Andalucía

Andalucía is the southernmost region of Spain, and one of the larger ones. It contains the provinces of Almería, Cádiz, Córdoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaén, Sevilla and Málaga. Andalucía is one of Spain’s most cultural regions, as it was important during Roman times and home to the Moors for centuries. Some of Spain’s most impressive visitor sites are in Andalucía, such as the Alhambra, the famous Mesquita of Córdoba, the cathedral of Seville and more.

Andalucía depends a great deal on agriculture and tourism for its economy. If you get out to the countryside, you’ll see fields of grain and olive groves. The tourism industry is centered around the southern Mediterranean coast where towns like Nerja and Marbella attract thousands of visitors every year to the gorgeous beaches of the Costa del Sol, or “Sun Coast.” Many other visitors head for the cultural centers of Granada, Seville and Córdoba.

If you have a lot of time in Andalucía, there are some lesser-known tourist spots you might want to check out. The city of Jaén has some fantastic historical buildings that rival those in Seville or Granada, but is often bypassed in favor of these more famous destinations. Almería is another underrated city for a visit: check out the Alcazaba, or old Arab fortress before trying some of the famous local cuisine. The Costa del Sol can get swamped with visitors, but nearby Costa Almería, in Almería Province, has beaches that are just as nice but with a fraction of the tourists.  For an unforgettable experience, head to the small town of Gaudix and book a stay in one of the cave-houses that are home to roughly half of the population. These are actual caves that have been made into homes and have every modern convenience.