Destinations > Spain > Andalucía

Andalucía

This region in the south of the country is the heart of traditional Spain. Andalucía is also home to many of Spain's most fascinating old cities including Seville (Sevilla) and Granada and is a popular region for anyone wishing to experience 'the real Spain'.

For many backpackers, Andalucía is also the gateway to North Africa with cheap and frequent ferry departures between Algeciras and Morocco.

Algeciras

There's only one reason to visit the ugly industrial port, and that's to catch the ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta or Tangier in Morocco.

Algeciras has a reputation as a place to get ripped off and the market, port and bus and train stations are teeming with con artists offering to change money or sell you drugs and ferry tickets. However all this may seem a little tame if you've just arrived from Morocco.

Fortunately transport out of Algeciras is extremely frequent with several ferries an hour. The bus and train stations are both located around a kilometre west of the port.

Accommodation

Instalación Juvenil Algeciras

Carretera Nacional 340 km 95,6 Brda. Pelayo, 11390 Algeciras
Tel 95 678 4035

Cádiz

Founded around 1100 BC, Cádiz is one of the oldest cities in Europe, however most of the historic part of the city dates from the 18th century.

Central Cádiz is crammed onto a narrow peninsula, punctuated by sunny plazas. The city's major attractions include Torre Tavira, an old watchtower plus the two citadels - Castillo de Santa Catalina and Castillo de San Sebastián - and important churches and museums. Interesting museums include Museo de Cádiz and Museo Histórico Municipal.

Practical Information

Cádiz Tourist Information Centre

Plaza de Juan de Dios 11, Cádiz

Tel (956) 24 10 01

Accommodation

Casa Caracol

Calle Suárez de Salazar 4, 11006 Cadiz
Tel 956 26 11 66

Córdoba

During its heyday in the 8th century, Córdoba was the biggest city in Western Europe welding influence over much of the Muslim world. Although it is now only a regional centre, Córdoba is a fascinating city with many relics of it's illustrious past.

The Mezquita is Córdoba's main sight. This amazing building is an excellent example of Islamic architecture although this style is compromised by the additions made in the 16th century.

Other attractions include the Torre de la Calahorra and the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos which played an important role in the Spanish Inquistion.

Practical Information

Córdoba Tourist Information Centre

Calle de Torrijos 10, Córdoba

Tel (957) 47 12 35

Accommodation

Instalación Juvenil Córdoba

Plaza Juda Levi s/n, 14003 CORDOBA
Bus 3
Tel 957 355040

Granada

This is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and there is a great atmosphere, particularly in the Albayzín, the old Islamic quarter which sits under the gaze of the Alhambra.

This city has a rich heritage left behind from the its Muslim days which is reflected in its architecture which is particularly prevalent in the Albayzín although there are many other much more impressive buildings elsewhere in the city.

The main sight is, of course, La Alhambra and its neighbouring gardens, El Generalife. The fortress is huge and the towers of the Alcazaba, the exquisite detail of the Palacio Nazaries, a harem as well as other royal residences plus a few Christian buildings which had been added in the late 16th century.

Many Christian buildings were constructed after the fall of Andalucía's Muslim rule, the most notable being the Cathedral and the adjoining Capilla Real (Royal Chapel).

Practical Information

Granada Tourist Information Centre

Pl. Mariana Pineda 10, Granada

Tel (0958) 226 688

American Express

Av. de la Constitutión 19

Tel (0958) 276 312

INTERNET ACCESS

Uninet Internet

Plaza de la Encarnacion 2, Granada

Open 9.30am-11pm daily

Coming & Going

There is one train station which serves most Spanish destinations. Buses leave from the Enatcar Bus Station on Av. Andaluces to Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia; and from the Alsina Graells bus station on Camino de Ronda to Córdoba, Málaga and Seville.

Accommodation

Backpackers Posada de Colón

Calle Cruellas 4, 18009 Granada
Tel 958 229 843

Funky Backpackers Hostel

Cuesta de Rodrigo del Campo 13, 18009 Granada
Tel 958 221 462

Instalación Juvenil Granada

Calle Ramón y Cajal 2, 18003 Granada
Tel 95 800 2900

Makuto Backpackers Hostel

Calle de la Tiña 18, 18010 Granada
Bus 31, 32 (stop: Santa Isabel La Real monastery)
Tel 958 805 876

Oasis Backpackers' Hostel

Calle Correo Viejo 3, 18010 Granada
Tel 958 215 848

Rambutan Guesthouse Hostel

Verea Enmedio Baja 28, Granada
Bus 3 (stop: Cathedral)
Tel 95 822 0766

Jerez de la Frontera

Jerez de la Frontera is the home of sherry and also lies at the heart of Andalucía's horse country and is recognised as a centre of flamenco dance. The British love of sherry during the 1800s brought a lot of money into town and the place still has an wealthy feel about it.

The sherry bodegas are popular with older tourists, although most people below retirement age find the Real Escuela Andaluz del Arte Ecuestre (Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art) and the Centro Andaluz de Flamenco (Andalucian Flamenco Centre) more rewarding.

Practical Information

Jerez de la Frontera Tourist Information Centre

Calle Larga 39, Jerez de la Frontera

Tel (956) 33 11 50

Accommodation

Instalación Juvenil Jerez de la Frontera

Avenida de Blas Infante 30, 11408 Jerez de la Frontera
Tel 856 814 001

Málaga

This city is considered by many to be the major centre of the touristy Costa del Sol. However most package tourists go straight from the airport to the resort towns of Fuengirola, Marbella and Torremolinos leaving Málaga to the locals.

Although not as spectacular as Granada or Sevilla, this city still has plenty of attractions to keep visitors busy. The main attractions are the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro, a Muslim fortress and adjoining castle which dominate the area to the west of the city centre. Málaga's cathedral is another important sight, centrally located on Plaza del Obispo.

Pablo Picasso was born in Málaga and fans of his work may visit the house where he was born as well as the Museo Picasso.

Because of its proximity to the Costa del Sol resorts there are plenty of charter flights including some bargains which makes Málaga a popular entry point into Spain for some travellers.

Practical Information

Andalucia Tourist Office

Pasaje Chinitas 4, Málaga

Tel (952) 21 34 45

Municipal Tourist Office

Avenida de Cervantes 1, Málaga

Tel (952) 60 44 10

Accommodation

Instalación Juvenil Málaga

Plaza de Pío XII, 29007, Malaga
Tel 951 308 170

Melting Pot Backpackers Hostel

Paseo de Salvador Rueda 9, 29016 Malaga
Train Alameda Principal, then bus 11 (stop: Paseo de Sancha)
Tel 952 600 571

Picasso's Corner Backpackers Hostel

Calle San Juan de Letrán, 29012 Malaga
Tel 952 212 287

Residencia Universitaria Guadalmar

Calle Jerónimo Bobadilla 4, 29003 Malaga
Tel 952 333 773

Residencia Universitaria Jacinto Benavente

Avenida de Jacinto Benavente 25, 29011 Malaga
Tel 952 657 099

Residencia Universitaria Santa Paula

Calle Especería 5, 29005 Malaga
Tel 952 214 148

Roaming Bull Hostel

Calle Guzmán el Bueno 38, Malaga
Tel 952 204 837

Sol Backpacker

Calle Ferraz 11, 29002 Malaga

Marbella

The nicest of the Costa del Sol resort towns has a lot more to offer than the neighbouring package-tourist hell. Although it doesn't have a lot of sights, Marbella is much classier than you may have expected and is worth a visit if you're after a beach resort to rest up after all those churches, castles and museums elsewhere in Andalucía.

Practical Information

Marbella Tourist Information Centre

Glorieta Fontanilla, Marbella

Tel (952) 77 14 42

Accommodation

Instalación Juvenil Marbella

Avenida del Trapiche 2, 29600 Marbella
Tel 951 270 301

Ronda

This small town about an hour inland from the Costa del Sol is set amongst spectacular scenery and is famous for its beautiful old Muslim quarter, known as La Ciudad. Ronda is entrenched in tradition and is widely considered the home of bullfighting.

Practical Information

Ronda Tourist Information Centre

Plaza de España 1, Ronda

Tel (952) 87 12 72

Sevilla (Seville)

Sevilla (sometimes referred to by its English name, Seville) is one of the most popular Andalucian cities with backpackers. The city has a wealth of sights and a unique atmosphere making it a must-see attraction.

Sevilla's sights include the impressive cathedral which took over a century to build and remains the world's largest Gothic building. The cathedral is reputed to house Christopher Colombus's tomb.

Nearby the cathedral is the Alcázar, a palace originally built over a thousand years ago which contains the Palacio de Don Pedro and a large garden area.

Or course the real attraction is the city itself, particularly the winding streets of Barrio de Santa Cruz and El Centro, the city centre with its plazas.

If you're here during the period from Easter through to April, try and make it for the Semana Santa and Feria de Abril festivals which makes the city even more fun than usual, although it can be difficult finding accommodation during this period.

Practical Information

Sevilla Tourist Information Centre

Avenida de la Constitución 21, Sevilla

Tel 95 422 14 04

Coming & Going

Sevilla is quite well connected by both train and bus to the rest of the country.

Sevilla's Aeropuerto San Pablo doesn't cater to budget airlines and it is unusual for budget travellers to fly here. The airport is located around 7km from the city centre and frequent airport buses depart from Puerta de Jerez.

Sevilla has two bus stations. This is the cheapest way to get around, if you don't have a rail pass.

Estación de Autobuses Prado de San Sebastián on Plaza San Sebastián behind the Alcázar gardens has frequent buses to most destinations within Andalucía including Algeciras, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Ronda and the Costa del Sol as well as destinations further up the coast including Alicante, Barcelona and Valencia.

Estación de Autobuses Plaza de Armas near the river near the intersection of Avenida del Cristo de la Expiación and Calle de Arjona has buses to destinations further afield including Madrid, Mérida and Salamanca as well as international services to Portugal.

Sevilla is also well served by train, particularly as the fast AVE train has cut the journey time to Madrid down to 2½ hours. Eurail pass holders will have to pay a supplement to travel on these trains while travellers with an Interrail pass will need to take the bus as this journey isn't covered by this rail pass.

There are also plenty of trains to other destinations in Andalucía as well as trains to Valenia, Barcelona and Lisbon (via Cáceres).

Accommodation

Hostal Nuevo Suizo

Calle Azofaifo 7, 41004 Seville
Bus 32, B2 (stop: Plaza de la Encarnación)
Tel 954 229 147

Instalación Juvenil Sevilla

Calle de Isaac Peral, 41012 Seville
Tel 95 505 6500

Oasis Backpackers Hostel Sevilla

Plaza de la Encarnación 29, 41003 Seville
Bus 25, 26, 33 (stop: Plaza Nueva), B2 (stop: Plaza de la Encarnación)
Tel 954 293 777

Sevilla Urbany Hostel

Calle de Doña María Coronel 12, 41003 Seville
Bus 25, 26, 33 (stop: Plaza Nueva), B2 (stop: Plaza de la Encarnación)
Tel 954 227 949

Seville Backpacker Hostel Picasso

Calle San Gregorio 1, 41004 Seville
Tel 95 421 0861

Seville Backpackers

Calle Santas Patronas 31, 41001 Seville

Triana Backpackers

Calle de Rodrigo de Triana 69, 41010 Seville
Tel 954 459 960