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.
Andalucia with summer sunshine and mild winters is one of the best destinations in the world for sports and outdoor activities.
Whether you want high-adrenalin extreme sports adventure tour - on snow, ground or water; wind or gas-fuel-driven; to get about on two wheels or two legs; taking to the air; or calmer, but no less adventurous wild swimming, Andalucia has all the facilities and natural elements for you to indulge in your favourite activities.
Bullfighting as we know it today, started in the village squares, and became formalised, with the building of the bullring in Ronda in the late 18th century. From that time, it began to follow a particular sequence of events: the entrance of the bull, the picador, the banderilleros, and finally the matador (bullfighter). Many of the picadors' horses were injured in the early days, so these heavy horses now wear protection.
Ecotourism is an important movement in Andalucia with both companies and non-governmental organisations working to promote the concept both within this region and abroad. ANDECO, the International Network Organisation for Ecotourism Promoters in Andalucia, has been in operation since 1999.
The Telecabina takes you on an amazing 15-minute journey in a four-person cable car right up to the highest point on the Málaga coast at an altitude of almost 800m above sea level. From this superb vantage point, you not only have the most magnificent views of the Costa del Sol, but also the awesome panoramic vistas of the Sierra Nevada mountains (white with snow in the winter months), the Guadalhorce Valley and on a clear day you can see Gibraltar and the coast of Africa.
Selwo Marina offers a new concept in family entertainment, bringing together sea life and the Amazon in an unusual but happy combination. The Marina is a complement to Selwo Adventure wildlife park in Estepona.
Benalmádena's Sea Life Centre is a walk-through underwater park in Benalmadena on the Costa del Sol, which takes you on an stroll along the seabed in a glass tunnel. You pass aquatic species from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans and the Red Sea. It is an interesting and entertaining voyage of discovery for the whole family.
Selwo is a fascinating adventure in contact with nature. The park covers 100 hectares and is home to more than 2,000 animals from the five continents. The animals live in liberty, recreating their natural habitat - you can see lions, rhinos and giraffes; gnus, cheetahs, red pandas, meekats, and the endangered Iberian lynx; also birds such as hornbill, ibis, stork and crane. Visitors are taken on a four-hour tour, on foot and in four-wheel drive trucks.
In this fabulous zoological garden overlooking the Mediterranean at 250m above sea level, you can see the majestic raptors spread their wings in flight under the supervision of multi-lingual expert handlers. There are displays throughout the day, giving each of the 160+ birds a turn.
The park counts over 300 crocs among its inhabitants, including the massive Gran Paco (known as Big Daddy in English), the biggest crocodile in Europe, measuring five metres and weighing over 600kg.
Tivoli World was the largest family entertainment theme park on the Costa del Sol. It is currenly closed. It is located in the heart of Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmadena.
Puerto Banús marina is without doubt the main sight of this town. With space for over 900 boats, this is where the rich and famous, including the King of Saudi Arabia, moor their impressive yachts. Many of these boats don't leave the marina and are simply used as 'holiday homes'. Along the marina you will also see plenty of luxury sports cars being driven, or simply paraded, by their owners alongside the numerous designer boutiques.
Ideal for families with young children who want a gentler up-close-with-nature experience, the Butterfly Park has over 1500 of the colourful little winged insects. The park is inside a Thai temple-style building; the blue tiles were actually made in Thailand.
Naturist hotels or resorts are establishments which allow guests to practice naturism, meaning clothing is optional and guests are free to move around the hotel and its facilities nude.
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.
Located in Calle Luis de Armiñan, the building stands on the site of a small ermita (Hermitage) called Vera Cruz. In 1700 Bartolome del Rio asked Don Juan Carlos Alonso Perez de Guzman el Bueno, 11th Duke of Medina Sidonia, for authorization to build a Carmelitas Descalzados convent. It was inaugurated on 15 August 1704.
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.
Granada's excellent science museum is located just two kilometres (or a 15-minute walk) south of the centre of the city on Avenida del Mediterráneo, opposite the Convention Centre. Probably the most stimulating museum for children in Andalucia, although be warned that large, noisy school groups come in term-time, from Tuesday to Friday.
