For a French citizen like me, Spain usually means affordable, easy and enjoyable holidays. So it’s not really a surprise if every summer, I feel like half of my country’s population deserts our territory and heads south, towards the Spanish beaches and cities… But though it can sometimes feel overwhelming to hear your mother tongue everywhere in a foreign country, I cannot blame my fellow Frenchies. Let’s be honest: Spain is simply amazing. This year, I headed to a region I hadn’t explored yet though, one that I had been dreaming of for years: Andalusia. I quickly fell in love with this region of Spain and even considered moving there, for a moment. And if you wonder why, then just follow the guide…
Touch down in Sevilla (2 Days)
I arrived in Sevilla on a (very) hot afternoon. Though dragging my suitcase along the paved streets of the city is certainly not the best memory of my trip, I was instantly amazed by the beauty of the surroundings. While looking for my hostel, I was impressed by the architecture of the buildings and also by the people in the streets. Everything was so scenic…
After dropping my things off at the hostel, I walked up to the most modern building of the city: Metropol Parasol, also called Las Setas, due to the mushroom shape of the place… Located in Sevilla’s old quarter, this wooden structure is known as one of the largest in the world. There, I admired a beautiful sunset and enjoyed a free drink, while taking in the beautiful views of the city from above.
The next day, I visited the beautiful “Alcazar”, which is known as the jewel of Sevilla. Originally developed by Moorish kings, it is one of the most representative monuments of Spain’s Arabic period. I spent hours walking through the different rooms of the palace and enjoying the breathtaking gardens surrounding it. Every little detail added to the beauty of the place: the way the trees were cut and planted, the colors, the sound of the running water and multicolor tiles decorating every step we would walk on or bench we would sit on…
Tiles, tiles, tiles… They were everywhere in the city. But the best place to enjoy them was definitely Plaza de Espana, another renowned place in Sevilla. The complex is made out of buildings made accessible by numerous bridges representing the four ancient kingdoms of Spain. By the walls of the Plaza, thousands of tiles represent the different provinces of Spain. To get there, I passed by other landmarks such as the Giralda (the city’s old minaret which became a Cathedral bell tower after the Reconquista) and the Torre del Oro, I crossed different beautiful parks and stopped at the Arenas de la Real Maestranza de Caballeria, one of the most well-known bullfighting sites in the world.
Once night had set in, I walked through the Barrio Santa Cruz, a labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys dating back to the old Judería (Jewish quarter) and it was already time to say goodbye to Sevilla…
Dream of the past in Cordoba (2 Days)
The next morning, after a quick bus ride, I reached Cordoba. Little did I know, on that sunny day, that I was going to fall in love with this place as soon as I would start walking through its streets. Cordoba is a city with the appearance of a village. Not too big, not too small, just perfect. I was instantly amazed by how clean and organized the city looked. I was also enchanted by its history and rich heritage.
Cordoba was conquered by the Moorish in the eighth century, and then became the capital of the Caliphate of Córdoba, which included most of the Spain. Under this Caliphate, al-Andalus (Muslim Spain, at the time) was a beacon of learning, and Córdoba, which was known as the most populous city in the world two centuries later, became one of the leading cultural and economic centers in Europe and the Islamic world. The city was also known for the peaceful coexistence we could witness between the different religions.
So, it’s probably no surprise that the first place I headed is considered one of the most famous sites of all: the city’s mosque cathedral. I was moved as soon as I entered this place that I had been dreaming of visiting for years. There is something magical about this religious edifice, holy for more than just a religious group, which was a church, a mosque and cathedral throughout the different eras…
The next day, I walked through the streets of the city never wanting to leave it. I passed by the Puente Romano (a bridge built more than 2000 years ago!), looked at the water running down the Guadalquivir river, took photos of the cute Calleja de las Flores (one the most popular and tourist streets in the city), and enjoyed one amazing Tango show before saying Adios to Cordoba and heading to Granada…
Get amazed by the beauty of Granada (2 Days)
Granada was the last stop of my trip and definitely the highlight of my stay in Andalusia. While I thought nothing could be better than Cordoba, I made it to the Alhambra. This Moorish palace and fortress was a place like no other. Every time I entered a room of the building, I couldn’t believe there would be something more beautiful… until I entered the next.
I was enchanted by the poetic Arabic inscriptions carved in the walls, the geometrical patterns with vegetal background, the millions of tiles and other beautiful ornaments. The highlight of the visit was the Nasrid Palace, one of the most astonishing places I have seen in my life. After 10 hours walking on site, I finally decided to leave it… the time had come to rest a bit.
On my last day in Granada, I visited the old city and saw the Alhambra from afar, at the Monasterio de San Jeronimo, a church founded a few centuries ago. In the background, we could also spot the mountains of the Sierra Nevada and the highest point of continental Spain, mount Mulhacén, which made the landscape even more amazing than it already was. I enjoyed for one last time the beautiful views spread out before my eyes and it was already time to say goodbye…
Finish your journey in Cadiz or Ronda (2 Days)
If, unlike me, you still have a few extra days to spend in Andalusia, I recommend heading to Cadiz or Ronda. While beach lovers will prefer the first option, history and architecture enthusiasts will definitely want to see Ronda’s famous bridge before they leave. Either way, both cities seem to be amazing and everyone I met in Andalusia recommended visiting them, if time allowed.
So, there you have it: how to spend a perfect week in beautiful Andalusia!
But before booking your tickets, here are some useful tips for you:
Accommodation: I absolutely loved my stay in “Bed & Be” in Cordoba, which has become one of my favorite hostels in Europe. Private rooms cost just as much as a place in a dorm in a regular hostel, the staff is kind and makes you feel right at home, the building is beautifully decorated, breakfast is yummy and I already miss their sunny terrace. In Granada, hostel “El Granado” is also a good option.
Transportation: I recommend taking buses between cities. Alsa runs buses daily between all the main cities in the country. You’ll pay approximately 15€ to go from Sevilla to Cordoba and from Cordoba to Granada. Another option, a bit more expensive, is to rent a car, which will allow you to enjoy the amazing landscapes and white villages of Andalusia during your stay.
Have you ever been to Andalusia? What was the highlight of your trip? Is Spain on your bucket-list? Let us know in the comments below.
