There is no better way to get to know Andalucia than through their many and fascinating traditional festivals. The local fiesta is the moment when every town and village strives to put on a splendid show, not only for themselves but also for those who come from afar to admire and enjoy.
The landscapes of rural Andalucía are breathtaking and one of the best ways to appreciate their diversity and beauty is on foot. However it is sometimes hard to determine exactly where a path is located and if there is a public right of way. There are designated footpaths, as well as those inside the national and natural parks.
Andalucía’s Costa del Sol is not only the Costa del Golf but also provides the ideal combination of climate, coast and countryside forvirtually any other major sport you can think of, ranging from para-gliding to polo. Among these, tennis remains consistently popular and attracts players of all ages.
This relatively new sport has become one of the most popular racquet games in Spain and the craze is spreading across Europe. A paddle (pádel' in Spanish) court is smaller than a tennis court, with simpler line markings. It has high surrounding walls of glass and/or solid construction.
Cycling is a popular sport in Andalucia and it is not uncommon to see groups of cyclists out enjoying a weekend morning together as they tour the countryside. Equally in the last few years the number of cyclists in the cities and towns has increased, and so has the km-s of cycle lanes. Seville being a prime example.
The history of windsurfing is short. Apparently, in 1967 a Californian called Hoyle Schwritzer fixed a sail on his surfboard so he could keep moving when there weren't any waves. Today, there are national and international championships, including several regularly held in Tarifa in Cádiz province like the Ballantine's Championship and the Toro Andaluz race which takes place during Semana Santa (Easter Week), which is when the windsurfing season really takes off.
Waterskiing is a water-sport that suits all ages. Some other sports, such as wakeboarding and surfing, can sometimes seem a little intimidating to the uninitiated, whereas waterskiing has many facets and can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Wakeboarding is said to be the fastest growing water sport in the world. Practiced on lakes or the sea, it's like a combination of snowboarding, waterskiing and skateboarding or a cross between mono skiing and surfing. Although it may contain an essence of all these activities, wakeboarding is most definitely a water sport in its own right.
Although windsurfing tends to be better known on the Costa coastline – most famously in Tarifa - surfboarding is also enjoyed by many, particularly in the Autumn and Spring. On the Costa del Sol, the beaches around Estepona are particularly popular. However, it is the Costa de la Luz, between Tarifa and Cádiz, which has the best and most consistent good waves for surfing.
Snorkelling is something that pretty well anyone who can swim can do, with the minimum of equipment - basically, it's a snorkel, facemask and flippers and away you go. The relatively calm seas and gentle tides provide a perfect environment for face-down fun.
Kitesurfing is an extreme sport which involves racing over water on a surfboard pulled by a kite. Experts can achieve speeds of 80km per hour and leap into the air to perform somersaults and manoeuvres up to 40m above the water's surface.
There are more gyms and fitness centres in Andalucía than ever before. Whereas in the early 1980s you’d have been pushed to find the odd male-dominated weights room, there are now many centres.
There are only a few quality lawn bowling clubs in Andalucia. Lawn bowling is a popular sport amongst the international community on the Costa del Sol where most of the clubs are situated.
By its very nature, rowing is an inland waterway sport and is immensely popular along the River Guadalquivir, especially in Córdoba and Sevilla, where major international competitions and training camps are often held. It is mainly practised on straight, wide, flat (calm, smooth) stretches of water, hence the popularity of the Guadalquivir.
For a country whose border is largely shored up by water, Spain is a relative latecomer to the sport of boating. Particularly in Andalucía, the sea was, to a great extent, the province of working fishermen. The feudal economy which marks Spain's largest autonomous region has a history of land-locked pursuits, such as hunting and horse riding.
There can be few better ways to appreciate the sheer beauty of the Andalusian countryside than from a hot air balloon. Combine this bird's eye view with the tranquility and peace derived from being high above humanity - with just the clouds for company - and it is not difficult to see the appeal of the sport.
One of the latest trends in adventure sports, or more daring or unusual outdoor activities, is wild swimming (bañarse/nadar en plena naturaleza in Spanish). This means swimming in any water, though more usually freshwater rather than saltwater.
Mountain biking and cycling are viewed as both serious sports and a relaxing pastime in Andalucia. It is not unusual to be overtaken by a group of lycra-clad cyclists tackling the steep mountain roads, particularly at weekends.
The international circuit at Jerez has on ocasions held the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix, at other times is used for testing and practice by the F1 teams. It holds the Spanish Motorbike Grand Prix each May.
If you ever use the main N340 Mediterranean highway on Sundays, you may have noticed the large groups of motorbikers powering past. Andalucia's year-round fine weather makes motorbiking popular at weekends.
