Passion for life. That is what southern Spain is all about. You'll taste it in their tapas and hear it in their passionate, temperamental music. If it were up to me, I’d spend my holiday in Andalusia every year. This Spanish region is famous for its beautiful cities including Seville and Granada. Narrow meandering alleys take you from one surprise to the next: hidden courtyards with fountains and impressive buildings with majestic gardens. In addition to the vibrant cities, you'll find the Costa del Sol and the Costa de la Luz, perfect for a holiday by the sea with many kilometres of golden-yellow sandy beaches. Truly a unique part of the Mediterranean.
I'm lucky enough to have discovered many beautiful locations in Andalusia and I'm happy to help you find your perfect small-scale holiday setting. Plenty of unique places including a cortijo, posada or a finca! Many of these Spanish residences in Andalusia were converted to a charming hotel, pleasant apartment or a cosy bed &breakfast. Are you looking for a family-friendly holiday? I recommend finding a Spanish holiday home or villa to make sure you have plenty of space.
My Spanish recommendations are usually small-scale and may be fully booked during high season. Do you want to drive or fly to Andalusia for a holiday? Be sure to book in time! Still looking for inspiration? Check out my latest discoveries or last minutes to Spain.
My flying holidays to Andalusia include a rental car and a place to stay.
One of my favourite summer holiday activities in Andalusia is to explore its authentic towns such as Ronda and Nerja. I decided to visit these towns during my last trip in Andalusia and Alicante. I just can’t get enough of the narrow streets and their local stores and restaurants. Not to mention the rich culture and architecture. Take the gorgeous Moorish buildings of the Alhambra in Granada for instance, always worth a visit. Seville is a great place for a stopover in spring. If you find the right streets, you'll experience a wealth of authentic Spanish beauty. That is how I ended up at the typical Spanish gardens, such as the Royal Alcazar. A true feast for the eyes!
And finally, I make sure to visit the southernmost tip of Spain, Gibraltar, on occasion. It offers an endless view and you can see Africa from there. And the best of all? With a fly & drive holiday in Andalusia , I can go anywhere in my rental car and don’t have to miss a single highlight.
The long coastline with lots of beaches makes it seem like you're on one of the Spanish islands. And during your trip in Andalusia, you'll be able to buy sardines, freshly grilled right on the boat, both at sea and in the harbour. If you're in the Malaga area, you have to try a so-called ‘espeto de sardinas’. And at night, the barbecue fires on the boats make for a beautiful contrast with the dark sky. Make sure to visit local restaurants and enjoy other fish and seafood varieties such as gambas al pil pil. And make sure to leave some room for desert, something I will never skip in this region. Just the thought of sweet pestiños en alfajores makes my mouth water. Delicious!
Andalusia is the southern part of Spain and one of my favourite summer destinations for a beach holiday. Temperatures can exceed 35 degrees. If you prefer an active holiday, the best time to visit Andalusia is in spring or autumn. The months around March and October aren’t too hot, but warm enough to parade around a small-scale casa (15-25 degrees). Tip: are you headed for the winter sun in Andalusia? It’s a good idea to bring an extra sweater for the winter months of November, December and January as the evenings can get quite chilly.