and in the 16th it was rebuilt into a Christian cathedral. You will see many original elements here, the likes of which you will not find anywhere else in the world.
The “forest of columns” makes a great impression, there are more than 800 of them. The symbol of the city is the Roman bridge of 16 arches, built after Julius Caesar defeated Pompey the Great. The old Jewish quarter of Juderia is unusually picturesque. There is a synagogue of the 15th century here. Admire the Anzalusian-style architecture of the Palazzo de Viana, visit the Alcázar de los Reyes castle, home of the Christian monarchs, and stop by San Lorenzo, one of the most beautiful Spanish churches.
ronda
A small but very unusual city located in the province of Malaga. Ronda stands on a rock above El Tajo Gorge. There are winding streets, houses with whitewashed walls, many old buildings and legends associated with them. Of particular interest to tourists is, of course, the historical part of the city. A little over 34 thousand people live in Ronda.
For the first time people settled here in the 6th century BC. and the city itself was founded by the Romans – during the Second Punic War, it was a fortified point. Ronda was one of the last cities to be occupied by the Spaniards, driving the Moors out of the Iberian Peninsula. Bullfighting is also very popular here, and tourists can see here one of the oldest arenas in the country, which was built in the last quarter of the 18th century. Attention deserves Puente Nuevo or the New Bridge connecting the area of the old city and Mercadillo.
It was built at the end of the 18th century. La Ciudad is a revived Moorish era, there are very interesting houses, squares, streets. See also the church of Santa Maria la Mayor, which combines the features of Moorish architecture and Gothic style. And in Ronda there is a museum of bandits. And finally, the famous Plaza de Toros is waiting for you, a monumental building, the oldest bullring.
Cadiz
Recognized as the most ancient city in Western Europe. From here Christopher Columbus set out on his legendary voyage. A real Mediterranean atmosphere reigns in Cadiz, there are a lot of attractions, beautiful beaches, and developed service. The Phoenicians founded this settlement over 3,000 years ago, but it is still one of the most important ports for Spain. You can come here not only for excursions, but also for a beach holiday. Visit the bay of La Caleta: Phoenician, Carthaginian, Roman ships anchored here in different centuries.
The Alameda de Apodaca embankment is very beautiful, in the evening there are always a lot of people here. The Cathedral in Cadiz was built in the Baroque style, its huge dome is a symbol of the city. Noteworthy is the interior of the church. The ruins of a Roman theater built in the 1st century BC have been preserved in the city. Tourists are also visiting the 17th-century palace of Casa del Almirante, the 18th-century Tair watchtower. In February-March, a large carnival takes place in Cadiz.
Marbella
This city is chosen for recreation by many. The fashionable resort attracts with many kilometers of Blue Flag beaches, nightclubs, luxury hotels, restaurants, golf courses, and luxury boutiques.
But Marbella has a rich historical past, there is something to see. Once there was a Roman settlement here. Then the Muslims built their fortress here. When the city began to belong to the Kingdom of Castile, sugar cane was grown in the vicinity. And in the 19-20 centuries, cast iron was cast here.
Marbella acquired tourist importance in the second half of the 20th century. You can spend hours walking along the streets of the city, admiring its ancient squares, orange trees, characteristic whitewashed houses. The center of Marbella is Los Naranjos Square. Here it will be nice to sit in one of the many restaurants under the crowns of orange trees. There is also the town hall, which dates back to the 16th century. You can also see the oldest church in the city, Hermit de Santiago.
Noteworthy is the sculpture of the Apostle James. The Plaza de Altamirano is a colorful square. It is paved with cobblestones, illuminated by retro lanterns, and there are old buildings around. Encarnacion church is of great importance for Marbella. Built in the 16th century, it is distinguished by its elegance and fine decoration.
Sherry
Already the name of this city brings to mind a drink loved by many. Once here, it is worth going on an excursion that includes a tasting of Spanish wines, including, of course, sherry. The city is quite large, over 200 thousand people live in it, and one of the main directions of development of Jerez is tourism. The famous wine has been produced here for centuries, and today several dozen types of it are known. What are the must-see attractions in Jerez?
First of all, it is a cathedral, a huge temple that stands where a mosque used to be. Magnificent decoration in the Baroque style and numerous sculptures invariably delight tourists. The Royal School of Equestrian Art is where you will see the best Andalusian horses in the world, watch their performances. It is very interesting to see even the training.
Horses not only perform various tricks, but also “dance”. Feria del Caballo is a horse show that takes place in the city park. If you have children with you, be sure to go with them. You can watch horse races, ride in a carriage and just chat with noble animals. The festival takes place in September and it is indeed a colorful sight. You will see the Spaniards in national costumes, hear their songs, even bikers participate in the celebration.
Almeria
A large city where the seaport is located, significant for Spain. But Almeria is both a resort and a cultural center, where you will find a huge number of attractions. The name of the city is Arabic, and it means “mirror of the sea.” When the Spaniards conquered the land on the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors, the architecture of Almeria began to change. But the earthquake that occurred in the 16th century almost completely destroyed the city, killing hundreds of people.
In the subsequent formation of Almeria, pirate raids interfered. Only in the 19th century did the development of the city begin. Now it is very popular, especially in the warm season. There are many beaches in the area, their total length is 30 km, you can sunbathe and swim from May to mid-October. There are always a lot of people in Las Ramblas – the best cafes and shops are located here. It is worth trying local dishes with seafood, meat with garlic, spicy soups.
The most famous attraction is the Alcazaba. This is a Muslim fortress built in the distant 10th century. The ruins of another fortress, Castillo de San Cristobal, have been preserved. You can see the towers and also admire the marble statue of Jesus Christ. The pride of Almeria is the cathedral of the 16th century, it was built after the earthquake. Here people not only prayed, but also hid during the attacks of pirates.
Huelva
A very unusual city that might interest you. In addition, there are not many tourists here. The originality of the local architecture is due to the history of Huelva. Once the British were engaged in the mining industry here and built up the town in the Victorian style. The streets here are narrow, there are many monuments, squares, several cinemas. The local cuisine is exceptionally delicious. Why are only beans with mint and lemon and garlic seasoning. Still, the main dishes of the local table are seafood.
Where should you visit? In the main square Plaza de las Monjas. Not far from the city is an old church where the Spaniards once prayed for Columbus' voyage to be successful. Merced Cathedral is beautifully decorated, it is worth looking at other city churches. The parks are very good. Walking along their paths, you will admire the views of the city and the Odiel River.
Haen
The city is considered one of the main world leaders in the production of olive oil, so do not leave here without such a “souvenir” – a bottle of local oil. The wonderful climate, fertile lands have done their job: people have settled in these places since time immemorial – rock paintings have been preserved. Later, Carthaginians, Romans, and Arabs lived here.
The city was the capital of the Muslim kingdom. There are many monuments of Arab culture. And yet the main local attraction is the cathedral in the Renaissance style. A shrine is kept here – a board, on which the features of Jesus Christ are imprinted. According to legend, Saint Veronica handed this scarf to the Savior when He was being led to Golgotha to be crucified. The monument to the lizard of Magdalena is also interesting – a local monster who, according to legend, lived in these places in the 17th century.
Malaga
This is one of the oldest cities in the country. Malaga was founded in the 8th century BC, and the local seaport has always played a big role. By the way, Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga. There are beautiful beaches of great length, warm sea. Therefore, many tourists choose the city as their holiday destination. Throughout its existence, Malaga has changed hands more than once. It was owned by the Phoenicians and Romans, the Visigoths and the inhabitants of Byzantium, Arabs and Spaniards. It was the capital of the Muslim kingdom, and in the 19th century it became a major industrial center of Spain.
The tourism business here began to develop in the second half of the 20th century. Now there are many shops, fashion boutiques, markets with goods that are attractive to city guests. The local cuisine is typical of the Mediterranean – sardines, shellfish in wine, fruits and vegetables, olive oil and sweet wines. It is worth looking at the cathedral, built in the 16-17th centuries, walking along the medieval streets, appreciating the ancient Moorish fortress of the 11th century – now museums are located there. Another curious curiosity is the Roman theater, built in the 1st century. And, of course, you should definitely visit the Pablo Picasso Museum, which is located in the house where the great artist was born.
Baesa
If possible, you should come to this city for at least half a day. There is magnificent architecture from the Renaissance. A real open-air museum. The knights of Castile lived here for many years, beautiful mansions have been preserved from those times. Most of the architectural sights belong to the 16th century. On Plaza del Populo you can see the Lion Fountain. Four beasts surround a beautiful woman.
It is believed that the sculpture depicts the wife of the great commander Hannibal. There is also a majestic palace of the 16th century. And on the eastern side of the square, in the building of a former slaughterhouse, the city archive is located. The Cathedral, consecrated in honor of the Virgin Mary, is a vivid example of the Renaissance style. The lattice of the altar deserves special attention. The fountain in front of the cathedral is unusual – the architect gave it the shape of a triumphal arch.
One of the most beautiful buildings in the city, Halbakinto Palace stands near the cathedral. The building is a combination of Gothic and Renaissance. Romanesque style can be observed in the architecture of the church of Santa Cruz. This is one of the oldest churches in Baez. It was built in the 13th century. Also in the city is one of the first universities in the country – it was opened in the middle of the 16th century. Pay attention to the Alyatares tower, which was built by the Moors in the 10th century.
Grasalema
Tourists invariably admire the colors of Spain – the azure sky, the blue sea, the mountains covered with greenery, as well as the villages and towns where the houses are painted white. Would you like to admire such a “white village”? Welcome to Grazalema. The houses here are close to each other, the streets are narrow, as in the Middle Ages. Only about 2 thousand people live here, but tourists always love to come here. Where should you go? Visit the Museum of Textile Art.
It was created at the factory, which is several centuries old. It was thanks to her that Grazalema once began to flourish. You should definitely admire the old churches – there are three of them. Attention is attracted by both the architecture and the wonderful collection of sculptures that can be seen here. The glory of this place is the cuisine.
Cafes, bars and restaurants serve meat and seafood dishes, as well as wonderful local cheeses and wines. If you are going to Grazalema, ask in advance what the weather is expected to be like. It often rains here, which is not typical for Spain. But the lands here are unusually fertile and always give a rich harvest. If you want to stay here, there are hotels in Grazalem, however, their numbers are small. But still, tourists can choose a more luxurious or more modest option.
Tarifa
The southernmost point of Europe, the place where the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet. There are a lot of not only tourists, but also surfers. If you come here, you can catch the championship. The city arose in the era of Antiquity, since the 13th century it belongs to the Castilians, in the 19th century there was a war between the Spaniards and the French on these lands. You can come here by taxi. There are often winds in Tarifa, but they are warm most of the year. But the water is cooler than in other Spanish resorts. The beaches are large, their total length reaches 15 km.
See the fortress built during the Middle Ages.
From here you can see the mountains of Africa in the distance. There are also ancient gates in Tarifa, and churches that have replaced mosques. One of them is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the other – to the Apostle Matthew. Not far from the city, the ruins of a Roman settlement have been preserved. From Tarifa it is worth taking a ferry to the African city of Tangier. They also offer boat trips, during which you can see whales. This city was highly appreciated by Paolo Coelho, here are typical Andalusian landscapes.
benalmadena
A small beautiful resort town, which lies on the hills. The tourist infrastructure is well developed here. Lots of attractions and entertainment. Both families with children and young people can come here. And this city will appeal to everyone who loves to ride yachts. Observation towers are recognized as the most ancient buildings on the territory of Benalmadena: it was from them that pirate ships and enemy ships could be seen in time.
“The most ancient” – this is not counting the monuments of the Paleolithic era, and the remains of Roman settlements. An interesting church of Santo Domingo, built in the 17th century. It is worth visiting the local archaeological museum and the rather modern castle of Colomares. It was built in honor of the great Columbus. And the symbol of the city is the sculpture “The Girl from Benalmadena”, it can be seen on the central square of the city.
In local cafes, ask for charcoal-grilled fish and gazpacho soup, which is eaten cold. Local wines are good too. While walking around the city, you will, of course, admire the Moorish-style Bil-Bil Palace, or maybe visit one of the cultural events that often take place here. Children will love the amusement park, which has become very famous.
Arcos de la Frontera
From Cadiz and Jerez you can come here by bus – the distances are short. Another “white town” on the map of Andalusia. It is very much loved by photographers and artists – the views here are simply fantastic. If you come here for the same purpose – to shoot or draw – it is better to rent a car. So you can get to those points from which a magnificent panorama opens. According to legend, this settlement was once founded by a descendant of Noah himself. His name was Arcos.
People here were engaged in agriculture, grew grapes, made wine. The Moors appreciated the location of Arcos, built a fortress on the rock. From a distance it was clear that the enemy was not approaching. Since the capital of the Arab principality was located here, many sights have been preserved. What is worth seeing in Arcos? Puerta de Matrera tower – it was built in the 17th century. The Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Asuncion is also very good. On Cabildo Square is the building of the Old Town Hall. And, of course, you need to get into the Muslim castle of the 11th century. A few centuries later, Napoleon's soldiers settled here. Now it is private property.
Osuna
One of the most ancient and interesting cities of Andalusia. He is already 3 thousand years old. Once it was a small settlement surrounded by dense forests. The Iberians lived here. The Romans named the city Urso because there were many bears in the local forests. Emperor Augustus granted the city a coat of arms, which depicts Ceres – the goddess of fertility – and bears (“ursus” – in Latin a bear). Very interesting cultural monuments from that period have been preserved.
Huge quarries that are difficult to take in at a glance. Roman necropolis, for which natural caves were used (and the first burials here date back to the 3rd century BC) The tombs are divided into chambers. On the walls you can see images of birds. Then the city passed to the Muslims, and in the first half of the 13th century it was conquered from them by the troops of Fernando the Third. In the 16th century, many churches were built here, and a university appeared. Now it is a beautiful quiet city, where there is no industry, but there is a rich cultural heritage.
Persuasion
A city that will be of particular interest to all art lovers. There are about fifty cultural monuments that are of worldwide importance, and many other interesting architectural structures. You can observe different styles: Mudéjar – the memory of the “Arab period”, the Gothic style and, of course, the Renaissance. Ubeda is a striking example of this style in Europe. The rich heritage of the city is duly appreciated by UNESCO. Muslim troops captured the settlement in the early 8th century. The Arabs settled here for several centuries, so many characteristic buildings have been preserved in Ubed.
In the 13th century, the invaders were driven out by Christian troops. Since then, Ubeda has experienced many internecine wars – the population of the city has decreased significantly. Therefore, residents of other cities began to move here, while receiving benefits. Ubeda owes a lot to Francisco de los Cobos – being a native of this city, the nobleman received an important post under King Charles V. Thanks to his care, the economic situation in Ubeda improved, agriculture and manual production developed. Now the city is focused primarily on tourists.
Algeciras
Africa is only 50 km from here. In the city you can see buildings belonging to different cultures – both Spanish and Arabic. It is worth seeing the fortifications built by the Moors in the Middle Ages. Also noteworthy are the 18th century Church of Our Lady of Palma and the Chapel of Our Lady of Europe. Another church, Nostra Señora de la Palma, has become an object of the country's cultural heritage.
In 1995 the city museum was opened.
Here you can see a rich collection of archaeological finds, examples of religious art. Tourists come here willingly to look at stone axes, amphoras, found tombstones, marble sarcophagi. A collection of ceramics is also presented – it belongs to Islamic culture. There is also a good water park in the city, and nearby there are a national park and a nature reserve.
Sanlúcar de Barrameda
A small city stands on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Sanlúcar de Barrameda has a rich cultural program to offer its guests. These are excursions in the historical part of the city, where many monuments have been preserved. Journey to the national park, with its rich flora and fauna. And just walking along the charming streets, leisurely gatherings in cafes, wine tasting.
They make excellent sherry here. The main local attraction is Santiago Castle, built in the 15th century. It is built in the Gothic style and makes a great impression. The local churches in the Renaissance style are also good, they are decorated with elegant sculptures. Also worth a visit is the Palais Bourbon, which dates back to the 19th century and is surrounded by a beautiful English garden. And after an extensive excursion program, it will be nice to relax on local beaches. Andalusia is waiting for you!