This is a land of culture, history, fiestas, nature areas, and excellent food. You’ll be able to visit everything from outstanding monuments, amazing natural landscapes, be part of several unique popular events, or sample a range of delicious gastronomic products. Culture in Andalusia will provide you with an insight into Andalusian authenticity. Colorful and fun fairs, religious festivities, historical art, and traditions, are part of a much wider variety of picturesque events in Andalusia. Discover the Andalusian people’s identity, the towns and cities’ origins as well as those of its gorgeous festivities.
In Andalusia, there's a party every day - whether it's to celebrate a harvest, a saint's day, a Romeria (pilgrimage), or the town's own annual Feria (fair), when every town and village puts on a show, with casetas (marquee tents), sherry and dancing. We can only name a few:
- The first Andalucían feria takes place in Seville. This traditional festival is sensational for the richness of the costumes, dances, shows, and decorations. This is what makes the Feria de Sevilla a festival of international touristic interest of worldwide renown. If you visit Andalusia in April, it is a festival not to be missed.
- San Barnabé festival, in Marbella - Celebrated around his saint's day on June 11th, lasts a week-long, and it’s one of the most important historical festivals as it commemorates the reconquest of Marbella by the Catholic Monarchs in 1485.
- Noche de San Juan - All over Costa del Sol, on June 23rd is one of the most magical nights of the Andalucían year. The traditional pagan festival celebrates the Summer Solstice, and massive bonfires are built on the beaches, to symbolize the purification of the spirit.
- Carnival in Cádiz - Some say it is the largest carnival in the world. It has a unique atmosphere in its streets and the colour on every corner mixed with the joy and friendliness of its people, lasts day and night throughout the 10 days that the event lasts.
- Coastal processions in honour of the Virgen del Carmen - (patroness and protector of all seamen and fishermen) has her own saint's day on July 16th. The fishermen decorate their boats and sound their horns across the coast of Andalusia to honour their patron saint.
- Corpus Christi in Granada - This fair is the most colourful week in the local calendar.
- Semana Santa in Marbella - Holy Week processions is one of the most impressive and sacred nature parade events of the year leading up to Easter Sunday. All the details, the songs, the music, the costumes worn, give this festival a picturesque and traditional dimension.
You’re a culture enthusiast? Then you should definitely go visit
Malaga!
- Picasso Birthplace Museum: The legendary artist was born in that house in 1881;
- Centre Pompidou Malaga: A branch of the famous Centre Pompidou in Paris;
- Carmen Thyssen Museum: An extensive collection of Spanish and Andalusian paintings;
- Russian Art Museum: offers a collection of Russian art pieces in an old tobacco factory.
Attend a
Flamenco Show - This art was born here during the 17th century and a very important part of Andalucia’s culture. Coming from the gypsy culture, Flamenco is a mix of 3 arts: singing, dancing and guitar. And.... IT'S INTENSE!!
Visit Jerez de la Frontera: The hometown of the world-famous Sherry wine and several "Bodegas" may be visited. The most famous tourist attraction is Jerez is the show of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, where you’ll enjoy several choreographies performed along with traditional Spanish music
Like something different?!
- Tabernas desert, is the largest arid desert in Europe. Many “Spaghetti Western” movies had been filmed there, such as “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”. Other famous movies like “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Indiana Jones” were also filmed there. You can visit the saloon and even attend a duel between the sheriff and a bandit!
- The Caminito del Rey, until 2015, date of its full renovation, this hiking path was considered the most dangerous one in the world! Nowadays, it’s totally safe to hike on this path located 100 meters above the ground, but it’s still very impressive;
- Nerja caves, Discovered by chance in 1959, they are 4km long, but only bout a third is open to visitors. You will be able to access several halls, such as the Cataclysm Hall, with the tallest and largest columns in the world. Torca Hall and its numerous cave paintings is also worth a look.
Finally, remember that Andalusia has a thousand different flavours waiting to be tried. From the sherries of Jerez and Montilla from Moriles, to the classic platters of fresh fried fish known as “pescaíto frito” from Cadiz, cured ham from Cordoba, olive oil, and other such typical dishes as gazpacho and “salmorejo” (a kind of thicker gazpacho). The “tapeo” reflects the Spanish approach to life. This itinerant tasting and tippling stems from an unabashed love of play and pleasure. Tapas bars serve as living rooms: places to eat, relax, meet friends, watch a soccer game, have a quiet drink, chat with the owner. In small villages, the local bar or cafe is even more important.
Basically, Tapas culture revolves around the experience of sharing small bites with friends,
And keep in mind that all 3 Andalusia programs can be combined at your will!!!
FROM CULTURE TO TAPAS
