You don’t need to be an expert on southern Spain to know that the beaches are stunning and the climate is warm, but there is more to Andalucia than meets the eye.
The beaches of Tarifa on Andalucía’s Atlantic coast
Andalucia is the setting for an extraordinarily varied geography and topography – resulting in one of the most beautifully diverse regions in the world.
In a location known for its hot climate, one region that comes as a surprise to many is the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada (Spain’s largest mountain range) — such winter like majesty seemingly out of place in this sunny region. Half the Andalucian landscape is mountainous, with 46 of the peaks standing at over 1,000 metres above sea level. The highest point is the mountain of Mulhacén (3481m), and the range has been described as a ‘hikers’ paradise’, a mixture of the climate and the surroundings making the region ideal.
The Sierra Nevada, Spain’s largest mountain range and most southerly ski resort
Andalucia is also home to the only desert area in Europe, the Tabernas desert in Almeria which has been the set for numerous spaghetti westerns and more recently the hugely popular Game of Thrones series. This region is also the driest in all of Spain in terms of rainfall, with Andalucia also having the wettest location (Sierra de Grazalema).
One region that attracts a lot of tourist interest for its natural beauty and purity is Doñana National park in the Huelva and Seville provinces. It is considered one of the best preserved locations in Europe, with 64,260 hectares of unspoilt land, marshes, sand dunes and Mediterranean scrub. the area is famed for its abundant wildlife and migratory birds including Flamingo’s, if you are lucky you may catch a glimpse of the endangered Iberian Lynx, Egyptian Mongoose or Spanish Imperial Eagle.
The wetlands of the Doñana National Park, home to 125 migratory bird species
It is possible in Andalucia to travel a relatively short distance, and witness all manner of geographical diversity, from the beautiful agricultural olive groves and vineyards, to modern cities, ‘pueblos blancos’, and breathtaking scenery like the world famous gorge of Ronda.
The symbol of Andalucia (the 917km of coast) is not immune to the trend of diversity either – from the breezy expanses of Tarifa to the rugged, volcanic beaches of Almeria, it is genuinely possible to experience all types of terrain in Andalucia.
There are however a few constants amongst the diversity – the unwavering blue skies and sunny weather, making this region as incredible as it is diverse.