Andalucia is the second largest amongst Spain’s seventeen states, better known as the autonomous communities of Spain. Andalucia lies in southern Spain and includes some of the most exotic tourist destinations like Marbella and Puerto Banus.
Unlike most of Spain- sun, sand and cheap alcohol isn’t all about Andalucia, it is rich in history, culture and heritage including Roman, Arab and Moorish influences in the architecture, language and culture.
If you like history, the list of places to visit is endless - The Roman and Moorish remains in Ronda, the Mosque in Cordoba, Alhambra Palace, Rock of Gibraltar and many more attractions including Spain’s oldest bullfight ring can all be found in Andalucia.
Whether you fancy beautiful sandy beaches, wildlife parks, water sports or a happening nightlife you’ll find everything in Andalucia. Most people associate Spain with hot weather and beaches but you could go skiing in the Sierra Nevada all year round.
Andalucia enjoys the best weather in Spain, about 300 days of sunshine with very little rain, hot summers and moderate winters make it the perfect choice for Europeans who get little sun shine and excessive rain all year round.
Most visitors arrive in July-August when it is the hottest, a lot of people also go there for the winter sun. Until the late 1990s Andalucia was visited primarily only by the very rich tourist from Europe and some Arabs.
Malaga is the most popular airport of the region with direct flights from most European airports, public transport, trains, taxis and car rental are abundantly available. Though Spanish is widely spoken, you can easily manage to stay there as long as you speak English.
To explore true Andalucia you need to venture inland into the typical white villages and towns because all the coastal towns are very commercial with huge apartment blocks virtually everywhere on the coast. A lot of apartments and holiday homes are owned by affluent Arabs, Europeans and Americans that is why you mostly see people who are described as ‘beer drinking and English speaking’ foreigners the actual Spanish culture is limited to smaller towns and villages only.
From cheap budget hotels to huge beach resorts you would find all kinds of accommodation in this area, Puerto Banus(also known as miillionaire’s paradise) between Marbella and Estepona is famous amongst the jet set visitors for its array of yachts, fine dining and designer shopping.
It is a delight to visit any Spanish town during a street festival or carnival, no visit to Andalucia is complete without visiting a Flamenco show(Spanish dance) and visiting a white village. White villages are so called not because white people live there but every single household or building in a white village is white.
Andalusia also includes Huelva, the port from which Columbus’s expedition of discovery was launched. Cork trees, saffron farming, almond plantations are common in Andalucia. Because this is the south of Spain, it is not too far from Africa, on a day with clear sky one can see Africa in the distance from some places in Andalucia, when visiting Andalucia you can take a day trip to Tangier in Morocco and go shopping for carpets and rugs.
Overall it is a great tourist destination because no matter what your interests are, there is something for everyone. Spain in general is cheaper as compared to most of Europe.
Please rate the review and do not forget to leave a comment.
Thx.