Places To Visit in Andalusia

ALMERIA

What to See:

Although today it is a modern city, in the times of al-Andaluz and the Taifas Almeria (or al-Meriyat as it was then called) was one of the largest Mediterranean ports. The two main sites to visit from this period are the Alcazaba ( the biggest in al- Andalus) and the fortifications of the ruined Castle of San Cristóbal.

Tourist Information: 0034 950280748

How to get there:

  • By Bus: Almeria has frequent bus services to cities across Spain.
  • By Train: Main Rail links from all of Spain
  • By Road: Almeria is on the E15-N340 motorway. If you are arriving via Granada or from Madrid etc. then the A92 is more direct.

CORDOBA

What to See:

During Roman times Cordoba was the Southern capital of Hispania. It then became the Capital of Muslim Spain, and of al-Andalus. Today it is a large prosperous city with a well conserved medieval quarter. The highlight is the Mezquita Aljama de Córdoba Mosque . Other places to visit within the city include the nearby Jewish and Muslim quarters, The Alcazar de los Reyes, the Arab baths (Baños Arabes) and the Alminar de San Juan. Also nearby are the ruins of the Medina Zara palace (just outside the town).

Tourist Information: 0034 957355179

How to get there:

  • By Bus: Cordoba has frequent bus services to cities across Spain (Bus station is next to the RENFE/AVE Train station).
  • For Medina Zara there is a special bus servica running twice a day from Cordoba.(Except Mondays when the site is closed)
  • By Train: Main Rail links from across Spain including the AVE to Barcelona, Granada, Madrid and Seville.
  • By Road: The N IV/E5 motorway links Cordoba with Madrid and Seville From Granada take the N 432 or Malaga the N331
  • Medina Zara is at km 8 on the C431 road towards Palma del Rio.

GRANADA

What to See:

When imagining Muslim Spain it is without doubt Granada, the last stronghold of the Moors, which comes to mind. The Alhambra Palace is probably the best known building in Spain, and with good reason. However, there is more to Granada than the buildings which make up the Alhambra and the Generalife. Just opposite is the Albaracin ,the old Muslim quarter, which contains numerous Moorish remains including the Iglesia del Salvador (originally a mosque) and El Bañuelo (Arab baths).Other places of interest include the Cathedral and Capilla Real which contains the tombs of the “Catholic Monarchs” and the Ermita de San Sebastian.

Tourist Information: 0034 958575202
Tourist Information La Alhambra: 0034 958226151

How to get there:

  • By Bus: Granada has frequent bus services to cities across Spain.
  • By Train: Main Rail links from across Spain including the AVE.
  • By Road: The A 92 connects Granada to Seville and Malaga.From Cordoba take the N 432.

RONDA (MALAGA)

What to See:

The town pre-dates the Romans and under Muslim rule grew to be a regional capital. It is now a popular day trip from the Costa del Sol. Although most people who visit Ronda come to see the "New Bridge", there is plenty of evidence of the towns Moorish past. The Palacio de Mondragón, The Puerta de Almócabar gate, the Arab Baths, the Arab Bridge the Iglesia de San Sebastián (whose tower was originally a minaret) and the unusual La Mina.

Tourist Information: 0034 952169311

How to get there:

  • By Bus: There are buses to Ronda from Algeciras, Cadiz, Malaga and Seville.
  • By Train: Ronda is on the line running from Bobadilla to Algeciras.
  • By Road: Perhaps the most scenic route is the A 369 from Algeciras.

Torre de Oro Seville

SEVILLE

What to See:

An important city since Roman times, Seville was one of the capitals Muslim Spain. Although situated a long way from the coast it was an important port, home of the first shipyards of al- Andalus. This importance continued after the conquest by the Christians and the "discovery" of the Americas. Today Seville is a vibrant and interesting city to visit with much to see including: The impressive rectangular Cathedral and La Giralda, built on the site of the original Mosque which the Christians knocked down. ( This was common practice, there are also several minarets which have been incorporated into churches). Nearby are the Barrio de Santa Cruz (medieval Jewish quarter) , the Alcazár Palace and the Torre de Oro Muslim watchtower, on the banks of the River Guadalquivir.

Tourist Information: 0034 954787578

How to get there:

  • By Bus: Seville has frequent bus services to cities across Spain.
  • By Train: Main Rail links from across Spain including the AVE.
  • By Road: Seville is connected to Cordoba by the A4/E5, Granada and Malaga by the A92 and Cadiz by the AP4/E5



TARIFA (CADIZ)

Once the home of the Spanish hero Guzman "the Good" and the Southernmost tip of Spain. Tarifa is perhaps better known as a Mecca for windsurfers. It is an attractive place to visit with impressive views across the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco from the battlements of the 10th Century Castle ( Castillo de Guzmán el Bueno). Other points of interest include the remains of the city wall including the Puerta de Jerez gateway as well as the 15th Century Church of San Mateo in the centre of the old town.

Tourist Information: 0034 956680993

How to get there:

  • By Bus: Tarifa is on the bus route from Algeciras to Cadiz, with frequent buses throughout the day.
  • By Train: The nearest train station is Algeciras (15km).
  • By Road: Tarifa lies on the N340 main road from Algeciras to Cadiz.
  • By Sea: There are six ferries per day between Tarifa and Tangier in Morocco.






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