Andalucia

Some basic facts about Spain’s region of Andalucia:

Population: 7 million (about 20% of Spain’s national total)
Area: 87,300 km sq (17.3 % of the Spanish territory )

Spain’s region of Andalucia is composed of eight provinces, stretching from the south-east to the south-west of the country, each one named for its capital city: Cadiz, Cordoba, Jaen, Huelva, Almeria, Malaga, Granada and Seville.
Once Spain’s poorest region, Andalucia (and specifically the provinces of Malaga, Granada and Seville) is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. This is thanks to its sandy beaches, beautiful countryside, spectacular mountain ranges, fabulous monuments and high-spirited people who live life to the full and are well known for their exuberance, warmth and hospitality. Andalucia is also home of flamenco and bullfighting, which can be best enjoyed at the region’s countless ferias and romerias.

Perhaps the most unique feature of this enchanting region is the remnants of its Moorish past. The Moors were a mixture of Berbers and Arabs who crossed into Spain from North Africa by the Straits of Gibraltar and occupied the peninsula (which they called al Andalus) for more than seven centuries, dating from 710 when they first landed in Tarifa. Within a mere four years they had virtually conquered the entire country, although they soon withdrew to the southern part of the peninsula, where they established, in the towns of Cordoba, Seville and Granada, one of the most sophisticated civilisations of the Middle Ages. Each of these Andalucian capitals boasts spectacular remains of their monuments, the most unforgettable of which is, undoubtedly, Granada's Alhambra palace
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Andalucia has 500 miles of coastline and of which 70% are sandy beaches. The Mediterranean seaboard is graced by the Costa de Almeria, Costa Tropical and the glamorous, cosmopolitan Costa del Sol, while the Costa de la Luz lies along the Atlantic shore to the west of Gibraltar. As well as Andalucia’s fascinating cities and dazzling shores, the region is sprinkled with tiny unspoiled villages and whitewashed towns - the famous pueblos blancos - which tourists often overlook, even though they are of easy access, such as Casares, Gaucin and Frigilana.
Andalucia, then, is a region of startling contrasts and great charm. Yet, this mysterious corner of Europe is easy to reach, with hundreds of charter flights arriving each week at Malaga’s Pablo Picasso International Airport, which lies midway between Malaga, the main city of the coast, and Torremolinos, the region’s most legendary resort.

Western Costa del Sol

The 100km of coastline westward from Malaga to the Cadiz provincial border.

The coast is highly developed from the point of view of international tourism. Communications revolve around Malaga International Airport (8 km west of the city) and the N340 coast highway. In the middle of the Costa the greatly improved district road from San Pedro de Alcantara inland to the historic town of Ronda is the most important inland connection.

Costa del Sol Beaches

The most all year round tourist destination in Europe, the Costa del Sol has numerous magnificent well kept beaches. The average water temperature is 18 C (and 24 C in August).

Costa del Sol Sport

The abundance of facilities, the wonderful climate and the hospitality of the people make this area absolutely ideal for sport lovers. You can enjoy water sports - swimming, sailing, boating, jet skiing, and also track and field sports. There are sports complexes, football fields, gyms all over the coast. Tennis deserves a special mention home to champions' clubs such as Manuel Santana in Marbella.

Costa del Sol Monuments

The rich history of Andalucia with many ancient civilizations has left behind a legacy of ruins and historical sites. Examples are; Acinipo in Ronda, Bobastro near Alora, Alcazaba and the Gibralfaro in the City of Malaga. Visitors can travel along the Mudejar route in La Axarquia, see the dolmens of Menga and the figure of Efebro in Antequera. There are cultural attractions. Museums of Bellas Artes, Arte Popular, Diocesano, the house of Picasso, the Teatro Cervantes, the old Cathedrals and Castles and many other monuments.

Costa del Sol Gastronomy; Food and Drink

There are few other places with such a concentration of restaurants - of all categories. The Costa has everything from oriental cuisine, international food to the exotic tastes of Southern Spain. The costas typical dishes are seafood, particularly the "el pescaito frito" famous in the Carihuela area of Torremolinos.

Costa del Sol; Nature and Scenery

There is so much away from the beach. Miles of unspoiled and protected countryside peppered with white villages. The mountains back onto the coast. Montes de Malaga, Serania de Ronda, Sierra Blanca, Sierra Bermeja and Concha Mountain. They are covered with a diverse range of flora. Here you can enjoy nature, the hospitality of the White villages.

Costa del Sol Adventure

Adventure beacons, in the air; Paragliding at Ronda la Vieja or Valle de Abdalajis, potholing in the Cueva del Gato, water parasending in Puerto Banus, diving, windsurfing and off road adventures on the trails through the mountains.

Costa del Sol Nightlife

When the sun goes down a whole new world wakes up. Visitors are amazed by the Andalucian culture and desire to dance until dawn. There are casinos, flamenco shows, Salsa Discos, top shows clubs and thousands of bars and terraces to while away the night.

Costa del Sol Golf

The fact that the Costa del Sol was chosen to host the 1997 Ryder Cup, the single most important event in the golfing calendar which pits the top European players against the top Americans every two years, has focused worldwide attention on the Costa del Sol's superb golf courses.

Costa del Sol Villages

Here are some of the best villages to explore that are only a half days car ride from the Costa del Sol. Leave the coast road west of Estepona for Casares and Gaucin. Leave the coast road at Sabinillas for Manilva. Leave the coast road west of San Pedro for Benahavis. Leave the coast road west of Marbella for Istan. Leave the coast road at Marbella for Ojen, Ronda, Coín and Tolox. Leave the coast road at Fuengirola for Mijas. Leave the coast road at Nerja for Frigiliana.