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Destination Spotlight - Eastern Andalucia, Spain |
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Thousands of people fly into Malaga every year and yet, whilst the beaches of the Costa del Sol remain popular, more and more people are now hiring a car and turning inland to explore the mountainous countryside and sultry cities of Andalucia.
This is a diverse landscape comprising snow-capped mountains, deep gorges, Moorish cities, olive groves and desert-like scrubland. Granada, most famous for the Alhambra Palace, is hard to resist. But there is much in this region worth exploring. Beyond the city rise the mountains of the Sierra Nevada National Park, offering hiking and ski-ing. And on the southern slopes, straddling the provinces of Granada and Almeria lie the deep valleys and nestling Berber villages of Las Alpujarras.
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Seville |
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 Dating back over 2000 years, Seville is the capital of Andalucia with an eclectic mix of architectural styles reflecting its long and interesting past.
Visitors should head to the historic heart of the city for the most famous monuments. Here the narrow streets of the Santa Cruz neighbourhood, once the Jewish Quarter, are decorated with bright floral displays.
Close by is the magnificent Cathedral - one of the largest of its kind and home to the sepulcher of Christopher Columbus. Built on the site of an old mosque, a minaret has been famously redesigned as a bell tower (La Giralda).
Facing the cathedral and open to the public, the Alcázar is a dominating fortress, built on the site of a Moorish Palace. The formal gardens are sheltered by the castle walls and reflect a mix of styles with both Moorish and Renaissance influences
Seville is also credited with being the birthplace of “tapas” which visitors are recommended to sample in one of the many, local bars. |
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Granada |
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Many guidebooks are devoted to this spectacular city but the sites which attract most visitors are:
The Alhambra - overlooking the town with stunning views of the surrounding countryside, the Alhambra comprises the Royal Palace, the Generalife Gardens and the Alcazaba. The Royal Palace was home to Moorish rulers from the 13th century until their defeat by "Los Reyes Catolicos" Ferdinand and Isabel in 1492. They themselves lived here for a time, converting the mosque, but by the 18th century it was being used as a prison. In 1812 it was occupied and severely damaged by Napoleon’s troops, falling into disrepair. It's historic value was only recognized in 1870 when it was declared a national monument and restoration began. The work is still ongoing today but much of the Moorish splendour has now been recreated for tourists to enjoy. It is advisable to book ahead as numbers are limited and queues can be long. Tickets cost approximately 10 euros per person and can be booked online at www.alhambra-patronato.es There are two car parks at the Generalife Gardens or a shuttle bus runs regularly from the town centre (numbers 30 and 32). The walk from the town centre is picturesque but is not recommended for those with walking difficulties and is fairly steep, particularly if you take the "Cuesta del Rey Chico" route.
 The Albaicin - this is the old Moorish quarter, located on a hill facing the Alhambra with fantastic views of the palace gardens. Here you'll find the remains of the Moorish public baths and a selection of souvenir shops. The Church of San Nicolás is worth a visit since it offers one of the best views of the Alhambra and the Generalife Gardens.
The Cathedral - built on the site of the former Mosque, the cathedral is a fine example of renaissance architecture. On the same site are the Merchants' Exchange and La Capilla Real. This Royal Chapel holds the tombs of the Catholic Kings Ferdinand and Isabel who chose to be buried in Granada because they saw its conquest as the crowning achievement of their reign. |
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