Soak up the sun in white-washed squares lined with orange trees, enjoy some of the best tapas in Spain and relax on golden beaches with our guide to the best places to visit in Andalucía.
By: Paul Healy | Last Updated: | Comments & Questions
Andalucía is the home of flamenco, Picasso and sherry. It’s one of Spain’s most diverse regions and has many interesting things to see.
Mark and I spend a lot of time in Andalucía, at least 2 months a year, and we’ve come to appreciate the area more each time we visit.
From the white mountain villages to the historic cities defined by Moorish history, Andalucía has an intrigue that extends far beyond the miles of sandy beaches blessed with almost year-round sun.
This guide covers what we think are the best places to visit in Andalucía. We’ve included the best cities, some interesting natural landmarks, cultural highlights, our favourite beaches and the best outdoor activities.
You might also like our guide on the Costa del Sol, the Mediterranean coastal section of Andalucía, and our 7-day rail Itinerary for Andalucía.
1. SEVILLE
Mark and I have visited Seville many times, and it remains one of our favourite European destinations.
There are several great reasons to include Seville on a visit to Andalucía.
Firstly, the history is fascinating. As a Moorish city conquered by Christians, historic buildings with Islamic and Christian designs are beautiful and fascinating.
Seville also has a fantastic art scene with beautiful galleries adorned with Spanish masterpieces.
However, aside from its history and art, Seville is a wonderful place to hang out.
Sun-soaked squares lined with orange trees make the ideal location for budget-friendly sundowners. The food is some of the best in Andalucía, and local bars are busting with the local atmosphere.
Our guides – Our guide to visiting Seville contains all the top attractions, tapas bars and information on where to stay and how to get there. Our 3-day Seville Itinerary puts everything together in an easy-to-follow walkable itinerary.
2. RONDA
Ronda is an interesting town at the top of the El Tajo Gorge, a stunning natural attraction in Andalcía. The bridge that spans the gorge, the Puente Nuevo, is one of the most photographed landmarks in Andalucía.
The old town of Ronda dates back to Islamic times, and the influence of its Moorish past can still be seen today.
Some of the attractions include Casa del Rey Moro, a beautiful tiered garden, and the fascinating Arab baths at the base of the gorge.
Ronda is famous for being the home of bullfighting in Spain and has one of the finest bullrings in the country.
Our guide – Our detailed guide to spending one day in Ronda includes information on how to get there, a circular walking route to see the best sites, and suggestions for things to do in the area.
3. CAMINITO DEL REY
The Caminito del Rey, or “King’s Little Pathway,” is a dramatic canyon walk in Andalucía. Originally built in 1905, it was nicknamed the most dangerous walk in the world. But, after a complete rebuild in 2015, it’s now an easy and very spectacular hike.
The highlight is a series of wooden walkways pinned to the walls of El Chorro Gorge. In the most stunning section, the vertical walls are 400 metres high and only 10 metres apart.
The entire El Caminito del Rey walk is 7 kilometres long. The diverse trail includes wooded mountain paths, leafy valley strolls, interesting historic markers and a suspended walkway high above a rocky wonderland.
Our guide – We have a detailed article about walking the Caminito del Rey, including how to get there, where to park, and highlights along the route.
4. MARBELLA & THE GOLDEN MILE
Marbella is the resort capital of Andalucía, located on the Costa del Sol.
The Golden Mile, which starts just outside the city, is a beautiful stretch of beach packed with facilities and a lovely mountain backdrop. This setting makes Marbella one of the most popular destinations in Andalucía.
The white-washed old town is packed with restaurants. Some are excellent local tapas bars; others are overpriced tourist traps. Nonetheless, it’s well worth a visit. Mark and I always spend an evening strolling around the laneways whenever we’re in the area.
There are plenty of great beaches around Marbella, some with high-end resort-style facilities, others with nothing but sand and sun.
Our guide – We have covered our favourite beach resorts around Marbella, including high-end resorts and local, family-run chiringuitos.
5. GRANADA
Granada was one of the Moors’ final strongholds in Spain until it was captured by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492.
A long Moorish history has filled the city with magnificent Islamic architecture, the most spectacular of which is the Alhambra. Occupying a strategic position overlooking the city, the Alhambra has exquisite formal gardens, intricate Nasrid designs, palaces, towers, and fortified walls. It’s one of the unmissable places to visit in Andalucía.
Besides impressive historical monuments, Granada maintains the feel of a genuine Spanish city despite the large tourist numbers.
Mark and I love the food in Granada, and it’s one of the few places where you can still get free tapas when you order a drink.
Our guide – We have a detailed guide about what to do in Granada, which includes all the information you need to visit the Alhambra and the city’s other incredible sights.
6. JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA
Jerez means sherry in Spanish; the small town in Andalucía forms part of the sherry triangle. The others are El Puerto de Santa María and Sanlúcar.
The town itself is slightly run down, and despite the appeal of sherry, it’s one of the least visited places in this guide. But that only adds to the charm.
The small lanes of the old centre are packed with Moorish history, flamenco music and cosy tapas bars.
Mark and I did the sherry-tasting tour at Bodegas Tradición, which we highly recommend. In addition to learning everything about sherry, they also have an excellent art collection.
7. TARIFA
Tarifa is a laid-back fishing village in the southwest corner of Andalucía, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean.
It has a wonderful walled old town with remnants of its Moorish history enhanced by modern Moroccan influences, most notably in the food.
Tarifa is one of Spain’s most popular locations for surfing and kite surfing. As a result of the surfer crowd, Tarifa has a relaxed, bohemian vibe that is quite different to other towns in Andalucía.
Several beautiful golden beaches, much more untouched than those around Marbella and the Costa del Sol, are within a 30-minute drive of Tarifa.
Our guide – We have put together an article on what to do around Tarifa, including the best nearby beaches, where to stay and what to do in the town.
8. BOLONIA BEACH
Playa Bolonia is a slice of paradise and one of the best beaches on the Costa de La Luz between Tarifa and Cádiz. It’s blessed with powdery white sands and crystal-clear waters.
The beach is protected by a headland, rising hills and a large dune, making it more sheltered than the other beaches nearby. This is important because the winds can be quite strong in this kite surfing destination.
We always check Wind Guru before heading to Bolonia because even on a hot day, the wind can dramatically lower the temperature.
Near the beach, there is a well-preserved Roman ruins, and the 30-metre-high Duna de Bolonia is also worth visiting.
Playa Bolonia is over 3 kilometres long, but the north-western end (next to the ruins) is the best section.
Our guide – Our guide to the best beaches near Tarifa includes Bolonia plus the other wonderful beaches in the area.
9. CÓRDOBA
Home to an Islamic Caliphate, Roman influences and local Spanish charisma, Córdoba is a surprisingly great weekend getaway.
The Mezquita-Catedral is one of the most intriguing buildings in the world. The ancient ruins of Madinat al-Zahra is the only Islamic Caliphate capital ever to reside in Western Europe.
Wonky, cobbled streets, narrow alleyways and gorgeous patios still carry remnants of Roman design.
It’s one of our favourite places in Spain because of the important historical sites and the squares full of local banter, the long summer nights, the bright, white-washed streets, and the ageing tapa bars.
Our guides – We have an itinerary for 2 days in Córdoba and another one if you’re heading to Córdoba on a day trip. Both include a walkabout route with a map of the best sites.
10. SIERRA DE GRAZALEMA
Sierra de Grazalema, in the centre of Andalucía, is a hidden gem for hikers.
In early spring, while many of Europe’s hiking areas are covered in snow, Sierra de Grazalema can be bathing in glorious sunshine and colourful flowers.
One of the best hikes in the park is El Pinsapar trail. This half-day hike climbs a ridge with excellent views over Andalucía before sinking into the coolness of the forest.
Garganta Verde is another beautiful canyon cut by a picturesque river. It drops to a depth of 400 metres and is only 10 metres wide at its narrowest point. Standing at the bottom and looking up at the towering walls as vultures circle overhead is an awe-inspiring experience.
Our guides – Here are the hiking guides you need for Andalucía, each including detailed information about getting there, parking and how to obtain permits to hike.
11. WHITE VILLAGES
Perched on mountain peaks in the picturesque rolling hills of Andalucía, the White Villages stand as cultural strongholds in this fascinating part of the country.
Enriched by centuries of Moorish rule and built upon Roman foundations, the villages have traditional Spanish charm.
Narrow cobbled lanes of whitewashed buildings adorned with orange tiled roofs connect vibrant squares, quaint churches, defensive castles and traditional tapas bars.
We’ve visited many white villages in Spain.
Some have become popular tourist destinations; others remain tranquil hubs where ageing residents gather in bustling squares and cosy bars.
Our guide – We have published an article on the best White Villages in Andalucía which includes a driving route that you can do over 1 day or 2 with information on where to stay.
12. CÁDIZ
Cádiz is an island city in Spain, a medieval fortress surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean.
Now heading into its fourth millennium, an influx of wealth from the Americas in the 18th century gave the city its bleached-white gleam.
As one of the 10 previous capitals before Madrid (our guide) eventually took over, Cádiz is tall, grand and graceful.
Inside the walled city, the smell of the sea wafts through small plazas and long boulevards. A muted hum radiates from tiny tapas bars along uneven stone laneways.
Cádiz is an under-visited gem in Andalucía. It doesn’t have the big attractions of many of the other cities, but it has a very relaxed, local vibe.
Our guide – Our guide to the best things to do in Cádiz includes the top attractions plus some hidden gems worth checking out.
13. MÁLAGA
Recently reinvented with fresh urban spaces, Málaga has emerged from its reputation as a jumping-off point for some of Spain’s best beaches to become a cultural destination in its own right.
With a captivating mix of Roman, Arab, and Christian influences, Málaga’s rich history unfolds in various enticing activities.
Explore defensive forts, inspect Roman Ruins, marvel at Christian architecture, and enjoy this important contributor to Spain’s Moorish past.
Málaga is an excellent destination to combine sunny beaches, captivating art, cheap tapas, fascinating history, and the charm of old-town laneways.
Our guide – We have a comprehensive guide to visiting Málaga which includes our favourite tapas bars, the top attractions, and tips for visiting.
14. LA CONCHA
La Concha is a glorious mountain peak in Andalucía, always visible from the Golden Mile beaches around Marbella.
The hike to the top is a strenuous climb that involves some scrambling over large rocks.
But it’s worth it for the views, which extend along the coastline down to Gibraltar and across to the North African coast.
The best route starts from Refugio el Juanar. It’s a 13.5-kilometre hike that involves 680 metres of ascent and takes about 5 hours.
15. ANTEQUERA
Antequera is one of the most interesting historic towns in Andalucía.
The incredible thing about Antequera is that it contains three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the rock formations of El Torcal, the ancient burial mounds, and the 800-metre-high limestone rock of La Peña de los Enamorados.
The 14th-century Alcazaba gives you an excellent view of the city, as does the Mirador de las Almenillas.
It is a beautiful old town with cobbled stoned laneways lined with white houses and plenty of authentic tapa bars.
Antequera is centrally located between all the major centres of Andalucía: Málaga, Seville, Córdoba and Granada. (These links are all our own guides from personal experience.)
16. MIJAS
Mijas is a popular village in Andalucía, around 30 minutes from Málaga.
It’s set in a dramatic location, 400 metres up a mountain with stunning views across the Mediterranean.
Lying on the busy trading route between Málaga and Cádiz, Mijas was used by both Romans and Moors, who left their mark on this charming village.
Stroll the walls of the Mijas Fortress, repurposed into a dramatically positioned botanical garden.
Admire the quirky Chapel of the Virgin of the Rocks carved into the rocks.
Our guide – Read our article covering the best things to do in Mijas, which has all the details on how to visit on a day trip.
MORE HELPFUL ANDALUCÍA GUIDES
- Read about our favourite places to visit in Andalucía.
- Relax on the Costa del Sol with our guide to the best beach bars near Marbella.
- Our guide to the best things to do in Granada has the top attractions plus the best tapas.
- The Caminito del Rey hike is one of the most stunning in Spain.
- Get off-the-beaten track on the El Pinsapar Trail in Sierra de Grazalema.
- Soak up the sun at these beautiful beaches near Tarifa.
- Visit el Torreón, the highest peak in Sierra de Grazalema.
- Discover all the best things to do in Seville.
- What to do in Mijas on a day trip.
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- Paul & Mark.
