The beautiful southern Spanish region of Andalucía is easy to reach from the UK but offers as much or as little touristy attractions as you wish. It’d also a great place to enjoy outdoor activities. Here are 12 fascinating things to know about Andalucia.
1 The GR7 (Gran Recorrido, or long journey, is a popular walking path through Andalucia. It forms part of the European Route No 4. The extensive footpath is based on this ancient trade route and it offers us an opportunity to walk the length of Europe in its fullest length.
2 Andalucia is the birthplace of the guitar, flamenco and tapas and you can discover more about all three on a Spirit of Andalucia tour.
Famous for flamenco. PIc credit: Mstyslav Chernov
3 Some of Europe’s most amazing architectural attractions, Granada’s iconic Moorish hilltop fortress, the Alhambra, the medieval Mezquita cathedral-mosque of Cordoba and the splendid Gothic Cathedral are located in the region. You can also visit the famous city of Marbella, also known as the playground of Europe’s rich and famous. If the Costa del Sol was conceived as Europe’s Florida, then Marbella is its Miami. You can see a lot of luxury villas in this region.
4 Cyclists can enjoy riding Vias Verdes, which are old railways lines that have been turned into Greenways. There are 12 Vias Verdes in Andalucia, with routes going along coasts, over hills and through olive groves.
5 The Gran Senda de Malaga is a 600km path in 23 stages and is idea for mountain biking.
Hot and cold. Pic credit: Antonio Morales García
6 Did you know that you can go skiing in Andalucia in the Sierra Nevada National Park?
7 Alfarnate in Málaga hosts a Cherry Festival every year on the third Saturday each June.
8 There are more than 110 golf courses in Andalucia.
9 The region boasts a surprising number of natural caves. Some of these are well-known and open to the public, such as those in Nerja, La Pileta and Ardales, but there are many more than these hidden away in the rugged mountains.
The coast. Pic credit: Nick Kenrick
10 Tarifa is an international Mecca for windsurfers.
11 Christopher Columbus departed for America from Huelva. Visit the city and many other fantastic places on a Spanish holiday tour.
12 Andalucia is a key destination for birds migrating between Europe and Africa.
There are plenty of options for arriving in Adalucia, including Malaga airport. Book a taxi to Marbella.