Andalucia Region
Almeria
The province of Almeria is situated in the south east of the Spanish peninsula and borders with the provinces of Granada and Murcia. In all, this province covers 8774 square kilometres with a population of 425,000 inhabitants, of which 145,000 live in the capital city, also named Almeria.
Inland, Almeria has rich and varied landscape. Ranging from the lunar scapes of desert, sandstone and dried up river beds to the mountainous coast with deep rich blue sea. Whether you are looking for long beaches like Mojacar, or the hidden coves in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, to unlimited walking country, it's a real treat as it's not been influenced by heavy tourism.
The deserts have long been a popular choice for filming American style spaghetti westerns. You can visit mini Hollywood or Yucca City, just outside Tabernas which was the set of
A Fistful of Dollars and various other films and is open daily to visitors. (Part of the all time Peter O'Toole classic, Lawrence of Arabia was also shot here).
Cádiz
Cadiz stands on a peninsula jutting out into a bay, and is almost entirely surrounded by water. Named Gadir by the Phoencians, who founded their trading post in 1100 BC, it was later controlled by the Carthaginians, until it became a thriving Roman port. It sank into oblivion under the Visigoths and Moors, but attained great splendour in the early 16th century as a launching point for the journey to the newly discovered lands of America.
Some of the city's 18th century walls still stand, such as the Landward Gate. The old, central quarter of Cadiz is famous for its picturesque charm, and many of the buildings reflect the city's overseas links. Worth a visit are the city's Cathedral and churches of Santa Cruz and San Felipe Neri, which is famous throughout Spain as the place where, in defiance of Napoleon's siege, the provisional government was set up with its own liberal Constitution. Other points of interest are La Santa Cueva, home to several paintings by Goya, and stately mansions such as the Casa del Almirante and Casa de las Cadenas.
Córdoba
Cordoba is impressive and surprising to today's visitor. Not many know that in 11th century it was one of the most important capitals in Europe. People of the most different cultures and religions - Jews, Muslims and Christians - were living peacefully together, and important philosophers, scientists and artists emerged from here.
You will found out much about Cordoba's cultural background when visiting its great monuments - first of all of course the world-famous Mezquita, the Moorish mosque - and its many museums.
Cordoba is a very lively town in the best Andalusian tradition, a town of Flamenco and bullfighting, and certainly one of the most attractive destinations in southern Spain.
Granada
Granada is one of the pearls of Spain, visited by tourists from all the world. The long-time capital of Moorish Andalusia has to offer some of the most important reminders of this epoch in Spanish history, with the world-famous "Alhambra" at the top of the list.
Walk through beautiful gardens, charming narrow streets filled with flowers, sit down in one of the typical taverns to have some of that famous "Trevélez" ham and local wine, and breath the centuries of history around you anywhere. There are gypsies singing "Flamenco", and don't miss a visit their famous "Cuevas" - caves - in the mountain of the Monastery of Sacromonte where some of them still live nowadays making magnificent artisany. Granada's popular festivals, based as well on Moorish as Christian tradition, are also a must-see.
Huelva
The province of Huelva, on the Atlantic Ocean, is on the border with Portugal, separated by the Guadiana river (which is now crossed by a bridge providing easy access by road). It is divided into four obvious regions: mountains, mining, agricultural and coastal.
The majority of Huelvas splendor is spread throughout the province: La Rábida was the point of departure for Columbus voyage to discover America (visiting the interesting Columbian places is highly recomended).
Jaen
Jaen is probably best known for its abundance of olive trees which dominate the landscape and punctuate the horizon, interspersed by stark white-washed farms and houses against a deep orange backdrop; the colour of the soil. This province is the world's leading producer of olives and olive oil. Little wonder that it is also the venue for the world's largest trade fair devoted to this quintessentially Mediterranean crop which takes place in Jaen city during the first week of October.
The landscape of Jaen province is expansive, unspoilt and very beautiful. The small towns boast numerous magnificent Renaissance buildings - exuberant palaces, richly endowed churches and stately public squares. Some of the towns and villages worth visiting here include Baeza, Ubeda, Alcalá.
Just east Ubeda and Beaza lies the Sierras de Cazorla nature park, arguably one of the most beautiful nature parks in the Andalucia.
Many travellers enter Andalucia through another nature park named Despeñaperros. Here the twin carriages motorway are forced to part company to negotiate the narrow gorge aptly named "Gateway to Andalucia". (240 km South of Madrid and 40 km south of Valdepeñas).
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Málaga
Málaga is the major coastal city of Andalucia and is a genuine and typical Andaluz city with a gritty individualism untouched by tourism and, to a large extent, the passage of time.
Pablo Picasso is the city's famous son and there are several galleries showing his work, including the 16th century Museum of Fine Arts, adjacent to the Cathedral.
As well as being a cultural centre, Málaga is also a great place to eat out. The Malagueños love their food and the bars and restaurants here are where the real social life takes place. The choice is unlimited and, on the whole, reasonable with some bars offering a menu of the day with bread and wine for as little as 6 euros. Tapas, small portions of many different dishes is an Andalusian tradition and a wonderfully inexpensive way to try a variety of local food.
Sevilla
Sevilla lies on the banks of the Guadalquivir and is one of the largest historical centres in Europe, it has the minaret of La Giralda and the Alcázar Palace. Part of its treasure include Casa de Pilatos, the Town Hall, Archive of the Indies (where the historical records of the American continent are kept), the Fine Arts Museum (the second largest picture gallery in Spain) , plus convents, parish churches and palaces.
For all its important monuments and fascinating history, Sevilla is universally famous for being a joyous town. While the Sevillians are known for their wit and sparkle, the city itself is striking for its vitality. It is the largest town in Southern Spain.
