The 3 Must-See Cities in Andalucia, Spain

One of my favorite regions in Spain is Andalucia. As the southern part of Spain and just across the water from Morocco, it has a Spanish vibe with an Arabic influence.  With its quaint villages, stunning views, amazing sights, and proximity to gorgeous blue sea, Andalucia is a perfect place for a relaxing and culturally-rich vacation.

So here are my favorite 3 cities in Andalucia!

Granada

Granada is known for its beautiful architecture and stunning palaces.  Here you will find small winding streets and cute cafes that are all looked over by the magical hilltop palace – the Alhambra.  The Alhambra was a Moorish palace and is famous for its stunning and intricate architecture that is known today around the world. Every room in the palace is different and is a maze of arches, hallways and intricately decorated ceilings.

Travel tip: If you can, try to visit the Alhambra on a week day or early in the morning. Many people want to see the palace and so you will probably run into many crowds over the weekend.

Seville

With its many colorful homes and cute little backstreets, Seville holds a classic Spanish feel and delicious food. The city is known for flamenco dancing, tapas, the Alcazar Castle, and the Cathedral called the Giralda – the resting place of Christopher Colombus. Seville is a photographer’s heaven and is a great place to go around for a walk and enjoy the beautiful buildings. The tapas in Seville are considered some of the best in the world and after having tried many of them, I definitely agree!

Fun fact: The clock tower was originally a stunning minaret from a previous mosque and has a twin sister in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Cordoba

Cordoba is a city of many cultures combined which can be enjoyed through its elaborate art and unique architecture.  The heart of the city is the Mezquita, a building that has been used as both a mosque and a church throughout history. The Mezquita has endless rows and halls of stunning arches and the center of the building is a bright white altar that almost surprises the visitors since its style is so different from the rest of the structure.

Another beautiful place in Cordoba is the Alcazar – a fortress with relaxing gardens and a lot of Spanish history!

Travel tip: Have fun getting lost in the backstreets! There are many beautiful streets decorated with colorful flower pots that will be great for photos!

We had such a great time exploring the culturally rich and beautiful towns of Andalucia. They are definitely a must-see for any visit to Spain!

Have you ever visited Andalucia? What was your favorite city?

Happy Travels!

Kaitlin

My name is Kaitlin and I love to travel, write, and volunteer. I am 17 years old and have been traveling my entire life with my family. I was born in Amsterdam and also lived in Los Angeles, Dusseldorf, Paris, and Rome all by the time I was seven. For the next 7 years, I lived in Venice, Italy – yet in September 2013, my family went back on the road for an open-ended journey to see the world. So far we have visited 39 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, and Asia. My greatest joy is meeting and helping others as we travel and sharing their stories through my writing – opening hearts and minds to the realities and amazing people of the world. Join me on my journey at TravelinKait and learn more about my volunteer work at my charity site Kids Unite 4 Hope.