There are many unique places to visit in Andalusia that many tourists simply don’t know about. This region of Spain is well known for its stunning beaches, world-famous flamenco performances, and being the birthplace of tapas. The weather is perfect all year round too, making it a popular destination for people even in the winter months. I always base myself out of Malaga so I’m able to
The cities of southern Spain are incredible in their own right, and many have UNESCO World Heritage Sites in them, but sometimes you need to expand your horizons and explore what the more rural areas have to offer. Some of the most beautiful places in Spain are, after all, located away from the Andalusian coast. Here are are few must-visit places in Andalusia that you may not have considered before.
1. Castillo Monumento Colomares
Sitting along the southern coast of Spain is Castillo Monumento Colomares which is by far one of the most unusual places you will come across in Andalusia. It’s located in Benalmadena, which is only a short drive from Malaga. The monument looks like something out of Disneyland, but it was built to commemorate the life and adventures of Christopher Columbus. There are lots of details in the structure itself for you to try to find, and at €2.50 you really can’t go wrong.
2. Frigiliana
Andalusia is very well known for having hundreds of pueblos blancos (white villages) dotting its landscape. There are so many in fact, that you can follow a trail that will take you to the most popular ones if you fancy going on a little road trip in Andalusia. Or, if you don’t have a car, many tours in southern Spain stop off at them too. One of my favourite white villages is Frigiliana, just north of Nerja, which sits high in the mountains overlooking the sea.
3. Caminito del Rey
Caminito del Rey is an absolute must-visit if you’re in the Malaga area. Even if you’re not around Malaga, it’s considered one of the most unique places to visit in Spain, so it’s worth driving to. It was once considered to be the most dangerous walkway in the world, but now it’s very secure and safe to walk along. It takes between 2-3 hours to walk the whole route, most of which is very easy and flat.
Make sure you check the weather before visiting, because if it’s too windy they’ll close the trail for safety reasons. Tickets sell out very quickly so make sure you book your ticket online in advance. There’s a bus at the end of the trail that takes you back to the parking area but the driver only accepts payment in cash.
4. Juzcar
White villages are pretty, but have you every visited a blue village? Juzcar sits high in the mountains and is also known as “La Aldea Azul”. There isn’t a lot to do here, so it’s very easy to add to your southern Spain itinerary. The village was originally white but was painted blue for the premiere of the first Smurfs movie, and the town decided to keep it this colour as it became very popular with tourists.
Juzcar is also a hub of activity for people wanting to get out in nature. They’ve recently introduced a zip line and some new hiking routes which look like a lot of fun. It’s one of the more unusual locations in Spain, so if you have some free time you should definitely take a walk around here. You may even find a couple of Smurfs hanging around!
5. El Torcal de Antequera
El Torcal de Antequera is one of the most unusual places to visit in Andalusia. This nature reserve sits in a mountain range, and is Andalusia’s most geographically unusual natural park. It’s completely free to walk around and there are 3 different trails to choose from, each with different lengths and difficulties. The limestone rock formations were formed millions of years ago when the earth’s crust forced them out of the water to form hills and mountains. Over the years, rain and wind has chipped away at the limestone, leaving these incredible formations.
6. Cueva del Gato
Cueva del Gato is only 20 minutes from Ronda, and is a unique little oasis in the middle of the hills. There’s a parking area nearby and it’s very easy to walk to. This natural swimming pool is freezing cold though. It’s very popular in the summer when the weather is unbearably hot, and it’s a great spot for a picnic. There’s a cave off to the side of the pool, but it’s forbidden to go inside for safety reasons. Who needs the beach when you’ve got this?
7. Ronda
Ronda is one of the most unique places to visit in Andalusia. The bridge looks like something out of Game of Thrones, and is very impressive to stand under. It connects the new and old town and there’s a walking path you can use to get down to this view point. There is also a “road” that you can drive on to get here, which I wouldn’t recommend because our car almost broke driving along it. It was more like a hiking path than a road, and very difficult to drive along.
Ronda is a great option for a day trip from Malaga, and you’ll enjoy the food scene here as well. So if you’re looking for unique and historical places to visit in Andalusia, this is a great choice.
8. Cape Trafalgar
The province of Cadiz has some of the top places to visit in Andalusia within its borders as well as many of the best beaches in southern Spain. The small village of Los Caños de Meca along the Costa de la Luz is home to Cape Trafalgar, the location of the famous Battle of Trafalgar where the British defeated the French and Spanish fleets. It’s a very popular place, with lots of bars, restaurants, and outdoor activities available. The 19th century lighthouse adds to the charm of the area, and it’s the perfect spot at sunset.
9. Setenil de las Bodegas
Setenil de las Bodegas is another example of one of the many unique places to visit in Andalusia. The white washed buildings are built into the surrounding cliffs, which you can see both inside and outside of the shops and restaurants. There are parts where you’re able to walk directly under the rocks too. It’s only a 20 minute drive from Ronda, so you can visit two unusual locations in Andalusia in one trip. The south of Spain has some gorgeous white villages but I promise that this one will be like no other.
10. Vejer de la Frontera
Vejer de la Frontera is another stunning white village that sits very close to Los Caños de Meca. If you don’t have a car, there are regular bus services running to and from it throughout the day. There are a number of historical sites to see here and it’s very famous for its food scene. In my opinion, one of the best activities to do in Spain is to eat, and the food in Andalusia is some of the best. We try to visit Vejer as often as possible when we’re in this part of Cadiz.
BONUS LOCATION: Fort Bravo
If you’re staying in or around Malaga, and you’re looking for something completely random to do, I’d recommend taking a nice coastal drive to Almeria to visit Fort Bravo. Almeria is known for its beaches but just north of the city, sitting in the desert, is this western-styled theme park. It’s not cheap to get into but it’s definitely one of the most unique places to visit in Andalusia.
Included in your ticket is the chance to see a live-action western show, complete with horses, gun fights, and a bank robbery. You can also visit the museum, have a drink in the saloon, go on a carriage ride, and explore different sets. Apart from Spaghetti Westerns, movies such as Indiana Jones used this site for filming.
Although most people travel to southern Spain for the stunning beaches and perfect weather, it has so much more to offer if you travel further afield. There are a lot of unique places to visit in Andalusia just waiting to be explored. These are just a few of my suggestions so please feel free to reach out via email or through Instagram if you know of any other places to go or have any questions.
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