Search for a vacation apartment or villa in Andalucia

A direct link between Europe and Africa, and the place where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean, Andalucia has been fought over by numerous cultures since the earliest times of civilization.

Andalucia (English: Andalusia) covers 17.3% of Spanish territory, 87,268 km² in total, making it the largest single region, with an area greater than countries such as Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Austria and Switzerland. Population is about 7 million, 20% of the total Spanish population.

Andalucia hosts the world-famous Costa del Sol, detailed elsewhere.

In Andalucia, contrasts are the norm. The diversity of the landscapes which make up the region provides an entire spectrum: from the warm Guadalquivir valley, to leafy low mountain areas, from volcanic landscapes such as the Tabernas Desert to the white peaks of Sierra Nevada.

Andalucia is composed of eight provinces, stretching from the south-east to the south-west of the country, each one named for its capital city: Cadiz, Cordoba, Jaen, Huelva, Almeria, Malaga, Granada and Seville.

Once Spain´s poorest region, Andalucia - and specifically the provinces of Malaga, Granada and Seville - is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, thanks to its sandy beaches, beautiful countryside, spectacular mountain ranges, fabulous monuments and high-spirited people who live life to the full and are well known for their exuberance, warmth and hospitality.

Andalucia is also home of flamenco and bullfighting, which can be best enjoyed at the region´s countless ferias and romerias.

But perhaps the most unique feature of this enchanting region are the remnants of its Moorish past. The Moors were a mixture of Berbers and Arabs who crossed into Spain from North Africa by the Straits of Gibraltar and occupied the peninsula - which they called al Andalus - for more than seven centuries, dating from 710 when they first landed in Tarifa. Within a mere four years they had virtually conquered the entire country, although they soon withdrew to the southern part of the peninsula, where they established, in the towns of Cordoba, Seville and Granada, one of the most sophisticated civilisations of the Middle Ages. Each of these Andalucian capitals boasts spectacular remains of their monuments, the most unforgettable of which is, undoubtedly, Granada's Alhambra palace.

Andalucia has 500 miles of coastline and of which 70% are sandy beaches. The Mediterranean seaboard is graced by the Costa de Almeria, Costa Tropical and the glamorous, cosmopolitan Costa del Sol, while the Costa de la Luz lies along the Atlantic shore to the west of Gibraltar.

As well as Andalucia´s fascinating cities and dazzling shores, the region is sprinkled with tiny unspoiled villages and whitewashed towns - the famous pueblos blancos - which tourists often overlook, even though they are of easy access, such as Casares, Gaucin and Frigilana.

Andalucia, then, is a region of startling contrasts and great charm. Yet, this mysterious corner of Europe is easy to reach, with hundreds of charter flights arriving each week at Malaga´s Pablo Picasso International Airport, which lies midway between Malaga, the main city of the coast, and Torremolinos, the region´s most legendary resort.

Granada

The city of Granada has been shaped by the hills, where the old districts in the Albaicín and the Alhambra were founded, brimming with steep, narrow streets, beautiful nooks and crannies, and marvelous landscapes. The new part of the city is situated on the plain, criss-crossed by the large arteries of Gran Vía de Colón and Calle de los Reyes Católicos, and where the busy streets around the Cathedral are found.

The history of the Alhambra is linked with Granada. On a rocky hill that is difficult to access, on the banks of the River Darro, protected by mountains and surrounded by woods, among the oldest quarters in the city, the Alhambra rises up like an imposing castle with reddish tones in its ramparts that prevent the outside world from seeing the delicate beauty they enclose.

Originally designed as a military area, the Alhambra became the residence of royalty and of the court of Granada in the middle of the thirteenth century, after the establishment of the Nasrid kingdom and the construction of the first palace, by the founder king Mohammed ibn Yusuf ben Nasr, better known as Alhamar.

Throughout the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, the fortress became a citadel with high ramparts and defensive towers, which house two main areas: the military area, or Alcazaba, the barracks of the royal guard, and the medina or court city, the location of the famous Nasrid Palaces and the remains of the houses of noblemen and plebeians who lived there. The Charles V Palace (which was built after the city was taken by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492) is also in the medina.

The complex of monuments also has an independent palace opposite the Alhambra, surrounded by orchards and gardens, which was where the Granadine kings relaxed: the Generalife.

Costa de la Luz

The Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light) is the western part of the Andalucía coastline that faces out to the Atlantic. The sand is finer and a more golden colour than the neighbouring Costa del Sol.

The typical beaches here are more expansive and probably backed by sand dunes and pine trees. This part of the coast has not seen the high-rise hotel development of other areas. The temperatures are slightly milder and the often strong Atlantic winds and waves are favoured by wind surfers and surfboarders alike.

The stretches of cliffs and coves are generally found to the east near Barbate and around the Campo de Gibraltar.

This coast is often divided into two sections. Costa de la Luz (Huelva Province) which stretches from the Portuguese border to the Donaña park and the River Guadalquivir. Costa de la Luz (Cadiz Province) stretches form the River Guadalquivir to Tarifa at the mouth of the Mediterranean sea. To travel from one section to another requires a lengthy drive via the city of Sevilla.

Cadiz

Cadiz stands on a peninsula jutting out into a bay, and is almost entirely surrounded by water. 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.

The old city looks quite Moorish in appearance and is intriguing with narrow cobbled streets opening onto small squares. The golden cupola of the cathedral looms high above long white houses and the whole place has a slightly dilapidated air. It just takes an hour to walk around the headlands where you can visit the entire old town and pass through some lovely parks with sweeping views of the bay.

Unlike most other ports of its size it seems immediately relaxed and easy going, not at all threatening, even at night.

Huelva

Huelva is the capital of the province and belongs to the region of Andalucia which is located in the very south of the Iberian Peninsula. The city is part of the Costa de la Luz, which is famous for its history and of course the numerous water sports you can practise there. The province of Sevilla borders Huleva to the east, the Atlantic can be found in the south, Portugal in the west and Extremadura in the north.

The province of Huelva has about 120 km of beaches and coastline, which is much more natural than in other areas, such as the Costa del Sol. Travellers from Europe and other continents visit the area not only because of the beaches but also because of the important part of the world’s history that has its origin here. It was in the province of Huelva where Christopher Columbus set sail for its voyage that brought him fame and recognition – the voyage in which he was planning to find a new route to get to India but brought him to America instead – an at that time unknown continent.

The south of the province is known for Columbus but also for its incredible nature with the National Park of Doñana being the most important area. When going for a drive or a walk along the coast you will find sand dunes, pine forests, bays and beaches as well as a number of marshes and river mouths that run into the Atlantic. It is an area of a varied and extensive nature, with countless species of vegetation and animals.

Discover Costa Tropical
Property management and holiday rental accommodation on the Costa Tropical, Spain. Also includes interesting information of local towns and activitires.