Cities and Towns in Andalucia
Andalucia has eight capital cities, each one the main city of each province which has the same name. This can, understandably, lead to some confusion, hence why the city is often referred to as “Seville city“ or “Malaga city”, to differentiate it from the province.
Each of these capital cities is home to the provincial government, called a diputacion as well as the city's town hall. Many important monuments and gastronomic attractions tend to be concentrated in them, from Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotels to cathedrals and palaces.
The provincial capitals are always worth visiting, as they will be the most important destination in the area. If it’s your second visit to Andalucia, why not expand your reach to explore secondary towns and cities.
In addition to these cities, there are also other important historic destinations, often located in strategically important spots, such as Ronda and Antequera (Malaga), Algeciras and Jerez (Cadiz).
Other towns are significant for their heritage and architecture, but smaller in size, such as the beautiful Renaissance towns of Ubeda and Baeza in the olive oil-rich province of Jaen.
In some cases, such as Jerez and Ubeda, five-star hotels or award-winning restaurants tend to cluster in a different city from the provincial capital (in these cases, Cadiz and Jaen).
Eight Capital cities
According to legend, Sevilla was founded by Hercules and its origins are linked with the Tartessian civilisation. Called Hispalis under the Romans and Isbiliya by the Moors, the high point in its… More →
It is easy to understand why Malaga City is capital of the Costa del Sol. Once considered the poor cousin of Andalusia’s capital city, Seville, it now competes successfully for attention, thanks… More →
Jaén is a city that every lover of Andalucia should visit, enjoy and - if possible - spend a good deal of time getting to know. Not only does the city have an ancient and fascinating history, but… More →
Huelva may lack the region's star attractions of other provincial capitals, but once you get past the industrial sprawl on its outskirts, the centre is a pleasant place with many pretty plazas,… More →
Granada was first settled by native tribes in the prehistoric period, and was known as Ilbyr. When the Romans colonised southern Spain, they built their own city here and called it Illibris. The… More →
Cordoba was founded by the Romans and due to its strategic importance as the highest navigable point of the Guadalquivir River, it became a port city of great importance, used for shipping Spanish… More →
The city of Almería is Andalucia's most eastern capital. Years ago, it was not as well known by tourists as other capitals like Malaga, Sevillle, or Granada. However, that has changed drastically… More →
Cadiz stands on a peninsula jutting out into a bay, and is almost entirely surrounded by water. Named Gadir by the Phoencians, who founded their trading post in 1100 BC, it was later controlled by… More →
According to legend, Sevilla was founded by Hercules and its origins are linked with the Tartessian civilisation. Called Hispalis under the Romans and Isbiliya by the Moors, the high point in its history was following the discovery of America in 1492, when wealth flooded in from the "New World". For all its important monuments and fascinating history, Sevilla is universally famous for being a joyous town.
It is easy to understand why Malaga City is capital of the Costa del Sol. Once considered the poor cousin of Andalusia’s capital city, Seville, it now competes successfully for attention, thanks to its profusion of quirky museums, delightful pedestrianised centre, innovative restaurants and stylish hotels, many featuring trendy rooftop terraces with bar, pool and stunning views.
Jaén is a city that every lover of Andalucia should visit, enjoy and - if possible - spend a good deal of time getting to know. Not only does the city have an ancient and fascinating history, but the castle that towers over its winding streets offers some of the most quintessentially Andalusian views there are to be had.
Huelva may lack the region's star attractions of other provincial capitals, but once you get past the industrial sprawl on its outskirts, the centre is a pleasant place with many pretty plazas, absorbing historical monuments and, as you'd expect from a city with a bustling port, a wealth of seafood bars and restaurants.
Granada was first settled by native tribes in the prehistoric period, and was known as Ilbyr. When the Romans colonised southern Spain, they built their own city here and called it Illibris. The Arabs, invading the peninsula in the 8th century, gave it its current name of Granada. It was the last Muslim city to fall to the Christians in 1492, at the hands of Queen Isabel of Castile and her husband Ferdinand of Aragon.
Cordoba was founded by the Romans and due to its strategic importance as the highest navigable point of the Guadalquivir River, it became a port city of great importance, used for shipping Spanish olive oil, wine and wheat back to Ancient Rome. The Romans built the mighty bridge crossing the river, now called "El Puente Romano".
The city of Almería is Andalucia's most eastern capital. Years ago, it was not as well known by tourists as other capitals like Malaga, Sevillle, or Granada. However, that has changed drastically in the last while with its growth as a major holiday area.
Cadiz stands on a peninsula jutting out into a bay, and is almost entirely surrounded by water. Named Gadir by the Phoencians, who founded their trading post in 1100 BC, it was later controlled by the Carthaginians, until it became a thriving Roman port.
Two more cities
Located inland, 20 km from Sanlúcar, Jerez holds worldwide acclaim for its sherry and brandy production. The word Jerez is derived from Arabic and has now become synonymous with the English word… More →
Algeciras is primarily and unashamedly a port and industrial centre, sprawling round the far side of the bay to Gibraltar. When Franco closed the border with "the Rock" at the nearby La Linea, it… More →
Located inland, 20 km from Sanlúcar, Jerez holds worldwide acclaim for its sherry and brandy production. The word Jerez is derived from Arabic and has now become synonymous with the English word ‘sherry’. The city is equally famous for its fine horses as well as Flamenco music and dance.
Algeciras is primarily and unashamedly a port and industrial centre, sprawling round the far side of the bay to Gibraltar. When Franco closed the border with "the Rock" at the nearby La Linea, it was Algeciras that he decided to develop to absorb the Spanish workers who used to be employed in the British naval dockyards and in order to break the area's dependence on Gibraltar.
Large towns
Marbella is known as a glamorous resort town and is a favourite location with the rich and famous, boosted by foreign residents who are seduced by the lifestyle. But there's plenty for ordinary… More →
El Ejido is one of the most popular tourist destinations along the Almerian coast for beaches and sunshine, with an interesting artistic and cultural heritage for visitors to enjoy. The area also… More →
Situated to the south of Seville, on the N-IV old Cadiz road, Dos Hermanas is the second-biggest and most important town by population in Seville province, and the ninth-largest town in Andalucia… More →
Roquetas de Mar is a fishing town just 15 minutes by car from the provincial capital, Almería. It is famed not only for its fishing traditions, which are preserved today through gastronomy and… More →
Like so many towns in Andalucía the approach to El Puerto de Santa María along the main road is lined with garages, industrial plants and run down buildings. Keep going and cross the River… More →
The town of San Fernando, often referred to as La Isla del Sur (the Island of the South), is not actually an island but a small peninsula, set within the stunning setting of the Bay of Cadiz.… More →
Marbella is known as a glamorous resort town and is a favourite location with the rich and famous, boosted by foreign residents who are seduced by the lifestyle. But there's plenty for ordinary folk to see and enjoy too in southern Spain's answer to St Tropez.
El Ejido is one of the most popular tourist destinations along the Almerian coast for beaches and sunshine, with an interesting artistic and cultural heritage for visitors to enjoy. The area also offers a rich natural setting in the Reserve of Punta Entinas-Sabinar, a complex of dunes, beaches and lagoons which is home to various, mainly aquatic, birds.
Situated to the south of Seville, on the N-IV old Cadiz road, Dos Hermanas is the second-biggest and most important town by population in Seville province, and the ninth-largest town in Andalucia, with about 120,000 inhabitants.
Roquetas de Mar is a fishing town just 15 minutes by car from the provincial capital, Almería. It is famed not only for its fishing traditions, which are preserved today through gastronomy and annual festivals, but also as a coastal resort town. It has around 94,900 inhabitants.
Like so many towns in Andalucía the approach to El Puerto de Santa María along the main road is lined with garages, industrial plants and run down buildings. Keep going and cross the River Guadalete on the NIV (if coming from south) and turn into Calle Ribiera de los Mariscos and park in one of the car parks signposted.
The town of San Fernando, often referred to as La Isla del Sur (the Island of the South), is not actually an island but a small peninsula, set within the stunning setting of the Bay of Cadiz. Covering an area of some 30 km2, it is connected to Cadiz City by an eight kilometre strip of land and for centuries was connected on the rest of the mainland only by the Zuazo bridge. It is an important Andalucian town, with a population of close to 100,000.
