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It’s official: Andalusia is celebrating best year in history for tourism. 35 million tourists will explore the region before the end of the year!
This news doesn’t come as a surprise to me.
This sunny and charming Spanish region has been on the radar of us British tourists for years!
Now 14.6% of all foreign visitors visiting Spain go to Andalusia, and the region has seen 44% American visitors so far this year.
Whether you want to relax on the vibrant beaches of the Costa Del Sol or explore UNESCO heritage sites such as the iconic Alhambra Palace, there is a side of Andalusia for everyone.
Picture-perfect beach vacations
Andalusia is best known for its beaches, thanks to its incredible 160 km long coastline.
White sand, golden sand, seemingly well-kept and rugged wildlife: the beaches here are as diverse as they are beautiful.
If you’re looking for a vibrant beach with an excellent atmosphere and plenty of beach clubs, try Torremolinos, known for its party atmosphere.
Los Álamos beach is the best beach here.
Would you prefer a traditional beach with the widest possible sandy beach?
Playa La Carihuela is a huge expanse of sand and the water here is calm enough for water sports, meaning this beach is popular with families.
Do you fancy the luxurious life? Marbella is known as the playground of the rich and famous!
Puerto Banús beach is packed with restaurants and is known as the best place to see and be seen.
Andalusia’s beaches are considered the jewel in the crown, attracting travelers from all over the world to the region.
But to spend the entire time in Andalusia relaxing on a beach would be a big mistake!
Andalusian city trips
There are 4 major cities in the Andalusia region. These are Malaga, Seville, Granada and Cordoba. Each has its own unique personality and its own charms.
I have a soft spot for Malaga, Picasso’s birthplace and a city still dedicated to his most famous son.
There are two Picasso museums in Malaga, one of which is located in the house where he was born.
The Casa Natal Picasso is his birthplace museum (with admission priced at €4/$4.22 per person) and is dedicated to his early life, while the Picasso Museum contains more than 200 of his works. Access here costs €12 ($12.66) per person.
Malaga also has a beautiful cathedral, and the Atarazanas Market is a lovely old-fashioned food market that is a great place for foodies to explore.
If you are interested in history, the must-visit attraction in Andalusia that you really shouldn’t miss is the Alhambra Palace in Granada, a Moorish fortified palace.
The Alhambra is a breathtakingly beautiful structure that dominates the city skyline.
Although located in the heart of southern Spain, this is one of the best preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world, and you should allow plenty of time to explore it.
Much of the Alhambra (including the gardens) is free to explore, but if you want a ticket to enter the palace including a guided tour, it will cost €35 per person.
Explore the region‘S White villages
In addition to the better-known seaside resorts with high-rise hotels on the Costa Del Sol, Andalusia is also known for its characteristic pueblos Blancos (white villages), beautiful villages full of white houses with striking flat roofs.
These white villages are usually located far away from the coasts of the region, and the most characteristic of these are in the Sierra Nevada mountains, meaning they do not attract as many tourists as the coastal towns in Andalusia.
The most beautiful of the white villages is Capileira, just outside Granada. It is located 1,436 meters above sea level and offers fantastic views of the mountains.
It’s a great place for hiking, a base for exploring the Sierra Nevada National Park, and a place to get away from it all.
This may be a lesser-known attraction of Andalusia, but it is definitely worth exploring.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
