This section looks in depth at Andalucía’s geography, history and culture – from mountain ranges to hidden coves, Roman emperors to Romanesque churches, coplas to zambombas and salmonetes to salmorejo, we’ve got it covered. We’ll keep adding more articles, so make sure to check back regularly.
Browse the articles by choosing the topics that interest you. To search for something specific, put in a keyword.
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Andalucía’s Renaissance Architecture
Andalucía has a wealth of Renaissance architecture, from magnificent cathedrals to elegant mansions and peaceful cloisters. The towns of Úbeda and Baeza in Jaén province have been recognised by UNESCO for their exceptionally well-preserved Renaissance heritage.
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Andalucian Food
Andalucía’s food reflects its varied geography and history – particularly on the coast, there is a bewildering of array of seafood, and almost everywhere you’ll find lamb, beef, cured meats and cheeses, as well as plenty of fruit and vegetables. And pork – lots of pork.
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Andalucian Wines
Andalucía produces a huge range of wines, from household names to unusual niche products. Sherries and sweet wines from Málaga are most famous, but there is something to suit every palate.
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Bars and restaurants
In Andalucía, you’ll encounter a wide variety of eateries, ranging from simple tapas bars to Michelin-starred restaurants. Here’s a short guide to what you can expect in the various kinds of establishment.
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Christian Andalucía in the Middle Ages
Starting with the Battle of Navas de Tolosa in 1212, the Christians gradually expanded their territories in Andalucía, until Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragón defeated the last remaining Muslim kingdom in 1492.
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Emirate of Córdoba (711–929)
For over five centuries, Muslim rulers controlled the whole of Andalucía. During the first two hundred years of Muslim rule, Córdoba was the capital of a powerful Emirate which covered most of modern Spain and Portugal.
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Festivals and public holidays
Spain and particularly Andalucia has a reputation for being fond of fiestas and for having a lot of public holidays. It doesn’t really have more public holidays than most other European countries, but there are a lot of fiestas.
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From the Caliphate to the Almohads (929–1238)
In 929 the Emir of Córdoba Abd al-Rahman III declared himself Caliph. The Caliphate of Córdoba was splendid but short-lived, and the centuries following its collapse were plagued by conflict.
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Geography of Andalucía
One of the huge attractions of Andalucía is the variety of countryside, from the windswept sandy beaches of Cádiz to the rocky peaks of the Sierra Nevada. The diverse landscape is matched by extremes of climate.
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Menu decoder
Our menu decoder is an explainer of some of the dishes you’re most likely to encounter on menus across Andalucía. Hopefully it will help you to choose the dishes you’ll most enjoy.
