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Highlights

Welcome to Andalucia.com Highlights

The Andalucia.com highlights offer an opportunity to experience the best of Andalucia.  These highlights include attractions, places of interest, villages and festivals, as well as general information about Andalucia. Simply scroll down this page and click on a picture to read more.

Most of Andalucia.com's 11,000+ pages are accessed by searching for specific information or navigating from the main menu above.

As an alternaive the highlights section offers a different way to experience the website, allowing you to browse through it as you would a magazine. Simply scroll down this page and visit any of the first forty highlights. If you want to read more, click on the arrow to see the next forty.  

The 'Highlights' link can be found in the footer of every Andalucia.com page and leads to this Highlights page.

Classical Music, Flamenco & Pop. Andalucia has it all © andalucia.com Classical music, flamenco and pop - Andalucia has it all.

There are hundreds of local music and dance festivals held in Andalucía each year, especially in the summer. We track 65 established ones. 2026 is set to be another big year, with organisers… More →

Local Malagueñas enjoying their home town feria. © Michelle Chaplow Local Malagueñas enjoying their home town feria.

The annual Malaga city fair from Sat 15th to Sat 22nd Aug 2026 is an exuberant week-long street party with plenty of flamenco and 'fino' (sherry). The fair commemorates the re-conquest of the… More →

There are 15 Parador hotels in Andalucia, each with its own unique charm.  © Michelle Chaplow There are 16 Parador hotels in Andalucia, all with there own unique charm

Reviews of the prestigious Parador hotels of Andalucia. As well as being located in historic buildings such as castles, palaces and convents, other, modern buildings are designed to open up… More →

The newly renovated Hotel Don Carlos Marbella, interior design by Jaime Beriestain  © Michelle Chaplow The newly renovated Hotel Don Carlos Marbella, interior design by Jaime Beriestain © Michelle Chaplow

Global travellers always have their eyes on Andalucia, we on your behalf, always have our ear to the ground to share news of exciting new hotel openings and major refurbishments in Southern Spain… More →

Vintage tiles advertising Yodamina sunscreen in Cadiz © Michelle Chaplow Vintage tiles advertising Yodamina sunscreen in Cadiz

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of '99 Wear Sunscreen. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by… More →

La Menga Dolmen, Antequera © Michelle Chaplow La Menga Dolmen, Antequera

Just outside Antequera you can visit three 5,000-year-old dolmens: Menga Dolmen (the largest in Europe) and Viera Dolmen, which are both located just outside the town, while El Romeral Dolmen is a… More →

Walking the Caminito del Rey is an unforgettable Experience © Michelle Chaplow Walking the Caminito del Rey is an unforgettable Experience

The Caminito del Rey is a cliff-side path hanging 100m above the waters of the river Guadalhorce reservoir, as it runs through the famous beauty spot; El Chorro Gorge, near the villages of El… More →

Andalucia is extremely well-connected for international visitors, with thousands of flights arriving from all over Europe every day.  © Istockphoto Andalucia is extremely well-connected for international visitors, with thousands of flights arriving from all over Europe every day.

Andalucia is extremely well-connected for international visitors, with thousands of flights arriving from all over Europe every day. There are six main airports in the region - five in Andalucia… More →

The magnificent Giralda tower of Seville Cathedral © istockphoto The magnificent Giralda tower of Seville Cathedral

The cathedral's construction lasted over a century, from 1401 to 1506. It is said that when the plans were drawn up, church elders stated, "Hagamos una iglesia tan hermosa y tan… More →

Malaga city has so much to offer © Michelle Chaplow Malaga city has so much to offer

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 →

Cordoba's Mezquita is a Blend of Moorish and Christian Architecture © M Chaplow Cordoba's Mezquita is a Blend of Moorish and Christian Architecture. © Michelle Chaplow

Explore Córdoba's Mosque-Cathedral (Mezquita). Discover its 850 iconic red-and-white arches, historic mihrab, and centuries of Moorish history.

The Alcazaba of Almeria © Michelle Chaplow The Alcazba of Almeria © Michelle Chaplow

The hilltop Alcazaba's hefty walls and towers dominate the city and command magnificent views over the old town below and across to the Mediterranean. Measuring 25,000m2, this was the largest… More →

A trip to Ronda is such a memorable experience  © Michelle Chaplow A trip to Ronda is such a memorable experience

Despite being a growing town, Ronda retains much of its historic charm, particularly its old town. It is famous worldwide for its dramatic escarpments and views, and for the deep El Tajo gorge… More →

Gaucin is a spectacularly beautiful mountain village Gaucin is a spectacularly beautiful mountain village © Michelle Chaplow

Gaucin is a spectacularly beautiful mountain village commanding sweeping views to Gibraltar and North Africa. The village is a gateway to the Serranía de Ronda where, depending on the time of year… More →

Tarifa, a magical place where the Mediterranean sea meets the Atlantic Ocean © Michelle Chaplow Tarifa, a magical place where the Mediterranean sea meets the Atlantic Ocean

Tarifa sits at the southern-most point of mainland Europe, where the Med meets the Atlantic. Just 14km across the Straits of Gibraltar at its narrowest point, the town enjoys spectacular views of… More →

Horseracing on the golden sands of Sanlúcar. Photo Ricardo Jiménez Horseracing on the golden sands of Sanlúcar. Photo Ricardo Jiménez

Every year the beaches of Sanlucar de Barrameda in the province of Cádiz come alive with the pounding of hooves as the famous horse races take over the coast. Traditionally, the races take place… More →

Fairmont La Hacienda Costa del Sol  © Michelle Chaplow Fairmont La Hacienda Costa del Sol © Michelle Chaplow

The new hotel features contemporary Mediterranean indoor-outdoor architecture and Andalucian cuisine with 153 guest rooms

Strawberries from Andalucía: A Sweet Treasure © Michelle Chaplow Strawberries from Andalucía: A Sweet Treasure

Andalucía, in southern Spain, is renowned for its vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and agricultural abundance. Strawberries not only delight the palate but also offer significant… More →

 El Castillo de Santa Catalina © Michelle Chaplow El Castillo de Santa Catalina

The castle is the oldest military construction in Cádiz city. Construction began in 1598 to improve the city's defences, two years after Anglo-Dutch troops sacked the city.

The eight provinces of Andalucia © Michelle Chaplow The eight provinces of Andalucia. © Michelle Chaplow

There are eight provinces in Andalucia: (from east to west) Huelva, Sevilla, Cádiz, Córdoba, Granada, Málaga, Jaén, and Almería. Each province has a capital city of the same name. Five provinces… More →

Exploring Andalucia by hire car can be great fun © istock photo Exploring Andalucia by hire car can be great fun

When you are visiting a region as varied as Andalucia, it is well worth renting a car - if not for your whole stay, especially if you're starting or finishing in a city, then at least for part of… More →

Nothing beats a holiday road trip © Michelle Chaplow Nothing beats a holiday road trip

Renting a car is a great way to see Andalucia, from the beaches to cities to mountains, but you need to be careful about your contract. Here are top 10 car rental tips.

Family road trip in Andalucia © istockphoto Family road trip in Andalucia

When you hire a car online you are actually reserving a car in a 'rental group' and not a specific make or model of car. Note that adjacent to the name of the car in the listing it will say 'or… More →

The Alhambra by far, is the most visited attraction in Andalucia © Michelle Chaplow The Alhambra by far, is the most visited attraction in Andalucia © Michelle Chaplow

In Andalucia many monuments are important historical, architectural and cultural landmarks. Here is our list of Andalucia top attractions by visitor number, how many have you visited?

Agua Amarga, Andalucia, Spain © Michelle Chaplow Agua Amarga - just look at those crystal-clear waters. , Agua Amarga photography by Michelle Chaplow Still undiscovered by large-scale tourism, this is one of Andalucia's hidden seaside treasures. , The quaint streets of Agua Amarga © Michelle Chaplow The quaint streets of Agua Amarga © Michelle Chaplow

Agua Amarga is a pretty fishing village and beach resort on the Almeria coast, in Cabo de Gata-Nijar natural park, with a population of just 400. Still undiscovered by large-scale tourism, this is… More →

Isleta del Moro is a quaint fishing hamlet known for its picturesque setting © Michelle Chaplow Isleta del Moro is a quaint fishing hamlet known for its picturesque setting

La Isleta del Moro is a quaint fishing hamlet known for its picturesque setting, and well worth the 500m detour from the AL-4200 San Jose to Las Negras coast road.Population is about 200. The name… More →

Malaga is the perfect detination for a tapas tour. © Michelle Chaplow Malaga is the perfect detination for a tapas tour.

Andalucia is justifiably famous for its excellent gastronomic scene. Using first-class ingredients grown throughout the region's lands and caught along its extensive coastline, cutting-edge dishes… More →

Crystal clear waters in Nerja  © Michelle Chaplow Crystal clear waters in Nerja

The Costa del Sol towns were awarded 45 Blue Flag Beaches in 2026 equal to the previous year. This was from a record 52 applications. Puerto Banus Levante beach lost its blue flag in 2026 and… More →

Blue Flag beach of Agua Amarga © Michelle Chaplow Blue Flag beach of Agua Amarga

In 2026 the Costa Almeria's 38 beaches were awarded Blue flag status following 40 applications. This was three more blue flags than the 35 awarded in  2025 following 39 applications. … More →

La Concepción Jardín Botánico-Historico de Málaga. © Michelle Chaplow La Concepción Jardín Botánico-Historico de Málaga. The historic botanical gardens of Malaga. © Michelle Chaplow

Just outside Malaga, "La Concepción Jardín Botánico-Historico de Málaga." is a magnificent botanical garden. There are regular guided tours of the gardens which pass through exotic trees and… More →

A tower of the Castle of Guzman El Bueno, originally built as an alcazar (Moorish fortress). © Michelle Chaplow A tower of the Castle of Guzman El Bueno, originally built as an alcazar (Moorish fortress).

This impressive, solidly-built Moorish fortification, which played an important part in early Spanish history, has been recently restored. As the southern-most point of the peninsula, Tarifa… More →

The pilgrimage takes place over the weekend before Pentecost © Michelle Chaplow The El Rocio pilgrimage takes place over the weekend before Pentecost © Michelle Chaplow

The El Rocío pilgrimage is the most famous in the region, attracting nearly a million people from across Andalucia and the entire country, and beyond. Every Andalucian city, town and village has… More →

The Christmas Season in Andalucia  © Michelle Chaplow The Christmas Season in Andalucia

The Christmas season in Andalucia starts much later than those from northern Europe and North America might expect. The smell of chestnuts roasting over fires tended by street vendors will begin… More →

A New Year in Andalucia © istockphoto A New Year in Andalucia

It's the new year, time for new starts and new resolutions. Many of us swear we will get fit when January arrives, to rid ourselves of all the excesses from Christmas over-indulgence, but it can… More →

Sevilla villages clockwise: Alanis, Carmona, Cazalla, Utrera © Michelle Chaplow Sevilla villages clockwise: Alanis, Carmona, Cazalla, Utrera © Michelle Chaplow

In the Sierra Norte Natural Park, part of the immense Sierra Morena, are some of province's prettiest villages, often in stunning settings, overlooking the undulating slopes of the Sierra clothed… More →

Zambomba © Michelle Chaplow A zambomba is a drum like instrument that has a stick inserted through the skin, and the stick is moved up and down, creating the rhythm. Small cymbals are normally attached to the stick to give extra effect, and these zambombas would normally be made from an old paint tin or teracotta flower pot, with a membrane stretched over the top and a stick inserted through it.

The villancicos are also known by the name of zambombas in Andalucía, a name which comes from the instrument that is traditionally used to accompany them. A zambomba is a drum like instrument that… More →

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The Via Verde Subbeticas is a southern extention of the Vía Verde of the Olive Oil that originates in Jaen city. The Via Verde Subbeticas covers 56 km, much of it on the fringes of the limestone… More →

June is the month for Corpus Christi celebrations. © Michelle Chaplow June is the month for Corpus Christi celebrations in Andalucia

Corpus Christi feast is the Catholic solemnity in honour of the presence of the body of Christ in the holy water. It is celebrated throughout Spain and is held in either May or June depending on… More →

December and January are the main months for the Olive harvest in Andalucia © Michelle Chaplow December and January are the main months for the Olive harvest in Andalucia

This vía verde (greenway) covers 55km between Jaen and the Guadajoz river, where it joins the Vía Verde of the Subbética. It is suitable for walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users. This greenway… More →

Memorial to Federico Gracia Lorca in Alfacar © Michelle Chaplow Memorial to Federico Gracia Lorca in Alfacar

Federico Garcia Lorca is not only Spain's most universal poet, but he is also a universally recognised symbol of Spain - and especially Andalucia - itself. His poems paint a vivid and… More →

 

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