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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Mountains of Andalucía
Andalucía’s complex and highly mountainous geography is the result of its position at the southern edge of the Eurasian plate, where it collides against the African plate. The two main systems of mountain ranges are the Sierra Morena and the Baetic System, either side of the Guadalquivir valley.
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Mudéjar Architecture
Mudéjar is a style of architecture that’s unique to Spain. The name Mudéjar comes from the name given to the Muslims who lived in the medieval Christian kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula.
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Music and dance festivals
As well as the many one-off concerts, Andalucia has a wealth of music festivals, across a range of styles and genres. These are some of the best-known ones.
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Nasrid Kingdom of Granada (1238–1492)
During the final period of Muslim rule in Andalucía, only the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada held on, covering roughly the modern provinces of Málaga, Granada and Almería. Although politically weak and riven by internal conflict, it was a centre of culture and learning.
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Pre-Roman Andalucía
Andalucía has been inhabited by modern humans and their ancestors for over a million years, so there are a wealth of fascinating archaeological sites across the region. And fortunately for visitors, the dry climate of eastern Andalucia has kept some incredibly intact traces of bygone cultures.
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Quick guide to music and dance in Andalucía
Andalucía is the birthplace of flamenco and still the best place to catch a show as a tourist. But music is an integral part of Andalucian life, and you’re never far from a concert, a festival or a spontaneous singalong.
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Roman Andalucía
Andalucía was one of the most Romanised provinces outside Italy, and two of the great Roman emperors – Trajan and Hadrian – were born in Itálica, near modern-day Seville.
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Tapas culture
Tapas is very much part of the culture in Andalucía, but it can be a bit confusing, even if you live here. That’s because tapas doesn’t mean quite the same thing everywhere.
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The Art of Flamenco
For many visitors to Andalucía, seeing a passionate flamenco show is a highlight of their trip, and one they remember for the rest of their lives. Here’s a beginner’s guide to flamenco, including its history and traditions, and what you can expect from a flamenco performance in Andalucía.
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Visigoths and Byzantines
As the Western Roman Empire disintegrated, the Iberian Peninsula was occupied by several Germanic tribes. After an initial period of turmoil, the Visigoths imposed their authority, establishing a Christian kingdom that eventually covered the whole peninsula.
