Andalusia: Sunny getaway offering cultural history, picture-perfect towns and budget-friendly travel
For many European travellers, Spain and Croatia are top favourites. Although the Costa Brava coast has consistently drawn holidaymakers, Andalusia's allure seems to have caught on more recently. Given its reputation as possibly Spain's most beautiful and culturally interesting region, the surge of interest is not surprising.
Andalusia - consistent sunny weather throughout the year
During the colder months, many sun-seeking tourists look towards exotic islands or mainland Asia. Yet, closer in Europe, Andalusia basks in over 300 sunny days annually, and average daily temperatures between November and February hover around 68 degrees F. Come March and April, as spring just begins to warm places like the Greek islands, Andalusia already boasts temperatures of 77 degrees F.
Andalusia's reliably sunny weather owes much to its geographical location. A glance at the map reveals that Andalusia is less than ten miles away from Africa.
"Pueblos blancos" - a must-visit for small town enthusiasts
Andalusia is bursting with attractions, including the picturesque "pueblos blancos" or white towns. The province of Cadiz alone hosts nearly twenty such gems. Each town is uniquely interesting, and though it might be challenging to visit them all, a few stand out. Walking through the alleys of Setenil de las Bodegas is definitely worth it, with its unique rock-incorporated houses. The towns of Vejer de la Frontera, filled with orange trees, and the majestic Olvera, are also visually stunning.
A small Andalusian town, Júzcar, breaks from the "pueblos blancos" tradition. Júzcar is also known as the Andalusian Smurfs village. Back in 2011, Sony chose the town for a promotional event, turning it into a fake Smurf village. What was supposed to be a temporary make-over was so well-received by visitors that the town decided to retain the blue theme.
An ideal destination for a family vacation
Andalusia is not short on kid-friendly activities. One such attraction is the Oasys Mini Hollywood Theme Park, considered unique and highly imaginative among European theme parks.
Guests are welcomed with a vibrant wild-west town, a nature reserve housing over two hundred animal species, an educational center, and a botanical garden. The park also provides eateries and two large swimming pools. Entry tickets are priced at 26 euros (approx. $31) for adults and 17 euros (approx. $20) for children aged 4 to 12.
The park lies adjacent to the Tabernas Desert, thought to be Europe's only real desert. The area's unique landscape has made it a favorite filming location, providing a backdrop for over three hundred westerns, American productions included.
Alhambra, a magical palace and the hometown of a renowned artist
Andalusia epitomizes Arabic culture's influence on Spanish soil. Signs of the Moors who once resided here are palpable even today in opulent palace structures, the standout being the Alhambra in Granada.
When tracking the Moorish lineage on the Iberian Peninsula, a visit to the Andalusian capital, Seville, is well worth it. The local Alkazar is an apparent showcase of Moorish architecture in Europe.
City-trippers will be enthralled by Malaga, the birthplace of Pablo Picasso.
It's also noteworthy that Andalusia is the birthplace of flamenco and the popular sherry. Anyone fancying a sip of sherry to flamenco rhythms should head to Jerez de la Frontera in the Cadiz province. That's where the famous Tabanco el Pasaje is located, where you can enjoy live flamenco shows for free.
