Andalusia

by The Flamingo

My last trip to Spain inspired me to write this article. It’s dedicated to the beautiful Andalusia, or Andalucía by its Spanish name. It’s a beautiful region in the south of Spain, overlooking the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. What impressed me the most about Andalusia is its uniqueness in this world, a Christian region with strong Muslim influences. The Flamingo has a particular affinity towards the Arabic architecture, so this is a perfect place to contemplate the splendor of the Moorish style in a western context and also enjoying a perfect climate.

We were based in Málaga, a pretty, big city on the Costa del Sol. From here we rented a car or went by train to the different locations in Andalusia. Although Málaga is not the most enchanting place on Costa del Sol, being a big city and all, it has lots of perks and nice places to visit, rich with historical value:

• Climb the hill and wander through the maze of the Moorish fortresses till you reach the top; from there the view of the city and the sea is breathtaking.
• Spend hours on end on the beautiful golden beach, enjoying the warm sun and the blueness of the sea.
• Visit the enormous cathedral where you can be dazed by the warm Mediterranean light which sneaks through the painted glass and marvel at the massiveness of the Spanish architecture.
• Nibble on delicious roasted almonds, while roaming through the narrow alleyways of the old town, with its warm colored buildings and restaurants on every corner.
• Admire Andalusian paintings, if you are an art lover, in the Carmen Thyssen Museum. Also, if you are a fan of Picasso, there is a museum dedicated to his works.
• Gawk at the beautiful, elegant boats in the harbor, this is for sure one of my favorite activities.

The road trips on the coast are definitely the best for all the sea lovers. Whether on the west or east of the Andalusian coast, there are lots of charming towns and villages:

• Nerja and all the secluded, little beaches between the high cliffs;
• Sotogrande, a lovely little village on the Costa del Sol, with colorful beautiful villas, owned by the rich Gibraltarians;
• Tarifa, the southernmost point of continental Europe, a shabby little village where the Mediterranean Sea embraces the Atlantic, overlooking Morocco, with wide silver-sandy beaches, perfect for windsurfing. I had my first ceviche here and it was amazing. 
• Vejer de la Frontera, a small village on top of a hill overlooking olive trees orchards, with old white houses, orange trees and one of the most enchanting plazas I’ve ever seen;
• Cadiz, a big town on the coast of a what it seems a neverending Atlantic, with a high boardwalk and a huge Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical cathedral. 

Andalusia is the second biggest region of Spain and its heart lies not on the coast, but in the cities and towns, conquered by the Moors, like: Granada, Seville, Cordoba and Ronda. Although I didn’t have enough time to enjoy all of them, I did experience some amazing moments of awe and will certainly go back and visit the places I missed next time:

• Ronda is the biggest of the white villages (“pueblos blancos”), situated on high cliffs, with amazing views towards vineyards, orange and olive trees, orchards and rivers. It hosts the biggest bullfighting ring in Spain, Plaza del Toros, and is famous for the 100m high bridge that binds the town together. 
• Granada, especially the famous Moorish Alhambra, with the Moorish castles and villas, former mosque, museums, Roman ruins, fortress and amazing flower gardens with orange blossoms trees is a unique assembly, really worth having on your bucket list. 
• Seville is the capital of Andalusia, one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been to and it deserves a whole article, not just a few sentences. Here you can discover the Moorish architecture with all its intricate wall designs in the Real Alcázar (Royal Palace); the former mosque, now the largest christian cathedral in the world, the Gothic La Giralda; and, in my opinion, the most emblematic imagine of the whole Spain, Plaza de España, where you can admire the beautiful art of azulejos on the circular benches. 

Andalusia has a very natural beauty, without being luxurious or overwhelming. It’s very homey and friendly and offers the whole package: relaxation by the seaside, cultural visits, fun in all the restaurants and bars, flamenco, live music on every street corner and…did I mention the great food and the sangria? Well, you can easily gain a few pounds eating their delicious fried or grilled fish, seafood paella, rich gazpacho and drinking the sweet sangria till you drop under the table. It’s best if you plan your visit in the months of May, June or September, so you can enjoy warm weather without being choked by the heat.

I really can’t wait to go back there, it’s one of those places which keeps on giving. Haven’t even set foot in Cordoba, Marbella or the Rock of Gibraltar!

For more details, feel free to contact me, The Flamingo is always eager to share her experiences!

Photos from Flamingo‘s archive. Painting: “Atrium of St Paula Convent” by Manyuel Garcia Rodriguez (Carmen Thyssen Museum, Málaga)