Loading...

Andalusia

TRAVEL GUIDE

Andalusia

TRAVEL GUIDE

Gypsies, flamenco, horses, bulls—Andalusia is the Spain of story and song, simultaneously the least and most surprising part of the country: least surprising because it lives up to the hype and stereotype that long confused all of Spain with the Andalusian version, and most surprising because it is, at the same time, so much more.

To begin with, five of the eight Andalusian provinces are maritime, with colorful fishing fleets and a wealth of seafood usually associated with the north. Second, there are snowcapped mountains and ski resorts in Andalusia, the kind of high sierra resources normally associated with the Alps, or even the Pyrenees, yet the Sierra Nevada—with Granada at the foothills—is within sight of North Africa. Third, there are wildlife-filled wetlands and highland pi... Read More

Gypsies, flamenco, horses, bulls—Andalusia is the Spain of story and song, simultaneously the least and most surprising part of the country: least surprising because it lives up to the hype and stereotype that long confused all of Spain with the Andalusian version, and most surprising because it is, at the same time, so much more.

To begin with, five of the eight Andalusian provinces are maritime, with colorful fishing fleets and a wealth of seafood usually associated with the north. Second, there are snowcapped mountains and ski resorts in Andalusia, the kind of high sierra resources normally associated with the Alps, or even the Pyrenees, yet the Sierra Nevada—with Granada at the foothills—is within sight of North Africa. Third, there are wildlife-filled wetlands and highland pine and oak forests rich with game and trout streams, not to mention free-range Iberian pigs. And last, there are cities like Seville that somehow manage to combine all of this with the creativity and cosmopolitanism of London or Barcelona.

Andalusia—for 781 years (711–1492) a Moorish empire and named for al-Andalus (Arabic for "Land of the West")—is where the authentic history and character of the Iberian Peninsula and Spanish culture are most palpably, visibly, audibly, and aromatically apparent.

An exploration of Andalusia must begin with the cities of Seville, Córdoba, and Granada as the fundamental triangle of interest and identity. All the romantic images of Andalusia, and Spain in general, spring vividly to life in Seville: Spain's fourth-largest city is a cliché of matadors, flamenco, tapas bars, Gypsies, geraniums, and strolling guitarists, but there's so much more than these urban treasures. A more thorough Andalusian experience includes such unforgettable natural settings as Huelva's Sierra de Aracena and Doñana wetlands, Jaén's Parque Natural de Cazorla, Cádiz's pueblos blancos, and Granada's Alpujarras mountains.

Recommended Fodor’s Video

Hotels

Fodor's Choice
Fodor's Choice
Fodor's Choice
Fodor's Choice
Fodor's Choice

Quickly find Andalusia Hotels and compare prices.

Powered by Clicktripz

Find the perfect tours and activities in Andalusia.

Powered by GetYourGuide

Find the best food tours and activities in Andalusia.

Powered by GetYourGuide

Language

Spanish

Nearby Airports

SVQ, XRY, GRX

Electrical Outlets

220v/50 cycles; electrical plugs have two round prongs

Currency

Euro

Language

Spanish

Electrical Outlets

220v/50 cycles; electrical plugs have two round prongs

Currency

Euro

Nearby Airports

SVQ, XRY, GRX

The best months to go to Andalusia are October and November and April and May. It's blisteringly hot in the summer; if that's your only chance...Read More

Discover the best neighborhoods in Andalusia with curated recommendations from our editors.

Explore All

The best months to go to Andalusia are October and November and April and May. It's blisteringly hot in the summer; if that's your only chance...Read More

Discover the best neighborhoods in Andalusia with curated recommendations from our editors.

Explore All

The best months to go to Andalusia are October and November and April and May. It's blisteringly hot in the summer; if that's your only chance...Read More

Discover the best neighborhoods in Andalusia with curated recommendations from our editors.

Explore All

Our worldwide travel correspondents bring you the best and most up-to-date coverage of over 7,500 global destinations.

Shop Now

Fodor's Madrid: with Seville and Granada
For over 80 years, Fodor's Travel has been a trusted resource offering expert travel...

View Details

Fodor's Essential Spain 2024
For over 80 years, Fodor's Travel has been a trusted resource offering expert travel...

View Details