Sun, great food and friendly people are just a few of the many reasons to visit southern Spain.
The region appeals to every type of traveler, from culture mavens to adrenaline junkies. Don’t miss out top 5 cities in southern Spain, including the breathtaking towns of Cadiz, Seville and Almeria.
5) Granada
Granada is a university town, making it very cosmopolitan with a vibrant nightlife. The area is made up of several districts, including Bib-Rambla, which is renowned for its food.
The Cartuja is home to a gothic style monastery, Sacromonte is the place to try out authentic Flamenco dancing and Zaidin is worth a look for its Saturday market. Also, you can’t visit Granada without going to see the stunning Alhambra Palace.
Photo by: Heatheronhertravels
4) Cadiz
Cadiz is a fascinating old city with a warm climate. Temperatures reach well above 85 degrees in the summer and between 65 degrees in the winter.
The sea is very much a central part of life in this coastal town; head to the water to fish, swim or just relax on a boat. This area is also very popular with surfers, as it’s one of the few Spanish cities with consistently warm weather and big waves.
3) Seville
Seville is probably the best known city on this list, and is bursting with culture and activities. You can enjoy great food, weather, and if you’re up for it, even a bullfight.
Seville is also full of history, and there are a number of museums worth visiting. Don’t miss is the spectacular Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de España, so spectacular they were used to film scenes in Star Wars!
Photo by: KevinPoh
2) Malaga
Malaga is the second largest city in Andalucía and is Spain’s sixth largest city. You can expect to find a buzzing atmosphere, top-notch restaurants and plenty to do. You’ll also find a great deal of history and culture, with a number of galleries and museums worth visiting.
In Malaga you can also watch a bullfight and spend some time at Puerto Marina. The city is vibrant and full of activity, and you can definitely have an adventure here!
1) Almeria
Almeria is a fascinating blend of old and new. The city is both modern and historic, and is full of ancient sites. Locals have lived in Almeria since the Bronze Age, and you can still find cave paintings5 on some of the city walls.
One of the great things about the city is that it tends to be quieter than the more popular tourist destinations. This means you can explore it at your own pace and take the time to visit areas such as the 16th century cathedral in Alcazaba and the hill-top town of Mojacar.
Tip: Learn the Language
Southern Spain has so much to offer, and one way of making your trip even better is to learn the language. You can do this by taking a language course, with ESL – Language Studies Abroad, for example. When you learn Spanish while living in Spain you’re going to pick it up much quicker, and you’ll have a great time too!
Have you been to Southern Spain?
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I returned from Italy/Spain last week. Went to Rome, Naples (Pompeii, Ischia – Capri boats weren’t running), Madrid, Cordoba, Seville and Granada.
The trip was excellent and I couldn’t have asked for anything more – thank you for some amazing advise!
Every province of Andalucia is amazing, don´t just head to the popular over touristy ones but dig deeper, go more local and discover the best bits without other tourists. Visit Jaén, the little sister of Granada, Sevilla and Cordoba but possibly with possibly the most charm of all.
Thanks for the Andalucia tip!