Although Andalusia is primarily associated with sun, flamenco, bullfighting, tapas and white towns, its charms do not end there. The south of Spain has much more to offer. The rich history, diverse terrain and abundant vegetation of Andalusia mean that you can find unusual places here, often with fantastic views.
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Andalusia is one of the 17 autonomous regions of Spain. It covers an area of over 87 thousand square kilometers and is inhabited by almost 8 million people. The region includes eight provinces: Málaga, Seville, Córdoba, Cadiz, Granada, Almería and Jaén. It is famous for its rich history, architecture, culture and culinary specialties. Although Andalusia has many tourist attractions, we will not read about all of them in tourist guides. Today we present you some secrets of Andalusia.
Setenil de las Bodegas - a city built into the rocks
Setenil de las Bodegas is one of the white towns of Andalusia. It is located in the province of Cadiz, 18 kilometers from Ronda, in the rocky canyon of the Río Trejo river. Most of the houses were built inside natural caves, and some of the streets were literally carved into the rocks. It is thanks to them that Setenil de las Bodegas is unique. The town squeezed between the steep rocks of the gorge is an unusual sight, and the narrow streets can make a dizzying effect.
In Setenil, with a population of around three thousand, you will also find several interesting monuments. There are, among others, the ruins of a castle from the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries, the Gothic church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación and the building of the old town hall. When visiting this town, it is worth trying the olive oil, for which Setenil is famous. Olive groves are an extremely picturesque element of the Andalusian landscape.
Viewpoint in Arcos de la Frontera
Arcos de la Frontera is a town in the province of Cadiz located on a spectacular cut rock. It is a place full of nooks and crannies reminding of its Arab history. The local old town has been added to the list of cultural assets, and the viewpoints located near the castle allow you to admire the Guadalete River. One of them is the Mirador de la Peña, from which there is a panorama of the vast plains and hills of the Sierra de Grazalema, as well as the river flowing around the city.
El Rocío
El Rocío is a small village located in the southwestern part of Spain near the town of Almonte, where you will look in vain for asphalt. The roads are sandy and people travel on horseback. No wonder many people call this place the Spanish Wild West.
Once a year, crowds flock to El Rocío. All thanks to the pilgrimage to the local sanctuary. It is one of the most popular religious destinations in Spain, with almost half a million pilgrims attending. The pilgrimage takes place 50 days after the end of Semana Santa, or Holy Week.
However, this is not the end of the town's attractions. The most important place is the magnificent square located near the sanctuary. Next to it is a pond, where flamingos have made themselves at home. It is also worth visiting the nearby La Doñana National Park, inhabited by many species of animals, including deer and lynx.
A trip to the mountains
If you want to stray from the tourist trails in Andalusia, it is worth going to the higher parts of the mountains. Fans of climbing will be pleased to know that it is here, in Andalusia, in Granada and Almeria, that the highest mountain peaks in continental Spain are located.
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