Overview
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1. Ronda
Ronda is a beautiful town in the Andalusia region, that seems frozen in time. It is located on an Andalusian mountain plateau and is carved down the middle by the El Tajo gorge. In this town you find some impressive historical ruins and a magnificent panoramic view over the valley. With its centuries-old bridges and cobblestone streets, Ronda should definitely be on your to do list in the South of Spain.
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2. Sevilla
Sevilla is the capital of the Andalusia region and definitely a must visit when you are in the South of Spain. It is a beautiful city with a rich history and full of beautiful architecture. The city roots back to Roman times and you can tell from the architecture that the city has been influenced by diverse cultures over the centuries. You can dive into the vibrant Spanish culture, enjoy some delicious tapas in one of the many traditional restaurants and have one or more sangria’s in a cozy bar.
Highlights in Sevilla
Real Alcazar
Real Alcazar is the Royal Palace of Sevilla. It is a Moorish palace and is probably the most famous attraction in the city. It is still in use today by the Spanish King.
Sevilla Cathedral and Giralda Tower
The Cathedral of Sevilla is one of the largest Gothic churches in the world. You can find this impressive building in the heart of the city and it is definitely worth a visit. This Cathedral was built over the remnants of a Moorish mosque. Next to the Cathedral, you find the 104 meters tall Giralda Tower, that was once the minaret of this mosque. In the meantime, the tower has undergone many changes and is now the bell tower with the most bells in Spain.
Plaza de Espana
The Plaza de Espana is a circular square with several channels on which you can take a short boat ride. One the square, there are 4 bridges that symbolize the ancient Kingdoms of Spain. You will also find some arcades, fountains and 48 benches that represent the Spain's provinces.
Setas de Sevilla
Las Setas is a wooden structure that resembles six huge umbrellas or mushrooms. This piece of architecture brings a touch of modernity to the traditional architecture of the city. From the top of the structure, you have an 360° panoramic view over the city.
Casa de Pilatos
Casa de Pilatos is a palace from the 16th century in the historic district of Santa Cruz. It is one of the best-preserved buildings from this period and, after Real Alcazar, the most beautiful palace of the city.
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3. Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a tiny British Overseas Territory located at the southern tip of Spain, at the entrance of the Mediterranean Sea. It is not actually part of Spain and is really a separate country in itself, that belongs to the UK. The total territory of Gibraltar is only about 6.7 square kilometers (2.6 square miles) and with only around 30,000 residents, the population is relatively small.
This country is like a mix of British and Spanish cultures, monkeys and a lot of history, all squeezed onto a rocky spot. You’ll meet funny monkeys called Barbary macaques and see amazing views from the tall Rock. Even though Gibraltar is small, it’s full of exciting things to discover.
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4. Caminito Del Rey
The Caminito Del Rey, or ‘the king’s path’, is known as one of the most beautiful hikes in Europe and even in the world. It got its name because the king once walked this trail. The path runs through a gorge through which water flows. There used to be a power plant here that was powered by water. The path is actually the maintenance path for the power plant, but was also used to deliver building materials for a train track that was built along parts of the path.
In the past, the Caminito Del Rey was freely accessible, without any form of control. Due to several accidents (including rocks falling, climbers falling to their deaths and young people trying to zipline on the cables), Caminito Del Rey was closed from 1992 to 2015. Since then, they have rebuilt the path and it can be visited in a controlled manner. Although it is a very busy place, it is really worth a visit. It is super impressive and unique to walk along. It is not a physically challenging walk, but for people with a fear of heights it can be quite a challenging walk.
Practical
General ticket: €10
Guided visit: €18
Daily: 8am to 5pm
If you want to walk the Caminito del Rey, you have to book well in advance. If you didn't manage to get a ticket in advance, you can still go to the ticket office early in the morning. They always have some tickets left for the day itself. Try to be at the ticket office at least half an hour before opening and keep in mind that it is a 1.5 km walk from the parking lot to the ticket office.
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5. Tarifa
Tarifa is a laid-back and popular beach town in the province of Cadiz. Its geographical location, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean, creates strong and consistents winds. Therefore, it is well known for its water activities like surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and so on. Besides these activities, it is also a place with a rich history, some of the best beaches in Cadiz, cozy cafes, restaurants, small tapas bars ànd the southernmost point of mainland Europe. Not to be missed is the picturesque ‘old town’, a compact White Village with narrow winding alleys. Because it is the closest point of mainland Europe to Africa, you can easily see the Moroccan coast on clear days on the other side of the sea.
Note: The southernmost point of mainland Europe is not freely accessible. If you’d like to visit this point, you have to make a reservation in advance by sending an email or call to the tourist office and pay a fee of €4 pp.
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6. Cadiz
Cadiz is an historic port city and one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. It is located on a narrow strip of land, that is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. Because of this unique location, it is also referred to as Little Silver Cup. The historic old town of Cadiz is surrounded by ancient city walls and offers some charming streets, squares and a stunning ocean view. You can stroll through the cozy streets, have something delicious to eat or drink in one of the many cozy bars or restaurants and enjoy a day at the beach on one of the beautiful beaches.
7. Desierto De Gorafe
Desierto de Gorafe, also known as the Gorafe Desert or Los Coloraos, is a very unique area in the province of Granada. Although the name suggests otherwise, it is not a real desert. There are no dry conditions and extreme temperatures that you normally expect for a desert, but you do have a semi-arid climate. It is an impressive area with a rugged landscape that feels like you are on another planet. You will find many geological rock formations such as badlands, canyons and desert-like sandstone formations and yet a flat horizon. It is the perfect place for hiking and biking but you can also take guided 4×4 tours to learn more about the dolmens and the history of the area. If you stay here overnight, you should definitely look outside at night. Because its fairly remote location, there is little light pollution, making it the perfect place for stargazing.
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8. Murcia
Officially, the Murcia region is not considered southern Spain, but more southeast. However, there are still some unique places in this region, that we would like to share with you.
Desierto de Abanilla
Just like Desierto de Gorafe, is Desierto de Abanilla not a real desert, but rather a semi-arid region characterized by a landscape with a rugged beauty. It is a beautiful area where you can enjoy various hikes through a unique terrain with some impressive geological formations. The town of Abanilla is also located close to this desert. It is definitely worth a visit because it’s more an off-the-beaten path experience compared to the more famous destinations in Spain.
Embalse de la Rambla de Algeciras
Embalse de Algeciras is a large, blue reservoir that is used to manage water resources for irrigation, flood control and hydroelectric power generation the region. It is a little off-the-beaten-path place but the views are to die for. The contrast between the beautiful blue water and the dry, desert-like environment makes this a truly beautiful place. You can enjoy a beautiful walk around the reservoir with several impressive viewpoints along the way such as Mirador de Librilla.
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