Andalusia Classics

Seville, the capital of Andalusia on the Guadalquivir River, blends Moorish heritage with vibrant street culture. Highlights include the Cathedral of Seville with its bell tower La Giralda and the Real Alcázar, which together with the Archivo de Indias have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1987.Stroll through the winding alleys of the Barrio de Santa Cruz, once the Jewish quarter, where hidden patios await discovery. The expansive Plaza de España in Parque de María Luisa was built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. In the evenings, experience flamenco, for example in the Triana district, considered one of flamenco's birthplaces. The best time to visit is spring (March to May) or autumn (September to October); in July and August, daily high temperatures regularly exceed 35 degrees Celsius. Tickets for major attractions are best booked online in advance.

Córdoba is located on the Guadalquivir in Andalusia and was the capital of the Emirate and later the Caliphate of Córdoba, from which the Umayyads ruled Al-Andalus. You travel here primarily for the Mezquita-Cathedral, a former mosque in the middle of which a cathedral was built starting in 1523. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984; in 1994, the designation was expanded to include the entire old town.In the Judería, the old Jewish quarter near the Mezquita, you'll discover narrow alleys, flower-filled patios, and a synagogue from 1315. The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos with its gardens and the Puente Romano with its 16 arches over the Guadalquivir are further highlights. You can experience the Patio culture during the Fiesta de los Patios in the second and third week of May, which is recognized as an intangible UNESCO Cultural Heritage. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times to travel; in July and August, average daily highs are around 37 degrees Celsius.

Granada in Andalusia lies at the foot of the Sierra Nevada and was, from the 13th century, the capital of the Nasrid kingdom, the last Muslim-ruled state on the Iberian Peninsula. The main reason for visiting is the Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984, featuring the Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife Gardens, and the Alcazaba fortress.Explore the Albaicín quarter with its narrow Moorish streets and viewpoints overlooking the Alhambra. The adjacent Sacromonte is famous for its cave dwellings and flamenco. The Cathedral, built on the site of the former Great Mosque, and the Royal Chapel in the city centre commemorate the Christian conquest of 1492, with the Catholic Monarchs buried in the Capilla Real. Tickets for the Alhambra can be purchased up to three months in advance; the Nasrid Palaces have a fixed entry time. Spring and autumn offer more pleasant temperatures than high summer.

Ronda in Andalusia is situated on a rock plateau that divides the Tajo Gorge of the Guadalevín river into two parts. The Puente Nuevo, completed in 1793, connects the old town La Ciudad with the El Mercadillo quarter, along with the bullring inaugurated in 1785, the 13th and 14th-century Arab baths, and sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.

The provincial capital Málaga is the cultural hub of the Costa del Sol: a vibrant Old Town, significant museums like the Museo Picasso, and a diverse culinary scene.