There is so much to see and do in Andalucia |
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Attractions | Activities | Curiosities | Sport | Festivities | Beauty
Andalucia, Things To See and Do
Some visitors to Andalucia want to do nothing but kick back, soak up the sun and forget the pressures of everyday life. And who can blame them? But if you're after nature adventures, high-octane sporting experiences, or some fascinating history and culture, you've come to the right place.
Online Tickets
Whatever you do to have fun, Andalucía has an abundance of things to see and do just for you. Here we offer a variety of options for activities with tickets available to buy online, so you can arrive ready to enjoy your day.
Attractions
The name Alhambra comes from an Arabic root which means "red or crimson castle", perhaps due to the hue of the towers and walls that surround the entire hill of La Sabica which by starlight is… More →
Nearly a fifth of Andalucia is protected, the largest proportion of an autonomous region in Spain, reflecting the unspoilt nature of its countryside and the high ecological importance of its… More →
The Mediterranean garden is a subject of great interest to more and more people - not only avid gardeners looking for ideas for their own gardens but also tourists who find being surrounded by the… More →
In Andalucia many monuments are important historical, architectural and cultural landmarks. Here is our list of Andalucia top 40 attractions, how many have you visited?
The area of wine production known as the Serrania de Ronda forms part of the DO Sierras of Malaga, producing what are popularly known as 'the Ronda Wines'. Here modern bodegas at over 750m… More →
From the outside of the Orquidario, the state of the art building complete with three glass domes is eye catching, and from the inside it is pretty impressive too. There is much to catch your eye… More →
Just outside Antequera you can visit three 5,000-year-old dolmens: Menga Dolmen (the largest in Europe) and Viera Dolmen, which are both located just outside the town, while El Romeral Dolmen is a… More →
Just outside Malaga, "La Concepción Jardín Botánico-Historico de Málaga." is a magnificent botanical garden. There are regular guided tours of the gardens which pass through exotic trees and… More →
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… More →
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… More →
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… More →
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… More →
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… More →
El Teatro Romano is the oldest monument in Málaga City; it is situated in the cultural heart of Málaga city, at the foot of the famous Alcazaba fortress.
La Alcazaba is Malaga's most important landmark, and overlooks the city from a hilltop inland. It is one of two Moorish fortresses in the city, the other being the Castillo de Gibralfaro, situated… More →
Whether you like wine, archaeology or cars; you’re interested in glass, contemporary art or 19th century painting, you’re sure to find at least one museum which will interest you in the city. Most… More →
El Torcal park and the protected EL Torcal Natural Area is known for it's unusual limestone rock formations. Located about 30 km north of Málaga city in the direction of Antequera near the village… More →
Las Cuevas de Nerja (the Caves of Nerja) are a series of naturally formed caves and caverns in the hills of Maro, 4km North-East of Nerja, some of which have taken up to two million years to form… More →
Zoos aren't what they used to be, fortunately. You won't find miserable animals pacing up and down shoebox cages, clinging to solitary branches or paddling around in sad puddles at Bioparc… More →
Andalucia, with its rich history and cultural heritage, is a treasure trove for art and history enthusiasts. The region's cities, each with its unique character, boast a wide array of… More →
Baelo Claudia, near Tarifa, is one of Andalucia´s most significant and well-preserved Roman archeological sites. The extensive ruins are situated on the Costa de la Luz, some 15km north of Tarifa… More →
Activities
A wonderful opportunity to get close to whales, dolphins and other sea mammals, in their natural habitat in the Straits of Gibraltar. This is the area of sea where where the Atlantic Ocean and… More →
The waters off the coast of Andalucia are home to a large population of whales and dolphins. They are known formally as cetaceans and can be divided into two main orders: mysticeti and odontoceti… More →
Andalucía is a birdwatcher's paradise and attracts ornithologists throughout the year. The best time of the year, however, is during the spring, as this is when you can see many wintering species… More →
See a selection of excellent excursions from Malaga city, perfect opportunities to see the biggest and best attractions in Andalucia without the hassle of having to organise it yourself.
Looking for adventure? Make a bee line for the Zip lines in Andalucia. They can be found at Alhaurin el Grande, Sanlúcar de Guadiana, Castillo de las Guardas, Comares, Elviria, Marbella and… More →
Andalucia is the perfect destination for many types of marine activities, with its long coastline and endless hours of sunshine promising warm weather and perfect sea conditions. The Costa de Sol… More →
Tarifa is a great place for birdwatching, being situated on the edge of Los Alcornocales National Park, and also on the migration route for more than 400 species of birds which fly in flocks… More →
Thanks to its ideal situation on the Strait of Gibraltar opposite Africa, where the Atlantic and Mediterranean meet, with constant winds, Tarifa is already known as the European capital of… More →
There are many karting circuits in Andalucia where you can have fun. They can be found at Campillos, La Puebla de Cazalla, Cartaya, Torre del Mar.
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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… More →
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… More →
Andalucía is a region with a surprising number and variety of natural caves. Some of these are well-known and open to the public, such as those situated in Nerja, La Pileta and Ardales, but there… More →
Shopping in Andalucia is a mixture of small, often family-run, independent shops in the narrow charming streets of small towns, resorts and cities. In addition to this there are hyper-markets… More →
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… More →
Some companies offer luxury yacht and boat hire, a luxury sailing concierge, who can arrange almost everything from sunset cruises with fine dining to trips to Morocco and Portugal. All in all it'… More →
In Andalucia we can find many different wildlife Parks. Most of them are Zoos such as Zoo Castellar NaturaParc, Fuengirola BioParc or Selwo Adventure Park, where you can enjoy a nice day and view… More →
The parks have a variety of zones: high-adrenalin water slides including Kamikaze (very steep, almost vertical) and Black Hole (covered tube); multi-lane slides where you can race against your… More →
Whether you´re visiting Andalucia on holiday are looking for a change of scene from the beach for a day, or you live here and you want to take your child somewhere where they can learn about the… More →
Guided tours are an excellent way to see Andalucia. Depending on which tour you choose you can learn more about specific aspects of the flora, fauna, gastronomy, culture, etc... Here we have… More →
If you’re looking for activities to do with your children in Andalucia this summer, and you want a break from the beach, or you’re staying inland and you’re looking for some more ideas for outings… More →
In the up-market areas of Andalucia, a growing trend has evolved for a beach life quite different from the simple pleasures of buckets and spades, cool boxes and fold-away deck chairs. Many simple… More →
Curiosities
The cave complex situated in the extreme west of the Serrezuela, at about 600 metres altitude above sea level and has a geological age of around 2.5 million years. It has been un-changed for the… More →
The La Almoraima estate in Castellar de la Frontera occupies 14.000 hectares and is one of the largest estates in Spain. Agriculture, forestry, cork, hunting and tourism are main industries on… More →
Inside five small dolmens (standing stones) can be viewed. They are original and date from about 3,000 BC. Also on display are a number of pottery vessels, stone tools, arrowheads, axes, personal… More →
One of the most famous and influential flamenco guitarists ever, if not the most famous, was Paco de Lucia, who hailed from Algeciras. You can follow a route of places around Algeciras which were… More →
Castillo del Aguila (Eagle's Castle) in the Moorish hilltown of Gaucin, consists of a series of fortifications built across a rocky ridge above the village. The castle, which is of Roman origin,… More →
Fuenfria is a quiet secluded spot ideal for a picnic, next to a natural spring and set in a clearing surrounded by forest. The spring has been capped and the water is collected and pumped to the… More →
The entrance of this cave can be seen from the railway as it heads north from Benaoján station two kilometres away. It's called the cat cave as its entrance is said to look like a cat's head.
The ruins of this 32 hectare city are located at 1.000m above sea level. This is an urban are that thrived in the first century AD when it had a population of 5.000. It was mentioned in Plini and… More →
The Málaga Airport Museum is worth a visit whether you love airplanes, airports, local history or simply getting a glimpse inside a project 100% made-in-Málaga by a group of passionate, "Friends… More →
The Benalmádena stupa was designed to be the largest Buddhist stupa in the western world. The story behind the stupa goes back to 1990 when a Buddhist master came to Spain to give talks to the… More →
Sulphur is the ninth most abundant element of the universe and is one of nature´s great jokes on the human race. Known to the ancients as "Brimstone" it is one of the elements essential to life as… More →
Sport
An Andalusian man without his horse is like a matador without a cape. He feels stripped of an essential part of his identity that has been formed over the centuries. It is part of his life, his… More →
Subida al pico Veleta or the Climb to Pico Veleta is a 50km endurance race in the Sierra Nevada mountain range including a cumulative altitude gain of 2,705m to the top of the fourth highest peak… More →
Ultra Sierra Nevada is an ultra marathon of 100 kilometres in distance, involving a continuous ascent along paths and tracks from the city of Granada up to the summit of Pico Veleta, followed by a… More →
Seville Marathon, the third largest in Spain, with 14,000 runners taking part. It is traditionally held on the third Sunday in February. The Seville Marathon is usually very fast due to the flat… More →
The mild climate also attracts major international competitions to the area, both on the Costa del Sol and in major inland cities. In 2023 and 2024, the two top global team events in the tennis… More →
Costa del Sol has the ideal combination of climate for outdoor sports. Tennis remains consistently popular and attracts players of all ages. There are numerous tennis clubs on the Costa del Sol.… More →
It was first observed in the Pacific by Captain Cook in the Sandwich Islands in 1778. Thomas Edward Blake is credited as the pioneer in paddleboard construction in the early 1930s. The sport also… More →
Canyoning is an increasingly popular outdoor activity, or extreme sport, which involves descending gorges using a combination of walking, climbing, jumping, sliding, abseiling (rappelling), and… More →
Polo originates from ancient Persia from the sixth century BC to the first century AD. During the fifteenth and sixteenth century, the game was eventually passed from Persia to other parts of Asia… More →
This page contains information on the main endurance running and cycling events held each year in Andalucia, including the Malaga and Seville Marathons, important triathlons, Iron Man challenges… More →
The Atlantic and Mediterranean shorelines are ideal for fishing and many of the local marinas provide everything required for a day of open sea fishing. A maritime recreational fishing licence (… More →
Andalucia is one of Europe’s foremost golfing destinations, with over 100 courses. The climate, with warm temperatures all year round, and endless hours of sunshine, coupled with spectacularly… More →
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… More →
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… More →
A guide to the Sierra Nevada, the only ski resort in Andalucia, is located at Pradollano in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, about 30 km south east of Granada city.
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,… More →
La Liga Football is a favourite spectator sport in Andalucia amongst a huge number of British and Spanish like. The foreign influence has increased the popularity of football over the years and… More →
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… More →
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… More →
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… More →
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… More →
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,… More →
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… More →
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… More →
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… More →
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… More →
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… More →
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,… More →
Those who find hiking not quite exciting enough, may like to try mountaineering, rock climbing or caving, all of which are popular in this part of Spain with a wealth of challenges and some of the… More →
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… More →
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… More →
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… More →
Indeed, with its excellent all-year-round climate and stunning scenery, it is surely one of the best places to go "microlighting". You can now you take to the skies the whole year round along the… More →
Andalucía is a region with a surprising number and variety of natural caves. Some of these are well-known and open to the public, such as those situated in Nerja, La Pileta and Ardales, but there… More →
The three main professional cycle races in the Andalucia cycling calendar are the Tour of Spain, known as La Vuelta; the Tour of Andalucia, also known as the Vuelta a Andalucia or Ruta Ciclista… More →
Festivities
There are hundreds of local music and dance festivals held in Andalucía each year, especially in the summer. We track fifty established ones. 2025 is set to be another big year, with organisers… More →
In Andalucia, there's a party every day - whether it's to celebrate a harvest (mostly in the autumn - grapes, olives, chestnuts, mushrooms) - a saint's day, or the town's own annual feria, when… More →
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… More →
A guide to Whats on in Andalucia. Actually there is no fully comprehensive guide to every event, concert, exhibition held in Andalucia. There are so many events it is not posible to keep it up to… More →
Beauty and Self-care
One of the most relaxing traditions of Arab Spain are the baths, or “hammam” as they are called in Arabic. With so many years of moorish rule and culture, the city of Granada was a natural… More →
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.… More →
Today many four and five-star hotels in Andalucia, especially on the coast, have spas for guests to use, offering hydrotherapy circuit and beauty treatments and therapies for ultimate pampering… More →
Traditional medicinal spas operate across the region, and are generally visited for healing. If you're in good health they can be visited, for rest, relaxation and curiosity but the discerning… More →
Festivals
Andalucia has festivals throughout the year, in its myriad towns and villages, from the smallest-scale pilgrimage, to the massive city fairs. The two most important are Semana Santa (Holy Week) and the Ferias - most notably Seville, Cordoba, Jerez, Granada and Malaga. See Andalucia at its most colourful and joyous.
Flamenco
This mesmerising art form, which encompasses both music and dance, is full of the heat and passion of Andalucia. You can get a taste of the swirling dance and emotion-filled music in most towns and all cities, with venues offering several shows every day - although the spontaneous variety, late at night in a crowded bar, can feel more authentic.
Restaurants
With all the fabulous freshly-caught fish, locally-grown fruit and vegetables and extra virgin olive oil, how could Andalucia's restaurants not be top-league? Tapas bars galore, Michelin-starred restaurants, and countless palate-pleasing experiences await you.
Events
There are hundreds of music and dance events taking place in Andalucia every year, especially in the summer. There are thousands of sporting events at all levels.
Nightlife
Most Andalucians don't even have dinner before 10pm, so after eating it's straight onto copas - spirits with a mixer. In summer, everything moves outside, and often upwards - to roof terrace bars, or beach bars if you're near the sea. Nightclubs offer the latest tunes for those who want to shake their thing.
Entertainment
You will never be short of things to do and see in Andalucia - from high-velocity slides in water parks, to whale-watching, wildlife parks and aquariums, or a dose of culture in one of the hundreds of museums or historic castles around the region. Whatever your tastes for holiday entertainment, family or grown-up, you will find something to suit.
Beauty and self-care
Spanish women look after themselves, with regular trips to the hair and beauty salon, but mental wellbeing is also big. From sports massage to hot stone, and pregnancy yoga to mindfulness meditation, you will find therapists and centres in tiny mountain villages and big cities alike.
