At the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountain range lies the former capital of the Muslim kingdom in Spain. The former palatial residence of the monarchs of the day is now the second most visited monument in the whole country; the Alhambra, the apex of Andalusian artistry that is nestled high above the rest of the modern city. On the other side of the valley is the Mirador de San Nicolás, the lookout point in the center of the Albaicín neighborhood that has offered the finest views of the palace for centuries. After the Christian reconquest of Granada, the city became the preferred residence of the Catholic Kings even after their departure from this life; the Royal Chapel annexed onto the Cathedral of Granada is the final resting place of Ferdinand and Isabella, two’s of Spain’s most influential monarchs.
The city with the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain never fails to offer a surprise. All civilizations that chose Cordoba as their base have left their mark somehow in the city. The Moors bequeathed to us the Mezquita; a mosque-turned-cathedral that welcomes its visitors with a forest of 1,300 columns of marble, jasper and granite on which stand 365 elegant archways. Meanwhile, the Jews built their own lattice of narrow streets and alleys, known as the Judería, in the heart of which stands the 14th century Synagogue that is also the third best preserved Synagogue of medieval Spain.
The capital city of the Costa del Sol has been the choice destination for many foreigners who choose to relocate to Spain for many years. Is that thanks to its excellent location between two river valleys that join the sea? Or is it thanks to its temperate climate and temperatures that never drop below 13 degrees (55 F) even in mid-winter? Malaga’s traditional “espetos” (skewers of smoked fresh fish) are enjoyed by millions of tourists every year, as is the city’s cultural heritage led by the Picasso Musuem that is dedicated to Malaga’s (and Spain’s) most accomplished artist. Anybody interested in learning more about the origins of this city should visit the 14th century Gibralfaro Castle – considered for the majority of its existence as an impenetrable fortress.
Overlooking a deep gorge, this town defies gravity while offering impressive views of the neighboring landscape. Don’t let vertigo get the better of you as you cross the bridge and step back in time to an era of horseback bandits and romantic travellers seeking adventure over the next hill. Ronda’s invaluable heritage spans its existence as an ancient Roman settlement up to an 18th century bullring. Throw in a couple of stunningly well-conserved Arabic baths and you have one of the absolute “must-see” towns in all of Spain.
The most southerly town on the Iberian Peninsula is famous for its beautiful beaches and for the forests that surround them, the ecological value of which is great enough to warrant protected status for 60% of the territory of the municipality of Tarifa. Furthermore, the particular wind patterns here have made it the world capital of windsurfing and kitesurfing; hundreds of extreme-sports fans from all across the globe come to Tarifa specifically to ride its waves.
This mosaic of diverse landscapes contains many natural wonders, such as a system of moving sand dunes and more than 25 kilometers of untouched beach and white sand. At over 68,000 hectares, it is an absolute paradise for birds (120 species nest in this unique enclave in the province of Huelva), and one of the few places left in the Iberian Peninsula where you may get chance to see the wild lynx in action.
The capital city of the Costa del Sol has been the choice destination for many foreigners who choose to relocate to Spain for many years. Is that thanks to its excellent location between two river valleys that join the sea? Or is it thanks to its temperate climate and temperatures that never drop below 13 degrees even in mid-winter? Malaga’s traditional “espetos” (skewers of smoked fresh fish) are enjoyed by millions of tourists every year, as is the city’s cultural heritage led by the Picasso Musuem that is dedicated to Malaga’s (and Spain’s) most accomplished artist. Anybody interested in learning more about the origins of this city should visit the 14th century Gibralfaro Castle – considered for the majority of its existence as an impenetrable fortress.
