Discover Andalusia: an unforgettable journey through its 8 provinces, where history, gastronomy, nature and beaches come together to offer unique experiences.
Andalusia is that place you travel to looking for something and end up taking it all home: history, art and monuments that take your breath away, beaches that look like they've been Photoshopped, fairy-tale white villages, and cuisine that invites you to party and linger after a meal. Each of the region's 8 provinces has a unique charm, but they all have something in common: tapas al fresco, lots of laughter, and the warm, friendly nature of the people.
So buckle up, because we're taking off province by province through this region that has it all.
1. Málaga: sun, museums and great vibes
Málaga is a permanent festival of light. The Costa del Sol boasts kilometres of beaches, golf courses that look like Zen gardens and coastal towns with their own unique character: Torremolinos with its free and inclusive atmosphere, Benalmádena and Fuengirola full of life, Marbella in luxury mode, and Mijas clinging to the mountains like a film set. In the east, a visit to the Axarquía region will help you slow down: be sure to visit the Caves of Nerja, a cultural heritage site, and take the opportunity to explore the nearby beaches, magnificent both in winter and summer.
And then there's Málaga city itself which, you could say, is experiencing a second youth: the Picasso Museum, the brand new Centre Pompidou with its vibrant colours and contemporary art, the lively terraces, and a charming historic centre where you can enjoy an endless selection of tapas.
Vueling tip: Don't leave Málaga without eating some espetos (sardines cooked over a fire) by the sea at one of the beach bars.
2. Seville: art, sun and pure Andalusian character
Seville is a continuous choreography between history and everyday life. The Giralda tower keeping watch from above, the Alcázar that seems like something from the tales of the Arabian Nights, the Plaza de España that appears in every photo, and Las Setas providing a futuristic touch. The city explodes with emotion during Holy Week, switches to festive mode for the April Fair and always has a flamenco soundtrack playing in the background in Triana. Eat, stroll, get lost. Seville truly has a special colour. Don't know what we're talking about? Search for 'Cantores de Hispalis' on Spotify and add them to your flight playlist.
Vueling tip: Visit the Maestranza Bullring, a cultural heritage site, and the Bullfighting Museum.
3. Granada: Sierra Nevada, the Alhambra and paradise
Granada lives in the shadow of the Alhambra, a place where time stands still. Strolling through its courtyards is like walking through eight centuries of history: from the sultans who made it a jewel of Andalusian art to the Catholic Monarchs, to the 19th-century romantics who rescued it from oblivion and turned it into a universal legend. The Albaicín neighbourhood will transport you to another era, while Sacromonte beats to the rhythm of flamenco, and the complimentary tapa you get with every drink makes you feel at peace with the world.
Craving nature? Nearby you have Sierra Nevada for skiing, trekking or simply remembering that in Andalusia white is not only the colour of the facades but of the mountains as well.
Vueling tip: Do a tapas crawl along Calle Navas and Calle Elvira. You'll end up with lots of new friends!
4. Cádiz: surf, beaches and history
Cádiz is pure light, both in the provincial capital and the towns and villages that surround it. We begin in Tarifa, with surfer winds and the perfect nighttime atmosphere to unwind after riding the waves. Or Conil, with flowerpots lining the streets and endless beaches; or Zahara de los Atunes with its delicious rhythm and fantastic cuisine. El Puerto de Santa María is a party that never ends (and the food is superb: there's even a restaurant with three Michelin stars: Aponiente). Moving away from the coast, you'll find Sierra de Grazalema and the surrounding green landscapes, ideal for hiking.
Not to mention the city of Cádiz, one of the oldest in Europe, which boasts a historic centre that embraces you, a carnival that deserves world heritage status, and an irresistible maritime atmosphere.
Vueling tip: Fly to Jerez de la Frontera and fall in love with the world-class DO Jerez wines. There's a ton of wineries to visit and lots of wine-related things to do! In Sanlúcar de Barrameda you can try the DO Manzanilla: another luxury in a glass.
Find cheap flights to Jerez (Cádiz)
5. Huelva: wild nature and the taste of the sea
Huelva is a paradise of peace that boasts a thousand amazing attractions. In the Doñana National Park, home to a unique biodiversity in Europe, you'll feel like you're in the middle of a nature documentary. If you like quiet beaches, you'll love Mazagón or Punta Umbría, and if you're a foodie prime your taste buds because Huelva is a sensation, between the Iberian ham from Aracena and perfect gamba blanca prawns at any time of day. A destination for those seeking authenticity without crowds, quiet beaches, friendly people, and that joy of living that you only find in Andalusia. If you like history, make a stop in Palos de la Frontera to see the place from which Columbus set sail for America.
Vueling tip: A fan of ham? Then you'll love the Jabugo Route.
Find cheap flights to Seville (80 minutes by car from Huelva)
6. Córdoba: magic everywhere you look
Córdoba is that place where you go in search of culture and end up staying because you're completely smitten. The Mosque is a must-see: an endless forest of two-tone arches, an icon of Andalusian art and one of those places that must be visited at least once in a lifetime. With its 10th-century mihrab and later Christian expansion, the blend of architectural traditions is unique in the world. Strolling through the Jewish Quarter between whitewashed walls, brightly coloured flowers and courtyards filled with the scent of jasmine is another unforgettable experience that awaits you. If you go in May, you'll be able to soak up the lively vibe of the Festival de los Patios.
But that's not all. Discover charming towns like Priego de Córdoba, Medina-Azahara (the magnificent palace-city of King Abderramán III) and Zuheros, one of the most beautiful towns in Spain with its fascinating Bat Cave.
Vueling tip: Visit the Roman Bridge at sunset to take epic photos of the golden light on the River Guadalquivir and the Mosque in the background.
7. Almería: movie-set deserts and picture-perfect coves
Almería is from another planet. The Alcazaba dominates a city ideal for getting lost between the fortified walls and feeling like the lead actor in an adventure film. The Cathedral, both a church and a fortress, has a remarkable vaulted roof in the Gothic and Renaissance styles, while the historic centre invites you to wander aimlessly and discover bars where the tapas taste like heaven.
If you want dust and action, the Tabernas Desert will transport you to a spaghetti western film set; and if you're more of a sun-and-sand person, the Cabo de Gata-Níjar National Park offers secret coves and remote places where you'll feel the full force of nature's immensity.
Vueling tip: For a kitschy and fun touch, Oasys MiniHollywood mixes cowboys, camels and guaranteed laughs.
8. Jaén: life among endless olive groves
If olive oil had a kingdom, it would be Jaén. A sea of olive trees as far as the eye can see, Jaén is also a land of castles that seem to have escaped from Game of Thrones and recall battles that still whisper among the stones. The nature is overwhelming: the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas are a universe apart for hiking, with numerous signposted routes for all levels.
Don't forget to make a stop in the provincial capital, Jaén. Stroll through the Cathedral and climb up to the terrace for a panoramic view of the olive groves. Visit Santa Catalina Castle at sunset and gaze down at the illuminated city below.
Vueling tip: Visit the Arab Baths, a very well-preserved 11th-century hammam.
Find cheap flights to Granada (1 hour from Jaén)
Eight provinces, eight personalities and a vast destination ready for you to live your own story. When do you start writing it?
