14 Best Places to Visit in Andalucia, Spain!

With so many places to visit in Andalucia, it’s no wonder it’s my favourite region in Spain!

From cities like Granada and Sevilla to lesser-known towns such as Mijas and Ronda, the Andalucia scenery is simply stunning.

The sheer amount of history in the region is mind-boggling. Andalucia was a stronghold of the Moors during their rule in Southern Spain, it was known as Al-Andalus, which is where the region gets its name Andalusia from.

Not only is there much to see but there are plenty of things to do in Andalucia too!

You can hike El Caminito del Rey, formerly known as the most dangerous hike in the world, relax on the beautiful beaches in Malaga or visit the incredible Alhambra in Granada! Just some of the amazing Andalusia destinations you have to check out!

If you’re wondering where to go in Andalucia, keep scrolling!

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Places to visit in Andalucia

1. Ronda

Not only is Ronda one of Andalucia’s best spots, but it’s also one of the best places to see in Spain! As you can see from the above picture, it’s not short of beautiful spots!

The picture presents the main attraction in Ronda, Puente Nuevo, which translates as a new bridge. This is despite the bridge being built in 1793, which hardly makes it new!

However, there is another bridge in Ronda which predates this one and goes by Puente Viejo, which translates as old bridge. So, you can see where the name comes from.

As well as bridges, you will find one of Andalucia’s most beautiful towns. There are a lot of architectural wonders to see and if you want something with a faster pace, you can go canyoning at the Guadalevín river.

If you’re still feeling adventurous, you can check out one of the quirkier places in Andalucia, Juzcar, which isn’t far from Ronda.

It’s a blue village, where all the houses are painted blue and a unique attraction in a fascinating region!

2. Sevilla

Without a doubt, Sevilla is one of the best places to visit in Andalucia. It’s an ancient city with so much to do, you’d be mad to leave it off your itinerary!

Sevilla is one of my favourite cities in Spain. It’s a lively city and there is always something going on. This is especially true if you visit when it’s Feria de Abril during the holy week of Easter. The people of Sevilla make it a fun place to be, they’re full of life and a lot of fun.

One of the best spots to check out in Sevilla is Plaza de España. It’s an impressive complex that takes your breath away. You could easily spend half a day admiring its beauty.

Sevilla is famous for its flamenco shows and if you get the chance to see one you should! You can also visit the Royal Alcazar, which is an old palace dating from the time of the Moors.

There is so much to do in the city, that you’d need to see Sevilla in 3 days or more to make the most of it! It’s somewhere you can’t leave off any Andalucia itinerary!

3. Almeria

Almeria is a city that often gets often forgotten when it comes to visiting Andalucia. This is a shame because there is a lot to see and do.

As it is a city by the beach, and this being Spain, you can relax at the beach if you wish. However, if you want to see more cultural sights you can do that too.

La Alcazaba, a fortified complex is well worth checking out. The walls stretch across the hills and inside you will find some beautiful gardens. You can’t visit Almeria without taking a look around.

You can also check out the bunkers that were used during the Spanish Civil War, while one of the quirkier things to do is visit the guitar museum!

4. Córdoba

Córdoba is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, never mind Andalucia!

The number of amazing buildings in the city is mind-boggling! Córdoba doesn’t get the attention that other major cities in the region such as Sevilla and Granada do, but I think it may be the best city in Andalucia.

Walking the ancient narrow streets of the old town is an incredible experience. You get an intimate feel for what life must have been like thousands of years ago.

Things to do in Córdoba include La Mezquita, which is an old Moorish mosque cathedral that’s stunning. Booking a tour to take a look around is a must. If you visit Córdoba at the start of May, you can check out the patio festival.

This is where various households decorate their patios with a variety of flowers. It’s a unique sight that you may not see elsewhere and makes the city an even more attractive place to visit!

5. Frigiliana

Frigiliana is one of the best-kept secrets and most beautiful villages in Andalucia. This small town is a hidden gem that you have to visit while you’re in the southern region.

It’s a great place to go on a day trip from Malaga, just over 50km away from the city. If you’re going to Nerja you can combine the two, as Frigiliana is only a few kilometres away!

Frigiliana is a pueblo Blanco, which means white town and is one of many in Andalucia. It’s a beautiful little town that has many winding cobblestone streets full of arts and crafts stores and delicious cafes and restaurants.

It’s a wonderful place to wander around for the day and the white houses complete with colourful doors, make it an Instagrammable one too!

6. Cadiz

Cadiz is one of the more interesting places to visit in Andalucia. It’s recognised as being the oldest known settlement in Europe, dating back to 1104 BC when the Phoenicians founded it.

If you’re doing a road trip around Andalucia, I highly recommend checking Cadiz out because of this. It’s not often you get to visit a city that is over 3000 years old!

Cadiz is located on a tiny spit of land that juts into the Mediterranean. The city is part of a wider province, and it’s worth visiting Cadiz province to see all it has to offer!

Due to the small size of the city, it means it’s easy to get around and you can see a lot in a short time.

One of the main sights is the Baroque Cathedral which offers a panoramic view of the city and Playa La Caleta, which is the perfect place to cool off on a warm summer’s day!

7. Malaga

If you’re heading to Andalucia, then Malaga on the Costa del Sol is somewhere you have to visit. It’s the main entry point to the region, with many flights from around Europe landing there.

I spent longer than 3 days in Malaga and despite this, I still found there were plenty of things to do. If you’re visiting for a short break you’ll find a lot to do.

The Teatro Romano is a must-see as is Castillo de Gibralfaro. Hiking to the top of the castle provides you with spectacular views of the city below!

Further afield, you can visit El Caminito del Rey, which is a hike that takes you across planks suspended above a giant chasm. Before it was renovated, it was known as the world’s most dangerous hike!

If that sounds too exhilarating, you can relax at La Malagueta beach and soak up the rays from the Spanish sun instead!

8. Mijas

Mijas is another one of the Pueblos Blancos (white villages) in Andalucia not far from Malaga. Similar to Frigiliana, you will find cobbled streets with whitewashed houses decorated with flowers and pots giving the town a colourful feel.

As the town is located in the mountainside above Malaga, it’s a good place to go for a hike. The Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña and the Mirador del Compás are hikes you should consider doing if you want to sample some of the spectacular views along the way!

Strolling around the town is a must to soak it in. Visiting Plaza de Toros will allow you to see all the beauty of the town and discover some of its best restaurants too.

While a visit to Castillo de las Murallas is a must to see this 15th-century castle and walk through the gardens and walls of this beautiful castle!

9. Nerja

If you’re visiting Malaga and looking to get out of the city for the day, one place you should consider is Nerja. It’s only 50 km away from Malaga and can be reached easily by car or public transport.

If you’re wondering what to do to Nerja, the nearly 10 miles of beach that stretches down the coastline is a good starting point. It’s the perfect place to go for a change of scenery if you’ve been visiting Malaga’s beaches for a few days!

As well as its amazing beaches, there are plenty of coves to explore. One, Cueva de Nerja, is a beachside cavern with strange-looking stalactites and stalagmites and is also used to host concerts during the summer. 

Another quirk of the cove is that it is home to several palaeolithic paintings. If you want to see them you’ll need to book a tour, but it’s well worth it as they are a sight to behold!

10. Tarifa

Tarifa isn’t the most well-known place in Andalucia, but it’s one you should include on your list. This is especially so if you love wind sports!

As Tarifa sits at the tip of the Strait of Gibraltar, the winds that pass through make it an ideal spot to go windsurfing. You can go surfing here too.

The waves can get quite high due to the Atlantic and Mediterranean colliding together.

If this sounds like too much action for you, then you can just relax on the beach and watch the adrenaline junkies catch their fix! This beach destination is one of the best in Spain and an excellent reason to visit Tarifa!

The old town of Tarifa is worth exploring, its narrow streets and white houses exude charm. While there are several great hikes to do in the parks that lie behind the town!

11. Granada

Granada is one of the most popular destinations in Andalucia and it’s somewhere you have to visit while you’re in the region.

The city is home to some of the most beautiful buildings in Spain, including the most impressive of them all, La Alhambra.

La Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site Moorish palace that stands on a hill overlooking the city. Words do not do justice to how big it is and how beautiful it is.

The only problem is that as it’s one of the most popular tourist spots in Spain, you have to book your tickets well in advance!

Make sure you do, as you can’t visit Granada without going to the magnificent Alhambra Palace. You will find plenty of other amazing sights in Granada too and it’s worth wandering through the winding streets of the city to discover them.

Another good reason to visit the city is that whenever you order a drink in a bar, you’ll be given free tapas.

This is a custom that is unique to the area surrounding Granada and means you can sample the local cuisine for the price of a beer or two!

12. Jerez de la Frontera

Jerez is a place in Andalucia that often gets overlooked when compared with Sevilla, Malaga and Granada, but that shouldn’t be the case.

It’s a beautiful city and there is a lot to see and do there. The city is famous around the world for its sherry and brandy production. The production houses are located in the centre of the city, which is unusual but makes it easy for you to visit.

It’s worth booking a tour to see the production houses. This way you will learn how the sherry and brandy are produced as well as try a few samples yourself!

Jerez de la Frontera is also famous for its long-standing flamenco tradition. You will find numerous shows across the city which should be visited. There’s also Arcos de la Frontera about an hour away, which is worth visiting too!

13. Huelva

If you thought Jerez was overlooked, then Huelva is a place that most people have little idea about. I had barely heard of it until my first trip to Spain!

However, despite the little recognition it receives, Huelva is worth checking out. If you want to see some wildlife head to Donana National Park where you can see flamingos and a variety of other animals amongst the lagoons and marshland.

Huelva is one of the best places in Spain to go to the beach. Due to its relative obscurity outside of Spain, you won’t find the high-rise buildings of Benidorm here. This makes it a much more relaxed and family-friendly place to visit!

You can also check out the centre of the city where there are several interesting things to do. Most of them revolve around Christopher Columbus, as it was from Huelva that he set off on his voyage in 1492!

14. Sierra Nevada

The Sierra Nevada National Park is a fantastic place to visit if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities of Andalucia.

This is one of the biggest national parks in Spain and a beautiful place that you will enjoy if you love the outdoors. A good place to stay is Quentar, which is not too far from Granada, but still right in the park.

You can go hiking in the mountain ranges and hills, jump into dams and cycle in the mountains too! If that’s not enough you can always visit the highest mountain in mainland Spain, Mulhacén. This is not an easy hike, by the way, and will take all day so be prepared!

Exploring the Sierra Nevada is a brilliant way to spend your time in Andalucia, and it shows that the region is full of great things to do and offers something for every type of traveller!

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