It’s hard to know where my deep-rooted love of Andalucía in Southern Spain has come from. Several family holidays as a child, of course, contributed, as well as the fact that my Father has moved to the region in recent years. But there has always been more to it. It’s more than the sun, the cheap beers, the typical British hotspots. The Andalucían culture of local and family traditions has given so many enjoyable times watching villages come together to celebrate.
A focus on cooking and respect of fresh food provides the basis for my favourite cuisine in the world, where the art of a post-conversation meal with friends and family has its own word: sobremesa (meaning ‘over the table’). It’s also a place of incredible history, with architecture, traditions and language that defines centuries of different rulers of the region. These things truly make Andalucía one of the most diverse and interesting places to discover, and one of my favourite places in the world. I wanted to use this blog to share some of my favourite places and moments whilst exploring Andalucía.
The Late-September Setting Sun from Las Setas, Seville, Andalucía
As soon as I first set foot in Seville, I fell in love with the city. Known colloquially as ‘the frying pan of Europe’ due to its sizzlingly hot climate, my first trip in September saw temperatures pushing into the early 30 degrees Celsius. Aside from relaxing in the many outside cafés and taperías, one of the most memorable moments was heading during the golden hour of sunset to the Metropol Parasol, known locally as Las Setas of Sevilla (The Mushrooms of Seville).
Claiming to be the largest wooden structure in the world, the Metropol Parasol, a great example of urban regeneration, offers a unique walkway above the city, with fantastic panoramic views over Seville. Head here at sunset for spectacular views before setting out into the city for an evening of food and drink in Andalucía’s capital.
Beers on the Balcón de Europa, Nerja, Andalucía
Nerja, just 40 minutes East of Málaga along the coast is a popular town for Spanish and tourists alike. Boasting one of the continents best climates and within easy reach of beautiful destinations such as Granada, Sierra Nevada, Málaga and Frigiliana, it’s easy to see why the town is fit to bursting each Summer.
Thanks in part to the fact it gets so busy, one of my favourite things is to head to one of the bars and restaurants along the Balcón de Europa, which looks out across the sea towards Africa, and acts as a hub of local life. Said to have been named by King Alfonso XII in 1885 during a visit to the town, you can grab a beer and a tapas dish at the Balcón, and watch as tourists and locals alike explore this quirky town.
Panoramic Views from the Catedral de Cádiz Bell Tower, Cádiz, Andalucía
Cádiz, in the South-West of Spain, is an ancient port city said to be Europe’s oldest continually inhabited city, dating back to the Phoenicians over 3000 years ago. In more recent history, Cádiz was the location from which Christopher Columbus sailed from on his voyages to America, and as such became an incredibly important city for commercial trade with The Americas.
Due to the wealth that this period brought, Cádiz’s Cathedral is a spectacular architectural gem which took over 100 years to construct. Entrance to the Cathedral includes access to the bell tower which, despite the excessive amount of stairs to reach, is absolutely worth it for the 360 degree panoramic views that it gives you across the city. Watch out for the time that you enter though, as the working bell striking the hour will certainly give you a fright!
The Puente Nuevo Viewpoint, Ronda, Andalucía
Aptly named ‘La Ciudad de Los Sueños’ (‘The City of Dreams’), Ronda is set in a mountainous region between Málaga, Cádiz and Seville. The Guadalevín River carves Ronda into two, and is the source of the El Tajo Canyon that results in one of Andalucías most spectacular sights: the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge).
The Puente Nuevo is rather wrongly named, as it was actually constructed in the 1750s, though contrasts with the Puente Viejo (Old Bridge), which was constructed in the early 1600s. The Puente Nuevo is certainly the grandest of Ronda’s three famous bridges, and has a popular viewpoint, or ‘mirador’, found in the South of the town by following Calle Tenorio. From here, marvel at the architectural wonder, and see if you can spot the small door in the centre that was used as both a prison and torture chamber! Thankfully it now contains a small centre which celebrates the history and the construction of the bridge.
Free Flamenco in the Plaza de España, Seville, Andalucía
Heading back to Seville, and one of my favourite moments of stumbling upon a free flamenco show in the iconic Plaza de España, Seville. The semi-circular building is one of the finest pieces of architecture to be found in Spain, and offers plenty to do for a day trip. You can row boats on the moat, admire the mix of architectural styles of the grand building itself, and enjoy an ice cream to cool you down whilst wandering through the María Luisa Park in which the Plaza de España is set in. But most of all, try and seek out the free flamenco taking place in one of the many sheltered alcoves of the building for an authentic peek into Andalucías most famous dance.
The Grandeur of The Alhambra, Granada, Andalucía
A visit to Andalucía isn’t complete without a visit to Granada’s Alhambra Palace. Dating back as early as the 8th Century, the Alhambra Palace as we know it is a true love-letter to Moorish culture and influence in the region, with the majority of the construction coming in the Nasrid dynasty of the Iberian Peninsula. Set against a backdrop of the brooding Sierra Nevada mountains, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Spain’s most popular attractions. Head to the ‘Mirador de San Nicholas’ viewpoint at sunset to be able to fully appreciate the majesty of the Alhambra Palace.
Guest Post
Thank you to Ryan at A Single Step for submitting this guest post. You can also find him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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