The south of Spain is a land of picture-postcard landscapes, wide-open natural spaces and little whitewashed villages – however, you’ll also find lively cosmopolitan cities with a thousand interesting sites to discover and explore, as well as delicious cuisine, in which the famous tapas take centre stage. If you love big cities, always know your way about and have a good nose for sniffing out incredible places, take note and check out these great cities.
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Cadiz
‘La tacita de plata’ (the little silver cup), ‘ancient Gadir’ or ‘the oldest city in the West’ ... This lovely city, founded by the Phoenicians in 1100 BC, has many nicknames. It’s a place where you can enjoy incredible sunsets and beaches like that of La Caleta, as well as an impressive historic quarter and ancient buildings such as the Santa Catalina Fortress – dating from the 16th century and offering wonderful views of the sea, framed by its walls. The Pópulo neighbourhood is an intricate warren of narrow streets that hides a good few secrets, such as the church of Santa Cruz, Cádiz Cathedral and the Roman ruins.
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Cordoba
Well known for the citrus aroma of the more than 90 orange trees that adorn the patio of the Mosque-Cathedral, Córdoba offers up a historic quarter that has been enriched by the presence of many different cultures and which was awarded World Heritage status in 1994. Wandering through the old quarter you’ll find the Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs, the Synagogue and the Roman bridge. As well as a stroll through the city’s culture, you can also enjoy a few tapas in streets adorned with flowers and squares made up of ancient stone. And if you’re looking to relax, a visit to the Arab baths in the Jewish quarter – also known as the hammam – is a great experience.
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Granada
This is another of Andalusia’s must-see cities, and one of the most beautiful in all of Spain, thanks, above all, to its most famous monument, the magical Alhambra. This palace is sure to enchant with each of its sections: the Generalife, the Palace of Carlos V and the Alcazaba. Later, head for the beautiful Albaicín Moorish quarter, and lose yourself in its ancient, winding streets. One of the major attractions of the city is its markets or zocos that sell all sorts of interesting items. When the sun goes down, its time to enjoy art in its purest form, and take in the thrill of a flamenco show. Here in Granada, you’ll find the real deal – particularly in the Sacromonte district with its famous caves.
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Malaga
The capital of the Costa del Sol has much more to offer than just beaches. In Malaga, you’ll find a cosmopolitan city with a great number of things to see and do. First of all, you can visit key monuments such as the Alcazaba, the palatial Moorish fortress that represents Malaga’s most important tourist attraction. This site dates from the 11th century, and remains perfectly preserved today. We also recommend visiting the Gibralfaro Castle, a construction whose role was to defend the Alcazaba itself, and which offers a great spot to enjoy a magnificent sunset. What’s more, you’ll need to make room for some of the city’s numerous museums on your itinerary: such as the Picasso Museum or the Carmen Thyssen, for example. Without a doubt, you simply must take a stroll down the famous Calle Larios and sample a few delicious tapas – you can’t possibly leave without trying the typical espetos de sardinas (sardine skewers) by the sea.
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Seville
A city with a distinctive colour all of its own, the capital of Andalusia is not to be missed if you really want to understand the region’s culture and soul. Seville presents an impressive architectural heritage in a mixture of styles – Moorish, Mudejar, Gothic and Baroque – all proof of the city’s long history, and the diversity of cultures that have passed through it. A visit to the Royal Alcázar of Seville is a must; while you’re there, be sure to stop off at its gardens too. Another of the city’s most famous sights is the monumental Plaza de España, where you’ll find benches that take their inspiration from 48 Spanish provinces. However, the most timeless symbol of Seville is without doubt la Giralda, an old Moorish minaret from which you can discover the city from the heights. But, if you really want to fully experience the culture of Andalusia and of Seville, you should visit during the Holy Week celebrations or the April Fair, when the city reveals its most magical and authentic side. As you can see, Andalusia is home to a great many cities that offer fantastic cultural activities, great places for a stroll and monuments with their own long histories. You won’t want to miss them.
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