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Places To Visit |
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| CORDOBA | ||
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Cordoba lies in the geographical
centre of Andalucia about 150km from the Costa del Sol and is a
real historical and cultural treat. Established by the Romans in
169 BC, Cordoba has been a meeting place of people, races, cultures
and religions of different kinds, which have left behind a hypnotizing
mix of Roman, Moorish and Jewish influences visible in its buildings,
bridges and streets. Stroll around the fascinating and endlessly
charming streets of old Cordoba, especially the 17th Century Corredera
Plaza. Places worth visiting: Jewish quarter; Synagogue (1492); Alcázar fortress (1327); Torre de la Calahorra (1369); Viana-Palace; Mezquita mosque and cathedral; Medina Azahara; Roman Bridge (Puente Romano); Capuchinos Square; Palacio de Viana; and the newly discovered Roman Temple. |
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Cordoba Tourist Information Centre
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www.turismodecordoba.org |
Tel: 902 201 774 |
| GIBRALTAR | ||
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The Rock of Gibraltar is located at the entrance of the Mediterranean and only 1 hour’s drive from the Costa del Sol. The main language spoken is English and the currency is Sterling Pounds (£). It is famous for its 160 resident Barbary Macaques apes the only free-living monkeys in Europe today, and its duty free shopping. Other attractions include Apes' Den; Catalan Bay and its 18th Century Italian roots; Great Siege Tunnels built in the late 18th Century; St. Michael’s Cave; 11th Century Moorish Castle; Jews' Gate with its views of the Moroccan Rif Mountains and Jebel Musa. | |
Gibraltar Tourist Board |
www.gibraltar.gi |
Tel: 956 774 950 |
| GRANADA | ||
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Granada is located next
to the snow-covered tops of the Sierra Nevada mountains and about
120km from the Costa del Sol. One of the most inspiring attractions
on the Continent, the Alhambra, the best conserved Moorish palace
with wonderful buildings and gardens is a must-see. Set against
the stunning Sierra Nevada and surrounded by cypress and elms, it's
an escape into Granada's Moorish past. It was the last to surrender
from the Moors to the Christians. Also worth a visit are the: Albaicin, the old Arabic quarter, nowadays declared heritage of humanity; La Alcazaba (9th Century); the cathedral area of the old town; the gardens of the Generalife (14th Century); Capilla Real, the Royal Chapel (1505); La Lonja, a market building (16th Century); Alcaiceria, an old Arabian silk-market; Caves and Monastery of Sacromonte; El Corral del Carbón, a 14th Century Arabian hotel; Palace of Charles V; and stroll the Bib-Rambla Plaza. |
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Granada Tourist Information Office
Alhambra Reservations |
www.granada.org www.turismodegranada.org www.alhambra.org |
Tel: 958 247 146 Tel: 958 227 525 / 902 224 460 |
| JEREZ | ||
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Jerez de la Frontera
is located 36km from Cadiz and only 140 km from the Costa del Sol
and boasts a variety of interesting attractions. It is famous worldwide
and the home and heartland of sherry and also Spanish brandy. It’s
the horse capital of the region and home to the world famous riding
school, the Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art with its famous
equestrian display of The Dancing Horses of Andalucia show. Jerez
is also famous throughout Spain for a long and distinguished flamenco
tradition. Take a visit to the Centro Andaluz de Flamenco in the
atmospheric gitano quarter, the Barrio de Santiago, is a must; here
you can see videos of past greats and get information on flamenco
venues in the town. Other attractions: Old Quarter; Gothic-Renaissance San Salvador Cathedral; Alcazar fortress (11th Century); Arab baths (12th Century); Sherry Bodegas especially the Tio Pepe Sherry Bodega. |
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Jerez Tourist Office
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www.turismojerez.com |
Tel: 956 359 654 / 956 331 150 |
| MALAGA | ||
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A beautiful Andalucian
port city alongside the Mediterranean Sea, Malaga is well known
as the gateway to Spain’s Costa del Sol, or Sun Coast. Established
in the eighth century by Phoenician traders, the sun-washed city
is also known for its beautiful light – native son Pablo Picasso
and other painters found it the ideal place to inspire their work.
The Moors occupied Malaga until the 15th century. See also the: La Alcazaba fortress (1057); The Citadel (8th-11th centuries); Plaza de Toros; La Manquita Cathedral(16th-18th centuries); Pasaje de Chinitas, historic quarter; Puerta Oscura & Pedro Luis Alonso gardens; La Farola promenade; La Malagueta, Roman Theatre. |
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Malaga Tourist Information
Office |
www.malagaturismo.com www.museopicassomalaga.org |
Tel: 952 213 445 |
| MIJAS | ||
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Mijas is a typical Andalucian
white village, perched high above Fuengirola and Mijas Costa with
spectacular views of the coast and surrounding heavily wooded mountains.
It is a web of narrow cobbled streets and conserves its essentially
Arabic mediaeval layout and so has a slightly exotic feel about
it that visitors find hard to pin down. Mijas is perhaps most famous
for its burro-taxis, donkey taxis, which are to be found all round
the central plaza, and which you will see everywhere. Places of interest: El Puerto; Spain’s only square bullring; Mineral water spring; Mudejar churches; sanctuary of the Mijas patron saint (850); Lady of the Rock Church, carved into a hillside rock; the Carromato de Max. |
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Mijas Tourist Information Office |
www.mijas.es |
Tel: 952 485 900 |
| NERJA | ||
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Nerja lies between small
coves untouched by development and surrounded by impressive mountain
scenery. It is on the seashore some 50 kilometres from Malaga on
the N340 coastal highway, and marks the eastern tip of Malaga's
Costa del Sol. Nerja, which takes its name from the Arab Narixa
(meaning a spring of abundantly running water) nestles at the foothills
of the Sierra de Tejada mountain range and boasts 16 kilometres
of coastline with seven beaches, including the internationally famous
Burriana beach within walking distance of the town. The town's most famous feature is its Balcony of Europe (9th Century), a magnificent promenade along the edge of a towering cliff, once the site of the great Moorish castle, with sweeping panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the small coves and beaches below, against an awesome backdrop of hazy blue mountains. A somewhat older but equally famous landmark is the Nerja caves. These spectacular caves include a huge natural cavern which has been transformed into a theatre. Archaeological finds here reveal the caves were inhabited 25,000 years BC. The cave's treasures include wall paintings believed to be more than 20,000 years old and a 63 metre stalactite which is the longest in the world. Other attractions: Old quarter (1487); Paseo de los Carabineros promenade; Ermita de las Angustias, a XVll century chapel; Iglesia el Salvador, a XV11 century church; The famous prehistoric caves of Nerja (20,000 BC and 1,800 BC) ; Church of El Salvador (17th Century); Gardens of Capistrano Playa. |
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Nerja Tourust Information Office |
www.nerja.org |
Tel: 952 521 531 |
| RONDA | ||
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Ronda is a picturesque
old town that straddles a breath taking gorge, 50 kms inland from
Marbella. Perched high on a rock precipice 150 metres above the
gorge below the town sits on both sides of the gorge with the old
Moorish town of La Ciudad (literally 'The City') to the South and
the newer El Mercadillo (Little Market) district to the North. It
is famous for the plunging river gorge that divides the medieval
from the 18th-century parts of the town. Known as El Tajo, the gorge
is spanned by a stone bridge, which once housed a prison and now
acts as a dramatic viewpoint for visitors. It is also well known
for its bullring - the oldest and largest in Spain. Ronda is a popular
day-trip for holidaymakers on the Costa del Sol wanting to escape
the beach and soak up some culture in one of the many cafés
and restaurants. Ronda is also a stop on the luxurious Al-Andalus
train tour. Worth a visit: the 13th Century Baños Arabes (Moorish baths); Tajo Gorge; Cathedral; Old Quarter; El Parador walkway; Santa Maria la Mayor Church; Puente Nuevo Bridge(18th Century) |
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Ronda Tourist Information Office |
www.turismoderonda.es www.serraniaronda.org |
Tel: 952 187 119 |
| SEVILLA | ||
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The largest town in southern
Spain and only 150kms from the Costa del Sol. Birthplace of Flamenco
linked to the arrival of gypsies during the 14th Century, domain
of the Bullfight and home of Carmen, Don Jaun and Figaro, the city
of Seville and romance are inseparable. Legend has it that Sevilla
was founded by Hercules and its origins are linked with the Tartessian
civilisation. It was called Hispalis under the Romans and Isbiliya
with the Moors. Columbus started from a port close to Seville to
discover the new world, America. Alfonso X. (the “Wise”)
(1221-1284) created a motto for Seville on its coat of arms to express
his thanks for its loyalty during his rule. It is now one of the
largest historical centres in Europe. It can be visited all over
the year and an overnight stay should be seriously considered. Other attractions: Barrio Santa Cruz, formerly the district of Moors and Jews; the cavernous Gothic Cathedral one of the three largest in the world, along with St.Pauls in London and St. Peters in Rome; Giralda, Seville's landmark; The king's palace Alcazar; Archivo de Indias, a Renaissance building with archives of all the documents related with the discovery of America; Jardines de Murillo Park; Casa Pilatos Palace (15th and 16th Century). |
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Sevilla Tourist Information Office |
www.sevilla.org
www.turismo.sevilla.org |
Tel: 954 221 714 / 902 194 897 |
| SIERRA NEVADA | ||
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Otherwise known as 'Solynieve' (sun and snow) is only 2 hours away from the Costa del Sol and 20 minutes from Granada. It is Europe’s southernmost ski resort and is endowed with the Iberian peninsula’s highest summits. In 1995 the World Skiing Championship was held here. The Sierra Nevada's are snow-capped for much of the year and offer skiing from November until late May. There is skiing at all levels on 45 pistes totalling 61 km, 19 ski-lifts that can carry 31,965 skiers per hour, skiing for disabled persons, night skiing on illuminated slopes, snowboarding, snow-tubes, husky-driven sleigh rides, rent a snowmobile or skidoo, ice skating. In spring it is quite possible to spend half the day sunbathing on the beach and the other half skiing on the slopes. Outside of the ski season, the National Park has an incredible botanical diversity. In the southern areas there are the Alpujarras, very picturesque white villages that cling to the hillsides. | |
Sierra Nevada Tourist
Information Office |
www.sierranevada.es |
Tel: 958 223 527 / 958 249 100 |
| TARIFA | ||
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Tarifa is located in
the Cadiz province, only 14 km from Morocco and 150kms from the
Costa del Sol. Situated on the Atlantic coast and on the southernmost
tip of the Iberian. The history of this sea side resort dates back
from the first Moorish invasion in AD711. It is the windsurfing
capital of Europe and winds blow virtually every day of the year.
Tarifa is also an easy jumping-off point to Morocco. It is also
well known nowadays for its impressive white sandy beaches and its
unspoilt countryside. Also worth visiting: Guzman El Bueno Castle (960AD); Miramar gardens and view of the shores of Morocco; Jerez Gate (8th Century); San Mateo Church; San Mateo Church (15th Century); Castillo de Guzman and the Moorish siege of 1292; La Plazuela del Viento (Windy Square); Bajada del Macho Tower; Parochial Church of San Francisco; El Beaterio. |
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Tarifa Tourist Information
Office |
www.tarifaweb.com www.cadizturismo.com |
Tel: 956 680 993 |
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