Andalusia – Friendly Notes

DISCOVER ANDALUSIA

Spain is not only one of the most coveted travel destinations in the world, but also one of the most variated. The north and the south strongly differ from each other and every “autonomous community” has its very particular background, culture and identity.
Located in the south of the Iberian peninsula, the Andalusian territory is divided into 8 provinces: the capital Seville, Cádiz, Cordoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaen, Almeria and Malaga. Due to its geographic location between the north of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, Andalucia boasts a several microclimates and a wide range of activities and leisure.

The cross-cultural heritage is probably the ingredient that adds a lot to Andalusia’s attractiveness. The name “Andalucia” comes from the Arabic word “Al-Andalus”, who reigned Andalucia during almost a century. The Moorish legacy is still visible and palpable in every Andalusian corner. Besides the Arabs, Andalucia’s culture and history has been influenced by the Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Vandals, Hews and North Iberians that settled in the area after the Reconquista.

Compared to the rest of Spain, Andalucia is a traditionally agricultural region relying strongly on the tourism sector. The strong identity and and the regional pride on Andalucia’s rich culture including flamenco, Moorish architecture, to some extent, bullfighting, wine production and gastronomy make Andalucia a vibrant destination to visit.

Plan your trip and…Enjoy your stay!

Plan a visit in Andalusia

The best time to visit Andalucia is probably in spring and autumn. The temperatures are nice and cities and beaches are less crowded. If you plan to visit in the summer months (June, July, September), I recommend to stay along the coast as the Andalusian back-country is one of the hottest regions in Europe. A classic day during the summer in Andalusia start at 5 pm because the day is too hot to going aroung so the people stay at home in the day and prefere to live more the night.

In case you’re visiting Andalucia for the first time, we highly recommend to plan your trip and visit during your stay more than a city because they are very close one each other.

The most important airports in Andalusia are Almeria, Sevilla, Malaga, Murcia so plan your visit and enjoy your stay!

Sevilla

Sevilla, the capital of Andalusia, is a must stop for a couple of days (or more) when visiting the South of Spain.

Set on the emblematic Guadalquivir river, Sevilla boasts one of the most impressive Morrish and cultural heritage in entire Andalucia. It also used to be one of the richest town in Spain, as its port was a commercial hub for all the boats arriving from las Americas. At that time Seville had the monopoly of foreign trade in the world. Still nowadays its former wealth and economic activity is palpable in many corner of the town.

You will find a lot of places to visit with big interest like the Cathedral and the Giralda, the Alcazar, Plaza de España, calle Sierpe and the beautiful city centre.

The popular neighborhood of Triana is said to be the birthplace of flamenco. Several schools are offering introduction courses or restaurants have specialized on flamenco shows joined by a traditional Andalusian meal. If you love music and dance dont miss the chance to join a Sevillana night in Triana.

Malaga

Located on the famous Costa del Sol, Malaga is the southernmost large city in Europe. The town boasts one of the best climates in Europe all year around and is the birthplace of the legendary Pablo Picasso and actor Antonio Banderas.

If you’d like me to describe the vibe of Malaga in comparison to Seville, I think that Seville is all about pride of the Andalusian identity and culture, whereas Malaga has been more “open” to foreign influences due to the long history of its port. In general the atmosphere is very lively and people are extremely warm-hearted. It will be so easy to feel at home in Malaga.

Even though Malaga and its adjacent Costa del Sol are internationally known for its top quality golf courses and sandy beaches, the port town boasts an impressive cultural heritage such as the Moorish fortress, the Roman theatre, the beautiful Cathedral and many prestigious museums.

Malaga itself is a perfect destination for a city trip but also the perfect base to explore the beautiful surroundings of Costa del Sol.

Cordoba

Cordoba can’t be missing on any Andalusian itinerary. As UNESCO World Heritage town, Cordoba boasts a unique cultural and historical value that can be hardly found in any other town.

When Cordoba was capital of the Umayyad Caliphate, it attracted many intellectuals and cultivated science and knowledge. That’s how emblematic figures like Seneca, Maimonides and Averroes arose in Cordoba.

Nowadays Cordoba is mostly famous for its Great Mosque-Cathedral, symbol of the town. The almost 1000 pillars inside the mosque, built on a Visigoth cathedral, create the famous “Forest of Columns”. After the Reconquista, a Gothic cathedral was built inside the mosque. A visit of Cordoba’s mosque will definitely leave you in awe.

During the visit in the city you will find a lot of beautiful and colorful houses with a lovely patio that end into the main streets and for sure you will stop to see how beautiful they are. For that reason each year the famous Patio Festival is held, during which neighbors decorate them with the most colorful flowers.