Michelle Gaudet, CTC, Special to the Observer

Andalucia Spain is one of my favourite destinations.  Known for its sunny weather, beautiful beaches, excellent food and numerous iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Alhambra and Alcazar.  The following is a list of quintessential Adalucian places you’ll want to add to your travel to-do list

Ronda

The historic town of Ronda is located just a short distance from Seville, Malaga, and Grenada and is easily visited in a day. Known as the birthplace of modern-day bullfighting, Ronda is situated on the edge of a gorge and offers stunning vistas of the Andalusia mountains and countryside. Ronda is one of the oldest towns in Spain and offers great opportunities for hiking and sightseeing, as well as some excellent restaurants and tapas bars. Hemingway and Orson Welles were both very fond of Ronda, spending a great deal of time there.

Seville

Famous for its flamenco dancing, stunning architecture, and historic churches and palaces, Seville is the largest city in Andalusia. When visiting Seville, you’ll get to see three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Alcazar- the oldest used palace in Europe with stunning gardens, and the Cathedral which is the burial site of Christopher Columbus.  This once-Roman city is home to the only river port in all of Spain and has a fascinating history. Legend has it, Seville was founded by Hercules himself! When in town you’ll also want to visit the Metropol Parasol- an architectural marvel that holds the title of the world’s largest wooden structure and contains a terrace observatory and a market.

Malaga

One of the oldest cities in Europe, Malaga is most known for its art and culture, largely thanks to being the birthplace of Pablo Picasso. With many interesting museums and historic buildings to see you will delight in exploring the city.

Malaga is also well known for its nightlife and music scene, featuring countless music bars, cafés, and nightclubs. A perfect marriage of a gorgeous, sandy coastline and bustling urban environment, this southern Andalusian city offers so much to do no matter what kind of adventure you are looking for. The weather in this area is mild, rarely dropping below 10C, making it a comfortable destination to explore in any season.

Frigiliana

This picturesque city was voted the prettiest village in Andalucia by the Spanish tourism authority, so there’s no surprise it’s on our list of can’t miss places. Whitewashed houses with pops of blue and purple accents line cobblestone streets, putting Frigiliana on the map as one of Andalusia’s famous white towns.

If you’re lucky enough to visit during the last week of August each year, you’ll get to experience the town’s Festival of the Three Cultures where they celebrate the region’s Christian, Muslim and Jewish traditions.

Granada

One of the most frequently visited tourist destinations in Andalucia, Granada is the perfect city to spend a few days exploring. One of the biggest draws to the city is Alhambra, the gorgeous Islamic palace that blends both Islamic and Spanish Renaissance architecture to honour the vast history of the area. This complex is without a doubt worth a visit if you are in the area! The city itself is a lovely mix of Arab and Spanish street life with contrasting modern and traditional features. I think Granada may be my favourite city in the world.  

If you have travel questions or a destination you’d like me to feature, please email me at

Michelle@InspiredTravelAdventures.ca

Michelle Gaudet, CTC