A large part of the Iberian Peninsula was known as Al-Andalus for seven centuries. Today, Andalucía keeps some of the Muslim cultural treasures. The architecture of this region and that of North Africa are very similar. Sierras were home to bandits, art, and olive oil. Life is in its flower patios and squares.
Poets like Lorca or the philosopher Seneca are two personalities this fertile land of thinkers has produced. A place where hospitality is tradition and fresh air is breathed into the environment. Like the facades of the towns, the white horses reach the deserts that precede the virgin beaches of Almería.
The basis of Spanish cuisine is olive oil from Jaén. It’s liquid gold that is exported all over the world. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner! The Cordovan ‘salmorejo’ is a cold soup with crushed tomato, olive oil, bread, and garlic. It is served with cubes of Iberian ham and crusty bread. Ask for it as a starter with aubergines in cane honey.
Oxtail, a stew from Roman times, combines the flavor of the meat closest to the bone with a sauce made with wine. Sangria is a drink to beat the heat. Made with red wine, brandy, soda, and pieces of orange, peach, and lemon, it is one of the hallmarks of Spain in almost any part of the world.
A land of contrasts. The Gorafe desert, in the heart of Granada, is a landscape of badlands. If you want to explore it by doing extreme trekking or another type of route, it is better to accompany a local guide. In the middle of this barren area, the cave houses of the village of Gorafe maintain constant temperatures of 20ºC inside.
The Arrecife de las Sirenas, in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, is the southernmost eastern point of Spain. Sailors used to mistake the seals in these Mediterranean waters for mermaids. A beach with a capacity for four towels allows you to calmly enjoy the spectacular landscape formed by the rocks through the light and the sea.
Cabo de Gata
Flamenco
Salmorejo
Flamenco Drawer
Olive Tree
You can enjoy snow sports in the Sierra Nevada from December to April. May and June are excellent for discovering Andalucía without suffocating from heat and tourists. In July and August: Sun, beach, and crowds. Late summer and fall are the best time to connect with nature.
Flying to the international airport of Malaga is the best option. By ferry or cruise to Almería, from somewhere in the Mediterranean. Driving through the Peninsula until you reach the heart of the old territory of Al-Andalus is another way.
