Top 5 cities of Andalusia (Spain)

Sevilla

Seville is the capital of Andalusia and its largest city. It is also the center of Flamenco and Corrida. Seville’s architecture has Roman, Arab, Jewish and Christian origins. The historical city can be considered as a large museum with a number of sites that cannot be missed.
The gothic Cathedral of Seville has the elements from the mosque. Two-thirds of its Bell Tower Giralda is a former Almohad Minaret.
The Alcazar has been developed from the Moorish Palace and now has some elements of the Renaissance style.
Beautiful Plaza de España built in the beginning of the 20th century is huge and has a half circle shape. The buildings are constructed around the edge of the Plaza and are linked by beautiful bridges. There is a large fountain in the center of the Plaza. By the walls of the Plaza there are many tiled alcoves, each representing a different province of Spain.

Granada/Alhambra

The city of Granada is located at the food of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Although the city itself has a number of historical attractions such as Granada’s Cathedral, the most interesting place to see is the Alhambra Palace located just outside the city and representing one of the most famous Islamic monument. Alhambra Palace built in the Moorish style in the 14th century served as a palace and as a fortress of the Moorish rulers. Alhambra is on the list of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Visiting the structures of Alhambra you should look down to see the floors, you should look up to see the ceilings, and you should look around to see the walls and all the rest. Every single detail of Alhambra is fabulous.

Book your tickets to Alhambra in advance otherwise you can miss the opportunity to get inside the Nasrid Palace.

Cordoba

Cordova was founded in ancient Roman times and was the capital of the Caliphate of Cordova that governed almost the whole Iberian Peninsula. The historic centre of Cordoba is on the list of the UENSCO World Heritage sites. Most interesting historical sites include: The Great Mosque of Cordova, The Synagogue of Cordova, and the Palace of the Christian Kings.

The Great Mosque of Cordova built in the 8th century contains columns that back date to the Roman and periods and was converted to a Cathedral after the Spanish Reconquest.

The Synagogue of Cordova was built in the beginning of the 14th century in the Moorish style. After Jewish were expelled from Spain in 1492 the structure was used as a nursery school, Hydrophobic hospital and shoemakers’ chapel.

The Palace of the Christian Kings was constructed in the 14th century but some elements from the Moorish times also remained. The Catholic Kings lived here for about 8 years during Spanish Reconquest times. Columbus came here to get permission prior to its voyage to America.

Malaga

Malaga is a port city of Andalusia and is located on a famous Costa del Sol coast. It was established in the 8th century by Phoenician traders.

Malaga is quite a modern city but it is also home to architectural masterpieces of different epochs. For the beautiful view of the city you should get up the hill to the Gibralfaro castle. Next to it there is the Alcazaba, the fortress and the regal of the Muslim dynasties. You can take a nice walk along the Paseo del Parque which is a promenade with many palm trees and statues. The Paseo leads to the harbor.

Other interesting places that worth the attention include the gothic Church of Santiago that still preserves the elements of the Moorish culture, the Plaza de Toros and the Native Home Museum of Picasso.

Ronda

Ronda is a small historic city in Andalusia located about 100 km from Malaga. Due to its location on the cliffs it was one the last cities to fall during the Spanish Reconquest. Ronda was first settled by the early Celts, then by Romans and subsequently by Moorish rulers. Ronda is worth visiting for its historic heritage and picturesque view from its mountains and cliffs. When in Ronda you should visit Plaza de Toro (the second largest one in Spain), Arab Baths, Palacio de Modragon that features Moorish architectural style and is a home of historical Ronda museum and the Palacio del Marques de Salvatierra.