Andalusia and its provinces

Andalusia- the gateway between Europe and Africa, where the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea meet, has been home to diverse cultures over the centuries. The region is a true cultural melting pot, with a fascinating sociopolitical and economic history. The Andalusia’s Iberian, Celtic, Phoenician, Carthaginian, Roman and Muslim heritage has made it what it is today: a place where a wealth of culture hides around every corner. Situated in the south of the Iberian peninsula, Andalusia shares a border with Portugal to the West, Extremadura to the North, Castilla-La Mancha, and Murcia to the East. The Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and Gibraltar lie to the South, with the Strait of Gibraltar, measuring just 14 km, separating Spain from Morocco.

Andalusia represents 17. 5% of Spain’s total landmass.  Measuring approximately 87,000 km², it is bigger than many countries, including Austria and Switzerland. In our region, you can enjoy stunning landscapes, ranging from the fertile Guadalquivir Valley, to dramatic volcanic mountain ranges and the Tabernas semi-desert in the Almeria province.

ANDALUSIA- A MAGICAL PARADISE, A PLACE TO GET LOST AND TO FIND YOURSELF, EVERY DAY

 

Granada

The capital of Arabic Andalusia; one of the most important places in Spain. Granada sits in at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. Its rich cultural and artistic heritage are rooted in Spain’s Muslim past. Today, diverse cultures come together, with the city streets acting as a stage for poets, artists and musicians. Granada is a showcase of Islamic architecture, with beautiful sights  waiting to be discovered around every corner, from the narrow streets and cármenes (traditional villas) of the Albaicin neighbourhood, to the landscaped gardens and palaces of the Alhambra. Arabs settled here in the 8^th century, giving the city its name. Granada was the last Muslim stronghold, but eventually fell to the Catholic monarchs, Isabel of Castile and her husband Fernando of Aragon. Granada is a unique destination, offering visitors the chance to immerse themselves in history and uncover hidden gems around every corner.  The picturesque neighborhood of Realejo, to the south-east of the Alhambra is also full of traditional cármenes. The city’s streets move to the sound of flamenco, with traditional taverns such as Peña La Platería and El Templo del Flamenco keeping Granada’s musical heritage alive. Our teterías, selling a vast range of teas, our tranquil Turkish baths, our delicious tapas and, of course, the Alhambra, with its magical atmosphere, make Granada a unique and unforgettable place to visit. 

 

Jaen, land of the liquid gold.

Jaen is a historical city in the St Catherine´s mount where we found influences from Christian, jewish and muslim.  Meeting point between the Andalusian valleys and the Castilian lands with olive groves and with a great touristic offer.  Its beautiful churches show and artistic peculiar kingdom with regard to other Andalusian cities.  Its geographical situation is important since its urban nucleus is placed in one of the most ancient areas of Europe. Its historical artistic heritage is outlined for its cathedral, the Cathedral of the Asuncion of the Virgin architectural jewel of the Spanish Renaissance, the Castle, which consists of three fortresses, the Arabic Baths or the Monument of the battles. The world capital of the liquid gold, the olive oil, which bathes a Mediterranean incomparable gastronomy history and gastronomy turn Jaen an ideal destiny.

 

Córdoba, meeting and diversity of cultures

Roman, Arabic and Christian, the most relevant city (of the middle ages in Europe) European middle ages. Raised on the seashore of the Guadalquivir, a meeting point of cultures, example of beauty and tolerance. In its mosques, churches and synagogues coexisted Arabs, Christians and Jews. Cordoba spills history and monumental wealth. The capital of the caliphate andalusí, at the base of Sierra Morena there gets up Medina Azahara, the great city founded by the caliph Abderramán III.  Its touristic offer is wide and beautiful, from its monuments (Synagogue, Roman Bridge, Mosque, Tower of Malmuerta, etc.), its museums (House Andalusí, Viana´s Palace, etc.), up to its courts, the courts of Cordoba, Patrimony of the Humanity,  present its maximum brilliance during the Festival of the courts, that is celebrated in the first of May every year. Colors, history, flavours and cultural diversity, they do of this city a destiny that invites the tourist to return to visit its landscape.

 

Sevilla, gallery of art and beauty

The capital of Andalusia, placed at the southwest of Andalusia, in full fertile plaine of the Guadalquivir river.  Sevilla reached all its brilliance in the golden century, with the discovery of the New World it controlled the trade and was one of the most powerful and populated cities together with Europe. Its wealth is still vivacious in its cultural tourism, the Real Fortress of Seville, is one of the most ancient palaces of the world Certified Excellence of 2014 by TripAdvisor, a palace full of histories and influences from diverse a crisol of cultures and legacies that have marked the city. To walk along the Fortress plunges us in another age, in another last time that reflects its current beauty (in an ancient time that reflects its current beauty). Seville, art and history of Andalusia, cradle of the Fleming.

 

Huelva, window to the sea

This city has been characterized by a history linked to a mining past and fisherman tradition. The mines of cooper favored the rapid human development of this region. Its cultural offer is wide, we can realize a gastronomic route of the Iberian Ham, Jabugo´s Ham, an authentic palate, or a visit to the warehouses of the wine Barbadillo. The visit to the Rocio´s Village is an explosion of flavours and tradition, where it is possible to taste the gastronomy and give a walk astride for this place full or art and culture. The  Wharf of the Caravels moves us the Discovery of America and to Christopher Colon´s trip, one of the most relevant ages of the history in general and of the history of Spain. The Andalusian Palace offers the best spectacle in the city. Huelva, traditional and modern, a paradise in the south of Spain.

 

Cádiz, the most ancient city of west

It was founded by the Phoenicians, longed by the Romans. A city bathed by the Atlantic one, apex of the routes of three continents, África, Europe and America. Cadiz has a sailor´s tradition, during the 15th century was the main trader overseas. It´s historical hull has been declared Heritage of Cultural Interest. Its tourism offer to visit Doñana´s Park, declared Patrimony of the Humanity for the UNESCO. The cathedral, monument of baroque and neoclassic style guard the remains of the composer Manuel de Falla. The fishing neighborhood “La Viña”, is the neighborhood of the excellents “Chirigotas”, a cultural and artistic manifestation that presents its maximum brilliance in February every year. To cross the streets of this city supposes beauty, luminous brilliance and fresh flavors of the sea. Its coast, the coast of the light, is one of the best of the whole Andalusia, between the out-standing beaches, Chiclana of the Border, Sanlúcar de Barrameda or Bolonia among others. Cadiz, where the Flamenco was born, artists like Camarón leaved and artistic incomparable legacy, we can visit Camaron´s tomb and remember his history in San Fernando city, where the art runs for all the corners.

 

Málaga, tourist cosmopolitan area

Famous for Romans and Arabs, the city is a modern city, vital center of beaches and urbanizations that form the Coast of the sun. Malaga, alliance between the past and the future. It´s old town forms a set of buildings presided by it´s the cathedral.  At the foot of the Fort, it´s avenues border on the port. It was one of Al-Andalus’ biggest maritime central. Reference for the international tourism, the first power of the tourist Andalusian industry. White and luminous villages cross it´s geography (Ronda or Antequera among others, they are cities with a historical-cultural legacy that we must visit if we visit for the province of Malaga. It´s gastronomy presents the unique characteristics and unforgettable flavors, the Andalusian gazpacho prepared diverse modalities.

 

Almería, an illustrious fingerprint of the past andalusí

Almeria appears to the cultural horizon of the Mediterranean one, it was privileged port of the caliphate of Cordoba. Stands out the former pier of minerals, a relic of it´s miner.  
It´s temples, cultural centers, gastronomy and lids are the principal attraction. It is a dynamic, enterprising city, a recollection of that Islamic Andalusia. Diverse civilizations have passed through this land; Its landscapes, climate and beaches offer to the visitor a touristic incomparable offer. Almeria is one of the cities with more life in the Spanish littoral. Its natural reserve Cabo de Gata is a space where to dream and to get lost in the Mediterranean one.