Southern Spain: must-see places
Andalusia inspires with a dreamlike landscape, idyllic towns and a pulsating joie de vivre! Plus: the most beautiful hotels.
12 July 2021
In southern Spain, wild nature meets culture and historical monuments meet modern art in a stunning setting. In recent years, this underrated region has proven that it has a variety of attractions to offer, making it a real alternative to crowded Cultural destinations . If you're looking for more than just a beach holiday, you'll definitely find it in southern Spain.
Pulsating art scene: Málaga
As the birthplace of the world famous artist Pablo Picasso, it is no wonder that Malaga attracts creatives and art lovers from all over the world. In the heart of the old town lies the most visited museum in southern Spain, the Picasso Málaga Museum. Here you will find the "Dialogues with Picasso" collection, which shows the evolution of his works in the most representative moments of his life. An exciting contrast to this historic art is the recently transformed Soho district. Here, the streets have been transformed into canvases and street artists from all over the world have been invited to express themselves creatively.
Wild nature in El Torcal de Antequera
The deep blue sea, mystical caves, impressive rocks: the south of Spain offers a surprising amount of unspoilt nature, just waiting to be explored. One of Spain's most popular nature reserves is the UNESCO World Heritage Site El Torcal de Antequera. This unique karst landscape is famous for its craggy gorges, columns of flagstone and unusual limestone rock formations that are over 200 million years old. It is a labyrinth of rocks, narrow passages, valleys and caves. The nature reserve has a variety of hiking trails for all ages and abilities. There is also something for sporty families. With over 644 species of plants and it being a popular stopover for a wide variety of bird species, the place is also a highlight for any nature photographer.
World's largest producer of olive oil in Andalusia
A landscape full of soft green olive trees: over half of the world's olive oil is produced in Andalusia. The intensely aromatic, golden oil is an integral part of Spanish cuisine. If you want to taste the world-famous olive oil locally, you simply have to go to one of the many restaurants in Andalusia. A special highlight is the Balausta Restaurant. Here, the hosts serve dishes that are firmly rooted in Andalusian tradition and incorporate the best flavours from the region. If you want to take the taste of southern Spain home with you, stop by Malaga's largest and oldest market, the Atarazanas. This 14th-century architectural masterpiece was converted into a new indoor market by Joaquin Rucoba in 1870 and offers a unique culinary experience.
The most beautiful hotels in southern Spain
Palacio Solecio
Calle Granada, 61, 29015 Málaga, Spain
Tel: +34 952 222 000
palaciosolecio.com
This luxury boutique hotel is perfectly located to explore both styles comfortably on foot. Located in a renovated 18th-century city palace, with its imposing façade, the hotel is a work of art in itself.
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La Bobadilla, a Royal Hideaway Hotel
Finca La Bobadilla Carretera Salinas-Villanueva de Tapia, 18300 Loja, Granada, Spain
Tel: +34 958 32 18 61
barcelo.com.
La Bobadilla has the style of an Andalusian village and offers guests an authentic luxury experience in the middle of the Sierra de Loja, between Granada and the Costa del Sol. The accommodation is an exclusive oasis of relaxation and is one of the best hotels in Spain, due to its accessibility.
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Hotel Finca Eslava
29200 Antequera, Málaga, Spain
34 952 84 49 34
hotelfincaeslava.com
This 4-star hotel is set in a traditional 18th-century Andalusian farmhouse. Due to its location, in a rural setting, very close to the town of Antequera in Málaga, the hotel is perfect for a little break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
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