Choose from 106 Fun Things to Do in Andalucia
ShowingFilter 101-106 of 106 listings.
Tivoli World
Tivoli World is an amusement park and performance venue atop a hill in Benalmádena. The performances can be kind of tacky - there's a Wild West Show (yee-ha!) and can-canning soubrettes - but there's also flamenco dancing which, while it may not be anything close to authentic, can still be quite thrilling.
Aside from the performance space there are a number of rides, with a whole section for the littler kids, a water flume, a haunted house, a sky drop, and assorted roller coasters. A wristband that you buy at the gate gets you a whole day of unlimited rides, but be sure that what you want to ride is actually open before you buy.
Practical Info
Tivoli World is in Benalmádena. By car, take the Mediterráneo Highway (A7) and get off at exit 222. You can also catch the train to the Arroyo de la Miel station.
Address:
Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena, Spain
Hours: Open mainly weekends; closed December; expanded hours over summer.
From $ 15
Plaza de Toros de La Malagueta
Spanish architect Joaquín Rucoba built Málaga's neo-Mudejar bullring in 1874. Entrepreneur and former president of Málaga Football Club, Fernando Puche Dona, owns it today. The arcaded stadium has capacity for 14,000 spectators, with stables and training grounds for the horses, corrals for the bulls, and a mini-hospital.
The Basics
Plaza de Toros de La Malagueta continues to host bullfights from April to September, with the biggest events taking place during Easter Week (Semana Santa) and the annual Bullfighting Festival (Feria Taurina) in the summer. During the rest of the year, visitors can tour the ring and the small Museo Taurino Antonio Ordonez, dedicated to one of Spain's best-loved matadors. The collection within showcases traditional bullfighting costumes and red capes.
Many cycling tours of Málaga stop outside the bullring for a quick photo op.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Plaza de Toros is a must-visit for history buffs, architecture lovers, and those interested in the heritage of Spanish bullfighting.
- Bring comfortable shoes and be prepared to climb steps, if you plan to explore the spectator stands.
- For views of the bullring from above, climb or take the shuttle up to Gibfralfaro Castle (Castillo de Gibfralfaro).
- The bullring is wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
The bullring is located in the La Malagueta neighborhood of Málaga near Málaga Park (Parque de Málaga). Several public buses stop just outside the ring at Paseo de Reding (Plaza de Toros) station.
When to Get There
If you're interested in seeing a live bullfight, you'll have to plan your visit for Easter Week or the Bullfighting Festival in July and August. The museum is open Monday to Friday morning and early afternoon.
Seeing Red
The idea that matador capes are red to attract the attention of the bull is a common misconception. In reality, bulls are colorblind to red and are instead drawn to the movement of the cape, no matter what color it happens to be.
Address: Plaza de Toros, Malaga, Spain
Hours: Open Apr-Sept 10am-2pm and 6pm-8pm; during August Feria 10am-8pm.
From $ 29
Plaza de España
Designed for the Ibero-American Exposition in 1929, Seville's grandiose Plaza de España is a semicircular public square brimming with brick and tile fountains, canals, and foot bridges, giving it the nickname Venice of Seville. Renaissance and neo-Moorish towers sit at either end of the plaza, which is situated within Maria Luisa Park.
The Basics
While the buildings of the Plaza de España mostly house government offices, the tiled alcoves make for a pleasant stroll; each of the 48 alcoves depicts scenes from one province of Spain. Due to the plaza's popularity, it's almost always included as a stop on Seville sightseeing tours (walking tours, bike tours, and river cruises), along with other points of interest like the Seville Cathedral (Catedral de Sevilla), Alcázar royal palace (Real Alcázar), and the Santa Cruz quarter.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Plaza de España is a must-see for all first-time visitors to Seville.
- Don't forget to wear sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat, as the central portion of the plaza doesn't offer much shade.
- Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk; the plaza is the size of five football fields.
- The flat plaza is accessible to wheelchair users and strollers, as are some of the surrounding sights.
How to Get There
The Plaza de España sits near the river in the historic district (Centro Histórico) of Seville. It's easily (and best) accessed on foot; bear left upon entering Maria Luisa Park.
When to Get There
While the alcoves are shaded, much of the plaza is exposed to the intense Spanish sun, so plan to visit from September to May when the sunshine is welcome rather than scorching. To experience the plaza with the fewest crowds, visit first thing in the morning or in the early evening.
A Spanish Photo Op
If you spend some time observing visitors within the plaza, you'll likely notice Spanish couples and families having their pictures taken in front of the colorful ceramic tiled alcoves. It's become somewhat of a tradition for visiting Spaniards to snap a photo on their home province's bench.
Address: Seville, Spain
Hours: Open daily
Admission: Free
From $ 23
Mijas
Sprawled across a mountain slope some 1,475 feet (450 meters) above the Mediterranean Sea, the whitewashed village of Mijas Pueblo still looks much the same as it would have centuries ago. While the historic center retains its old-fashioned air, the Mijas Costa coastal area is dotted with golf courses and modern hotels.
The Basics
Mijas offers a taste of traditional Andalucian life on the Costa del Sol. Stroll the streets independently or join a guided walking tour, which typically covers the town's top attractions, such as the Chapel of the Virgin of the Rock (Capella Virgen de la Peña) and the Plaza de Toros (bullring).
Many experiences offer optional extras such as wine tastings, traditional tapas snacks, and live flamenco shows, while some tours include round-trip transportation from Malaga or Marbella. Save yourself the effort of walking the steep streets by opting for an electric tuk-tuk tour or a donkey taxi instead.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Mijas is a must for anyone who wants to experience authentic Andalucian flavor.
- Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes as you'll spend a lot of time on your feet.
- Because of its elevation, Mijas can be a little cooler than resorts at sea level. Even so, it is usually hot and dry in summer, so bring plenty of water, as well as sunscreen and a hat.
- The streets of Mijas can be hilly in parts and are better suited to those with electric wheelchairs or mobility scooters than manual wheelchairs.
How to Get There
Mijas is 22 miles (35 kilometers) from Marbella and about the same distance from Malaga. The best way to get here from Marbella is by car, taxi, or organized tour. From Malaga, take the M112 bus or the train to Fuengirola, then transfer to bus M122 or M221.
When to Get There
The busiest time in Mijas is usually July"“August. If you're coming during these months, avoid visiting between 11am and 3pm as the heat and sun can make strolling difficult. Late afternoon is a good time to explore the village, as the midday heat wanes.
Malaga's Pueblos Blancos
Mijas is just one of many pueblos blancos (white villages) in Spain's Andalucia region. If you want to visit more towns and villages that have retained their rural Spanish character, consider taking a day trip to Ronda, a mountain village that straddles the El Tajo Gorge, and Casares, which sits dramatically atop a sheer cliff, about 9 miles (15 kilometers) inland from the Malaga coast.
Address: Spain
From $ 429
Motril
Home to some 60,000 people, Motril is the largest town that sits along Spain's Costa Tropical. It's a land steeped in history, spanning civilizations that include the Phoenicians, Romans, Moors and Christians. One thing that has remained constant over the centuries, however, is its production of sugar and sugar cane, for which Motril is known. Sugar refineries in the region are in fact plentiful, as are sugar-related products, including the locally famous run pálido, a type of rum.
Motril's town is a maze of streets lined by balcony-adorned buildings, all which reside just a short drive away from the Mediterranean Sea. Meanwhile, the Sierra Nevada mountain range lingers in the distance, a reminder of inland treasures not far away. Indeed, from Motril you can either go to the beach "“ such as the expansive Playa Poniente "“ or travel to the interior, where you can visit the iconic city of Granada and its Moorish Alhambra Palace, or even hit the ski slopes in the aforementioned Sierra Nevada.
Apart from taking advantage of the beach and neighboring mountains, you won't want to miss sampling Motril's local cuisine, such as fish, and migas (a hardy dish of bread crumbs, most closely resembling Thanksgiving stuffing). And if you happen to be in the region during spring, witness one of the city's most revered and historic traditions: that of Holy Week, which is filled with a spectacle of religious processions put on by local brotherhoods.
Address: Motril, Granada, Spain 18600, Spain
From $ 70
San Jerónimo Monastery (Monasterio de San Jerónimo)
San Jerónimo Monastery, the first monastery to be built after the Christian conquest of Granada, was also the first church in the world consecrated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Construction on this Renaissance-style church began in 1496, but it was relocated in 1504 when many of the city's current buildings were under construction.
Aside from serving as the burial place for the Great Captain (Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordoba), a Spanish general who fought in both the Conquest of Granada and the Italian Wars, the monastery is known for housing one of the most exquisite Spanish Baroque sacristies in the world. Also notable is the inner courtyard full of orange trees and the elaborate, high altar, covered in depictions of saints, angels, and other historical and mythical figures. Be sure to check out the some 500 memorial stones for the monks that spent their lives here.
Practical Info
For additional information about the monastery, be sure to pick up an English program for €1 when you enter.
Address: Calle Rector López Argueta 9, Granada, Andalucia 18001, Spain
Hours: Daily 10am"“1:30pm; 4"“7:30pm
Admission: €4
From $ 34