Andalusia in Spain…that practically calls for flamenco, sun, charming villages, the sound of the sea, and diverse natural parks. A truly enchanting holiday region in the south of Europe awaits you, leaving nothing to be desired with around 300 Sundays a year. I have summarized the 15 most beautiful Andalusian sights and highlights for you in the following article. Be inspired; we highly recommend this southern region of Spain. Bolle and Marco traveled through Andalusia for a month and discovered many wonderful spots. Enjoy browsing!
- Andalusia Sights & Highlights
- 1. Capital Seville
- 2. Mosques in Cordoba
- 3. Alhambra in Granada
- 4. Sierra Nevada National Park
- 5. Bridges & Gorges in Ronda
- 6. Nerja on the Costa del Sol
- 7. Doñana National Park
- 8. Costa de la Luz
- 9. Caminito del Rey via ferrata
- 10. Route of the White Villages
- 11. Tabernas Desert
- 12. Cabo Park by the sea
- 13. The cool town of Tarifa
- 14. Detour to Malaga
- 15. Andalusia Sights – Capo Trafalgar
Andalusia Sights & Highlights
There’s a lot to discover and experience in the south of Spain. Look forward to beautiful sandy beaches, wide and high dunes, charming mountain villages, cool little seaside towns, diverse national parks, and plenty of historic buildings that are sure to impress you. I’ve marked the most important Andalusia sights on the map below. Do you have any other tips? Feel free to write them in the comments so I can complete the map.
By loading the map, you accept Google’s privacy policy.
Learn more
Load map
1. Capital: Seville
Seville is the capital of the southern Spanish region of Andalusia and will particularly impress you with its ornate buildings and palaces. The city is also known as the cradle of flamenco. Life here takes place in the streets, with dancing and singing often taking place. If you travel to Seville, you should definitely see one of its main attractions, the Alcazar Palace. A palace straight out of 1001 Nights. Also worth a visit are the Plaza España and the Plaza Totos de la Maestanza bullring. You can find out more about this in Bolle and Marco’s article about Seville.
- Seville: Guadalquivir Boat Trip Ticket*
- Alcázar Guided Tour with Priority Entrance*
- Flamenco Show and Andalusian Gastronomy*
2. Mosques in Cordoba
Cordoba is one of the three most visited cities in Andalusia and is particularly impressive for its cathedrals and mosques. Just a 40-minute train ride from Seville, you’re in Cordoba. It’s perfect for a day trip. The city was a very important center of Islam in the Middle Ages. Today, you can admire the historic and world-famous Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba (also called the Mezquita), walk across the Roman bridge, or visit the Synagogue of Cordoba in the Jewish Quarter. Cordoba will impress you with its diverse history and historic buildings.
- Córdoba’s Alcázar: Guided tour and skip-the-line entry*
- Córdoba’s Mosque-Cathedral: Guided tour*
- Córdoba: Mezquita-Catedral guided tour with skip-the-line entry*
3. Alhambra in Granada
In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada lies the medieval city of Granada. For me, this city is a little world of its own. Magnificent medieval architecture and many small alleys await you here, inviting you to stroll. Albaicín, the oldest quarter of Granada, the cathedral, the Monasterio de San Jerónimo, or the Botanical Garden are great destinations for a day trip in Granada.
The city’s main attraction, however, is by far the great fortress Alhambra, which towers on a hill above the city and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. In the towers, walls, palaces, and the gardens in front of it, you as a visitor get a glimpse into history and times long past. Truly impressive!
- Alhambra: Ticket & Guided Tour of the Castle & Nasrid Palaces*
- Granada: Alhambra & Generalife – Skip-the-Line Ticket*
- Granada Tour: Alhambra Evening Tour*
4. Sierra Nevada National Park
Hiking enthusiasts, take note! TheSierra Nevada is Spain’s largest national park, covering more than 86,000 hectares. Stretching from the province of Granada to the eastern edge of the province of Algeria, the mountain range offers stunningly beautiful and diverse hiking trails. A beautiful natural landscape awaits you, with more than 2,100 different plant species, 84 bird species, and mammals such as the Iberian ibex and the wildcat. In winter, you can hit the slopes at the Paradollano ski resort and enjoy the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada.
5. Bridges & Gorges in Ronda
It’s not without reason that Ronda is considered one of the most popular travel destinations in Andalusia. Located in the province of Malaga, Ronda sits above a deep gorge. Special features of this fascinating little town are the pretty white houses and the stone bridge Puente Nuevo, which connects the old and new towns (book tours here*). From here, you have a breathtaking view of the El Tajo Gorge, which you’re sure to recognize from other travel photos and postcards from Andalusia. More about this here: Ronda Highlights and Tips.
6. Nerja on the Costa del Sol
On Spain’s Costa del Sol, you’ll find the small holiday resort of Nerja with its truly beautiful coastal promenade, rocky coves, sandy beaches, and the Balcony of Europe, a rocky outcrop offering stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding mountains. Nerja is definitely a must-see in Andalusia!
Nerja is especially famous for its giant stalactite cave. You definitely shouldn’t miss this if you’re traveling in the province of Malaga. The cave, which is around 4 km long and 35 km wide, was only discovered by chance by locals in 1959. Of course, you can book a tour through the caves and get all the important information.
- Nerja: 2.5-hour sea kayaking tour*
- From Málaga: Nerja Cave Skip-the-Line & Frigiliana*
- Day trip to Frigiliana & Nerja from Granada*
7. Doñana National Park
Located 110 km from Seville (near El Rocio), the Coto de Donana National Park is located in the Spanish province of Huelva on the Costa de la Luz. This park is one of Spain’s most important wetlands and offers a diverse landscape with dunes, forests, marshes, and beaches full of life. You can book a guided tour to explore the national park with its many lagoons, streams, marshes, and forests. Nature trails such as those at El Acebuche or Palacio del Acebron offer the opportunity to learn more about the wetland.
- From Seville: Doñana National Park Tour by 4WD*
- Doñana National Park: Horseback Riding at Sunset*
- Doñana National Park & Sanlúcar: Private Day Tour from Cádiz*
8. Costa de la Luz
The southern Atlantic coast of Spain is like something out of a picture book. Beautiful golden sandy beaches, rocky coves, and untouched nature surrounded by pine forests. On the Costa de la Luz, you have everything you could wish for for a summer holiday by the sea. Did you know that the sun shines for more than 3,000 hours a year on the Costa de la Luz? That sounds tempting, doesn’t it? This region is also a very popular destination in winter.
One of the most famous and popular beaches is Bolonia Beach, with its natural beauty, meter-high dunes, the rough Atlantic Ocean, and its white sand. If you’re traveling to the Costa de la Luz to surf, I can recommend the beaches of the province of Cadiz. They are suitable for both beginners and experienced surfers. Particularly popular here are Playa Yerbabuena, Berate, Playa de los Bateles, Conil, and Playa el Palmar.
9. Caminito del Rey Via Ferrata
Spain’s most famous via ferrata is the Caminito del Rey, which delights hundreds of adventurers every day and provides a great change of scenery during your vacation. The via ferrata is located between Ardales and El Chorro, about 60 km from Malaga. It is 7.7 km long, of which 4.8 km are access trails and 2.9 km are climbs on a narrow, dilapidated path. The via ferrata used to be a transport route for materials; today, the narrow, dilapidated paths with old steel girders remain, on which people balance and climb.
- Caminito del Rey: Guided tour including a drink*
- Malaga: Caminito del Rey hike with transport*
- Caminito del Rey: Hiking tour*
10. Route of the White Villages
The Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos, or also called the Route of the White Villages, is located in western Andalusia in the province of Cadiz. It winds through the mountainous hinterland and the Sierra de Grazalema National Park. There are an incredible number of these beautiful white villages. The white village of Vejer de la Frontera has been one of the most beautiful white villages in Spain for several years. Surrounded by pine forests, the town sits majestically on the top of a mountain. The old town is known above all for its narrow, steep streets and the old Arabic castle. A small town straight out of a Spanish picture book.
11. Tabernas Desert
A desert reminiscent of a lunar landscape, its unique landscape has already been the setting for many well-known films. Just 30 km from Almeria lies the nature reserve, which covers an area of 280 km2 and is also one of the driest places in Europe. The magnificent backdrop has been used as a film set in many well-known films, such as Game of Thrones, Indiana Jones, and The Last Crusade.
Around the town of Tabernas, a total of 14 western towns were built by the many producers, three of which you can even visit. Guided hikes and horseback riding are also offered. Go to a Wild West show and drink a whiskey in one of the saloons.
- Almeria: Tour through the Tabernas Desert & Film Locations*
- From Granada: Full-Day Tour of the Guadix and Tabernas Desert*
- From Almería or Roquetas de Mar: Day Trip to the Tabernas Desert*
12. Cabo Park by the Sea
In eastern Andalusia, in the province of Almeria, lies the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, which extends over 34,000 hectares. A spectacular landscape of mountains, beaches, and bays awaits you. The Sierra del Cabo de Gata mountain range runs through the park and offers wonderful hiking and cycling trails, especially in spring and autumn. It’s very hot in summer. You’d be better off relaxing on one of the nature park’s beautiful beaches and soaking up the sun. To cool off, you can then equip yourself with a snorkel and explore the underwater world of the coast.
13. The cool town of Tarifa
Bolle and Marco still rave about their time in Tarifa by the sea. This small town in Andalusia has burned itself right into their hearts. Here, you’ll find an almost endless, wide sandy beach, turquoise-blue sea, crystal-clear water, and a super cozy old town. Let yourself drift and stroll through the narrow streets of the old town, visit one of the cool cafés, and browse the many small shops. By the sea, you can watch kitesurfers performing their daring jumps; it’s not without reason that Tarifa is called the “wind capital of Southern Europe.” More about this here: Tarifa Tips & Highlights.
14. Excursion to Malaga
How about a trip to Andalusia’s second-largest city? Malaga is definitely one of the top attractions in Andalusia! Malaga is located directly on the western Mediterranean of Spain, on the Costa del Sol and is surrounded by mountains. There is much to discover in this Andalusian student city. There are beautiful viewpoints, great restaurants and cafés, a charming old town, colorful markets, a cool harbor promenade and many historic buildings. You can find out more here: Malaga Sights & Highlights.
- Malaga: Sunset Catamaran Trip with a Glass of Cava*
- Catamaran Sailing with Swimming & BBQ – Malaga*
- Malaga: Bath and relaxing massage in the Hammam*
15. Andalusia Sights – Capo Trafalgar
For me and the other two, the Cabo Trafalgar near Cadiz is one of the top Andalusia sights. It may seem inconspicuous, but the views from these cliffs are truly beautiful. The cape, with its distinctive lighthouse, is located at the end of the Strait of Gibraltar and rises 6 meters in height and 400 meters in length and width. Here you will find sandy beaches and dunes.
