Not the most beautiful of Andalucia’s provincial capitals, having lost many of its historic buildings in the devastating Lisbon earthquake of 1755, Huelva nevertheless has its own charm. Since Phoenician times it has been an important port, serving akey role for exporting minerals from the Rio Tinto mines.
This massive statue, located at Punta Sebo where the rivers Odiel and Tinto meet, is often mistaken for the figure of Columbus. The statue actually represents a Franciscan friar of Monasterio La Rábida, who took Christopher Columbus in while he was planning his first voyage and waiting for confirmation of funding from the Spanish monarchs.
Like many large cities, Málaga has absorbed what once were nearby villages. Therefore, some of Málaga’s seaside neighbourhoods continue to carry on the customs handed down to them by the fishermen and their families who established them.
There is no better way to see Málaga than from the Gibralfaro Castle Parador. Built on a hilltop, next to the Alcazaba fortress and overlooking the city, the port and especially the bullring.
The Parador in Cadiz, known as the Hotel Atlantico, is probably Cadiz's slickest hotel, and also the most vanguard of the state-owned Parador chain. A recently-opened fabulous contemporary building with one entire wall of glass, it makes the most of the breathtaking location and sea views across the bay to Rota.
Malaga has moved on from being the jumping-off point for holidays in the Costa del Sol. The city’s remarkable renaissance over the past decade has seen its status upped to Andalucia’s cultural capital, with an astonishing range of museums, as well as excellent tapas bars, cool roof terraces, and street-wise art in the form of graffiti, while shoppers will love the seafront Muelle Uno.
Cadiz is one of Andalucia’s most vibrant yet underrated cities. With a rich history going back millennia, and a charming almost-island old centre, originally fortified, the city is much less touristy than other regional capitals, with wonderful beaches and seafood.
For many visitors to Seville, flamenco is one of its greatest treasures. People flock to the many tablaos (flamenco bars) and flamenco shows to see a little of this Andalucían culture while visiting the city. Without a doubt, flamenco is one of the wonders of Southern Spain and after you have been to one of the many flamenco shows that are on offer in the city, you may just want to further your education on the subject.
The Jerez Horse Fair, known as the Feria del Caballo, is traditionally held during the first or second week in May. It is an exciting and lively event that brings the entire city to the González Hontoria fairground, which covers an area of 52,000 square meters, giving ample space for the finest horses of Jerez, as synonymous with the city as sherry and flamenco, to show off to the crowds.
The Parque Nacional de Doñana is one of Europe's most important wetland reserves and a major site for migrating birds. It is an immense area; the parque itself and surrounding parque natural or Entorno de Doñana (a protected buffer zone) amount to over 1,300 sq km in the provinces of Huelva, Sevilla and Cádiz.
Everyone loves a day on the beach with the kids, but if you fancy a change of scene there's a surprising variety of activities available in Andalucia, from swimming with sea lions to visiting a Wild West town, or riding a 100-year-old train.
Together these three buildings form a remarkable monumental complex in the heart of Seville. The cathedral and the Alcázar - dating from the Reconquest of 1248 to the 16th century and imbued with Moorish influences - are an exceptional testimony to the civilization of the Almohads as well as that of Christian Andalusia.
Playa La Caleta is a small beach at the far end of the Cádiz peninsula, near the Viña area and is located between two old castles: Castillo de Santa Catalina and Castillo de San Sebastián. It is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in Cádiz City and one of the most photographed.
Andalucia is world-famous - and justifiably so - for its 800km of coastline: countless spectacular beaches with white sands and crystalline turquoise waters. Whether you want a nudist hangout, a family-friendly bucket-and-spade affair, high-adrenalin watersports, or a chiringuito with top-class fresh seafood, you have hundreds to choose from.
Huelva's capital city is home to just one beach, El Espigon. It is a relatively young beach, in that it was 'born' after works on the Juan Carlos I dock in the seventies. The 3 kilometre beach is located on a sand spit that can be accessed only by driving across las Marismas del Odiel wetland area.
The Cadiz province section of the Coasta del la Luz stretches from the mouth of the Guadalquivir River to historic Tarifa, the southernmost point in Europe where kite-surfers congregate from all over the world.
With modern shops, restaurants and bars bordering one side of the central orange tree-lined promenade and exclusive yachts flanking the other, Muelle Uno is not your average shopping complex. The waterfront open-air mall offers a contemporary shopping and dining experience by the sea, with stunning views of La Alcazaba to remind you of the city's Moorish past.
Many of the city's most reasonably priced, traditional restaurants are located in and around the Plaza Juan de Dios, just in from the port and where there is a tight mass of alleyways crammed with bars and restaurants. Many restaurants here offer spectacular seafood dishes, given the abundance of fresh fish that is available in the city.
Our mission here at Andalucia.com is to bring you the finest of everything the region has to offer, so you can have a truly memorable experience. This series of "Top 10" lists, compiled using the insider knowledge enjoyed only by those who live here and have a in-depth knowledge of its prettiest towns, most buzzing cities and unspoiled countryside, will ensure you get the best out of your holiday in southern Spain.
Andalucia has a rich history - the Moors played a huge part, leaving their mark in extraordinary buildings around the region. Columbus sailed from here, and the natural wonders of Andalucia are boundless, from rare birds to wonderful foods. Here are our Top 10 attractions – of a very, very long list.
