Estepona is a rare coastal destination - one of the few towns on the Costa del Sol to have retained its character and traditional feel, despite the influx of tourism in this part of Andalucia. The casco antiguo (old town) is what you'd expect from a picturesque Andalucian town - narrow, cobbled streets lined with beautiful stone houses and plazas, and walls ablaze with vibrant colour from the large variety of flora.
Motril's coastal strip has several beaches, the two closest to the town itself being Playa Granada and Playa Poniente. The latter is better developed, but the area is not aesthetic enough for discerning international tourists. The Gran Hotel (****) is the best on the coast, very comfortable and reasonably priced but its location lacks inspiration. Ideal for a night halt or a business meeting.
In addition to the abundance of hotels, high-rise apartment blocks, hostels and guest houses dotted around Torremolinos, there is also the possibility of camping. Camping Torremolinos consists of a mixture of bungalows and mobile homes built to accommodate lone travellers, couples and families alike.
Nerja is one of the last destinations on the Costa del Sol before the Costa Tropical and is situated east of Malaga City. It is one of the few destinations that has not experienced a large influx of high rise accommodation blocks, like other tourist destinations, but instead has retained a tradition Andalucian feel.
We've put together a top ten list - if you're short of time in Granada and you can't decide where to go and what to see in this historic city, just follow our tips. Explore the city's rich cultural, religious and architectural past and enjoy some extra musical, literary and scientific delights.
Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlucar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María form a triangle of generous land where the vine has reigned from time immemorial. Some of the earth's most singular wines are produced here.
The story has it that when Julius Caesar visited the area surrounding this small town, he ordered the construction of the village due to the curative properties of the sulphurous and alkaline waters on a skin infection which had plagued him since childhood.
The Costa Tropical boasts some magnificent beaches and the town of Almuñécar is no exception, here is the list going from west to east. Playa del Cotobro, a lovely beach to the west of Almuñécar town with dark sand and pebbles. The beach is backed by a palm tree-lined paseo maritimo with plenty of shops and cafes and a large hotel with stunning sea views.
Inspired by writing a magazine article Chris Chaplow founder of Andalucia.com has created the Andalucia.com Kiva team and donated €5000 of advertising to KIVA and have created an Andalucia Kiva Team so that friends of Andalucia.com can join the Kiva project.
There are a large number of private health clinics in Andalucia. Most towns will have a number of specialist doctors practices or health clinics. The equivalent in the state system is called 'Ambulatorio' or 'Consultorio' even the smallest village will have a consultorio. Hospitals that patients can stay overnight are found in the larger town and provincial capital cities.
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.
Carnival is the biggest event in Cadiz's calendar, and the most important of its type on mainland Spain, just as the Feria is for Seville. People flood in from all over Spain, and beyond, to enjoy the noisy, colourful, festive atmosphere, singing competitions, concerts (rock, flamenco, samba), comedy, children's shows, parades, firework displays and street parties. Carnaval is also celebrated in towns and cities around Andalucia.
The singing competition (COAC, Concurso Official de Agrupaciones Carnavalescas) is the central event of the pre-Carnaval, with four types of groups taking part - chirigotas, choros, cuartetos and comparsas. About 300 groups in total enter the contest.
There are several types of singing groups and songs at the Carnaval. They perform both at the theatre in the official competition, and also on the street. All wear fancy dress.
Are you planning your trip to the Carnival but feel nervous about actually speaking Spanish? We've created a special collection of carnival words, to add to the fun!
Obviously, the programme varies from year to year, but you can take this as a rough guide to what happens on which day of the Carnaval. Check local press and websites for up-to-date information.
Fuengirola has some particularly interesting festivals: April: The International Fair : “La Feria de los Pueblos”. This is a wonderful fair, which is held in the main fairground of Fuengirola (between train stations of Fuengirola and Los Boliches) and lasts for a week. In just one day, you can visit up to 50 countries.
Andalucia is filled with fascinating cultural events throughout the year. Whilst many of these festivals take place on the date indicated each year, others move slightly in relation to the day of the week or the religious calendar or occasionally weather.
The 58ha Marismas del Río Palmones Natural Area is one of the last remaining patches of what used to be extensive marshlands (marismas) in the Bahía de Algerciras, the bay between Algeciras and Gibraltar. From the early 1970s onwards, increasing industrial and housing development encroached upon the marismas of the Palmones and Guadarranque rivers.
In November the Andres Segovia International Classical Guitar Competition takes place in La Heredura's beautiful San José Church. This annual event attracts leading classical guitarists under 35 years of age from around the world and its objective is to promote the diffusion and study of the guitar.
