Andalucia and its Provinces
What are the Eight Provinces of Andalucia?
A look in brief at this vast area of Southern Spain, from beautiful beaches to Europe's only desert. Each one of the eight provinces of Andalucia is unique.
Andalucia, land of foot stompers, hand clappers and flamenco twirlers is one of the warmest regions in Europe, with its Mediterranean climate of hot dry summers and mild winters it’s a great place to visit all year round, having an average of more than 300 days of sunshine a year.
It's eight provinces are vast and varied, from sandy beaches to mountains ranges there’s so much to enjoy and admire, a slow travel trip is needed to each province to appreciate it’s individual beauty and diversity.
It’s 87,268 sq meters make it Spain’s largest region, and bigger in size than Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Holland and Switzerland.
The months of June, July and August can be very hot inland, this is the time for a beach holiday along some of its 900km of coastline. The rest of the year head away from the coast inland, with over 50% of Andalucia being mountainous it offers breath-taking views and stunning walking, climbing and bike-riding country.
Less than an hour from the coast of Granada province, Costa Tropical, is the Sierra Nevada with its peaks of 3,400m. So you can ski in the morning and sunbathe on a beach in the afternoon. This magnificent mountain range creates a microclimate for Granada city keeping it cooler than it’s neighbours, Cordoba and Seville which frequently get to above 39 degrees c, in the summer months.
With an abundance of historical cities, culture and gastronomy not to mention the great wines, along with the almost never ceasing sunshine it’s not unusual in the height of the summer to see children out with their parents in the bars and restaurants until the early hours. The national norm make it difficult to get an evening meal before 9.30 in the evening and lunchtime starts around 2 until whenever.
The region of Andalucia, covers 17% of the Spanish mainland and is divided into eight provinces, five of which have a coastline the other three are land locked, all have provincial cities of the same name.
Almeria, Cádiz, Córdoba, Granada, Huelva and Málaga are the coastal provinces, Cordoba, Jaen and Seville are inland. Each province has its own gems and customs, some better known than others, but all unique and well worth an eye-opening visit, it’s tempting to try and rush a day or two in as many as possible, but don’t. Choose one main city and explore it experience it and get to know it, then move on to the next one.
Almeria to the east is an arid desert landscape, home to spaghetti-westerns of the 1960’s. A place to discover quiet coves that miss mass tourism and have to be approached by foot, and claims to have one of the largest naturist beaches in Europe.
Cádiz is the home of Sherry and fine sweet wines, with wind-swept beaches and the highest rain-fall in Spain, if horses are your passion the riding schools here are excellent and the yearly horse-race on the beach a good time to visit.
If Flamenco is your passion then the city of Cordoba with its famous Mezquita, the once Moorish mosque and now a cathedral, is a great place to go. Dancing exhibitions and competitions are frequent throughout the year.
In May a wonderful affair called “La fiesta de los patios” takes place when the private patios of people all across the city open their doors or gates to the public during the week of judging of the competition. May is also fiesta month and holds the bi-annual flamenco competitions. Stay in the heart of the Jewish quarter and the whole old town is within walking distance.
While Granada hosts the Moorish Palace “La Alhambra” romantically perched above the city, with its airport only 17km west of the city, and flights from London and Liverpool this city could become the second Paris for romantic weekends.
Take a walk up to the viewing area at twilight and watch the city lights come alive it’s a breathtaking moment. For a really special stay try the converted convent in the grounds of the Alhambra.
Established as a major trading port by the Phoenicians, Huelva has no major monuments like its neighbours but going in deep,past the modern sprawl is a pleasant bustling city with good seafood bars and restaurants.
A good time for a visit is the big annual fiesta starting on August 3 for a week, and the best place in town is Hotel Tartessus.
The recently awarded World-heritage towns of Baeza and Úbeda, in Jaén province offer some of the best Renaissance architecture in Spain, and Úbeda has a superb museum/restaurant.Posada de Ubeda, that is absolutely charming, a great place to stay.
The largest national park in Spain is within its borders, with wild boar, golden eagles and deer roaming it’s an incredible and diverse natural area.
The Parador in Jaen has to be the most stunningly located hotel in Spain, perched above the Jaen city with far-reaching views. The hotel was modelled on the original fortress so if you want a castle in the sky this is the place.
Malaga with its international airport is a massive modern city with some beautiful historical buildings hidden away, such as the huge Renaissance cathedral.
Used by many as a gateway to the Costa del Sol it is definitely worth a visit but do your homework first and know exactly what you want to see, plan your time, it’s so easy to see nothing but the inside of bars and restaurants. For a panoramic hill-top view try the Parador de Malaga-Gibralfaro.
Legend has it that Seville was founded by Hercules, on the banks of the mighty River Gualdalquivir. As one of the largest historical centres in Europe and home to the Archive of the Indies ( the historical records of the American continent), the Fine Arts Museum ( second gallery in Spain) , plus many other historical convents, parish churches and palaces.
It’s Easter parade is an amazing amalgam of traditional and modern, with an equally exciting fiesta in April. For an incredible view of the city climb the Giralda tower in the heart of the city.
For more information on Andalucia.
