If you're reading this to find out about the Costa del Sol, then this review won't be of any use to you. If, on the other hand, you are curious about the multitude of amazing places that can be found in mainland Andalucia read on - and have a look at some photos to see for yourself.
Our journey began in Malaga going onto Antequera, Cordoba, Jaen, Cazorla, Segura de la Sierra, Baza, Guadix, Granada, Marbella and back to Malaga to fly home.
Destinations of note included Antequera where, aside from the very beautiful moorish town, you can also visit some great national park areas - specifically El Torcal, 15kms away. Further away, about 50kms to the southwest, is El Chorro, a stunning river gorge - the highlight of our journey. Once at the gorge it is possible to clamber up a disused road towards the railway tunnels. After passing a sign stating 'You risk injury or death by passing beyond this point. Do so at your risk' (or the equivalent in Spanish), a small trek across a few obvious dirt walkways brings you the railway tunnels. For this vantage point you can take your chances - there's a disused eighty year old concrete walkway, about two yards wide, no railing and lot of adrenaline. Walking along this you have sheer cliff going up hundreds of feet above you, and a sheer drop of two-three hundred feet on the other side. You can follow this walkway for some distance, if you dare. There are large gaping holes in the floor, the supports are rusty and the whole experience is terrifying. The views from the walkway are brilliant. If you like climbing, notably if you are an experienced climber, there are clips in the rock at various locations should you fancy a climb. Awesome.
Cordoba, Guadix, Granada are all towns with their share of Moorish historical architecture and monuments. Cordoba has a lot to see - Thursdays every museum and historic building is free to enter. Guadix is mad - many people living in dwellings carved into the limestone. Granada was the largest inland town we visited, though all we saw was El Alhambra and Burger King.
We didn't eat just that though. Tapas and regional specialties abound - to not have at least tried them would be criminal. No english breakfast or fish and chips inland but Churros for breakfast, dipped in hot chocolate, grilled trout, breaded prawns, langoustines fried in garlic, paella, tortillas, bocadillo (spanish sandwiches), jamon (yum), fresh seafood - anchovies etc... There are also more exotic dishes if you're far enough afield and are daring - in Cazorla we had snails, though we skipped the brain dish that was on the menu.
For accomodation we just made it up as we went along. The only place that approach hiccuped was Marbella - though eventually we found a hostal. The pensiones and hostals were generaly friendly and clean places, the rooms having their own bathrooms and sometimes even air conditioning. On average they were two star places but surprisingly relaxing.
If driving, air con is nice. Though having an open top also has it benefits. If you're going deep inland it can help to have 4WD on some of the C roads (there are Motorways, A, B, C roads). Regional maps are good too - not least for of the hilarious translations that you sometimes find.
As for nightlife. Well we didn't really go clubbing or partying too much. We found ourselves repeatedly slogging on through the siesta, whatever the temperature, resulting in our being totally knackered each night. We did go to some great bars, saw some flamenco in Cordoba and drove past a complex of nightclubs in Baza on Saturday night. If we had gone there would certainly have been very good looking people everywhere. Though any more than that I wouldn't know. I personally found the girls very good looking and heard that the blokes aren't all that bad either.
Next time i go, and i will, i'll also check out Seville and some of the less arid areas of Andalucia.
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We propose some unforgettable holidays in "El Capistrano Villages", in Nerja, the privileged balcony of the Costa del Sol. "El Capistrano Villages" is, possibly, the most beautiful and exclusive Urbanisation on the Costa del Sol.
Advantages: The all-year-round good weather, the scenery and the people Disadvantages: The fact that in 10 years time it will be far more developed than it is now.
Motley 26.03.2001 ·
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Review of Andalucia (Spain)
Advantages: Plenty to see and do around Jimena De La Frontera - not for kids though. Good roads Disadvantages: None that I can think of but maybe a lot depends on your accommodation
BNibbles 15.11.2005 (15.11.2005)
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Review of Andalucia (Spain)
Advantages: Warm sun and snow in January and February. Price over others in Europe. Disadvantages: Lack of snow in April. Not enough ski area. Not testing skiing.
timstephens4760 16.02.2004 (16.02.2004)
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Review of Sierra Nevada
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