The Best Sights of Andalusia

Andalusia is a large and beautiful region of southern Spain with many worthwhile places to visit and it takes years to see all of them. Andalusia has inherited a large amount of culture from the Roman and Moorish civilizations and where the Baroque Age came into full flower in Spain. This is a subjective list that I have made, observations from my travels around Andalusia.

A. Malaga Province

1. Malaga Cathedral - One of the most beautiful churches in Spain.

2. Malaga Alcazaba - The best conserved Moorish fort in Spain.

3. Picasso Museum - Malaga was the birthplace of Picasso and this reconverted Buenavista palace shows donations of his daughter in law and grandson.

4. Malaga Park - This park is almost 1 km long and has many tropical trees and plants.

5. Calle Larios - The main shopping street of Malaga has sidewalks done in marble.

6. Malaga Palacio Episcopal - This has an impressive Baroque facade and a private patio with beautiful azulejo tiles. Many art shows are held here.

7. Santa Maria de la Victoria Church - One of the best examples of Baroque architecture in Andalusia, with the Pantheon of the Counts of Buenavista and an impressive camarin.

8. Gibralfaro Parador - From the Parador on top of the Gibralfaro mountain, the views of Malaga below are unforgettable, especially on summer nights.

9. The Gardens of La Concepcion - These are the largest tropical gardens in Europe.

10. Torre del Mar Paseo Maritimo - This very long walkway by the beach and sea is beautiful.

11. Balcon de Europa in Nerja - The balcony has one of the most beautiful views of the beaches, sea, and mountains.

12. Parador of Nerja - This hotel has beautiful gardens with magnificent views.

13. Frigiliana - This white town is one of the most beautiful towns in Spain and is relatively unspoiled by mass tourism.

14. Velez-Malaga Ermita Church - This chapel has the beautiful naive and neo-primitivism frescoes of native artist Evaristo Guerra and is the Sistine Chapel of the Axarquia.

15. Carratraca Hotel and Spa - A beautiful redesign in this very historic thermal spa.

16. Mijas - This town is one of the most charming white towns, with burro taxis. While being a big tourist center, it has kept much of its charm.

17. Buddhist Temple of Benalmadena - The biggest Buddhist temple in Spain, with a golden dome.

18. Benalmadena Pueblo - A tranquil white town with a wonderful Pre Columbian museum.

19. Benalmadena Puerto Marina - Imaginative architecture in the marina and a center for nightlife.

20. Fuengirola Zoo - This small zoo is a masterpiece of design and has won many awards.

21. Marbella Casco Antiguo - The old town is a very clean white town in the middle of Marbella, with beautiful stores.

22. Marbella Paseo Maritimo - This beautifully landscaped walkway is beside the beach and is filled with many good restaurants.

23. Puerto Banus in Marbella - A beautiful port filled with yachts and ringed with expensive designer goods stores and restaurants. This is the nightlife center of Marbella.

24. Villa Padierna Hotel and Spa - Located in Benahavis, the hotel and gardens are beautiful and show the impressive Roman collection of the Count of Villa Padierna.

25. Benahavis - This small white town close to Marbella has about 20 good restaurants and calls itself the gourmet capital of the Costa del Sol.

26. Ronda - This is the most romantic town of Spain and is famous for its New Bridge, oldest bullring of Spain, dramatic views from on top of the gorge, museum in the Mondragon Palace, Cathedral, and Parador.

27. Palace of Najera in Antequera - The municipal museum is here and it contains the Ephebe, a bronze nude statue of a youth, and this is the best Roman bronze statue in Spain.

28. Real Colegiata de Santa Maria Church in Antequera - This is a beautiful Renaissance church on one of the highest points in the town, with great views.

B. Seville Province

1. Seville Cathedral - This Gothic church is the biggest church in Spain and contains the tomb of Christopher Columbus.

2. Giralda Tower - The huge bell tower shows the most beautiful Moorish architecture, with Spanish modifications.

3. Real Alcazar of Seville - The various palaces housed in the Alcazar match the Alhambra Palace of Granada in beauty, and its gardens are beautiful and impressive.

4. Plaza de España of Seville - A beautiful Mudejar plaza with a section for every province of Spain.

5. Maria Luisa Park - This huge park in the middle of the city has various museums and many pavilions built for the 1929 Iberoamerican Exhibition.

6. Bellas Artes Museum - This is one of Spain's top art museums and has some of the best Baroque art, represented by Velazquez and Murillo. It also has important works of El Greco and Goya.

7. Archaeological Museum - This is one of the best in Spain and has a huge Roman collection of statues and floor mosaics that were found in the whole province of Seville.

8. Casa de Pilatos - The Medinaceli Family built this huge palace, and part of it can be seen by the public. It has beautiful Mudejar architecture and many small gardens.

9. The Palace of the Countess of Lebrija - This palace downtown has some of the best Roman floor mosaics in Spain, taken from Italica.

10. The Church of El Salvador - This Baroque church was recently renovated and is one of the most beautiful Baroque churches in Spain.

11. The Hotel Alfonso XIII - This historic hotel was built in 1929 by King Alfonso XIII and is one of the most opulent Neo-Mudejar buildings in Spain.

12. Barrio of Santa Cruz - The narrow streets of this charming barrio in the center has many restaurants, tapas bars, and flamenco.

13. Tabacalera Building - This beautiful building has the fame of the opera Carmen and is now used by the university.

14. Church of La Macarena - The Virgin of La Macarena is the most revered in Sevilla, and this church houses that Virgin.

15. Popular Arts Museum - This is housed in one of the most beautiful Mudejar buildings in Seville.

16. Archivo General de Indias - A beautiful building that contains all the documents and papers of the New World empire of Spain.

17. Torre del Oro - This military watchtower comes to us from the Almohad dynasty.

18. Santiponce - This small town on the western edge of Seville contains the Roman ruins of Italica and the Monastery of San Isidoro del Campo. The Roman emperors Trajan and Hadrian came from Italica.

19. Carmona - This is a white town about 30km northwest of Seville and is almost untouched by tourism. There are beautiful churches, chapels, boutique hotels in 16th century palaces, and an impressive parador in an old fort, with a magnificent view.

C. Granada Province

1. The Alhambra and Generalife Gardens - This is the most visited monument in Spain and is unforgettable and takes your breath away.

2. Granada Cathedral - A Gothic Church which has the Capilla Real, where Queen Isabela and King Ferdinand are buried. The church has a beautiful art collection.

3. The Albaycin Quarter - The old Moorish quarter across the River Darro from the Alhambra. Very interesting to walk and holds the Archaeological Museum.

4. Hospital Real - This old hospital is now the seat of the University of Granada and is beside the Fuente del Triunfo Gardens.

5. The Alcaiceria - This is the group of stores which occupies the old Moorish silk bazaar, beside what is now the Cathedral. Inexpensive stores with many gift items.

6. Monasterio de la Cartuja de la Asuncion - The most beautiful monastery in Spain, done in white and gold, and the Christian answer to the Alhambra.

7. Monastery of San Jeronimo - A large Gothic monastery which has the remains of El Gran Capitan, one of the most famous Spanish warriors.

8. Basilica de Nuestra Señora de las Angustias - This is a beautiful example of Andalusian Baroque.

9. Church of Santa Ana - A small Renaissance church beside Plaza Nueva that has beautiful architecture.

10. San Juan de Dios Church - One of the most beautiful churches in Granada and a Baroque masterpiece.

11. Barcelo La Bobadilla Hotel - This 5 star hotel has original Neo-Mudejar architecture and is set in a simulated Andalusian village, with a beautiful chapel that can be used for weddings. Spanish high society comes to this very original and discreet hotel, that is isolated in the countryside of Loja.

D. Cadiz Province

1. The Victoria Beach in Cadiz - One of the most beautiful beaches in Spain, with white sand and with a backdrop of the Cathedral and old town. The Playa Victoria Hotel beside it has a wonderful design and beautiful views.

2. Oratory of La Santa Cueva - This is one of the most beautiful chapels in Spain, built in the late 18th century. The opulent chapel has three Goya paintings.

3. Jerez de la Frontera - This is the biggest city in Cadiz and largely undiscovered by tourists. The Cathedral, Alcazar, and the Tio Pepe Winery are must sees.

4. Arcos de la Frontera - This white town is famous for being perched on top of a hill, with beautiful views, especially from the Parador.

5. La Cartuja Monastery - Just outside Jerez is this old monastery with a very impressive facade.

E. Almeria Province

1. The Cathedral in Almeria City - This Renaissance church is heavily fortified and has a beautiful altar.

2. The Alcazaba in Almeria City - This big Moorish fort is beautiful and has wonderful gardens in it.

3. Roquetas de Mar - This is a popular beach resort about 18 km from Almeria City.

F. Cordoba Province

1. The Mezquita - The Cathedral is the old Moorish Mezquita and is famous for the sea of horseshoe arches that are on top of marble columns.

2. Roman Bridge - Close to the Cathedral is the Roman Bridge, one that is still used, although by pedestrians only.

3. Medina Azahara - The ruins of the city and palace of Medina Azahara are just a few kilometers outside Cordoba City and are worth seeing.

4. Jewish Quarter - The statue of the Moorish philosopher Maimonides is in a small square in the Jewish Quarter, an area downtown with narrow lanes and where the Patio Festival is held every May.

G. Jaen Province

1. Ubeda - This is a UNESCO World Heritage City, a gem of the Renaissance, with beautiful churches and palaces, undiscovered by tourists at this date. the Holy Chapel of El Salvador is a masterpiece.

2. Baeza - Another Renaissance gem beside Ubeda. The Cathedral is impressive and there are many beautiful palaces.

3. Cazorla - This is a big nature reserve and park in Jaen. The small town of Cazorla beside the park has some interesting churches.