Things to Do in Andalucia

A maze of narrow streets running between Plaza Nueva and Plaza Bib-Rambla in the historic Arabic quarter of Granada, the Alcaicería was once a lively Arab bazaar and the center of the city’s Muslim silk exchange. Sadly, the original gated bazaar was almost entirely destroyed by a fire back in 1843 and today the restored shops occupy a much smaller space, dotted around Calle Alcaiceria, in the shadows of the Cathedral of Granada.

Despite it’s pared down size, the Alcaicería is still one of Granada’s most atmospheric areas, with a plethora of traditional craft and souvenir stores crammed with ceramics, silver jewelry, and alpaca knitwear, and stalls hawking an array of exotic spices, silks and incense. Wandering around the markets is an experience in itself, but with vendors happy to barter for goods, it’s also a great place to pick up some bargains. Look out for local specialties like fajalauza (hand painted ceramics), granadino farolas (stained-glass lamps) and taracea items (traditional wooden goods).

The chief attraction of the Basilica Macarena is La Macarena, or "the Virgin of Hope," a 17th century wooden sculpture of Christ's mother mourning his death (complete with tears). She's the patron saint of bullfighters, friend to gypsies and star of the Semana Santa parade held in Seville every Easter.

When she passes by in the parade, songs are sung to her beauty and rose petals strewn in her path. In a small museum adjoining the basilica, you can see some of the Virgin's parade array, along with bullfighting relics. 

The Castillo de Gibralfaro sits high above the seaside port of Malaga and can easily be seen by any traveller meandering about the city. It shares its history (and in fact, its very rudiments) with an adjoining archaeological treasure, the Malaga Alcazaba, also known for its stunning views and panoramic vistas.

Built in the early 10th century by Abd-al-Rahman III, this Malagan icon is situated on a hill which begins part of the Montes de Malaga mountain range. Another Muslim king, Yusef the First (also known as the Sultan of Granada) enlarged the castle at the beginning of the 14th century and added the double wall down to the Alcazaba that you see today.

The castle is famous for its prominence in the landscape, but also for its history. Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella once levied a 3-month siege on the Castillo de Gibralfaro. This notable battle was the first time gunpowder was used on both fighting sides in all of recorded Western history. For these reasons, and due to national admiration and pride, the Castillo de Gibralfaro is well known throughout Andalucia as a symbol in both the Malaga city and province’s seal and flag.

Situated side by side, the Cathedral and the Royal Chapel (Capilla Real) together make an impressive monument to the power of Christian monarchs. The cathedral was begun in the early 16th century, and even though it didn’t achieve its full intended glory (it lacks, for instance, two immense planned towers), it’s still an impressive feat of Gothic-Renaissance magnificence. There are paintings by Ribera and El Greco and, in the main chapel, carvings of Ferdinand and Isabel kneeling in prayer. 

The Royal Chapel is built in the Isabelline style, a flamboyant version of Gothic, and was finished in 1517. Ferdinand and Isabel, who commissioned the chapel as their mausoleum, died before its completion, so their remains had to be housed elsewhere for a time before moving to the chapel. They rest there today beneath their marble monuments, along with several of their relatives.

The Albaicin (also spelled Albayzin or Albaycin) is Granada's old Muslim quarter, and its steep twisting streets still have a medieval feel. With its white buildings and deep-gardened mansions spilling down the hill, the Albaicin is beautiful in itself, but what makes it particularly stunning is its views of the Alhambra. (The views of the Albaicin from the Alhambra enhance that experience as well!) There's a viewing point by the church of St. Nicolas that offers particularly good Alhambra vistas.

The Albaicin was heritage-listed in 1984. Its name may have derived from settlers fleeing the Christian invasion of the town Baeza, or it may derive from an Arabic phrase meaning 'quarter of the falconers.' Despite the Christian conquest of the city in 1492, it survived as a Muslim quarter for some decades, and you can still see the remains of Islamic bathhouses, mansions and fountains.

Cadiz is one of the oldest continuously-occupied cities in Europe dating its origins from around 1000BC when it was settled as a trading post by the Phoenicians. Its location on a peninsula, almost totally surrounded by the sea continues to make it a perfect port city and today it is the main home port of one of the four sectors of the Spanish Navy.

The original walled city was destroyed by Visigoth invaders in the 5th century and rebuilt by the Moors in the 8th century. The historic narrow, winding streets and plazas in the ancient quarters retain this influence, alongside a bustling modern city of wider streets and modern buildings.

A lovely city to explore in itself, Cadiz is often overlooked and used as a gateway to the more glamorous Seville which is home to Alcazar - a 14th century Moorish palace and home to the Spanish royal family when in Seville; home to the third largest cathedral in the world (in Plaza Virgen de los Reyes), and to one of Spain’s best museums, Museo de Bellas Artes.

How to Get to Cadiz

Cruise ships tie up in the commercial port (Puerto Commercial), right in the heart of town.  It’s an easy ten minute walk from there, crossing Avenida del Puerto and on into Plaza del San Juan Dias, a huge square from where all the main shopping streets radiate.

One Day in Cadiz

Most people head straight for the train station or onto a bus for the trip to Seville. The station is only about five minute walk from the port entrance and the trip to Seville will take around an hour and three-quarters.

If you choose to stay in Cadiz, there is plenty to explore on foot. Begin by visiting the visitor’s center in the Plaza del San Juan Dias to pick up a free map marking a good walking trail to explore the city’s historic buildings. There is also an open top bus tour called Cadiz Tour which takes about an hour.

Make sure you walk the breakwater which surrounds the city and head up to the 18th century Baroque cathedral where you may be able to climb the tower for a bird’s eye view of the city. Also worth a look is the Fine Art and Archaeology Museum (Plaza de Mina). Cadiz also has good shopping with peak purchases being sherry, handmade ceramics, fans and flamenco outfits.

Port Information

The main language is Spanish but English is spoken in the tourist shops and restaurants. The currency is the Euro.The port is also known as the port of the Bay of Cadiz.

Also known as the Plaza de las Flores (Square of Flowers), the pedestrianized Bib Rambla is an elegant and ancient square at the epicenter of Granada’s bustling and late-night street scene Central to the plaza is a 17th-century marble fountain featuring Neptune supported by four giants, and to the northeast, the bell tower of Granada’s imposing Spanish Renaissance cathedral peers over townhouse façades decorated with wrought-iron balconies and arcaded doorways.

Hidden among the Santa Cruz neighborhood's maze of streets, you'll find – if you're looking carefully -- Aire de Sevilla. This spa-like oasis located in the heart of Seville captures the magic of an old-world hammam, allowing the visitor to journey into the past, and also to relax.

The building itself dates back to the 16th century, when it was constructed as a mansion by a viceroy from the Indies. Since then, the structure has been transformed into a hammam – the type of Arab bath once so common in Spain's south -- transporting you to another time with its tranquil pools, hypnotic music, and historical setting of brick-vaulted ceilings dimly lit by Moroccan-style lanterns.

During your two-hour visit, you'll be able to alternate between Aire de Sevilla's pools, of which there are several. Wash away the day's heat and wallow in relaxation while taking dips in the cool-, warm- and hot-water baths. Then, you can find bliss in the sauna, or while relaxing in other baths too, such as the jacuzzi jet-filled hydrotherapy pool or the buoyancy-boosting salt-water one. At some point during your visit, you'll be whisked away for your massage (the length and type of which is based on the package you purchase), before returning to the pools for more time to unwind.