Love is in the air in Andalucia © Michelle Chaplow |
|
Valentines Day - 14 February
by Fiona Flores-Watson and Catherine Cunningham
The 14th of February is Valentine's Day, or Dia de los Enamorados (Lovers' Day) in Spain.
Many hotels and restaurants around Andalucia will have special offers on, so if you're after a last-minute package, you're sure to be spoiled for choice - themed menus, dishes, suites and rental villas, with that little extra something thrown in to create the right atmosphere for the occasion.
Andalucia is chock-full of stunningly beautiful places which are crying out to be experienced in the company of a loved one for a memorable Valentine's in Spain.
Heart-stoppingly romantic places
Some of the most heart-stoppingly romantic places are the most obvious ones, if you haven't been lucky enough to see them before: the Alhambra as viewed from the Mirador de San Nicolas, preferably at sunset, bathed in shades of burning orange and pastel pink on its cliff above the river Daro.
 Alhambra from the Mirador de San Nicolas, at sunset. © Michelle Chaplow |
|
Or the Patio de Doncellas of Seville's Alcazar palace, with its exquisite carved arches, long pool of water and sunken gardens with orange trees.
The white villages
In terms of pueblos blancos, few can beat Vejer de la Frontera, both for its stunning setting on a hilltop near the Costa de la Luz, and for its admirably maintained white Moorish houses. Vejer also has some of the best restaurants in the area.
 Discovering Vejer de la Frontera © Michelle Chaplow |
|
Off the beaten track
If you're after a deserted beach, for some quiet canoodling, the Almeria coast has many rocky coves and sandy sweeps where you're barely spot a soul. Venture into the desert, and you're almost certain to have it to yourself or watch the world go by in Cabo de Gata.
 Watching the world go by in Cabo de Gata, Almeria © Michelle Chaplow |
|
Romance and legends in Andalucia
La Peña de los Enamorados, or "The Lovers' Rock," is a striking limestone mountain in Andalusia, Spain, with a romantic legend that makes it especially fitting for Valentine's Day. According to local folklore, a forbidden love story between a Christian knight and a Moorish princess ended in tragedy when the couple, pursued by opposing forces, chose to leap from the rock rather than be separated. Their devotion immortalized the site as a symbol of love and sacrifice. On Valentine's Day, this tale resonates deeply, reminding us that love often transcends boundaries and hardships, making it an enduring and powerful force across cultures and time.
 "The Lovers' Rock". La Peña de los Enamorados © Michelle Chaplow |
|
Entertainment pulsating with passion
And for some entertainment pulsating with passion and yearning, it has to be flamenco. Agony, heartbreak and soul-baring are the themes of this typically Andalucian music form.
 And for some entertainment pulsating with passion and yearning, it has to be flamenco © Michelle Chaplow |
|
¡Feliz Día de San Valentín!