Finca El quejigo, Santa Maria de Trassierra, Córdoba, Andalucía by Toprural

Andalucía

Andalucía is often praised as one of Spain’s most vibrant regions with its white washed hill towns, city carnivals and flamenco dancers. This is the destination for you if you want to soak up the Mediterranean attitude and have the choice between sandy beaches and mountains.

Andalucía is famed for its tapas. The Spanish national dish has originated in the provinces’ city of Seville. A trip to this region simply wouldn’t be complete without eating at a traditional local tapas bar. Just as eating a croissant in Paris it’s simply part of everyday life. Try a bar like La Giralda in Seville to get a real taste of the areas culture.

If you want to soak up some sun, head to the region of Costa De La Luz. Translating to the ‘coast of light’, there’s no better place to catch some rays. The area is home to an almost continual beach with white sands stretching for miles.

Alhambra and Sierra Nevada mountain by Adam Jones

Alternatively, you could head for the Sierra Nevada. Its towering snow-topped mountains couldn’t be in greater contrast to the regions’ coastal areas. In winter skiing is available and there are mini bus trips along Europe’s highest road. The city of Grenada also boasts one of Andalucía’s most impressive monuments the Moorish palace and gardens of the Alhambra.

Catalonia

Catalonia is home to one of Spain’s biggest tourist draws – Barcelona. Famed for its architecture and lively Mediterranean vibe, the city is well worth a visit. Park Guell is a beautiful spot not to be missed. Designed by the famous Gaudi it’s jam-packed with colourful modernist works, and has stunning panoramic views of the city.

Park Guell, Barcelona by Emma

Barcelona’s star attraction is another of Gaudi’s works, the Sagrada Familia. It’s difficult not to be impressed by this giant basilica that has been under construction since 1882. Covered in intricate details it is an ambitious project to say the least.

Make sure to head to one of the city’s famous flamenco shows during your stay. The traditional Spanish dance is particularly popular in Barcelona and makes for a great night out.

Sagrada Familia, Barcelona by thecrypt

However, there is more to Catalonia than its most famous city. When you’ve had enough of the bright lights, head to the rural areas where you’ll find Catalan spoken and traditional Catalan food. The coastal areas north and south of Barcelona are well worth a trip, as are the regional towns such as Girona, Tarragona and Lleida.

If you’re more of the adventurous type, the Catalan Pyrenees offer a perfect isolated setting for skiing and hiking. The rivers in the areas’ Noguera Pallaresa valley also cater for adrenaline junkies and provide the ideal conditions for white water rafting.

Camarasa reservoir in the Noguera Pallaresa river by El monty

Galicia

Galicia offers an alternative experience for travellers to Spain. It is much less touristy than other regions, but still has plenty to offer. Characterised by rolling green hills, this is the area to head to, if you’re looking for peace and quiet.

Like many of the more popular regions of Spain, Galicia has no shortage of beaches. The beach of As Catedrais in the Rias Altas, near Ribadeo was recently voted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It certainly lives up to its title with white sand, towering arches, and unusual rock formations.

As Catedrais Beach by Linda Hartley

Galicia is a foodies heaven, famed as having the best wine and sea food in Spain. The city of Vigo is the place to head if you’re looking for top quality, freshly caught produce. You’ll be spoilt for choice by the endless array of tapas bars and restaurants serving delicious mussels, oysters, and fish.

An internationally renowned wine-producer, a trip to Galicia has to include a tasting of one of the regions wines. The area is best known for its Rias Baixas which is a crisp, aromatic white.

Spain’s varied landscape of rolling hills, mountains, beaches, and arid plains has something for everyone. If you shop around you can find lots of Spanish hotels, at good prices, outside of the major resorts. For your next holiday try one of these hidden gems.

Gavin Harvey is a fitness instructor who loves travelling. He currently lives in Bristol with his partner.

The post From Andalucía to Catalonia – Which Spanish Region Should You Holiday In? appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Nigel’s Europe

Most visitors find their way up the winding Ronda road from the town of San Pedro de Alcantara just outside Marbella. From San Pedro take the A397 north for approximately 47 km or one hour and you will arrive in the heart of Ronda. It’s an incredible drive through gorgeous scenery but the road does twist and turn quite a lot. It’s a favourite with motorcyclists so be prepared to be overtaken on your way up and down again.

If you’re driving to Ronda directly from your Malaga car hire collection point, then you may prefer to take the straighter A357 and then A367 via Cartama, Ardales, Cuevas del Becerro. It’s a bit further at 100 km or one and half hours but the scenery is still great! Once you get to Ronda, there is plenty of parking with well signed and reasonably priced public car parks throughout the city.

A third option is to take the train. There is one train per day that runs between Malaga airport and Ronda but the line between San Roque Estacion and Ronda is far more scenic. It stops in a couple of pretty villages on the way and you will really get a feel for authentic Spanish countryside. If you’re lucky, you’ll also see the storks nesting on top of the electricity pylons on your way up! There are four trains each day in each direction and the fares are very reasonable.

Ronda dominates the landscape around it and hence was very strategically important to the Moors who survived here until the Christians overcame them in 1485. You will see a lot of Moorish and Arabic influences in the architecture in the centre. The city is located either side of a 100 metre deep gorge, El Tajo. The New Bridge or Puente Nuevo, which dates back to the 18th Century, spans El Tajo and joins together the older southern side of the town with the “newer” part.

In the southern side of Ronda you will find some of the most interesting tourist attractions such as the Palacio Mondragon with its typical Moorish mosaics and plasterwork, Minaret San Sebastian (the remains of a 14th century mosque) and the very impressive Ayuntamiento or town hall with its arcaded facade and Mudéjar ceiling. There is even a Catholic church, Santa María la Mayor, where you can see the minaret and prayer niche which have survived from its previous use as a mosque back in the 13th century.

Whatever your principles, a visit to the bullring is highly recommended. It is thought that Ronda’s Plaza de Toros is the world’s oldest bullring and the spiritual home of bullfighting. The first bullfight is meant to have taken place in 1785. The bullring is a very elegant construction with Tuscan columns forming the two storey seating galleries. The bullfighting museum within explains the cultural history of Spain’s controversial sport or artform (depending on which side of the coin your opinions fall) and includes a tour of the bullring itself and the Royal Harness and Livery collection. Several of the ornate and colourful bullfighting costumes are on display together with an antique fire-arms collection. Next to the bullring is the School of Equestrianism where you can watch the training of their beautiful thoroughbred horses and riders.

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