5 Can’t-Miss Destinations Outside Seville

Royal palaces, delicious tapas, and year-round warm weather are hallmarks of living in Seville. Why leave? Because Seville’s location in the south of Spain is the perfect starting point to explore all of Andalusia! Here are five can’t-miss destinations, all accessible by public transportation…

Aracena, Spain

An old market town filled with picture-perfect villages and lush scenery, Aracena is under two hours from Seville. Check out the 13th century Aracena Castle, discover its medieval history, then stick around for one of the best sunset views in town. Below castle hill is the Cave of Wonders or Gruta de las Maravillas, a natural underground monument with a network of limestone caves and lakes. It is one of the best-preserved grottos in the world. End your visit with tasty tapas that include Arcena’s world-famous ham. How famous is it? It is so famous, Arcana has an entire museum dedicated to it, and a city-wide ham festival in the month of October.  

Cádiz, Spain

Generally believed to be the oldest, continuously-inhabited city in western Europe, Cádiz is a beautiful city surrounded almost entirely by water. Spend a day exploring the historic and charming streets, including El Pópulo, the oldest neighborhood, and La Viña, an old fishing quarter. Learn about the Santa Cruz Cathedral and climb one of its twin towers for a gorgeous view of the city. Relax at the local beaches, eat out-of-this-world seafood tapas, or shop the local markets. If you want to go all out, visit Cádiz during its 10-day carnival at the end of February - one of the largest carnival celebrations in all of Europe.

Córdoba, Spain

Located in the center of Andalusia, and once the capital of Moorish Spain, Córdoba boasts some of the finest examples of Moorish architecture, including its crowning jewel, the Mezquita, the Cathedral of Córdoba. The city also houses Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, which features a magnificent castle and courtyard, and the Medina Azahara, a fortified medieval city and now UNESCO site. Later in the day, walk through winding, stone-paved streets to visit the La Ribera district for delicious food, the old quarter for charming architecture, and the picturesque banks of the Guadalquivir River. 

Granada, Spain

Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Granada attracts visitors with the allure of the Alhambra – part-palace, part-fortress, part-garden. After visiting the Alhambra, don’t miss one of the most famous streets in Spain – Carrera del Darro – which overlooks the Darro River. The street is filled with historic buildings, stone bridges and the remains of Arab houses. When you’ve finished the walk, don’t miss out on free tapas! Granada still maintains the tradition of giving free tapas with food orders – how great is that? 

Málaga, Spain

As the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, art is an important part of the culture in Málaga. There are dozens of art galleries and museums to visit, including the Picasso Museum. Even the streets are filled with murals and art work. Besides art, Málaga is also brimming with historical landmarks. Visit the 11th-century Gibralfaro Castle; Alcazaba, the Moorish fortress; a Roman theater; and the Catedral de Málaga. 

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