Andalucia Travelers Recommend

History is alive in Granada's narrow streets, riotous gardens and spectacular monuments, reverberating with echoes of the city's grand Islamic past and its medieval Renaissance. With the majestic Sierra Nevada as its backdrop and the mighty Alhambra and Generalife as its principal calling cards, this Andalucían beauty has captured the heart of many a traveler. Nothing quite prepares you for the magnificence of Granada's Moorish heritage. The beauty and craftsmanship of the Alhambra…the Generalife’s hilltop tranquility…the winding alleys of Albayzín…But don’t stop there! Delve a bit deeper, and you’ll discover Granada is a city of many charms. Set aside a day (and book your ticket well in advance!) to explore this astonishing UNESCO World Heritage site, one of Spain's most visited monuments. Built by Moorish kings in the 13th century to reflect their concept of paradise on earth, the Alhambra combines lovely pools and gardens, architectural ingenuity.

Malaga is located in Southern Spain, within a region known as the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun). So as you might imagine, the area plays host to beautiful Mediterranean weather year-round. In order to best appreciate this, consider striking out on foot to get your bearings. A good hop-on hop-off tour can help get you oriented without breaking the bank (or killing your feet), but bike taxis are definitely high culture right now. There’s nothing like riding in a 21st Century bike-cum-taxicab while stealing down the cobbled alleyways of old-town and having the popular sites pointed out to you by a knowledgeable local guide. With a city as old as Malaga, it’s easy to experience the history of a place in a unique way. Consider starting your day with the Museo del Vidrio y Cristal de Malaga (Museum of Glass and Crystal), where you’ll learn the grand history of Malaga through the art its produced.

Essential to any Malaga trip is a visit to Granada and especially its Alhambra Palace, as few places in the world can compare to the paradise found within its fortified walls. The 9th-century Moorish wonderland is home to the Nasrid Palace with its tranquil ponds, and walls of intricately carved Arabic characters; the 16th-century residence of Roman Emperor Charles V; and the smell of fresh flowers mingled with the sounds of flowing fountains in the Generalife Gardens. Discover this little slice of heaven and history, and the old-world streets of Granada that surround it, on one of these day trips from Malaga. Situated just an hour and a half away from the coastal Spanish city of Malaga, Granada makes for a perfect and very attainable day trip. Start out your adventure in an air-conditioned coach, which will pick you up at your hotel and whisk you off to Spain’s interior.

Begin your trip with a morning stroll along the Guadalquiver River, where you can relish in views seen by centuries of Cordoban citizens, starting with the Romans. As founders of the city, they built the Puente Romano, or Roman Bridge -- constructed in the 1st century BC -- which crosses the river just south of the Mezquita. Spend the rest of your morning at the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, where you can meander through the palace grounds -- once home to the Muslim Caliphates, then to the Catholic royals -- and its gardens, interiors, and even tower-topped walls. Start your day early by heading to the north side of the historic quarter to the Viana Palace, which opens at 9am. Your early arrival will be rewarded with minimal crowds as you wander its 12 patios and treasure-filled interior. While in the area, zigzag your way toward City Hall to see the neighboring Roman Temple.

Sizzling, stylish and spirited – that’s Seville. Standing proudly on the banks of the Río Guadalquivir, Andalucía’s capital dances to its own exhilarating beat. Whether you’re getting lost in its narrow streets and hidden squares, marveling at Moorish masterpieces, or partying with the Sevillanos at one of their famous fiestas, you’ll be spellbound by this vibrant city. Pack your camera, and hit the streets to discover Seville’s lesser known gems. La Macarena’s ancient Roman sites, baroque and gothic churches, Renaissance palaces and monasteries will delight you – as will its authentic, old-style tapas bars. Back in the heart of things, El Arenal is a must-see for its legendary bullring and idyllic tree-lined promenade, Paseo de Cristóbal Colón. Linger a few hours in Santa Cruz’s gorgeous white-washed laneways and flower-filled patios, before getting your obligatory flamenco fix in the evening.

Singing, guitar playing, hand clapping and of course dance: this is what makes up the soulful art form of flamenco. Believed to have originated in the south of Spain, Córdoba can be the perfect place to immerse yourself in one of the country's proudest and most evocative traditions. Some of the best and most authentic flamenco in town can be viewed at Tablao Cardenal, where you can watch shows in the their quintessentially Cordoban patio during summer and spring, and in an interior auditorium during winter. Other venues like La Buleria offer smaller-scale, tavern-style performances, or Arte y Sabores de Córdoba, with shows that take place in what was once the site of Arab baths. If you happen to be in Córdoba in June, be sure to catch La Noche Blanca del Flamenco, or the White Night of Flamenco. During one full night in June, soulful flamenco music and dance take over the city, in venues like the gardens of the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos.